Why Granite over counter top products?

The tough stone materials have reigned through ages, writes Lydia Namono.

Doesn’t it get monotonous for one to use the same materials which have dominated the building market because of their affordability? Well, it’s high time you reconsidered using granite and marble to accentuate that home because of its versatility.

You have probably been at a refurbished home and wondered what kept you marveling. Perhaps the kitchen top was fitted with a sleek material that got your eyes glued to it only to realise it was filled with granite and marble. Granite and marble are among the best home furnishing materials because of their magnificent appearance that brightens up the building.

Versatile granite
Some home owners have settled for granite because it adds value in addition to its durability. Granite as a natural stone has been used for thousands of years in buildings because of its appeal and lasting beauty. According to Mr Kantilal P. Vona, the manager at Stone Concrete Limited, granite provides a wide range of choices for the consumer because it comes in different natural colours and designs specific to each piece of rock such as green, blue, pink, black, red, white, brown, and some pearled finishes.

Its uniqueness
Ms Chiara Francescon, the director at Uganda Marble and Granite Limited, says granite is a solid material that is third in line after diamond. She describes it as prestigious and that potential buyers will be persuaded to purchase one’s property once it’s put up for sale. Granite’s uniqueness is highly cherished because of the substances it contains; quartz, feldspar and mica. Others use it in counter tops, bathrooms, Jacuzzi, swimming pools, staircases and monuments.

Much as it’s quite expensive for the average person, it’s better for one to spend a large sum of money initially since it can easily be recovered other than spending it on repairs if one opts for cheaper materials. “As a heavy material, the supporting structures should be strong enough during installation requiring professional expertise to fix it,” Mr Vona explains. He adds that it hardly chips but if it does, the whole surface has to be replaced immediately.

Marble material
As a natural stone, marble is a limestone made of carbonate minerals but highly porous. According to Mr Ian Ssenkatuka, an architect and Lecturer in the Faculty of Technology at Makerere University, marble is a high class finish element that makes space unique, giving it a prestigious appearance. In buildings, it’s quite easier to cut into different slabs due to its soft nature. Similarly, it is available in different colours and it’s used in the same places as granite but one has to be more careful when selecting where to put what. However, Mr Vona warns that marble can easily scratch compared to granite.

The difference
At this point, you might be wondering which of the two is better, but there are in-built differences. Granite can deal with cuttings, chippings and is non-porous, which means that it’s easy to clean. On the contrary, marble is a porous material, therefore one might have to replace it more often.

Kitchen tops
As one of the most outstanding parts in the house hold, the kitchen deserves a classy look. This can be achieved through using granite and marble as finishing materials. Ms Francescon says granite is vital because of its high resistance to heat. “One can comfortably put hot pans without fearing that they will damage the surface,” she says. However, marble is not ideal for the kitchen, and should be sealed because of its high susceptibility to some liquids like vinegar and lemon. Granite and marble are also used on pastry slabs.

The bathrooms
Ideally, the bathroom enables people to relax after a long day’s work; therefore, one should carefully select the material which would help accomplish this. Ms Francescon explains that granite and marble provide an appealing atmosphere that will definitely make one feel less stressed due to the serenity they provide.

Vanity tops
Granite and marble provide a sophisticated look to vanity tops because of their exceptional value. Mr Vona says they usually have finished ends and pre-drilled faucets; thereby minimising the cost of fitting them if one had to purchase them independently.

Fancy furniture
These materials are also gaining stamina in the market because of the glamorous look they add to furniture in the garden decor, office and homes. So far, they are commonly used on table tops and desks due to their decorative nature. She says these are commonly got from granite and marble slabs depending on the consumer’s choice.

Vintage gravestone
This could be one of those things you would think about only when tragedy befalls you. However, you can send off the deceased with a granite gravestone because of the value attached to it. Additionally, many have comfortably used it in gravestones because of its resistance to external weather conditions. “When my elder sister passed away, we had to look for a beautiful material to lay her to rest. I mobilised my family members to purchase granite because of its elegance and durability,” says Ms Cindy Nagudi, a resident of Naalya.

Floor materials
Is the floor one of those places you never really care about? If so, you could look out for granite for that artistic appearance. However, you should select one that is textured to avoid sliding, especially when cleaning.

The frames
Granite and marble are equally popular for framing windows, doors or even fixing the edges of the floor (skirting). You may be wondering what keeps some houses glowing despite the rapid changes in seasons, but the margic is in granite and marble.

By Lydia Namono