Sealing Granite Countertops Guide - Home Improvement Article

By:Daniel Roshard

Of all the natural stones used for refurbishing the kitchen or home, granite is by far the hardest and most durable material. This is the reason why it is the kitchen countertop of choice for many.
Sealing granite countertops is an annual practice to maintain and ensure the longevity of your granite kitchen counter top. One might argue that granite is a highly polished stone, but the fact of the matter is that it is still a porous material and those pores need to be kept sealed.

When sealing granite counter tops, the pores in the stone or the spaces between the crystals that make up the surface of the stone are filled with sealant with no trace of the sealant on the outer surface. This is different from sealing wooden floor or countertop surfaces, where a protective coat is added to the outside. Sealing granite counter tops helps resist stains and keep its shine. Often moisture or various liquids seep into these pores and stain the surface. Sealing them prevents this seepage and staining. However, a sealant does not protect the stone from physical damage.

Natural stone like granite must be allowed to breathe as well. Of course stones do not breathe like we do, so what does the last statement mean? Granite is made up of many layers of crystals, and in order to maintain the integrity of the stone, these crystals need to interact with air and its components, particularly oxygen. Also, any water that has already seeped into the pores must be able to evaporate by moving through these spaces until it reaches the surface.

Research has shown that, the interaction between the crystals of granite and the millions of bacteria that reside in its pores is an important aspect of the stone structure. These bacteria play a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the stone. Taking the above factors into consideration, it is recommended that Acrylic type sealants or impregnators be avoided. These completely block the pores and can kill the residing bacteria or inhibit the movement of water vapor to the surface. This can lead to the granite counter top developing a crack if the underside becomes too wet. It also becomes very difficult to remove such sealants if applied in excess. As a result your granite countertop may end up looking dull or discolored.

It is best to use sealers are natural based products and made up of fatty acids such as soap, when sealing granite countertops. These can be applied at the time of normal cleaning process to top off the seal and clean at the same time. These fatty acids fill up the pores but are not as harsh or stubborn to remove as acrylic sealants. They provide another source of nutrients for the friendly bacteria and being semi hard do not restrict the evaporation of water.
Sealing granite countertops is a relatively easy job and no special skill or knowledge is required to apply the sealants. If you wish, you can always call a local granite shop to do this job, but either way, it is recommended to do it at least once a year.

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: Granite Kitchen Countertops, Granite Countertops, kitchen countertops, countertop, countertops

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

Daniel Roshard is a interior designer working on interior and kitchen design, and currently studying garden design and integration of house appliances to the outdoors. Daniel writes Granite Countertops info and advice Tips.

Top Home Improvement Articles
1). Installing Ceramic Tile in a Shower By : Mark J. Donovan Installing ceramic tile in a shower starts with a proper foundation. The foundation consists of WonderBoard or Durock cement board on the walls and a Shower Pan Membrane Liner in the base of the shower, if the shower floor is to be tiled too. WonderBoard or Durock cement board, also known as backerboard, are resistant to water and are ideal materials for applying ceramic tiles to high-moisture areas.
2). Ideas For Kitchen Nooks By : T Agee For many, the most popular room in the house is the kitchen. If you have a kitchen nook that goes along with that, then you’re lucky. But you may also be stumped for how to decorate your nook. Luckily, there are countess options available to you. One thing that you will want to do is choose a style for your nook that won’t overwhelm the kitchen itself.
3). Tips on Cleaning the Lacquered Brass Using Simple Home Made Agent By : Mitch Johnson If you decided to wash the lacquered brass there are some simply tips which you can use.
4). Vanities Are Not Just Plain Wood Anymore By : T Agee It used to be that a bathroom sink vanity was a fairly plain piece of cabinetry with doors underneath and perhaps a set of drawers for storage on one side. Not anymore. Homeowner’s today are leveraging all sorts of interesting materials to create a custom vanity. In fact, one of the most popular bathroom styles these days is to forgo a vanity all together by utilizing old-fashioned pedestal sinks.
5). Benefit From The Stylish Look Of Vertical Blinds By : Peter Wilson Every homeowner wants to make his or her property look as good as possible, both inside and out, and part of doing this is to select the right décor. Selecting the right window coverings is an integral part of getting the right look for home, and can make a big difference to the look and feel of any room. The contemporary look of vertical blinds is a valuable addition to any home improvement, and whatever type of decoration theme you have in the room these window blinds can give the perfect finish.
6). 10 Tips For A Window Coverings Makeover By : Rob Carlton You cannot stand it. The same old dreary windows that do little to add life to your home. It is time for a change. But, where do you start? How do you keep from making an expensive or embarrassing mistake? In fact, how can you know what you really want? 1.Start with one room at a time. There may be the temptation, especially when moving into a new home, to decorate all of the rooms at once.
7). Closet Organizers - Bringing Order To Messy Closets! By : Caroline Smith Closet organizers are cleverly designed to optimize the use of the space available, and can work wonders at transforming a cluttered closet into a neat and tidy storage place. We all know how annoying it is to have an a closet crammed full of old clothes and to never be able to find what we're looking for. Or when we do find that favorite dress, all too often it's lying in a crumpled heap at the bottom of the closet.
8). The big surprise with a Sectional sofa. By : Kenneth Langlet Have you ever had a sectional sofa in your home? If not you are in for a big surprise. The sectional sofa that you can decorate your family living area with is one that is going to complete your style. You can find a sectional sofa that uses plants, animals, that is a solid color that will be made of stripes and even a sectional sofa that will be customized to match your drapes.
9). Five Weekend Project Ideas To Add Value To Your Home By : Craig Rowe Five Weekend Project Ideas To Add Value To Your Home
10). Making A Splash In The Kitchen: Suggestions For Spicing Up Your Backsplash By : Jason Flintstone If it's true that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, then it should come as no surprise that women want a beautiful yet practical kitchen with all the comforts and amenities the queen of the castle deserves. Let's face it, trendy, healthy meals take time and space, and part of creating beautiful meals means creating a beautiful environment to prepare them in.

New Home Improvement Articles
1). Basement Finishing Ideas For DIY Enthusiasts By : Isabel Baldry Basements can be a major selling point when it comes to real estate. Many people like having a finished basement for many different reasons. For those with a little DIY knowledge the basement can easily be turned into the best spot in the house.
2). This Is Why You Should Choose Solar Power By : Bryan Wong The amount of solar power that the Earth receives from the sun is estimated to be 770 trillion kilowatts or an amount 5,000 times bigger than the sum of all energy resources we are using. You can also profit from this and save money read here how...
3). Ensuring Your Air Conditioner is Running Efficiently By : Gail Metcalf It is scorching outside and you know the air conditioning is going to cost you on that next bill, but what else can you do?
4). Installing A Relaxing Indoor Hot Tub By : Lee Dobbins Some important things to think about if you are considering an indoor hot tub.
5). Azek Trim Adds Value To Your Home By : Bob Prezzano There are a lot of reasons why builders prefer Azek trim. Perhaps the foremost preference is due to its material consistency.
6). Methods to Control Mosquitos By : Gail Metcalf You need to protect yourself from mosquitoes. When you think about mosquito pest control by netting, you could break it down into individual control and public control.
7). Kitchen Remodeling from a Tropical Paradise By : Chris Campbell Having your kitchen remodeled is really no big deal, as long as you do it while your lying on the beach. Preferably a beach on a warm tropical island, with a pleasant trade wind keeping your margarita cool from the oh so scorching rays of the sun.
8). Get Yourself A Home Improvement Book By : William King A home improvement book can help you with all of your remodeling needs. A good book will be full of information on how to get the job done right. If you are unclear about how a job needs to be done, referencing it in a book can be a major benefit to you.
9). Ideas For Kitchen Nooks By : T Agee For many, the most popular room in the house is the kitchen. If you have a kitchen nook that goes along with that, then you’re lucky. But you may also be stumped for how to decorate your nook. Luckily, there are countess options available to you. One thing that you will want to do is choose a style for your nook that won’t overwhelm the kitchen itself.
10). Vanities Are Not Just Plain Wood Anymore By : T Agee It used to be that a bathroom sink vanity was a fairly plain piece of cabinetry with doors underneath and perhaps a set of drawers for storage on one side. Not anymore. Homeowner’s today are leveraging all sorts of interesting materials to create a custom vanity. In fact, one of the most popular bathroom styles these days is to forgo a vanity all together by utilizing old-fashioned pedestal sinks.