Worktops made of natural stone, mainly granite and marble, have become very popular in recent years. The natural material is spectacular, giving the kitchen a timeless, exclusive look. Kitchen worktop must be durable, functional, and also fit into the interior and its composition. When choosing a material for kitchen worktops, it is also important to consider the costs, ease of maintenance and the possibility of possible repairs and renovations. The two most popular materials are granite and marble.
Granite worktops Wigan
Granite kitchen worktops are very popular and willingly used by investors. This material is famous for its extraordinary durability, which is why it is used in interiors to create window sills, worktops, floors or fireplace casings. It is an expensive material, but at its price goes high quality and functionality. Granite is a rock of natural origin, formed as a result of crystallization of magma that cools deep below the surface of the earth. It has an open-crystalline structure (with the naked eye you can see individual components of the rock) and takes on different colors. You can choose from granite in deep black, many shades of grey, or beige and salmon. You will also find white granite in dimmed green and spicy blue. Due to the natural origin, there may be differences in the colouring of individual elements of the ordered worktops or even within a single board. The granite texture is slightly porous. Granite worktops Wigan can be sanded to a high gloss or a smooth, matt surface. Its tops are made of cold in structure and reception – they heat up very slowly and are cool to the touch.
Standard kitchen worktop is made of 2-3 cm thick hob. Larger thicknesses are not recommended due to the high weight of the elements. In order to get the impression of a thicker worktop, edge banding is usually used. The edges of the worktop are usually finished with a phase, i.e. a slight cut of the edge, or a rounding. The choice of the shape of the board and its edges is almost unlimited and depends only on the assumed visual effect. The kitchen design must take into account the heavy load on the worktop. Installation of granite worktops Wigan is also difficult and long-lasting, and is unlikely to be possible without the help of a professional. It is only possible with the use of special tools.
Granite is a material that is ideal for use in the kitchen. Granite worktops are resistant to impact, scratches and abrasion. You can cut or roll out the dough on them without worrying that the surface will be destroyed. An additional advantage is that it is insensitive to acids, so that it does not become discoloured, as kitchen worktops made of other materials are exposed to – for example under the influence of acids contained in lemon juice or vinegar. The material is also resistant to water – it is impermeable and does not absorb moisture and does not allow dirt, grease and bacteria to penetrate. Thanks to its high resistance to chemicals and dirt, it is very easy to keep clean. Possible damage to the surface of the top made of granite can be regenerated without having to remove the entire top. Small scratches are removed by polishing the worktop with a sanding stone. Large damages require disassembly of the damaged panel and its repair in the stone workshop.
Granite is a non-flammable material, resistant to high temperatures. This feature is particularly useful in kitchens – it can be used near gas cookers and hot pots or sheets from the oven can be placed directly on the worktop.
Granite or marble worktops?
For kitchen worktops it is recommended to use granite, which is to a lesser extent destroyed in everyday use. The marble worktop will quickly scratch and become discolouration and stains. This is due to the properties of marble, which is a limestone rock – soft and sensitive to degradation. It is even damaged by organic acids, which are contained in everyday food products.
Granite worktops Wigan will be a real decoration of any kitchen, matching both traditional and modern interiors. It is worth deciding on it, despite its high price. It is characterized by durability, functionality and beautiful appearance. It is an investment for many years of use.
Proper use and care of granite worktops
Regular impregnation of granite worktops in the kitchen is extremely important. This will reduce the absorbency of the stone, so any spilled liquids will be more difficult to penetrate its structure. What is more, proper impregnation will make granite much easier to clean later. The first impregnation should be planned directly after the installation of worktops, and then the treatments should be repeated every year.
Although granite is a relatively resistant stone, cleaning preparations containing acids, such as phosphoric or hydrochloric acid, should be avoided. There is a risk that they may damage the polisher on the surface of the worktop, making the stone dull and even more susceptible to later damage. For cleaning granite it is worth to use preparations with a safe pH of 7-9. The enemy of granite are also various bleach agents, i.e. agents containing chlorine in their composition. They may leave unsightly discoloration on the surface of the worktop.
For cleaning granite worktops Wigan, other standard preparations used in homes, such as glass washing liquids, preparations for cleaning wooden furniture, preparations for cleaning fittings or agents based on silicone oils, are also not suitable for cleaning granite worktops.
If wine, tea or even lemon juice is poured onto the granite worktop, you should immediately wipe off the surface. Although they will not damage the tabletop, but after a few hours in these places, slight discoloration may appear. Such a risk is very possible especially when the worktop has not been impregnated before.
Arrangement of each room requires attention to the smallest details. After all, they often determine the success of the whole project. In the case of kitchen projects, worktops undoubtedly play an important role. They perform not only functional but also decorative functions. Granite worktops Wigan are becoming more and more popular because they combine these two factors.
