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Helpful Information About Orbicular Granite

Orbicular 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 Orbicular 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 Orbicular. 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 Orbicular and how to take of it.

Why Orbicular 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. Orbicular 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 Orbicular.

Orbicular granodiorite from the Archean of West Australia. The matrix is granodiorite (K-feldspar, plagioclase feldspar, quartz, mafic mineral(s)), and the orbicles are composed of plagioclase feldspars, hornblende amphibole, biotite mica, and magnetite.

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

What Orbicular Granite Is Made Of

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

Orbicular Properties

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

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

Working With Orbicular Granite

Granite fabricators are no doubt familiar with suppliers that offer Orbicular and can help you find some slabs from which to choose your personal favorite. Fabrication professionals are the way to go for many natural granite enthusiasts. If you are looking for a Orbicular Granite slab, a stone fabrication shop could prove to be a very advantageous choice. This is because they are experienced in working with natural stone and have probably even worked with Orbicular. Which takes not only know-how but the proper equipment.

There are some important tools that fabrication professionals need if they are to work with Orbicular Granite. One piece of equipment that stone professionals need is a saw with the horsepower to run a diamond blade. Not only the saw, but also the granite blade is an important tool for a fabrication pro. Orbicular is a hard material and having a blade that can cut it makes the finished project look its best; not-to-mention how much easier the project is when you have professional grade equipment and tools.

Orbicular Granite Care

Even though Orbicular Granite surfaces are durable and tough, to keep the natural beauty for which you invested in the surface, a plan for taking care of the stone will be necessary. There are two main aspects of caring for your Orbicular surface. Let's take a brief look at each of these aspects.

Keeping Orbicular Sealed

Your Orbicular 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. Orbicular 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.

Cleaning Orbicular Surfaces

In addition to sealing your Orbicular surface, regular cleaning plays a major role in caring for the stone. In fact, there is more than one facet to cleaning a granite surface. The first is daily cleaning using a natural stone cleaner that is formulated to clean without dissolving your stone sealer. Doing this will ensure that you are not resealing your Orbicular} surfaces more frequently than you need to.

Another type of cleaning that you may need to perform is a stain removal. There are various kinds of cleaners for stone surfaces. And when a stone's pores are exposed because of not being sealed or from the use of the wrong kinds of daily cleaners specific cleaner may be needed. For example, if a stone is stained from olive oil, a stain remover may be needed to draw the oil out of the stone. By cleaning daily using the proper cleaner however, your Orbicular Granite surfaces (especially countertops) will be in the best position to repel stain-causing liquids.

About Maintaining Orbicular

It really just boils down to putting together a regular routine of cleaning and sealing your natural Orbicular Granite surface. Once you get the routine into full swing, it just becomes second nature. A good routine for maintaining natural granite, including Orbicular, 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 Orbicular make very durable surfaces for the home and can ber a challenge to install yourself. Having your Orbicular 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 Orbicular kitchen countertop surface.

* A thirsty granite stone is one that quickly absorbs water resting on its surface. Simply put a tablespoon of water on the surface of the stone. The faster the water is absorbed, the "thirstier" the stone is.