Granite has always stood as a highly sought after building material for both its unequivocal strength and beauty – but what’s the story behind this art of nature? How does it travel from deep within the earth’s crust to your kitchen countertops?
Existing as one of the strongest stones on earth, granites impermeability has been appreciated & put to use for centuries. Being a natural byproduct of the earth’s inner conditions, granite proves itself useful for both indoor & outdoor application and resistance. Granite gathers its strength from the various minerals that make up the stone – interlocking with one another to create an unshakable bond. Its strength & durability makes it great for countertops – proving easy to clean, stain resistance, & its overwhelming presence of natural beauty.
Granite starts its journey potentially thousands of miles below the earth’s surface as magma. As this magma gains in pressure & rises through the cracks of the earth’s crust over time – it cools, & the granite is formed.
In order to collect the stone from within the earth – it needs to be mined. This process begins by the miners outlining a large section of a rock wall as they begin drilling holes for explosives. The explosives are then fed & ignited to detach the desired section. From this point, they begin to divide the large selection into more manageable chunks – although still remaining challengingly manageable! A 10 foot section that stands 5 feet wide & 5 feet deep weighs in close to 50,000 pounds! The diamond saws that are employed ensure an accurate cut – but not a very time efficient one. The diamond saws cut through this intensely compact material at around one foot per hour –so you can imagine the time that is put towards cutting the material that will cover your countertops alone!
Once the slabs are individualized, they are polished to a shiny finish upon which they are ready to be fabricated for your home! The laser-templating we employ allows for extremely accurate measurements of your current kitchen space, fireplace, or any other application you dream up!
Each slab of granite is completely unique & a one-of-a-kind signature crafted from Mother Earth, & its installation into your home ensures added beauty & value. If you are interested in installing granite countertops, a fireplace, or any other stone accents to your home – contact Southeast Stone, located in Orlando, FL & serving all of Central Florida. You’re sure to find pieces of stone that will bring you awe & inspiration from our selection or project gallery & we ensure that we help select the stone that looks & functions best in your home!
