Is Granite supposed to be smooth?
nancyrph
14 years ago
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azstoneconsulting
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Should granite countertop feel smooth?
Comments (5)It's hard for me to say what it could be without actually "being there" to touch it and inspect the areas you are talking about... What's causing your concern could just be a little caulk residue left on the surface of the stone, or other stuff like lacquer (sp?) overspray from your cabinets, etc. It could ALSO be epoxy or polyester glue residue left on the surface of the stone from the fabrication, installation and/or seaming process. The easiest and best way to tell what it could be is to take a straight razor (don't do this if you are not very good with sharp objects - LOL) and try to scrape off the residue (like you would when you're cleaning glass)... in most cases, the razor will take off the "mystery gunk" and life will be good. Dont worry - if you have Granite, you wont hurt the stone at all doing this - I PROMISE!!! On the other hand - IF you try the "razor trick", and the roughness persists, you'll prolly want to call in the Fabricator to see what's up. Is the roughness at a seam line, or somewhere else on the countertop assembly? can you post pics? that may help you get a more accurate idea of what your situation actually is.......... hth kevin...See MoreShould my BA granite be smooth as glass? Help please!
Comments (8)What's "normal" for one granite, or one slab vs. the next, can change. Absolute black has very consistant and small crystalline structure. It's "normal" appearance is very smooth, with some rougher larger crystalline areas being possible. It's a minority in granite in that it's usually very smooth to the touch with no pits or fissures visible. Most granite will be anything but 100% mirror smooth. If that's one of your top requirements for your counter, then engineered stone would come nearer fulfulling that requirement than natural stone. Bianco Antico has a larger crystalline structure and isn't ever going to be considered glass smooth. It's normal to have pits and fissures running through the slabs and those areas can always be seen with the naked eye against the light, and they can also sometimes be felt. That's normal and is far more typical of most "granite" being sold today, and that's part of the charm of Mother Nature. Some stone yards inject resin into their stones both to help them hold together during fabrication and to fill in some of those pits and fissures. It's not a wrong or right approach. It's just two different approaches to stone....See MoreHelp! This bathtub was supposed to be cement, now it's PAINTED
Comments (17)I'm afraid you've bought into some bad inspiration. Concrete is good for sidewalks, roads, foundations, and industrial construction. Maybe I'm being narrow-minded, but I can't see it having any place in a bathroom. Others have mentioned its negative characteristics. That concrete surround has to be heavy, and I hate to think how it will crack and shift in the years ahead as your house settles. My first thought was that maybe you could have it plastered over with something like water resistant exterior grade stucco or rendering - I have no experience with stucco, however. From what I can tell in the photos, though, a thick layer would raise the top of the surround above the bathtub lip. It might work if you could raise the tub. Tile might be better, as someone else mentioned, but again you'd have to raise the tub. I suspect you're stuck with what you have, unless you want to tear it out and start over. But I'm not an expert. Maybe others will have good ideas.. These home improvement television programs and websites that hand out such "inspiration" are not a force for good, IMO. They exist solely to move money from your pocket to theirs and their sponsors'. It looks as if you're another of their victims. :( Good luck. I hope you find a solution....See Moreshould a brand new granite counter feel smooth to the touch
Comments (4)Oh that's a pretty one. It's geologic name is granulite, and it's a metamorphic form of granite. It contains mica minerals, which form in very thin little layers/flakes. When the mica minerals are oriented vertically, it's likely that the little edges stick up. Is it polished or honed? I don't think it's fissures, and sealer doesn't have any effect on this - the sealer soaks into the stone, it doesn't make a layer on top of it the way that varnish does, for example. It may get better over time - the mica edges may wear off. But I'm not sure!...See Moredoraville
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