Why Is Granite Used for Headstones?

When someone passes away, their memory can live on through words etched into a headstone. Of all the grave marker materials available, granite comes highly recommended by those in the memorial industry. In fact, granite headstones and monuments have been used for centuries to memorialize people, and for good reason: this hard rock offers numerous qualities.

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Whether you are pre-planning your own funeral or a family member making the final arrangements for a loved one, you should learn about this very popular memorial material. So, why is granite used for headstones in Walterboro, SC? Here are some of its most attractive characteristics:

• Granite is hard: The tight crystalline structure of granite means it’s an incredibly hard stone. Thanks to its hardness, a granite headstone will last hundreds of years outside in the elements. It also means it is less likely to shatter into a bunch of pieces if knocked over by high winds or a tree drops a branch on it. Additionally, granite headstones hold strong against curious animals.
• Granite is durable: Granite is a very durable rock. It can withstand the harshest of weather conditions and potentially damaging contaminants in the outside air, as well as hold up to regular cleaning and care. Not too long ago, marble and sandstone were the top choices for permanent monuments, but while these are pretty materials, most older headstones are now mostly or completely illegible. They’ve been whipped by wind, sand and debris over the decades. This is the type of damage granite can withstand for centuries while still remaining legible.
• Granite can be polished: The best monument makers in the business have the knowledge, skills and tools required to polish granite headstones. The result is a beautiful, glassy surface that seems to magically enhance the stone’s natural color and details. However, a polished granite surface also doubles as a layer of protection for the rock. The polish creates a barrier between the weather and the pores of the granite and reinforces the material’s ability to hold strong in harsh weather conditions. Finally, polishing extends the life of the headstone.
• Granite can be shaped: Sculpting granite is not as easy as working with marble, but it’s well worth the extra effort and expense. A professional stone sculptor can shape the granite into a figure or carve designs right onto your monument. Want a customized design for your monument? No problem! Granite can be formed into a number of unique shapes, so let your creativity go wild.
• Granite is naturally beautiful: Granite is one of the loveliest natural stone materials used for headstones. It’s readily available all over the world while remaining diverse in color and markings. Customize your or your loved one’s headstone as much or as little as you want—it will look beautiful either way.

If you would like more information about granite headstones in Walterboro, SC, look no further than the experts at Steedley Monument Works. Let our compassionate staff talk you through this decision when you are ready.

When choosing a monument, headstone, or grave marker for your family member or loved one, one of the most important factors to consider is the type of material used. When people try to memorialize a lifetime worth of memories for recently lost loved ones, most of them want to ensure that the substance utilized in creating a monument is not only attractive but also long-lasting.

Marble used to be a popular option for making monuments in the past. However, granite has become one of the most popular materials for making a variety of memorials. Granite is an igneous rock formed as a result of the cooling and solidification processes of lava or magma, creating a durable stone that can withstand harsh weather conditions like salt, snow, sleet, and rain.

Let’s explore some of the reasons why granite is considered the number one choice by memorial makers:

Qualities

Granite is a robust natural substance that’s highly resistant to scratching and chipping compared to other commonly used natural stones like marble or sandstone. It’s an increasingly durable material that can bear much weight, making it a viable material for building monuments.

Granite is a very dense substance, which is why it’s highly resistant to harsh weather conditions over more extended periods of time. Apart from that, it can also be polished to a bright, smooth surface that can display the most beautiful intricacies and shades hidden beneath its surface.

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All of these qualities of granite make it one of the most suitable materials for building monuments around the world.

Colors

Granite comes in a range of colors, ranging from dark and light grays to midnight black, blue, red, green, orange, pink, and many other shades. This wide variety of colors offered comes from various locations after determining granite’s mineral make-up in a particular geographic area.

Having a vast selection of granite colors makes it a viable choice for memorial producers throughout the world.

Durability

The tight crystalline structure of granite means it’s an increasingly hard stone, making it a perfect choice for producing memorials that can last for centuries to come. It has been successfully tested against various environmental hazards, including falling tree branches, wind storms, and hail storms.

Memorials made of granite are increasingly durable in nature that can easily withstand extreme weather conditions and other possibly damaging conditions, especially when they’re polished. According to many monument producers around the world, granite memorials are highly durable which can withstand natural elements for years to come without losing engravings etched within them.

Sculptability

Although sculpting granite material doesn’t come as easy as other substances like marble, it’s one of the most preferred materials for outdoor pieces like monuments and memorials. Spending the right amount of time and money to place a beautifully sculpted carving on a granite headstone is always a sensible option for many due to their increased durability and endurance.

On the other hand, sculpting a monument made of marble is effortless, but marble memorials have lower strength and cannot withstand extreme environmental conditions. Granite can also be formed into numerous elegant and unique shapes, allowing the memorial producers to have much creativity while designing personalized monuments for their clients.

Polishing

Granite memorials can easily be polished using the right tools, giving them an increasingly beautiful, glossy look. A polished granite surface looks simply elegant; it magically draws out all the details and colors encased inside the crystalline structure of the granite stone in many ways.

A polished granite monument also serves as a viable protective layer. It makes a barrier between the stone’s pores and external weather, reinforcing the granite’s ability to resist severe climatic conditions, and increasing the useful lifespan of a monument. All of these factors lead to granite being the first choice for memorials.

Summit Memorials takes pride in helping you honor your loved ones with high-quality granite memorials throughout Alberta and Saskatchewan. Visit our website to learn more about our selection of granite memorials or contact us now for customized service.

The company is the world’s best granite tombstone factory supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.