Granite
The term granite comes from the latin root word "granum" meaning "grain".
It is formed from liquid magma, the molten rock found at the core of the earth
It has cooled slowly to form a substance which is hard and durable. It is an
igneous rock.
Granite is formed of an aggregate of crystals which are molded together
without any interspace between them or which enclose one another. It has
three essential minerals within it; felspar, quartz and mica. These minerals
occur in different amounts, which gives each piece of granite its own colour,
texture and structural characteristics, making each piece unique!
Granite resists strains and scratches. It stands up to warm pans, water and
wear. We at Anglian stone can tailor your self-chosen piece of granite to
match your specific requirements. Granite is perfect for use throughout the
house and we can design pieces for kitchens, bathrooms, tiling, fireplaces,
tables, vanities, islands etc
Some of our most popular quartz range.
Quartz
For those who love the look of granite but are wanting an exact pattern,
colour or something different quartz could be the answer. Quartz is the
most common mineral found on the earth’s surface. It is present in nearly
every geological environment and is a component of almost every rock
type. It exists in an impressive range of varieties and colours. it ranks
7.0 on Moh’s Hardness Scale, which is used to measure the
scratch-resistance of a material. Only the diamond (at 10), topaz and
sapphire (at 9) are harder than quartz. Quartz does not form in huge stone
blocks like granite does. It grows in clusters and which contain 40% – 60%
quartz, limestone or other types of rock, it is not suitable in its natural state
to make into countertops or other large slabs.
A process was developed and patented by an Italian company which
involved using raw quartz crystals ranging in size from coarse grains to the
size of rock salt. Once the quartz is ground and selected, the crystals are
combined with bonding agents, resin, and colour, then heated and
vibro-compacted to form an impenetrable surface. The result is a slab
made up of about 93 percent quartz and 7 percent resin binders and
pigments. Making it free of fissures and cracks and impervious to water,
moisture and bacteria.
The appearance of the quartz surface varies depending on the size and
mix of the granules. Smaller, finer crystals give a more uniform appearance,
while larger ones give a more mottled look. The colours that quartz are
available in also vary as pigment can be added. Most of these colours
can suit modern design but can’t be found in nature! Quartz is ideal for use
in countertops, flooring, shower and tub enclosures, fireplace surrounds
and furniture.
Back to top
Marble
The term marble has both a geological and commercial definition. Geologically marble is a metamorphic rock consisting of fine to coarse grained
recrystallised calcite and or dolomite. Commercially the term marble is used to describe any crystallized carbonate rock including true marble and
certain limestone that is capable of taking a polish.
Marbles are available in a vast array of colours, and the variety of colours is a result of impurities found in the marbles such as iron oxides,
carbonaceous minerals, mica, chlorite or silicate.
There is a wide variation of physical properties in the stones that make up the marble group. generally the flexural strength, compressive strength,
and abrasion resistance are lower than what is typically found in the granite group. This may result in either reduced spans or increased thicknesses
for cladding, or increased wear in high traffic areas. As long as the material is properly selected for the application, the performance should be
satisfactory.
The type of stone used needs to depend on the use of the stone. Marble may not be considered strong enough to be used in the kitchen but looks
and suits bathroom perfectly.
Back to top
Slate
Slate is a fine grained metamorphic rock. Its derived from an original shale type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash. Its mostly
made up of quartz and muscovite. Because of its natural ability to resist heat, slate can be used in the household. It isn't as hard and durable as
granite or quartz but with the right amount of care it can provide a hygienic, heat proof and beautiful surface.
Back to top
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of Calcium Carbonate. It often contains variable amounts or silica as well as clay, silt and
sand. Limestone constitutes approximately 10 percent of the sedimentary rocks exposed on the earth's surface. It forms either by direct
crystallization from water (usually seawater) or by accumulation of shell and shell fragments.
Limestone usually forms in shallow water less than 20 m (70 ft) deep and thus also provides important geological information on the variation
in sea level in the past. Limestone is widely used in bathrooms and for flooring and often comes with fossils embedded in it. Being more porous
than granite, if you are planning to have a limestone worktop or countertop on your kitchen, you will need to take greater care.
