Granite is an igneous rock, formed deep in the earth from magma. Its primary minerals are:
• Quartz is light-coloured, often grey, white purple or pink. Quartz forms into rounded and angular crystals.
• Micas can be black, brown, rosy purple, green or colourless. Mica forms into thin sheets.
• Feldspars can be white, pink, dark grey, black, green or orange. Crystals form into rectangular blocks with flat surfaces that meet at right angles.
• Pyrite, a common inclusion, has a golden or brassy metallic lustre. It forms into crystals with a blocky structure varying from small cubes to formations with eight sides.
As magma slowly cooled millions of years ago, these minerals formed into granite stone. The sizes and colours of inclusions vary depending on the type of mineral in the molten rock and the rate of cooling. These inclusions are visible in granite. Each type of granite is distinct because of its unique mineral content and the way it cooled and formed.
Because granite formed under extreme temperatures and pressure, it is very hard, dense and durable. It ranks as 7 on the Mohs scale, making it the hardest of the natural stones used for building. It is hard enough that it cannot be scratched with a knife. Granite is also water-resistant, which reduces staining and makes it suitable for wet environments both indoors and out.
Natural stone pavers are cut into standard thicknesses, shapes and sizes that can be used for many purposes. Granite pavers can also be custom-cut into specified thicknesses, lengths and widths. Our granite pavers come in standard thicknesses of 20 mm, 30 mm and 40 mm. We offer a wide variety of shapes, including large rectangles, several sizes of squares, small rectangles and pavers made for stair risers and swimming pool coping. Straight, bevelled and bull-nosed edging allow you to select an edge finish that meets your design needs.
Granite pavers with exfoliated or bush-hammered surfaces are used outdoors and in areas where slip-resistance is important and provide the highest level of slip resistance, also highlighting the natural colours of the minerals in the stone.
Granite pavers are extremely versatile. They can be used outdoors in many applications, including patio flooring, stepping stone paths, pool surrounds, driveway paving, sidewalks, borders and entryways. They can be cut into many shapes and sizes making it a practical stone while maintaining uniformity in designs. Granite pavers have also been incorporated in many grand outdoor designs.
Granite is a stone of choice because of its elegance and durability. When installed by a skilled craftsperson, granite creations give a distinctive look to your home, office or public space.
Durable
Granite lasts for many years when properly maintained. It does not chip or scratch and is difficult to break. Granite can withstand extremes of temperature and performs well in wet environments without loss of strength. It is resistant to etching from acidic substances, such coffee, wine and carbonated drinks. Granite is more resistant to salt attack than other building stones, a testament to its stability and ability to perform over time.
Attractive
Granite’s elegant, sleek appearance complements any design style. The unique blend of minerals in each type of granite creates distinctive colours, textures and patterns. Granite adds depth and sophistication to both interiors and exteriors.
Stain-Resistant
Building stones are tested for their ability to repel water, which affects how easily they stain. Granite’s water absorption capacity ranges from .01 to .8, among the lowest of common building stones. The lower the number, the less absorption and the more resistance to staining. Sealants help protect stones from staining.
Slip-Resistant
Slip resistance is important for exterior applications, particularly if pavers are subjected to moisture. Rougher surfaces are more slip-resistant than polished for indoor surfaces . Textured granite has the best slip-resistance, at P5, making it one of the safest natural stones for use in wet areas. We recommend textured finishes, such as exfoliated and bush-hammered, for driveways, sidewalks and other pedestrian areas to ensure safety.
Fire and heat-resistant
Granite’s ability to withstand heat makes it suitable for fireplace surrounds, barbecue pits and similar uses. Granite pavers withstand extreme hot and cold environments, while lighter coloured stone reflect more heat making it an excellent paver for swimming pools and walkways.
Outdoor & General offer a wide range of granite pavers in colours ranging from deep, dramatic black to honey-coloured blends of rose and light grey. Our range of colours, finishes and patterns let you choose a granite stone that suits the colour palette and textures of your project.
We are pleased to showcase three premium granite pavers, Sesame Black, Midnight Black and Raven Grey, that are practical, attractive and strong, suitable for both residential and commercial use. These superior granite pavers are part of our Stone Elements brand, selected for their beauty, durability and long-lasting performance. Darker stones have the advantage of not showing grime or stains. Designers can play on the contrast of darker granites with other colours in the design palette.
Sesame Black, also known as Ash Black, is the newest addition to our collection. This elegant stone has small inclusions of white and light grey set against a black background, giving an even, smooth look to the surface. Its compressive strength and density greatly exceed the minimum requirements for granite building stone, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. We carry several standard and custom sizes of pavers, stair risers and pool coping.
Midnight Black is another premium granite with exceptional durability and value for the price. Light grey, white and black inclusions create a swirling pattern of light colours in a dark background. When dry, these attractive stones have a rich, dark grey appearance. When wet, they shimmer with depth of colour. Use Midnight Black pavers for commercial projects that require superior strength, density and load-bearing characteristics, such as driveways, entryways and flooring. We carry several standard and custom sizes of pavers, stair risers and pool coping.
Raven Grey granite features small speckles of white, black and several shades of grey inclusions that create a light- to medium-grey coloured paver. Bush-hammered and exfoliated finishes are textured, slightly rough to rough surfaces, excellent for pool surrounds, patios, driveways and other areas that require extra grip.
Outdoor & General offers products that clean and protect your natural stones. For help with selecting products for your project, feel free to call our experienced staff. We are open seven days a week. Come by our showroom to see our products first-hand, or browse our online catalogue.
