Why granite countertops are so popular and practical

Granite is a popular natural stone for the kitchen worktop. We reveal why - and give tips for use

When kitchen planning is about the material for the worktops, you are spoiled for choice. Natural stones are popular - especially granite. We talked to Stefan Wolf, state-certified stone technician and managing director of Naturstein Rechtglaub-Wolf, and why exactly this hard stone is so popular in the kitchen, what to pay attention to when installing, how to clean granite countertops - and why you never go with it should cut a ceramic knife on them.

Why is granite so well suited for the worktop in the kitchen?

It is not without reason that you "bite on granite" when you can not get to something. Nor can typical kitchen activities affect the natural stone. "For kitchen countertops, which are exposed to many influences such as scratches, liquids, heat and acid, granite is well suited as a robust and easy-care material," says the stone technician Stefan Wolf ofnatural stone Rechtglaub-Wolf .

A high proportion of quartz and feldspar makes granitevery tight and hard. Three components contribute to this: "Time, temperature and pressure allow the material to crystallize and become dense - exactly the quality that is desired for a kitchen countertop," says Wolf.

Which blades can you cut on a granite worktop?

Granite scores as a kitchen worktop so mainly by its hardness. "Only topaz, corundum and diamond have a higher value on the Mohs hardness scale. The natural stone is scratch-resistant against all other materials, "says Wolf. Cutting directly on the granite worktop is possible with most knives without hesitation. The only exception: ceramic knife. "Because they are made of quartz, they can damage the surface," says the expert.

In connection with the degree of hardness is the density of natural stone. And this is important, should drop a liquid or acid on the kitchen plate. Oil and red wine are the biggest enemies of natural stones - but a granite can handle them as well. "At least if you take care of the respective density of the granite accordingly fast to a cleaning. In many cases, simply enough water, "says Wolf.

Due to its high density, granite has few capillaries in comparison to other natural stones, into which the liquid can penetrate and settle. Also in terms of hygiene, this is a great advantage.

Which granite is the best for the kitchen?

When buying a granite countertop, according to Wolf, it is important to pay attention to the origin of the stones. Because granites from different areas can have different qualities in terms of hardness and water absorption. "I trust a granite from Sweden much more than one from China," says Stefan Wolf. "One from China has more capillaries, so it absorbs more moisture than one from Sweden. This in turn is harder due to a higher proportion of the mineral constituents feldspar and quartz. This is related to the fact that the Swedish granite is probably older and has been exposed to temperature and pressure for a long time to crystallize more. "

When looking for a suitable granite, Wolf recommends first of all to pay attention to the water absorption of the stone. This can be assessed by the layman but poor. Even a hard-looking granite may contain ingredients such as lime that make it less recommendable for use in the kitchen. Although one can determine the relative density and the degree of water absorption solely on the basis of the colors - blacks are generally harder than white or yellow granites - but here too exceptions are the rule.

cleaning of a kitchen worktop from Cielo White, India Cleaning a granite worktop: How do I properly care for the material?

Since granite is very insensitive, the kitchen countertop does not require much care. Nevertheless, it is recommended to impregnate the stone. "However, the impregnation is not a general purpose, but only protects against the ingress of moisture into the capillary system. But not acid, "says Wolf. The impregnation can be made about once a year depending on the usage. It is not absolutely necessary for high-quality, very dense granites, but above all interesting for an optical pearl effect.

In the picture: retracted grease stains in a worktop made of Imperial White. With the aid of specialist cleaners, these impurities can be removed again.

Stains are best tried first with water to clean. If this does not help, special cleaners are the best choice for maintenance care with incrustations. Specialist companies, such as Lithofin , which specialize in the cleaning of natural stones, such as granite, and quartz composites, offer tailored care products for the needs of different stones.

? "Ideally, one should take distance from vinegar cleaners and lime removers, as their high acidity is less recommended for cleaning granite. Under no circumstances should scourer be used, "says Wolf. The quartz in the component of the cleaner would damage the granite.

What to consider when installing a granite countertop?

? Before a granite countertop is installed, there must be a kitchen plan. Once the kitchen is set up. A digital measure is created, which is adapted to the spatial conditions, such as odd walls. Then the granite work surface will be produced and installed, "says Stefan Wolf. A carpenter checks if the kitchen substructure construction also carries the granite slab.

If the structure is not sustainable, the substructure must be reinforced. Only then is the installation of sink and ceramic hob, which are then finally connected by plumbers and electricians.

The weight of the plate is related to the density of the granite. "You would not have to resort to another material for the job site, so it's easier, you can work with thinner plates instead," advises Wolf. These are then doubled on the face to give the appearance of a thicker plate ". For this you would choose with a working surface thickness of four centimeters only a two centimeters thick plate and fill the rest with foam or aluminum honeycomb. As a panel, a four centimeter wide granite surface would be glued.

The thickness of the worktop is on the one hand a question of optics. "A large cabinet front, which acts strongly in the vertical, together with a five-millimeter-thin plate horizontally in the perception in the sense proportionally disproportionate. The kitchen worktop would not be stressed at all, "says Wolf.

On the other hand, the technical aspect plays a role: the area should be able to withstand a lot, whether it be for meat beating or leaning on it. As a recommendation, therefore, usually four centimeters thickness specified. However, on customer request, Wolf has already converted panels from eight millimeters to twelve centimeters.

What is important when cutting a granite worktop?

There are no limits to the design when cutting the worktops.

Lengths between 1.80 to 3 meters are ideal for machining. "It gets heavier and more expensive if four to eight meters are to be one piece," says Wolf.

Where sink and hob are to be installed, appropriate cutouts must be made. ? "It is important that we include room for maneuver here, as temperature is used in this area and there should be no friction on the granite," says Stefan Wolf. Therefore, a certain joint spacing is necessary, which is grouted with silicone, for example.

In the case of an essay basin, the worktop is sealed from above, while in the basement basin, the silicone joint must be placed under the plate. If a flush ceramic hob is to be installed in which the joint is visible, it is grouted around the field.

In the picture: Nero Assoluto ( The Nero Assoluto is technically a gabbro, but in common usage is also called granite.)

How to combine granite countertops in the kitchen?

"The best way to combine granite kitchen worktops is basically up to the taste of each one," says Wolf. "Nevertheless, certain combinations can be identified that are in great demand."

Contrasts are popular

"The mixture of black and white is very much in demand for a modern style - large, white-lacquered kitchen fronts contrast with a plain black granite top, such as the Nero Assoluto," says Wolf. In general, for the modern style, quiet-looking, plain granites in pure white, gray or black are preferred.

Real wood or imitation wood fronts with profiles are typical of the country house style. To the warm wood or in soft tones painted fronts fits a granite plate with structuring very well. Together with the wood grain and the profiling of the doors, the kitchen looks more alive and more natural.

A granite countertop is not right for you?

Whether black and black or gray and gray (about "Lupus Gray", picture below ) - a kitchen worktop made of granite with kitchen fronts looks restrained noble tone on tone. The monochrome color design makes the work surface and the fronts blend together visually and the kitchen unit thus gains in sophistication.

Those who can not get enough of granite, like the kitchen from the " Unique " series by Eggersmann, can make the entire kitchen from the robust natural stone.

Do you also have a kitchen with a granite worktop ? What experiences have you had with natural stone?