Where does granite come from before it is shaped and polished?
While everyone knows that granite and natural stone make beautiful signs and hardscaping, not everyone knows where these popular materials come from and how they are made. How does granite get from deep within the earth’s core to your backyard or business?
What Makes Granite So Special
Granite is so strong and durable that it has been popular for hundreds and hundreds of years. As one of the strongest kinds of natural stone on earth, it can be used both inside and outside, and is even resistant to the weathering effects of acid rain. It gets its strength from the various minerals in stone. It’s durable, easy to clean, and is even stain resistant. It’s natural beauty is not only functional, but adds value to your home.
Where Does Granite Come From?
Granite begins thousands of miles below the earth’s surface as magma. As the magma builds pressure and rises through the cracks in the earth’s crust, it begins to cool. During this cooling process, granite is formed. In order to get the natural-occurring stone out of the ground, it must be mined. Miners outline a large section of rock wall, and then drill holes into which they place explosives. The explosives are then set off to detach the desired section. This section is then divided into smaller chunks, which still clock in at massively heavy weights and weight tens of thousands of pounds. Diamond saws are then used to cut the slabs into smaller sections, which is a long and arduous process.
Preparing This Natural Stone For Use
Granite slabs that have been cut into more manageable sizes are polished to a beautiful gleaming finish. Some stones are even giving a rough finish via flaming, which makes them ideal for non-slip flooring. After the slabs are polished and finished they are ready for use in your home!
Get In Touch With Del Prete Masonry Today
For any questions regarding masonry construction, feel free to contact Del Prete Masonry. Our masonry restoration professionals have the experience and history of satisfied clients to prove that we’ll get the job done right, and cost-effectively. To get started with your masonry restoration project, please contact our office today at 410-683-0650 or email us at mike@delpretemasonry.com. We serve Baltimore City, County, Harford County, Carroll County, Anne Arundel County, and Howard County.
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Tags: granite, natural stone