10 Great Uses Of Granite
Granite is one of the world’s toughest construction materials and has been used in buildings for thousands of years as a coarse, grained, dimension stone. A natural stone, it is formed by extreme heat and pressure deep underground. Find out more about the origins of granite and what granite is used for.
Find out more about the origins of Granite
1. Monuments – built to last
From gravestones to temples, monuments that are intended to last down the generations are often made of Granite. Before power tools existed, carving granite was laborious and time-consuming, so the stone was often reserved for important projects.
2. A core of strength
What do Roman bridges, the Pyramids and cathedrals have in common? Granite of course! Many ancient and historic buildings use Granite blocks to create a core of strength at their centres. As Granite can be polished to a beautiful sheen or clad in another stone, it was commonly used for supporting pillars.
3. Beautiful floors
Polished Granite is a stunning natural stone, and is often used alongside marble and floor tiles. Whilst marble often has very striking veining, Granite typically has a more subtle patterning making the two stones perfect complements.
4. Paths and patios
Granite paving stone slabs are ideal for use outdoors as they are very tough and weather-resistant. Many people are surprised at the number of shades of Granite that are available – paving slabs come in a wide range of hues, from red to green, as well as the well-known greys and blacks.
5. External cladding and building blocks
Halfway through our 10 great uses of Granite, we have building blocks. Rough-hewn Granite looks very different from the high gloss finished stone you’ll often see indoors. Many cultural groups use rough-hewn granite as building blocks or cladding for important buildings such as building bridges, paving monuments, town halls and religious buildings.
6. Mosaics and tile patterns
Because natural granite is available in such a vast spectrum of colours from deep, shimmering blacks and subtle greys to rare earthy reds and greens. It’s an exceptional medium for creating intricate mosaics, geometric tile patterns, and statement borders.
Opting for an all-granite pattern offers distinct design and practical advantages:
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Uniform Wear and Tear: Using a single type of ultra-hard stone ensures that no individual part of your patterned floor wears down faster than the rest, keeping the surface perfectly level for decades.
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Striking Contrast: By pairing a high-contrast black Granite against a crisp white granite or grey hue, you can achieve a classic checkerboard or custom contemporary mosaic that instantly commands attention.
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Indoor-to-Outdoor Continuity: Granite’s weather-resistant nature means a custom tile pattern can flow seamlessly from a grand hallway out onto an external patio or courtyard.
Whether you are looking to install a subtle, repeating tile layout in a utility room or a dramatic, bespoke mosaic feature in a commercial foyer, granite delivers a timeless luxury that never fades.
7. Backsplashes and bathroom tiles
Modern technologies allow us to cut thin granite tiles than ever before, making it an ideal choice for a backsplash or tiled bathroom. As a result, Granite is water resistant and stain-resistant. This makes it easy to handle the damp and dirt.
8. Mantelpieces and staircases
Using larger slabs of Granite is a great way to preserve and display the beauty of the stone. Granite mantels and stairs are popular thanks to their blend of beauty and practicality: granite mantels won’t catch fire and Granite stairs won’t wear out.
9. Granite kitchen worktops
Granite is arguably the ultimate material for luxury kitchen countertops and worktops, blending peerless natural beauty with near-indestructible practicality. Because granite is formed deep within the earth’s crust under immense heat and pressure, it possesses a diamond-like hardness that handles the daily rigours of a busy modern kitchen with ease.
Investing in a bespoke granite worktop brings exceptional performance benefits to your home:
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Heat Resistant: You can place hot pans and baking trays directly down onto the surface without any fear of scorching or cracking the stone.
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Stain and Scratch Proof: Once professionally sealed by our installation team, granite is highly resistant to spills, acids, and knife scratches.
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Hygiene Forward: Smooth, non-porous surfaces mean it will not harbour bacteria, making it incredibly easy to clean and wipe down.
Whether you prefer the dramatic, deep tones of a black granite worktop or the subtle, intricate crystals of a white granite worktop, no two slabs are ever identical. This ensures your kitchen island or breakfast bar is entirely unique to your home.
10. As a gemstone
Granite countertops are commonly known for being affordable building materials for interior and exterior projects, a few are both rare and stunningly beautiful. These may be used as gemstones and set into jewellery. A recent example is the discovery of K2 Azurite Granite in the Himalayas which has a stunning blue tint, this rare stone is prized as a gemstone.
If you enjoyed our 10 Popular Uses of Granite, be sure to check out our Granite range and contact our specialists today!
