Is Granite A Porous Surface

A non porous surface is microscopically flat and smooth down to the molecular level.

Is granite a porous surface.

Each pore on the surface of granite tiles or slabs is considered to be a microscopic void. Common hard surface materials are stainless steel solid surface laminate porcelain and a wide variety of tile and ridged plastic materials. Beautiful stronger than oak but porous a gorgeous nearly impenetrable counter top surface granite is highly resistant to scratching cracking and staining and is impervious to heat. When a surface is nonporous such as stainless steel it cannot absorb anything at all.

While granite is unlikely to ever go out of style the choice for countertop surfaces extends far beyond granite and includes synthetic surfaces like corian natural rocks like marble and engineered quartz like silestone granite a natural rock is extremely hard and durable despite being porous. Hard surfaces are a combination of porous and nonporous materials. If liquids are left on the surface for long periods of time they will eventually absorb. Granite is a porous material.

As previously mentioned granite is of an igneous nature which makes it less porous than sedimentary rocks such as limestone. This means granite has tiny crevices or holes that allow air and water into the stone. Polishing the stone creates a flat smooth surface that reduces the porosity. Granite is less porous than marble.

While granite is not the most porous natural stone countertop option it is still porous and you will need to seal the surface to protect it from liquid damage and stains. How porous your granite countertop is will depend on how it is finished and how it is treated. Granite countertops are porous if left unsealed. Some of the more common porous surfaces include laminate granite and various types of tile and plastic materials.

Often overlooked are details such as the material surface texture. All natural stone possesses some degree of porosity. Granite is a naturally porous stone though it s not as porous as some other types of natural stone like marble. You do not want your granite kitchen countertops or surfaces in other rooms to sustain damages as a result of a worn seal.

To say water can pass throu. Being porous is not necessarily a bad quality. The size of these tiny voids along with their surface count determine the porosity level. However this doesn t mean granite acts as a sponge.

The material is also stain resistant. Polished granite is the most durable most granite countertops are polished then sealed making them nearly impermeable. Corian is a homogenous nonporous surface that is manufactured by dupont. On the downside laminate countertops typically only last for about 10 years or so before you should replace them.

Porosity can be swiss cheese or sponge like others have said but it can go down to the nanostructures level like zeolite and aerogel. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Granite is one of the most durable materials you can install in your home.