Helpful Information About Porphyritic Granite

Porphyritic 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 Porphyritic 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 Porphyritic. 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 Porphyritic and how to take of it.

Why Porphyritic 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. Porphyritic 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 Porphyritic.

Pikes Peak Granite (pgpm2 facies) from a little east of the summit house of Pikes Peak. This facies is coarsely- to very coarsely-crystalline and porphyritic. It is dominated by K-feldspar, quartz, and biotite mica.

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

What Porphyritic Granite Is Made Of

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

Porphyritic Properties

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

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

Working With Porphyritic Granite

Granite fabricators are no doubt familiar with suppliers that offer Porphyritic 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 Porphyritic 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 Porphyritic. 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 Porphyritic 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. Porphyritic 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.

What Goes Into Caring for Porphyritic

Porphyritic natural granite does benefit from a bit of TLC. True, granite is a chunk of a mountain, which makes it sound virtually indestructible. But don't forget that granite undergoes some treatments before it is installed in a kitchen, bathroom, or other part of the home. So, keeping your Porphyritic countertop or other surface looking its best takes a little bit of care from the new owner. Caring for Porphyritic happens in a couple of main ways. These ways are what we will look at 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 Porphyritic 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 Porphyritic surface includes periodically sealing the stone using a natural stone sealer. In the case of a Porphyritic 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 Porphyritic

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

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

Porphyritic 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 Porphyritic 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.