TEMPE, Arizona (September 24, 2008) - View PDF At Arizona Tile, granite is a premium product option for long-lasting countertops and other high traffic areas. Taking into consideration of strength, durability, sustainability and price, granite can appeal to those who want these features as part of their design concepts. This natural stone holds the features and beauty of a reliable product. Granite offers the most advantages, making it the perfect option for almost any application.
Granite is preferred and recommended in design for the following reasons:
1. Due to extreme conditions in which granite is formed, as well as its mineral composition, it is one of the hardest and most durable surfaces available. This makes it perfectly suited to withstand the busiest rooms and environments.
2. In its natural form, granite is one of the most non-absorbent, stain-resistant materials that exists. Once sealed, its ability to resist stains is only further enhanced.
3. Granite is more heat resistant than other countertop surfaces, such as laminate and quartz surfaces.
4. Granite is available in an astounding range of colors. Since granite is a product of nature, each piece is unique in color and appearance.
5. Commonly used in kitchens for countertops and decorative accents, granite can be used for cladding and floors, as well as numerous interior and exterior applications.
6. With a timeless quality that never goes out of style, the use of granite equates to added value to your property.
GRANITE CLEANABILITY
The key safety issue to a countertop surface is how easily any contaminants can be removed using normal and reasonable cleaning practices.
According to the Marble Institute of America, a study was conducted using E. coli bacteria as the contaminating agent. The findings of the report show significant cleanability advantages of natural granite countertops over almost all other commonly found countertop surface materials.
The study included 6 countertop surfaces which were washed and rinsed after exposure to the bacteria. They were later cleaned with a 10% solution of white household vinegar (1 part vinegar, 9 parts water). Bacteria counts were taken after both cleaning methods.
Granite ranked first in reduction in bacteria after washing and rinsing and ranked second after application of a diluted vinegar solution.
GRANITE: 36,000 to 1
STAINLESS STEEL: 4,000 to 1
CONCRETE: 2,400 to 1
TILE: 900 to 1
WOOD: 500 to 1
PLASTIC LAMINATE: 285 to 1
Granite had a bacteria count reduction second only to stainless steel, but 160 times better than the next closest material, plastic laminate.
GEOLOGICAL MAKE-UP
Granite is an igneous, magma-formed rock that is generally made up of quartz, feldspar and mica. It can be used for cladding, floors and numerous interior and exterior applications. Granite is commonly used in kitchens for countertops and decorative accents. In commercial environments, it is used in flooring and other heavy traffic areas.
Granite’s popularity stems from is natural beauty from earth and the many colors and varieties that are available. No one slab of granite is identical.
For more information on more than 25 showroom locations throughout the Southwest and a look at our complete product collection, visit www.arizonatile.com
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MEDIA CONTACT
Michael Rull
mrull@arizonatile.com
480.763.2834