Helpful Information About Baltic Red Granite

Baltic Red 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 Baltic Red 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 Baltic Red. 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 Baltic Red and how to take of it.

Why Baltic Red 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. Baltic Red 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 Baltic Red.

A rapakivi granite from southern Finland. This variety of rapakivi granite is called pyterlite. Pyterlite is characterized by having large K-feldspar spheroids that usually lack rims of greenish plagioclase feldspar. So, wiborgite has common plagioclase rims, and pyterlite commonly lacks plagioclase rims. The pyterlite sample shown here has one K-feldspar spheroid at the upper left with a greenish-brown plagioclase feldspar rim. Pyterlite is composed of reddish K-feldspar, greenish-brown plagioclase feldspar, dark-grayish quartz, and black biotite mica. This rock comes from the Wiborg Batholith (a.k.a. Wiborg Rapakivi Granite Batholith, Wiborg Massif, Vyborg Batholith) in the Baltic Shield (Fennoscandian Shield).

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

What Baltic Red Granite Is Made Of

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

Baltic Red Properties

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

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

Fabricating Natural Baltic Red Granite

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

Even transporting Baltic Red natural granite can be a challenge for the average person. Even handy individuals and do-it-yourselfers could find moving a piece of Baltic Red Granite form point A to point B. Since Baltic Red 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 Baltic Red will require a specific formulated and colored granite glue. These are all supplies that fabricators are familiar with and even already have.

Caring for Your Baltic Red Surface

It's true, Baltic Red Granite is a natural stone that came to be from intense heat and perhaps pressure. However, your Baltic Red surface has undergone some treatments to prepare it for its place in your finished project. As a result, there are some basic facets of taking care of your Baltic Red surfaces. They are not difficult and they will keep your Baltic Red natural granite looking its best. There are two main methods for caring for your granite. We'll discuss them next.

Maintaining the Seal

Even before your surface arrived in your home it was being given treatments to prepare it for the "day in, day out" wear and tear that comes from normal household use. One of the treatments the surface underwent was an initial sealing. Granite slabs get sealed to make them less absorbent. Natural granite is porous. And some Baltic Red Granite slabs are more porous than others. So slabs get an initial sealing to help them be more resistant to water-based and oil-based liquids that can penetrate the pores and stain them.

One of the parts of caring for your Baltic Red surface includes periodically sealing the stone using a natural stone sealer. In the case of a Baltic Red Granite kitchen countertop, you may want to choose a food safe granite sealer designed especially for eating surfaces. Treating the surface when the stone begins losing its repellent nature is the first part of the two-pronged care process.

Baltic Red Cleaning

Besides keeping your Baltic Red 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 Baltic Red 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 Baltic Red, 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 Baltic Red

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

Baltic Red Granite is a unique natural stone that will result in your design being truly unique. Your kitchen or other area will not only be appealing, but it will also be functional. Additionally, how you care for your Baltic Red surface will play a role in how long it looks its best. However, for the best results, the install will most likely need to be handled by a professional fabrication company.