Helpful Information About Dakota Mahogany Granite

Dakota Mahogany 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 Dakota Mahogany 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 Dakota Mahogany. 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 Dakota Mahogany and how to take of it.

Why Dakota Mahogany 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. Dakota Mahogany 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 Dakota Mahogany.

Dakota Mahogany Granite is a porphyritic granite from the Milbank Granite (late Neoarchean, 2.6-2.7 billion years). It is quarried just east of Milbank, in northeastern Grant County, northeastern South Dakota, USA. The large brownish-salmon colored crystals are potassium feldspar (K-feldspar) (KAlSi3O8 - potassium aluminosilicate). The bluish-gray, glassy-looking crystals are quartz (SiO2 - silica). The black crystals are ferromagnesian mineral(s).

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

What Dakota Mahogany Granite Is Made Of

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

Dakota Mahogany Properties

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

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

Installation of Dakota Mahogany Granite

It is nice to be able to just go and pick out your Dakota Mahogany slab and then patiently wait until it gets installed in your kitchen or other space. However, there is a significant amount of work and skill that goes into a good Dakota Mahogany Granite install. Granite professionals invest in powerful equipment and tools to be able to take a slab of rock and formit into a kitchen countertop. For the installation of a slab of Dakota Mahogany the fabricator will make use of some particular tools.

One of the tools that a granite professional will most likely use for installing Dakota Mahogany is a cartridge glue gun and glue cartridge. These are valuable pieces of equipment when it comes to Dakota Mahogany Granite installation. Other tools that you will likely see during installation if you are there when it is installed are seam setters, support brackets, and carry clamps. These are just some of the granite installation tools that make the work of installing Dakota Mahogany smoother and more effective.

Dakota Mahogany Granite Care

Even though Dakota Mahogany 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 Dakota Mahogany surface. Let's take a brief look at each of these aspects.

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 Dakota Mahogany 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 Dakota Mahogany surface includes periodically sealing the stone using a natural stone sealer. In the case of a Dakota Mahogany 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.

How to Clean Dakota Mahogany

Another aspect of caring for your granite surface is to use a cleaner formulated for use on natural stone. Dakota Mahogany 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 Dakota Mahogany 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 Dakota Mahogany

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

Dakota Mahogany 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 Dakota Mahogany 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.