Granite is an igneous rock, with a crystalline base, hard and tenacious. It can be polished, shaped, cut, and honed to create many useful products. Granite is very durable and suitable for any type of internal structure. It is in great demand in the field of construction, covering a series of uses in shops, buildings and homes. Mica, quartz and feldspar deposits give granite its beauty which is available in various colors.
It all started in ancient Egypt, where the Egyptians mined granite for use in various constructions. Most of its beautiful monuments were built with limestone and granite. For example, the recently unearthed statue of a New Kingdom pharaoh was made entirely of granite. Many of these relics, representative of the outstanding civilization of the Egyptians, were built with granite blocks. Due to the extraordinary sculpting skills of the Egyptians, the granite blocks of these statues were built in such a way that not even a piece of paper could slide between the rocks.
This igneous rock is part of a historical legacy that goes back thousands of years, but finds relevance in our time and in the distant future. Known for its wide use, especially in the beautification of buildings, let’s discover one by one the other uses of this beautiful resource.
First of all, granite is one of the favorites when it comes to its use in kitchen countertops. Here, solid slabs of granite are cut to size, polished and adorned with quality finished edges. Due to the increased demand for this product in the average income household, the installation fees that cost a pump are now also affordable for the average person.
Granites are widely used in the construction industry. Here, the granite is quarried and turned into blocks with rough sides or, in some cases, polished to some degree. Because of this, the blocks fit together perfectly giving the exterior a rough and rugged texture that is becoming ‘fashionable’ in today’s architectural design. Museums, churches, palaces and universities are few of the many that have been built with granite blocks. Large construction projects, such as the Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC, which spans the Potomac River, use granite as a structural element as well as a decorative fence. Therefore, granite blocks are also used for structural purposes.
Granite countertops are widely used as pavers, also called cobblestone; this makes the entrances and checkouts very colorful and interesting. This highlights the beauty of this magnificent material which, when combined with professional craftsmanship and expert design, becomes a true masterpiece.
A very creative use of granite can be seen at Mount Rushmore, which is a granite monument in South Dakota made as a tribute to Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Thomas Jefferson, former US presidents. This massive monument is carved directly into the mountain.
Another common use of granite is as a memorial stone; mainly as a tombstone in many countries.
Great sculptures start with a small piece of rock. While you may not be into sculpting, the reason that brings you to this article definitely means that you have something on your mind that has to do with this beautiful material. As a kitchen surface or material for your next construction project or for a rock statue on your table, granite is a beautiful piece of rock that you simply must have!
