Helpful Information About Kashmir White Granite

Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White. 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 Kashmir White and how to take of it.

Why Kashmir White 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. Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White.

An attractive garnetiferous granulite from India that was metamorphosed during the early Mesoproterozoic (~1.4 billion years ago). The rock has feldspar (white), quartz (grayish), garnet (deep red), and biotite mica (black). This material is quarried at several localities near Melur Taluk (for example, Keelavalavu, Malampatti, Navinipatti, and Tirukalambur), Madurai District, southern Tamil Nadu State in the far-southern Eastern Ghats Orogenic Belt of far-southern India.

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

What Kashmir White Granite Is Made Of

As with most natural granite, Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White Granite slab give it some qualities that people are drawn to. Some of these qualities translate into practical properties for daily use and care.

Kashmir White Properties

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

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

Fabricating Natural Kashmir White Granite

What goes into working with and fabricating Kashmir White Granite? Well, for most of us the project is bigger than we are equipped to take on. This is because Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White is much easier for them than it would be for a novice.

Even transporting Kashmir White natural granite can be a challenge for the average person. Even handy individuals and do-it-yourselfers could find moving a piece of Kashmir White Granite form point A to point B. Since Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White

There are some basic care requirements involved with owning a Kashmir White 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 Kashmir White Granite surface.

Sealing Kashmir White Granite

You may have heard that natural stone needs to be sealed. You also may have heard that you need to check with the fabricator to find out. Both of these statements are true. One of the two main ways that you can care for your Kashmir White surface is to periodically reseal the surface using an appropriate stone sealer. There are many kinds and we even offer a stone sealer that is food safe for kitchen countertops (both indoors and outdoors). Keeping up with resealing your Kashmir White surface helps protect it from oil and water-based liquids that could get into the pores and stain the surface.

Resealing a granite countertop is not a difficult task and it does not have to be done all that often. It all depends on how much wear and tear the surfaces experiences through household use. About every 6 to 12 months it would be good to do a water test on the Kashmir White surface. This simple test lets you know how absorbent the stone is at that time. The test is easy. Just put som water on the stone in various places and see how fast it absorbs the water. The more absorbent, the more needed the sealer is.

How to Clean Kashmir White

Another aspect of caring for your granite surface is to use a cleaner formulated for use on natural stone. Kashmir White countertops and other surfaces are natural stone and sealing them is only one part. Not every household cleaner is made for use on natural stone. In reality, some cleaners actually break down natural stone sealers. So to maintain the seal that you are replenishing every-so-often, be sure to use a natural stone cleaner that will not degrade sealers. This is true of all sorts of natural stone cleaners. Let's look at some basic ones now.

One type of natural stone cleaner is the daily cleaner that is designed to remove the spots, smudges, and food residue that inevitably ends up on your Kashmir White kitchen countertop. Another type of cleaner that is not as frequently needed is a stain remover. If your sealer breaks down and and an oil based liquid or a water based liquid gets into the pores of the granite, you may need this type of cleaning agent. These products are formulated to draw the stain out of the stone. But once again, keeping the sealer replenished on the stone reduces the need for these types of stone cleaners.

About Maintaining Kashmir White

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

In conclusion, granite surfaces like Kashmir White make very durable surfaces for the home and can ber a challenge to install yourself. Having your Kashmir White Granite countertop installed by a professional with the proper tools and equipment will yield the best results. Additionally, how you care for the surface after the installation will go a long way toward years of performance from your Kashmir White kitchen countertop surface.