General knowledge of granite and marble
What is granite ?
Granite is an igneous rock, and it was formed deep under the earth as hot molten rock cooled very slowly. During the cooling process, minerals like feldspar and quartz crystallized and bonded together. Because of the way it was formed, granite is very strong, and resists water and food acids.
As such, granite is a hard stone next to diamonds.
Can granite be scratched ?
Being the hardest rock after diamond and having a hardness of 7 out of 10, only a diamond or another piece of granite can scratch it. Knives and blades will blunt under it.
What is marble ?
Marble is a metamorphic rock. It began as a coral reefs, shells, bones of sea fishes, beneath an ancient sea millions of years ago. These eventually became buried under earth and rock, and the calcium-rich bones of the little creatures which lived in the reef became calcium carbonate, or limestone. Then, the limestone was buried even further beneath the earth's surface, and, under heat and pressure, the calcium carbonate crystallized into marble. During the earth movements, limestone hills were formed. As such, marble is softer than granite.
Is granite expensive ?
You can get quality grade granite slabs for floors and walls from INOZ from as low as RM 10 per sq ft.
Is granite more expensive than marble ?
Granite, depending on the color and country of origin can be cheaper than imported marble.
How can we use granite ?
Gramite being a natural stone can be used in so many ways
[1] slabs for floors and walls – polished and unpolished (flamed, horn and bush hammered)
[2] vanity tops for bathrooms
[3] kitchen tops and bench tops (bar counters, reception areas)
[4] cobblestones for driveways, garage
[5] pavement stones for garden walk areass etc
[6] signboards (name boards)
What are the common sizes available ?
Slab sizes for floors and walls– common sizes in metric measurements
300x300x20mm ( 1 foot square)
300x600x20mm ( 1 by 2 feet)
300x150x20mm ( 1 by half feet)
300x450x20mm (1 by 1 and half feet)
300x600x20mm ( 1 by 2 feet)
600x600x20mm ( 2 by 2 feet)
The sizes can be between 300 to 600mm in width or in length
Size beyond 600 mm is not recommended.
Cobblestones – are in pieces of 100mmx100mmx50mm thick
The thickness can range from 30mm to 100 mm, depending on the requirement.
Tumbled stones are in pieces of 100x100x50mm thick
Vanity tops and countertops are customised to size required
Does INOZ supply granite and marble and installation ?
You have a choice of getting the stones from us with or without installation.
What is the cost of installation ?
For a floor without any complicated designs, the labour cost is approximately RM 5 per sq ft
Is water proofing required for marble and granite and how is this applied ?
Water proofing is required to ensure that the granite and marble will not be stained by underground water or water or stains on the surface.
It is also recommended for floors that are on ground level and on which the building has been newly constructed, a water proofing membrane or cement harders be applied.
Granite being a porous material can attract water from the ground and thus cause patches on the surface.
Impregnators are typically low molecular weight polymers formulated to penetrate below the surface. To accomplish this feat, monomers are simply hydrolyzed in the presence of solvent or water. The low viscosity allows complete wetting of the particles or fibers within the given substrate. When the carrier of solvent or water evaporates, the impregnator reacts to leave a long-lasting, invisible barrier of protection from the elements.
Water-based impregnators cause the water to evaporate and leave behind a film which changes the angle of contact between liquid and the granite surface that has been treated. The greater the angle of contact between the liquid and the solid, the more difficult it is to penetrate the solid.
The impregnator film also reduces surface tension, making it more difficult for most liquids to penetrate the solid surface
With solvent-based impregnators, there is an added benefit of a cross-link phenomenon that creates a "barrier." This added barrier virtually eliminates any penetration of liquids.
How do I know which texture should be used ?
The texture of granite contributes a big deal to its beauty, its durability and its use in various applications.
Selecting the right texture is important because it is a lifetime feature. The texture depends on the application and the environment where the granite is to be used.
For an area like a swimming pool deck, you do not want the finishes to be slippery as this will cause injury when your feet is wet. So a honed or a flamed finish (or with brush hammered) is recommended.
For a garden pavement, a slippery finish is also not welcome.
For a driveway or a garage where a motor vehicle is to run over it, cobblestone or tumbled stone is recommended. These stones are normally 50mm thick and so can stand the weight of the moving vehicle. Flamed granite may also be used but again the thickness is recommended to be 30mm and beyond.
For a living hall or a dining hall a polished surface brings out the elegance whether for a wall or for a floor.
As for bathrooms, the area should be non slip. The granite will have a wired brushed texture which is smooth to the feet, yet. unpolished.
For a kitchen floor, honed or flamed with brush hammered texture is recommended.
For kitchen tops and bath vanity tops, dark colored granite is more suitable as stains are not easily observed. Nevertheless, with stain prevention solution used, lighter colored granite can be used.
To whom does INOZ supply ?
INOZ supplies to
a. property owners - bungalows, terrace houses, condominiums, commercial properties;
b. developers of properties;
c. building contractors and stone installers;
d. interior designers and contractors
Does INOZ import the granite and marble ?
INOZ imports its own stocks of granite.
INOZ imports for those who require bigger quantities eg for projects;
INOZ imports granite or marble for a specific color, texture and design for customers;
INOZ imports for buyers who want to work on an indent basis.
Kitchen countertops, vanity tops, bar tops. bench tops
Is granite more expensive than solid surface for countertops ?
Many people have the misconception that granite is expensive and therefore opt for solid surface.
In fact, solid surface is MUCH more expensive than granite, in general.
A granite countertop is more durable and lasts forever, BUT NOT Solid surface.
When solid surface has a certain life span, you need to change it Granite is not only for the rich, but it's for the average person because it lasts forever.
What are the differences between granite and solid surface materials for countertop ?
While granite is a natural, igneous material created underneath the earth's surface, solid surface materials such as Corian and Avonite are man-made, using acrylic or polyester resins.
Granite has an advantage over durability, maintenance, design and costs, along with many others
Is marble or limestone ideal for countertop ?
Granite is the most durable, and is chip and scratch resistant. You can cut, roll dough, and place hot pots directly on granite. Because stone is porous, each stone requires sealants. But granite absorbs the least and only requires resealing about once a year.
Marble Because it’s smooth and cool to the touch, marble is the traditional favorite for rolling dough and making pastries. However, it lacks the durability of granite and requires sealants to be applied more frequently to prevent stains.
Limestone Limestone is not the best choice for messy—or frequent—cooks. It offers a unique weathered look but also stains easily due to its more porous nature, so spills must be addressed immediately.
What are the benefits of using granite for countertops ?
Granite countertops offer many benefits. A major benefit of granite is its mirror-like finish.
A hot frying pan that would normally sear solid surface countertops has no effect on granite. The hardness and finish of a granite countertop makes it resistant to stains, scratches, and extreme heat.
What are the types of edges available for counter tops ?
The common edges are [a] double bullnose [b] double chamfered edges.
These types of edges give the countertop piece a grandeur look and could cover parts of the concrete or wooden base.
What is a back splash ?
The back splash is usually made from the same granite used for the counters, but it can be ceramic tile, or some other product. It may be attached to the counter or to the wall, but in either case the seam between the counter and the back splash will be sealed with caulk. The standard height for a back splash is 4" although they' can be higher if the customer desires.
A tall back splash is sometimes used behind the kitchen range or sink to protect the wall from grease splattering, water or other stains. Therefore, it is the trend to have a backsplash higher than the standard 4 inches, sometimes, extending to the edge of the hanging cupboard.
What is the process of ordering a countertop ?
You can submit the details of your countertop to us through our website for an estimate.
Please refer to the section on 'Estimate'
We will give you an estimate by the second working day.
You can also visit us at our showroom, let us have the estimated measurements and we can work out the estimate.
When your kitchen cabinet is ready, we will measure the top and give you the exact cost and upon confirmation, your top will be delivered within ten working days.
What can I do if I suspect that the walls in my kitchen are not properly aligned due to defects in the building ?
The measurement at the site will take in account the defects, if any, on the wall alignment. Thereafter, the top will be cut-modified at the site to make it fit.
How do I choose the right color for a countertop ?
The color of the top should be chosed to match the cabinet, the wall or wall tiles and the floor, if possible.
However, for a wet kitchen we recommend a dark colored granite so that stains, if not properly removed will not be noticeable.
For a dry kitchen countertop, the granite can be of light color and even a marble top can be used.
How do I clean the countertop ?
For granite and marble, avoid using strong detergents especially those which are acidic in nature or those used for bleaching.
A soapy detergent in a wet cloth should be used to remove oil or stains and thereafter, plain water to wipe the soap away.
