As you go through the process of selecting your burial monuments in Walterboro, SC, you might come across some myths or misconceptions related to the most common types of materials used in headstones and monuments. Granite, for example, is a highly popular headstone material, but there are also a lot of people who are unfamiliar with its benefits or don’t know exactly what to expect out of granite with regard to its long-term durability.
With this in mind, here are some of the most common myths you might hear about granite.
MYTH: Granite is highly absorbent and can’t hold up to the elements.
In fact, granite qualifies as being impervious to water, and is much less absorbent than many other types of materials commonly used for exterior applications, including some types of plastic products that see lots of direct exposure to precipitation. Granite is frequently used as a building material because it is actually quite capable of withstanding those elements. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about it being insufficiently sturdy for your headstone or monument.
MYTH: Stains can never come out of granite.
This is a myth that primarily comes from the kitchen remodeling world, where granite is commonly used for countertops. Granite does have a higher porosity that can cause it to stain a bit more easily, but those stains are not going to be permanent. The vast majority of stains can be removed from granite with special granite cleaning products. If your monument sees a lot of grime and dirt buildup, it can easily be cleaned.
MYTH: Granite will eventually lose its sheen or polish.
This is more true for marble than it is for granite. In fact, you can expect granite to shine years from now like it’s still brand new, especially if it’s well taken care of and cleaned off.
Granite doesn’t even require that much in the way of maintenance. If you want to go the extra mile in protecting the stone, you can reapply a penetrating sealer once a year or so, but this only takes about 15 minutes. Otherwise, brushing it off or wiping it with a mild soap and water is more than sufficient, and probably honestly more work than most people do to maintain their granite headstones.
MYTH: The elements and temperature changes will cause the granite to crack.
This isn’t something you need to worry about. Again, granite is frequently used as a component in construction for some large high-rise buildings. You shouldn’t expect temperature swings to crack the granite. In fact, you’d need a pretty hot blowtorch for heat to do any damage at all to granite, and extreme cold shouldn’t do anything to the granite either. It’s nothing to concern yourself over.
MYTH: Some granites are harder than others, and you can tell by color.
There’s a common myth that darker colored granites are harder than lighter colored granites. This isn’t true.
For more information about common myths associated with granite, contact Steedley Monument Works about our granite burial monuments in Walterboro, SC.