Copyright © 2017 Lamin8 Scotland Limited
Granite Surfaces
Granite is an all natural stone product, mined from the earth. Offered in a wide variety of colours and
patterns, every slab is unique. Most granite comes with a highly polished finish, although some stone
comes with a honed surface.
Options - Choose from many options that make you counter truly custom:
* Finish - Polish or Honed
* Edge Treatment
* Back splash - Set On or Tile
* Sink Type - Top Mount or Under Mount
Stain Resistance - Granite must be sealed with a quality natural stone sealer that is non-toxic for food
service applications. If you re-seal you counter on a regular basis, the surface should stay relatively
protected. The most important thing to know is that you can not use chemical cleaners to clean the
stone. Chemical cleaners such as Windex, 409 and Simple Green will strip the sealer away, leaving
your surface unprotected.
Heat Resistance - Granite is almost heat proof. The reason we say almost heat proof is that in some
instances, extreme temperature change can cause a crack of fissure to split apart. Other than that,
most cookware will not get hot enough to damage natural stone. Because of this, we always
recommend a hot pad or trivet.
Cutting and Abrasion - Granite is the most scratch resistant surface you can put in your kitchen. Most
daily use will not scratch the surface. Keep in mind, if using the surface as a cutting board it will dull
your knives after the first use. For this reason we always suggest using a cutting board.
Impact - Although granite can withstand impact, if and when some a hard impact does occur, edges can chip.
Food Safe - If you properly seal your granite counter top and clean after each use, you should have a very clean and sanitary counter surface. Granite is not
NSF approved for use in commercial food preparation areas.
Granite Suitability Tests
Test your Granite before you make your selection. Not all granite is the same. Use the test below to determine the suitability of your granite slab selection.
Lemon Test - The lemon test is to determine the ability of your granite to resist etching. Follow the steps below:
* Place a wedge of lemon or lime, cut side down, on the sample overnight.
* Wipe the sample in the morning and hold it at an angle to the light.
* Check for a rough spot where the lemon was placed.
* Etching will appear dull and rough.
Etches normally occur where calcium or calcite is present in the make-up of the stone. If your sample reacts to the lemon wedge, we DO NOT recommend
this for your kitchen.
Water Absorption Test - Test the suitability of your granite to resist water absorption. The tighter the grain the less absorption.
Follow these steps:
* Place a few small drops of water on the sample
* Let stand for about 15 minutes.
* Wipe excess water.
If the granite sample absorbed the water as soon as you put it on, DO NOT use this granite. A quality sealer would help prevent some absorption, but would
require constant maintenance. If there is still a bit of water left on the surface, it will be suitable for your kitchen.·We recommend a sealer for all granite.
Telephone: 01382 370473