Helpful Information About Harney Peak Granite

Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak. 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 Harney Peak and how to take of it.

Why Harney Peak 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. Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak.

Granite from the Precambrian of South Dakota, USA. This rock sample has been attributed to the Crazy Horse Memorial site in the Black Hills of western South Dakota. The specimen is granite, a common felsic, phaneritic, intrusive igneous rock composed of quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase feldspar, and one or more mafic minerals.

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

What Harney Peak Granite Is Made Of

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

Harney Peak Properties

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

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

Working With Harney Peak Granite

Granite fabricators are no doubt familiar with suppliers that offer Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak. 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 Harney Peak 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. Harney Peak 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.

Harney Peak Granite Care

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

Sealing Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak 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.

Harney Peak Cleaning

Besides keeping your Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak 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 Harney Peak, 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 Harney Peak

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