Granite
From MaterialProject.org, the free architectural material catalog
Contents |
Material analysis
MasterFormat Number: 04 41 30
Traditional uses
- stone masonry
- exterior cladding
- stone flooring
- paving
- site furnishing
- building memorials
Emerging uses / trends
- Decorative Screens
- Exterior Walls
- Foundations
- Solar Screens
- Wind Breaks
- kitchen countertop designs
- popular flooring material
- sink bowls
Finish and aesthetic qualities
Aesthetic qualities
- Granite is second only to diamonds in hardness. It is therefore an excellent material to use in construction.
- Colors varying from shades of gray to brown are dependent on the aggregate used. Additional colors are created by adding mineral oxide elements to the concrete mix.
- Surface textures classified as fine, medium, and coarse depending on the mix of Portland cement, aggregate, and water.
Finish
- Blocks can be split to produce a rough finish. Sculptured, pierced, and patterned blocks are created by using raised or recessed forms during manufacturing. Blocks can also be glazed for decorative effect.
- The most popular finishes are polished, honed, textured, sawn, split face, sandblasted, and flamed. A polished finish where the surface is highly reflective and smooth illuminates the vibrant colors of the stone and is often the finish of choice for residential applications.
Surface forms / shapes
- Granite is classified as fine-grained, medium-grained, or coarse-grained.
- The particular composition of the minerals also determines the particular texture (grain), hardness, and veining pattern of the granite.
- Granite is sold as dimensional stones, slabs, or tiles.
- Custom shapes are available for specific projects.
Cost analysis
- Price / SqFt: $15+ for slabs, $12+ for tiles, and $375+ for dimensional stones.
Material properties
Primary structural use
- Compression
Dimensional and opening restriction
Dimensional Restrictions
- Typical face dimension of 7 5/8” x 15 5/8” with 3/8” mortar joint
- blocks are available in 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, and 12” widths
- 3/4” to 1 1/4” thicknesses
Opening Restrictions
- Can be custom cut
- The use of lintels is often required to create openings in a granite structure.
- The flexural strength of granite (its ability to resist bending) varies but is typically 1000-2000 lbs/inches squared.
Acoustic property
- Low
- Blocks with vertical-slotted faces have sound absorbing qualities.
- Blocks are available with a cavity filled with fibrous material to absorb sound.
Manufacturing process and assembly
- Granite is a hard, igneous rock formed from the cooling of magma.
- It is crystalline in structure created under extreme heat. Granite is made up of various minerals including feldspar and quartz.
- Granite is quarried all around the world with the majority coming from Brazil, India, Scandinavia, Southern Africa, North America and the Middle East.
- Granite is an igneous rock, formed and retrieved from the molten masses; the quarried granite comes in blocks which are then trimmed into rectangular shapes then cut and polished into slabs or tiles.
Installation Issues
- Granite will absorb water at a rate of .10% to .40% by weight.
- This should be kept in mind depending on its application.
- StoneLite is a company that produces lightweight granite panels which can be used for interior and exterior projects. *Since granite is extremely heavy lightweight panels may be useful for certain applications.
Environment and Life Safety
Environmental impact
Sustainability, Off-gassing issues Maintenance/Resilience/Durability
- Although granite is one of the hardest stones on the Moh’s Scale (7/10), non-toxic, topical coatings are often used to improve the performance of resistance.
- In interior applications, surface stains can often be removed with chemical cleansers
- In exterior applications, acid rain, industrial pollution, and exhaust fumes may cause severe deterioration
- Veins can cause weak points that might cause cracking or crumbling
- Traditionally, use of explosive charges loaded in drill holes have been used to extract the stone but there are environmental issues of noise and dust levels.
- Diamond cable saws are increasingly being used, as they produce lower noise levels; the saws are cooled and lubricated with water, thus eliminating dust emission.
Flammability rating
- Not flammable, under MSDS.
Coefficient of friction
- Per ADA guidelines, a slip-resistant finish should be specified for a C.O.E. of 0.6 for horizontal applications
- 0.8 for ramping applications.
References
Notes
Student contributions
- Hanna Kim-Seda, Fall 2005
- Neha Sethi, Spring 2008
External links
Leading manufacturers
- Coldsprings Granite Co.
- Stone Source
- Architectural Stone
- New England Stone
- StoneLite
