How can I fabricate my Granite Worktops?

For your perusal here are some of the instructions that might help you with this task:

First of all choose the granite tile for your existing countertop and select those colours and patterns that compliment your kitchen and cabinetry.

Once you are done with tile shopping then start your work by cleaning your granite countertop surface and for that you need sanding powder or sand paper. Remove all the existing items from its surface now wear gloves and start sanding down the entire surface. Make sure that entire glossy and shiny surface must be converted into a complete matte and dull appearance.

Wipe down the dust thoroughly with damp piece of cloth then leave it for air dry.

Measure the entire length and breadth of your countertop. Use your pencil and geometrical tools to find the middle point on countertop in terms of length and draw the line for your future reference.

Now apply the thin and even layer of mortar on the surface of the countertop but in rowel pattern.

Press the first tile on its front row and for reference use the line that you drew earlier on its surface. Start placing the tiles from front row of the countertop and then move forward and cover all the edges of the counters and then jump into middle section of the countertop.

Remember that each row must start from the middle line and then go to outwards.

Once all the tiles are placed precisely in their position then leave your granite worktops overnight for air dry.

Then next morning start working on its grout by using the grout float. Once it is done then removes all the residues gently by using the sand paper or putty knife. But remember to work on granite tiles with smooth hands otherwise it will leave some scratches on its surface and take away its shine.

A Brief Introduction to Red Aswan Granite

Red Aswan Granite

There are several colours and shades in granite that you will find all over world. Some of them are regular while others are unique and rare in appearance and Red Aswan granite is one of them. It is one of the elegant granite that is used as dimension stone and specifically quarried from the mines of Egypt. As compare to other granite colours Red Swan exhibits striking colour patterns that differentiate it from others.

Characteristics!

Red Aswan granite vividly displays red colour in its base molecules that are market by black, white or sometime with brown granules on its surface.

Like other granite stone Red Aswan also possess all the basic qualities of durability, resistance to scratches and stains, temperature tolerance, easy cleaning but most importantly Red Aswan granite is highly appreciated for its high resistance capacity against water. Additionally it is considered one of the densest granite stone among all.

Location!

Red Aswan granite is particularly found in the Egyptian quarries of granite but also in one specific location as it is not widely distributed throughout the Egypt. You will find some other red coloured granite as well but most of them are merely work of imitation or mimicking of Red Aswan granite. So if you are truly looking for red granite then make sure you buy Red Aswan granite from a reliable supplier or retailer.

What is in the Name?

Aswan is the name of the place in Egypt that consist the quarry of red granite. These granite quarries are used for hundreds of years and it exhibit an excellent work of art as Pyramid of Giza that comprises same Red Aswan granite. It is also famous by the name of Rosso Aswan.

History of Red Aswan Granite!

As I told earlier Aswan granite is extensively used during Egyptian era for the construction of their fine architecture and is used in many ways. It is used as the carving stones, building the monuments and designing the floor or lining the chambers. Even elegantly used as the frame of doors and windows.

Modern Use of Red Aswan Granite!

There are several ways through that you can put this Red Aswan granite in good use. It offers all the qualities that you expect in your kitchen countertops, vanity tops, mantle, window sills, coffee table etc. Even if you are searching for a red coloured dimension stone then also Red Aswan granite is best option that I would suggest.

A Brief Case Study on Weathering of Granite!

Dartmoor and Isle of Arran is the perfect example that exhibits an elegance of granite in its natural form. As we all know that granite is formed due to the intrusion of magma into the pre-existing layers of the rocks and then with the passage of time due to cooling and pressure inside the earth produced the crystals of quartz, mica, feldspar and silica that ultimately lead to the formation of granite rock. All the naturally formed tor of granite on earth is basically the result of weathering process.

Types of weathering process in Granite!

There are basically two types of weathering process in granite namely;

1.       Frost shattering

It is also known as physical weathering that result into the disintegration of the granules. It happens due to the number of freezing cycles which basically causes the expansion and thawing of water on granite’s joints in continuous manner.

2.       Hydrolysis

It is another weathering process in granite which is also known as chemical weathering. This process of hydrolysis indirectly causes the phenomenon of Kaolinisation under which kaolin or china clay is produced when feldspar’s crystals gets dissolve in granite through hydrogen. This phenomenon remains active till the granite is exposed in good amount of water. This hydrolysis of granite basically makes the granite weak as it is strengthen material quartz remains as loose crystal.

If you want to see the fine example of weathered granite then landscape of Dartmoor is best place to see as it is mostly composed of granite and its been formed about 280 millions years ago. If you take a look on the landscape of South Britain then you will see that Dartmoor is the largest area displays good amount of granite.

Whenever you see granite landscape then you will find that TORS are their speciality that are formed due to the weathering processes and one such example is Hound Tor in Dartmoor. There are several theories that are developed on the formation of Tor but here are a few points of one of the theory that can describe you its formation easily:

1.       Initially vertical joints were formed due to cooling and contractions then horizontal joints were formed due to the weathering of upper layer of rocks that helped in releasing the inner pressure of granite and caused its expansion.

2.       Hydrolysis and Kaolinisation are the two processes that helped in widening these joints followed by deep weathering of granite rocks that finally give the birth to TORS.

You can find a lot of such topics on granite's origin, quarries, granite architectures and installation and maintainence of granite worktops on my latest blog at http://www.granite4less.co.uk/blog/