PROPERTIES FOR AN EXCELLENT GRANITE COUNTERTOP

Granite is a material that has been used for thousands of years as an architectural material. From statues to staircases, natural granite is used in many applications. Throughout its long history, natural granite has been used as a material for many applications. In this article, we will delve into this historic material. As we do, we will see what granite is, what its properties are, and what it is used for today. We will also take a look at the care and maintenance of granite and how to tell if it is right for you.

Properties of Granite

Natural granite lies on the hard end of the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. The Mohs scale ranges from 1 to 10 with 10 being the hardest. Natural granite registers anywhere from 6-7 depending on the stone. So it is considered hard and that makes it resistant to scratches.
Another property of granite is that it is available in a variety of colors. Some of the colors in which you can find granite include:

• White
• Yellow
• Blue
• Pink
• Green
• Brown
• Gray
• Black
• White
• Red

In addition to the colors above, natural granite can be multicolored consisting of two or more colors. Some of the more exotic granite is distinctly colored and the patterns are very unique.

Fabricating Countertops With Granite

Granite fabrication is a skill that requires not only specialized tools, machines, and facilities, but also knowledge and experience. DIY projects are indeed possible using granite and a few common tools that some already have. However, the finished product may not be as appealing as it is when the proper equipment is used.

One piece of equipment that is, without a doubt, required is the diamond blade. Granite is too hard for a regular blade so diamond blades are used to cut the material into sections so it can be fashioned into a countertop.

Another basic piece of equipment used for fabricating granite countertops is polishing pads. Polishing pads are used for easing hard edges and for creating a polished finish to the slab. Pads are used for wet polishing or dry polishing and come in 3, 5, and 7-step systems.

The importance of having adequate equipment to cut dekton and porcelain

Dekton, among other alternative stone materials, continues to grow in popularity for applications such as countertops, flooring, and both interior and exterior wall cladding. Being a hard dense product, it is crucial to use appropriate tooling during the fabrication process. Carlos Sustaita, production director for STA Granite, provides several important tips of advice for those working with compact sintered stone.

Why do products such as Dekton need special/different tools than those that are used for cutting granite and marble?

Material hardness is the key to understanding why you need different tools to fabricate Dekton. The material has a

very high density (ultra-compact), which means that if you don’t use proper tools, you can either break the tool or the material or even worse, damage the machinery.

The cutting process requires trimming the edges to release tensions. Then you have to follow cutting recommendations, which include using plenty of water, the proper speed, feed rate, etc. Once you follow the rules, it’s a piece of cake.

When doing edging on Dekton, What is the difference in the process compared to a natural stone?

In this sense, Dekton’s edge is very easy to work with since the material is very homogeneous, and it is easy to get very good results. Any fabricator can do it well on the first attempt.

What are some common mistakes that fabricators are making when it comes to cutting this material? And, what are some common mistakes with doing edging or doing sinkholes or something?

The main mistake is trying to fabricate Dekton as if it was a granite or quartz composite. You will fail if you use the same tools, speed rates, and so on. Another common mistake is trying to cut Dekton in uneven support. It is a common source of problems too.

Sometimes people ask about what machine is best to cut Dekton. I believe the key is not the machine but the tools and proper maintenance. I have seen people with very modest equipment doing amazing things and the other way around.

7 Keys for Cutting Ultra-Compact and Sintered Dekton and Porcelain Materials

1. Water

It may seem too simple or too intuitive to matter, but less than adequate water AND hoses positioned incorrectly is the most common error causing headaches among cutting these materials.

2. Check your table level

One of the more overlooked aspects of successful cutting is, to the degree that your table is not level in the horizontal plane, vibrations will occur. This unevenness can result in chipping and likely breaking the edge of your slab.

3. Buy the right blade

As cliche, as it may sound, choosing the right blade for the material you are processing, is critical.

4. Removing tensioning strips

While each manufacturer of ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials may, or may not have tensioning strips built into the perimeters of each slab, if they are not removed before cutting, the slab is at higher risk of cracking or breaking.

5. Feed rate and RPMs

Using the same feed rate and RPMs you may be accustomed to when cutting other materials can be a recipe for trouble. Unlike fabricating more common materials such as marble and granite, we’ve seen the most success cutting ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials when following a systemized approach is used.

6. Avoiding Plunging

While plunge cutting tends to be of little concern for most sawyers when cutting ultra-compact and sintered porcelain materials it can pose big problems resulting in cracking or breaking your slab.

7. Cutting Sinks

Projects requiring a sink cut-out can be an obstacle many fabricators dread. Since we already know plunging is not the ideal way to go about this, what are your options? When preparing a sink cut-out, it is advised to drill each of the four corners with a 1/2” core bit before to start initiating cutting.