If a remodeling update is on your agenda before the holidays, you may be in the midst of choosing the perfect slab of granite for your kitchen, bathroom, patio area or garden. With all of the beautiful granite options out there this might be a bigger and more time-consuming decision than you initially anticipated. First on the list is deciding on the color and pattern of granite that best suits the look you hope to achieve and then next you’ll need to choose the right granite edging to complement the look of the natural stone as well as the feel of the room it will be installed in. One granite-related decision, whether or not the granite slab that you chose has been resined, may already have been made for you.
Resin is commonly used in granite to fill in and reinforce the deep veins, pits, holes and superficial fractures that can compromise the overall stability of the stone. Resin, a natural or synthetic compound, is injected into the stone in a liquid state that gradually hardens to seal weak areas in the stone. The natural pits and holes occur when the molten masses that form into granite cool and move away from one another.
Most of the time resin is injected into the back side of a slab so the filled areas are not noticeable once the countertop is installed. The exception to this is when a fissure or fracture runs the length of the entire piece of stone. In some cases, a stone with more fissures could be a lower-cost stone, but it is very common for granite to have these natural pits and holes. The resin is then color matched to blend in with the natural color of the stone and the entire stone is polished to a shine.
Granite Resining Process
- Granite surface is honed
- Stone is dried to improve absorption of resin
- Resin is applied and left to cure
- Granite is polished to a shine
In addition to the added strength of the stone, resined granite may not need to be sealed as often or perhaps not at all. Because granite is a natural stone with unique qualities, there is no absolute standard regarding when and how often to seal the slab, but Rock Doctor recommends resealing every 12 to 18 months. One way to tell if your granite needs to be sealed or resealed is with the water droplet test. Place a small drop of water on the surface of the granite and if the water does not bead up then it’s time to reseal the granite.
In order to keep the granite’s like-new shine, apply Rock Doctor Granite & Quartz Polish weekly. The fast-drying, non-abrasive polish enhances the color of the natural stone and protects it with a blend of carnauba wax and emollients. The polish provides a fresh, natural look and also leaves a water-resistant coating that protects the granite surface from spills, etching and rings. Rock Doctor Granite & Quartz Polish is perfect for all stone surfaces, new and old.
This article was brought to you by Rock Doctor, which offers a line of specially-formulated stone cleaner, stone polish, and stone sealer products. Rock Doctor stone care products can be purchased through a number of fine retail stores, including Wal-Mart, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ace Hardware, Do it Best Hardware, Hy-Vee, and Wegmans.
