Helpful Information About Silver Galaxy Granite

Silver Galaxy 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 Silver Galaxy 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 Silver Galaxy. 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 Silver Galaxy and how to take of it.

Why Silver Galaxy 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. Silver Galaxy 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 Silver Galaxy.

Little specific information about "Silver Galaxy Granite" from India is available. It has a foliated texture, so it is a metamorphic rock - it appears to be a gneiss. The dark red areas are very likely garnets. The matrix includes a sparkly component - likely mica.

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

What Silver Galaxy Granite Is Made Of

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

Silver Galaxy Properties

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

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

Fabricating Natural Silver Galaxy Granite

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

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

What Goes Into Caring for Silver Galaxy

Silver Galaxy 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 Silver Galaxy countertop or other surface looking its best takes a little bit of care from the new owner. Caring for Silver Galaxy 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 Silver Galaxy 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 Silver Galaxy surface includes periodically sealing the stone using a natural stone sealer. In the case of a Silver Galaxy 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 Silver Galaxy

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

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

Silver Galaxy 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 Silver Galaxy 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.