Eagan Granite Facts | Process of Forming Granite

Adding natural stone to your home can give it an updated look and increase its value. There are many natural stone options, so you are probably looking at multiple natural stones. One of the most popular natural stone options is granite.  In this blog, Universal Stone, Eagan granite experts, covers how granite is formed.

How Granite is Formed

Granite is the most popular and common igneous rock on earth. It's formed at a very slow rate under the earth's crust when magma is forced between rocks and cools. During the cooling process, crystals are formed giving granite its distinguishing features. These crystals harden in an interlocking pattern, making granite very dense and durable. This prolonged process is why granite is so valuable, tough and durable.

Granite can be of a darker hue in colors such as blacks, browns and deep greens. It is mostly comprised, though, of quartz and feldspar which can give it a red, pink, gray or white color with dark mineral grains visible throughout.

Uses for Granite

Granite can be found all around the world, under the earth, making it easily accessible to many people. It is extracted from the earth in large quantities, then polished and cut to size for modern remodeling projects. Granite is used today mainly for construction projects because of its durability. It's most frequently use as countertop material, but can be used as floor tiles, paving stone, curbing and more.

Eagan Granite for Your Home

Granite is used frequently in kitchen and bathroom countertop remodels in Eagan. It's durability, style variety and inability to harbor bacteria makes it the perfect stone to have in your home. Granite has an earth shaped beauty that other materials can't compare to. It comes in a wide variety of color options, so it compliments any home decor easily. You won't have to worry about replacing granite for the duration of the time you spend in your home. Granite can make your home more modern and will last for many years.

When you're ready to begin your Eagan granite remodeling project, call us at 952-746-4690 or fill out our online Free Quote Form.

5 Reasons to Choose Granite Countertops | Apple Valley MN

Do you need new countertops in Apple Valley? There are a lot of options to consider when making this type of change in your home. You may be concerned about the look and feel as well as the life and durability of the countertops you are about to purchase. Below are 5 reasons why you should choose granite for your home.

1. Natural Beauty. Granite is a naturally occurring stone and offers the beauty that can only found in nature. The look is naturally vivid and timeless. There are a wide variety of colors available that can match any lifestyle.

2. Durable. Granite is a very durable material. It is one of the toughest rocks on the planet because it is forged naturally to be strong. To cut granite, it takes a diamond cutting tool therefore, you won't be able to do damage with regular kitchen materials. These countertops can last for many years.

3. No Mold and Mildew. Granite is naturally dense material and it is sealed before being added to your home. Granite is also unable to harbor bacteria. These facts make it a great option for anywhere that is moist for example, a kitchen or bathroom.

4. Heat Resistant. Granite is heat resistant because it is formed underneath the earth's crust under an extreme amount of heat and a tremendous amount of pressure. This means that the heat of common household objects will not easily affect the surface. Normal use will not melt or cause a burn mark.

5. Wide Variety. Granite comes in many options. There are a variety of color options for granite countertops, from Absolute Black to White Wave and everything in between . There are choices to match any style of home and lifestyle. Once you have chosen a color, then you can think about edge profiles. You can show off the personality of your home by choosing the edge profile that works best for you.

If you're ready to start the process of putting granite in your Apple Valley home? Then fill out our Form for a Free Estimate or call us at 952-746-4690.

Bathroom Vanities: Which is Right for You?

Which stone is best for your bathroom vanity: granite, marble or quartz? Before you go out and buy the first St Paul marble bathroom vanity, you should do all the necessary research. As one article noted:

Each comes with distinct advantages, but there are disadvantages to each choice.

The final pick is should something you’re comfortable with, and will add greatly to the look of your bathroom.

Read the entire article: “Granite vs Marble vs Quartz: The Countertops Battle Royale.”

Choosing Granite Counters for Your Home

When you're looking for an affordable way to give your home some class, granite countertops are a great option. However, you'll find yourself bombarded with a number of different choices from which to choose, so before you select the first Apple Valley granite countertops company you come across, take your time. As one article noted:

Just a single perusal of a granite dealer’s website or showroom may result in as many questions as answers.

 What should you look for? See if there are any spots, patterns or fissures that wouldn't work well with your home. Ask the fabricator about veining directions and seaming. Look at the granite in the right light and go to another company if your questions aren't being answered.

Read the entire article: "Granite Countertops: How to Choose Granite Counters For Your Home."

Using quartz for your kitchen countertops

The kitchen, it has been said, is the heart of the home. This is because it is offers a place to sit down around the table, or perhaps stand at a countertop, and unload the events of the day.   The kitchen is also, where guests have a tendency to congregate during parties. Therefore, with that in mind, you want to be sure that your kitchen looks great. One way to do this is by having beautiful kitchen countertops such as those with a quartz surface.

As one of the more recent arrivals to kitchen countertop surface choices quartz is referred to as an engineered stone; however, this does not mean it lacks the advantages of stones such as granite, marble or other natural stones. In fact, it has many of the same characteristics. In addition, the list of colors it comes in in seemingly endless, so having quartz kitchen countertops will not cramp your design style.

Not only is the color choices for quartz vast, but it is relatively easy to maintain. Because of its composition, having quartz kitchen countertops means that you have a surface that resist scratches, dents, scuffs, burns and stains, is nonporous  and can last for many years. And, when it comes to basic cleaning, quartz kitchen countertops only require a soft cloth and warm soapy water. In fact, harsh chemical cleaners are not recommended. Of course, kitchens are meant to be used, so there are likely to be times where even the most careful of home cooks may have something spill. But don’t fear. Just clean it up with a damp cloth.

Of course, no natural stone or even an engineered stone is without a few usage concerns. Perhaps the only drawback to having Mankato quartz countertops is that they are not a replacement for a cutting board, as this could result in causing a scratch or damage the knife blade. It should also be noted that liquids such as coffee, lemon juice, vinegar and wine, if spilled, need to be cleaned up immediately; this is not necessarily a drawback, but rather a precaution.

Granite Counters: Beautiful, Durable, and Desirable

Granite counters were just beginning to be used in homes a century ago. But even as recently as thirty years ago, very few homeowners had the means to afford polished granite in their homes. Granite has always been more expensive than other suitable materials. This is because removing granite from the quarries and cutting it for final use is a very labor intensive process.

Granite is still more expensive than most other materials, but the difference is not as great as in the past. You may find that installing granite counters would be quite affordable. A large portion of the granite used in the USA is imported from other countries where labor rates are much lower. Even with the cost of shipping the granite slabs, the lower labor cost makes it a viable process.

Although granite costs a bit more, the value added to your home will always be there. If you decide to sell your home sometime in the future, you will probably get more than your investment back. Even if you don't sell, when you spread the slightly higher cost of granite over just a few years, it is hard not to see that it is a good investment. And, your granite counters will provide a lifetime of pleasure and utility, and still look as good as new.

Granite is a naturally occurring and very hard stone. In fact it is one of the hardest stones on the earth. It actually requires a diamond saw to cut it for use. The hardness of this stone gives it a durability that makes granite counters very desirable.

Another reason Mankato granite counters are becoming so popular, is the natural beauty created by the extensive variety of colors and patterns available. No one has yet been able to create a man made product with the aesthetic properties of granite. Granite can add elegance to a room like no other material.

Granite or Marble: Which Is Better For Your Kitchen?

Granite and marble are among the most popular types of natural stones for fabrication, but which one is best in your kitchen? And which ones work in the kitchen, but maybe not the rest of the home? We asked these questions in an article a while back and noted:

One commonality among all natural stone is that, despite some being heat resistant and stain resistant, the finish may not be indestructible. While heat and liquids may not be able to penetrate into a specific type of stone, the finish can be dulled with certain liquids. If liquids containing higher levels of acidity, such as lemon juice or vinegar, are left to sit without wiping them up, the finish of any stone may dull or develop haziness. For this reason, spills should be cleaned up immediately.

So, you'll need to pick the stone not only based on your tastes, color and other aesthetics, but also where the stone is going to be and what it will be used for. You might not pick the same stone for a countertop as you would, say, for a bathroom vanity. When it comes to Apple Valley granite countertops, you need to be comfortable and happy with the choice you make, as granite is very long lasting.

Read the full article: "Granite and Marble - Certain Stone Materials Not Recommended for Kitchens, but the Rest of the Home."