Granite is an extremely hard igneous crystalline rock formed through volcanic action. The molten mixture of quartz, feldspar, mica and hornblende along with impurities such as iron combined with varying cooling times create a vast range of colours and grain structures of this very durable material. It has been a mainstay of the stone industry because it is hardwearing, scratch resistant and able to take a surface polish that will last for many years in harsh environments. For these reasons, granite is used extensively in areas such as kitchen worktops, architectural cladding and paving along with more traditional uses such as sills, lintols and quoins.
A polished finish is the most common finish for granite because it shows the beauty of the material to maximum effect. Honing the surface is another alternative which although smooth, is non- reflective (like matt paint). More traditional textured surface finishes are also available for granites, particularly when used externally. These include flamed, fine axed and dolly pointed finishes.