Granite Design Details & Technical Information

Granite Worktops Fabrication Process

Granite is one of the hardest natural rocks on earth, rating 7 on Mohs hardness scale, but with the proper care, can be turned into one of the most beautiful surfaces. Bluestone uses state-of-the art technology to lovingly cut and polish natural slabs to create a magnificent and timeless worktop that is truly unique, in that no two pieces of granite look exactly the same.

Here are some of the most popular design choices

Edge Details

Return Ends

Cutouts & Drainer Grooves

Belfast Sink

Sink or Hob

Drainer Recessed

Drainer Type A

Drainer Type B

Drainer Type C

Drainer Type D

Drainer Type E

Hobs are installed according to a patented high-strength cutout method, integrating the hobs and worktops according to specified guidelines.

Splash backs or wall cladding are installed with a minimum 50mm gap behind an electric hob and a minimum 100mm gap behind a gas hob. There must also be a minimum 50mm gap from the cutout to the front of the worktop. To accommodate these requirements, it is sometimes necessary to widen the worktop to what is called a “breakfront.”

  • Sink cutouts are placed a minimum 50mm from the worktop front edge
  • A minimum of 120mm is required between two hob cutouts
  • A minimum of 100mm is required between hob and sink cutouts
  • A minimum of 70mm is required between two sink cutouts
  • If a waste disposal unit is fitted to an undermounted sink after installation, additional support will be required, otherwise your warranty may be invalidated
Tough

Granite is one of the hardest worktops available and it doesn’t scratch easily, making it ideal for day to day activities.

Natural & Unique

Granite is a natural product and no two pieces are the same. Giving you a truly unique worktop

Easy to Clean

Granite work surfaces are easy to clean. It is fairly low maintenance and once sealed it doesn’t stain easily

Stain Resistance

Treated to prevent liquids such as water, coffee or oil from penetrating it

Technical Information

Bluestone offer a selection of finishes including polished (standard),honed, leather, flamed and brushed finishes.

Polished Finish – Gloss and flat to the touch

Honed Finish – Matt and flat to the touch

Leather Finish – Satin and soft to the touch

Flamed – Heat treated, to produce a textured undulating to the touch

Pitting and Veining is a natural and is expected in stone worktops
With stone worktops small fissures are common; blemishes and flaws are formed in the stone when cooling in the earth’s surface.

Slate, marble and limestone have various different veins, markings and patterns and every piece is unique.

The size of the ‘scant’ or ‘slab’ from which we fabricate the worktops, is a major factor in selecting the maximum usable length of a work surface. We are able to fabricate solid granite worktops up to 2.8m x 1.3m due to the weight and composition of granite. This may have to be reduced if you require a cutout, especially in granite with larger crystals.

Tolerance in granite is ±2mm

All joints are finished with a small ariss to the top edge and are carefully sealed with silicone to allow for expansion and to prevent water seeping through or bacteria growing in cavities.

Granite can expand up to 1mm per metre and therefore a gap of at least 3mm should be left between the worktop and any walls. These gaps are filled with decorators caulk for a neat finish.

When granite worktops are joined to other materials (such as glass, steel or wood) an elastic type of adhesive, for example polyurethane, is required for expansion.

Any overhang extending more than 300mm should be supported.

Due to the weight of granite, it is essential that your units are level and securely fixed.

Large cutouts need to be scored and cored on occasions to leave the corners of the cutout in place if they need to be removed on-site by the installer.

During cutting or grinding on-site, granite is vulnerable to chips and is almost inevitable. Any affected areas are filled and sealed with epoxy resin (colour may vary slightly) to ensure the worktop is not left with any sharp edges or ‘chips.’

If the worktops are too long, or the type and size of cutouts require additional support, “slips” (in kit form) are fitted around sink and hob cutouts.

  • Sink cutouts are placed a minimum 50mm from the worktop front edge.
  • A minimum of 120mm is required between two hob cutouts.
  • A minimum of 100mm is required between hob and sink cutouts.
  • A minimum of 70mm is required between two sink cutouts.

Carefully select your preferred method of undermounting stainless steel sinks to ensure sufficient support.

If a waste disposal unit is fitted to an undermounted sink after installation, additional support will be required, otherwise your warranty may be invalidated.

When the plumbing is done to the sink, it is important that the plumber reseals it with silicone, otherwise the granite is left vulnerable and your warranty may be invalidated.

Upstands less than 100mm high are extremely fragile and are not recommended, the very minimum allowed is 60mm

Upstands are not normally cut from the same slab as the worksurfaces and therefore an exact colour match is not possible.

Because granite upstands are straight and rigid, gaps will be visible if there are any imperfections or variations on the wall profile. To cover these gaps between the wall and the upstands, it is recommended that plastering or tiling be completed after the worktop installation.

Care and Maintenance

Bluestone offer a Care and Maintenance Kit which has been developed to offer the customer everything they need to keep their worktops looking good for years to come.

Scratches

Granite is highly scratch resistant but not scratch proof. Slate, marble and limestone are much softer than granite and greater care must be taken to avoid scratches to the surfaces.

Staining

The stone will be sealed in the factory but it is possible to stain it with such things as wine or grease. It is recommended that the worktop must be re-sealed every 6 months to help reduce the risk of any damage to your worktops. Bluestone sell care & maintenance kits which clean, seal, and maintain your granite worktops to the very highest standard.

Hygienic

Certified and approved for direct contact with food.

Handling

For installation of worktops weighing above 120kg, you will need to supply additional labour at no cost to Bluestone. Every additional 75kg requires an extra person to assist with lifting.