lamont stone information page
Welcome to Northern Ireland's premier worktop manufacturer in Coleraine.

"Welcome to Northern Ireland's premier worktop manufacturer in Coleraine."

What is Granite

WHAT IS GRANITE ?
GRANITE is a natural rock created by mother nature many millions of years ago. The word granite is derived from the Latin word granum, meaning grains. Where Does it come from ? Our planet is estimated to be at least 4.5 billion years old. The world began as a hot sphere of molten rock. As the earth cooled, three main types of rock were formed. These rocks are called sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic. Geologists classify granite as an igneous rock. It is formed far below the earth's surface when the hot liquid rock (Magma) has cooled and hardened. As the magma rises and pushes its way towards the surface it cools. Most granite magma cools slowly enough to form coarse crystals and it solidifies below the earth's surface. Granite composed of larger crystals was formed nearer to the earth's core where it cooled more slowly. This granite is generally lighter in colour. Granite that forms closer to the earth's surface cools more quickly. This results in much stronger granite with smaller crystals and is usually darker in colour. Granite is crystalline in nature. Crystalline rocks make up the base for the continental masses. These crystalline grains fit together very tightly interlocking like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. This makes granite immensely strong as well as extremely durable. Granite is made up of different minerals the most prominent ones being quartz, feldspar and alkali which are lighter in colour. These and minor amounts of other minerals, such as hornblende, amphibole and mica which are darker, were pressed together under immense pressure deep within the earth to create infinite unique patterns. This gives us a vast range of colour and texture depending on the mineral composition. As softer earthen material surrounding granite deposits eroded over time, hard granite become exposed creating quarries of granite. Granite can be found in abundance all over the planet. No two patterns of granite are the same. Each is a unique piece of magma art created by nature, and the entire process is known to have taken millions of years. Some granite rocks existing to-day, have been there since the geologic periods, which makes them the oldest rocks on the planet.


WHAT IS MARBLE ?
MARBLE is a metamorphic rock and unlike granite it is not formed from molten rock. It is formed from limestone under extreme heat and compression. The final colour is determined by what other minerals are mixed with it during its formation deep within the earth. Another popular metamorphic rock is slate. Limestone Sandstone Shale and Chalk are all types sedimentary rocks. They may contain fossils of animals and plants trapped in the sediments as the rock was formed.


WHAT IS QUARTZITE ?  
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock and unlike granite it is not formed from molten rock. It is formed from limestone under extreme heat and compression. The final colour is determined by what other minerals are mixed with it during its formation deep within the earth. They may contain fossils of animals and plants trapped in the sediments as the rock was formed.It has a similar look of marble but, the stone provides you with the strength of granite. If you are looking for veins and swirls then this material is perfect. Quartzite is a fully natural product. During the formation process a variety of irregularities may have occured in colour and texture. These can be seen in a variety of ways: micro pores, vents, fissures, veins, etc. In order to try to reduce the above mentioned characteristics, and to provide worktops of the highest quality, all worktops are filled, resined, reinforced, lacquered and polished where necessary during manufacture to create a luxury work surface.Like any natural material these differences in texture, colour and lustre of the stone can in no way be considered as defects as these are natural characteristics of the stone and gives it its own natural beauty and individuality. Due to this variation in colour, etc we always recommend a visit to see the current slab(s) in person at time of order as a small sample cannot always reflect accurately the colour and diversity of the slabs.

 

WHAT IS SINQUASTONE  ? 

Sinquastone is an engineered stone. It is manufactured from 93% natural quartz and 7% polymer. It has been manufactured specifically for work surfaces and comes in a large variety of colours replicating the natural colours and veins found in natural  marble.

PRODRUCT CHARACTERISTICS

Strong & Flexible

Scratch Resistant

Stain Resistant

Mould & Mildew Resistant

Heat Resistant

 


Lamont Stone have been founded on the principles of developing and delivering innovative manufacturing techniques and exceptional products together with a friendly, professional and responsive service to our customers.