Helpful Information About Impala Black Granite

Impala Black is one of the names of granite you will find in our gallery. This is one of many different types of natural granite that people use for kitchen countertops and other surfaces. As with most granite, there are some specific features that Impala Black possesses. Additionally, there are some traits that make this granite unique. In this article, we won't go into too much detail about the unique qualities of Impala Black. We will mention some brief comments about the composition or the visual appearance or both, but the majority of this article will talk about working with Impala Black and how to take of it.

Why Impala Black Granite

One of the first things to contemplate when considering any granite surface is why people choose it. There are many reasons people select natural granite for kitchen countertops. Impala Black Granite has many of the benefits that virtually all natural granite offers. It does however, have some characteristics that make it what it is. And like many other stone surfaces knowing a bit about the composition can be helpful. The following quote was taken from the description of a photo written by a geologist about Impala Black.

An attractive, 2 billion year old gabbronorite from South Africa. It is composed principally of grayish plagioclase feldspar and black pyroxene. It comes from the famous Bushveld Complex, a world-class example of an LLI (large layered igneous province). LLIs often have economic concentrations of valuable metals, such as platinum and chromium. North America has one economically significant LLI - the Stillwater Complex of Montana.

In addition to those basic comments, many other important facts about Impala Black are helpful to be aware of. We'll consider some additional helpful information about this remarkable natural stone.

What Impala Black Granite Is Made Of

As with most natural granite, Impala Black is a composition of primarily natural quartz and/or feldspar. It can contain other materials, but the main minerals are those in most cases.

The minerals that make up a Impala Black Granite slab give it some qualities that people are drawn to. Some of these qualities translate into practical properties for daily use and care.

Impala Black Properties

One of the big advantages of natural granite over other hard countertop surface materials is that it is very hard. Materials such as Impala Black Granite are scratch resistant because of the hardness of the material. Impala Black is also heat resistant. Unlike some engineered stone, granite can resist heat and does not burn or discolor.

Impala Black natural granite is also very unique. Not just unique from other stone, but it is also distinct from other Impala Black slabs. Choosing your specific slab is encouraged since each stone can vary one from another.

Fabricating Natural Impala Black Granite

What goes into working with and fabricating Impala Black Granite? Well, for most of us the project is bigger than we are equipped to take on. This is because Impala Black is such a hard material that ordinary tools aren't the best suited for working with it. For example, just drilling a hole in a Impala Black kitchen countertop slab will take a diamond core bit designed to cut through rock. Stone fabrication professionals have all this equipment. Therefore, the project is not only easier for them, but they have more experience actually working with granite. So, cutting, drilling, and installing Impala Black is much easier for them than it would be for a novice.

Even transporting Impala Black natural granite can be a challenge for the average person. Even handy individuals and do-it-yourselfers could find moving a piece of Impala Black Granite form point A to point B. Since Impala Black is heavy, it requires more than one person to move, lift, and adjust it. That doesn't even take into consideration the material handling equipment that one needs to transport it. Additionally, installing Impala Black will require a specific formulated and colored granite glue. These are all supplies that fabricators are familiar with and even already have.

How to Care for Impala Black

There are some basic care requirements involved with owning a Impala Black kitchen countertop. It is a natural surface and it is very durable. And although it is very durable, keeping it looking its best takes a bit of regular care. This care comes trough a couple of channels. Each of the following plays an important role in caring for your Impala Black Granite surface.

Keeping Impala Black Sealed

Your Impala Black surface will arrive with a sealer applied to keep it from readily absorbing liquids. Sealers are applied to natural granite because of the porous nature of natural stone. Maintaining the sealer on your surface is the first way to care for it. Impala Black Granite benefits from periodic testing to see if it needs resealed. every so often, 6 months to a year, simply put a few ounces of water on the surface to see if the stone is "thirsty". If the slab readily soaks up the water, then it is in need of being sealed.

There are a number of natural stone sealers available for all sorts of materials. If you are sealing a kitchen countertop, we offer a food safe stone sealer designed for use on surfaces that come into contact with food. Again periodic testing of the surface will reveal how much sealer it needs.

Impala Black Cleaning

Besides keeping your Impala Black surfaces and countertops sealed properly, you will also need to use some cleaning techniques designed to yield the best results in your overall maintenance program. In so doing, you will find that there are a couple of aspects to cleaning Impala Black surfaces. The first aspect of cleaning granite is the everyday cleaning tasks. This kind of cleaning would include wiping up spills, splatters, and crumbs from the surface of the stone.

When daily cleaning is being performed, the best cleaner for the job is a pH neutral cleaner. Why us a pH neutral cleaner for natural stone? Because these cleaners do not break down the sealer. Some cleaners will simply remove the sealer that you use to treat the surface of the stone. When this happens it is as if the surface was never sealed in the first place. So, using the appropriate cleaner will retain the benefits you gain by using a natural stone sealer.

In addition to the daily cleaning of Impala Black, and particularly in the event that your sealer has been worn down or dissolved, you may find that you have to remove a stain of some sort. When this happens, you will need a different kind of cleaner. There are a number of specialty cleaners that are formulated to remove specific kinds of discolorations. These kinds of cleaners are often referred to as stain removers. Depending on the kind of stain or discoloration you have, you will need a remover made for that particular substance.

About Maintaining Impala Black

It really just boils down to putting together a regular routine of cleaning and sealing your natural Impala Black Granite surface. Once you get the routine into full swing, it just becomes second nature. A good routine for maintaining natural granite, including Impala Black, basically involves the following:

• Use a pH neutral cleaner to keep the sealer from breaking down and clean any debris from the surface.
• Reseal the surface of your granite surface when it gets "thirsty"*.
• Using a fortified stone polish periodically gradually maintains the sealer on the surface of the natural stone.

As with many other project types, Impala Black is a natural stone that is best fabricated and installed by a professional with both experience and the right equipment. And once the material is installed and initially sealed, maintenance is needed. As we have seen, Impala Black Granite is not a chore to maintain if the proper products are used in the proper manner. Doing so effectively will no doubt provide you with years of performance.