Are you considering a new granite countertop for your kitchen or bathroom? Here is a fun fact about granite; your brand new countertop will be fabricated from a product that is millions of years old. In fact, the newest piece of granite on the planet is 750 million years old! Granite is a natural stone product that cannot be duplicated by man.

Granite is a gorgeous natural stone product that is a popular material used for countertops and floor tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Granite has surpassed marble in popularity because is it even more durable and easier to care for. Granite is unmatched by synthetic products for its strength and durability, tolerance to temperature changes and resistance to stains and scratches.

Granite is a naturally formed stone that is quarried from deep in the earth, harvested, cut, polished, sealed and installed in homes to add beauty, elegance and style. Because it is a natural product, no two slabs are exactly alike. Granite is available in many colors from the various minerals that are found in the rock. Since it comes from all over the world, different regions and environmental factors make it unique.

Granite is mainly made up of quartz crystal, but it also contains various amounts of other metals including feldspar, mica, copper and iron. Some granite may contain bits of gold or silver. The amount of each metal depends on the region it comes from. All granite is formed into a hard stone by heat and pressure. Rain adds other minerals as it is forming. It is available all over the world, in every country, and each region will produce a unique variety of granite.

Granite is a completely natural product that cannot be synthetically duplicated. It is very durable and when it becomes a part of your home, you will find that it does not have to be replaced every few years like some synthetic products. It does require some care if it is to last a lifetime.

Granite is stain resistant, but not stain-proof. For optimal resistance, a highly durable seal coating is applied before it is installed in your home. Granite can be porous, so it should be sealed every year. It is also a good idea to wipe all spills right away so that strong chemicals and abrasives are not necessary to clean up messes, as they will damage the seal coating. Dry the countertop with a lint free cloth to reduce water spotting.

Granite is scratch resistant, so it will not show wear and tear like other synthetic products. This doesn't mean your cutting board is obsolete. There is a seal coat on the granite that can be scratched or damaged and allow chemicals to soak in and stain the product.

Granite is heat resistant, but again, the seal coating can be damaged by a hot pan, so be careful. The stress caused by hot objects can cause discoloration over time.

A granite countertop is very durable, but it is also beautiful and elegant, so treat it like you would anything of great beauty. With over 250 varieties of colors and textures, you can be sure your countertop is unique and no one else has one exactly like it. Granite is the most durable, heat, scratch and stain resistant surface you can get, so go ahead and use it for its intended purpose but care for it properly and it will maintain its original, natural beauty for a lifetime.

This article was written by Charlie Thiede, owner of Rock Tops Granite, the leading granite and marble countertop fabricators in the US. Rock Tops technology sets them apart from other companies. With computer numerically controlled stone processing equipment, they get a perfectly cut and polished edge on every countertop. Artfully merging the latest technology with old world stone craftsmanship, Rock Tops are the experts at creating quality granite and marble countertops which they professionally install. Visit their website at http://www.rocktopsgranite.com to locate a showroom and learn more.