The many uses of granite

        

       When a building is being built, be it a simple home or a bigger building , there is one thing which we are unable to do without. That is granite. It is the most strong material in building , which is used to withstand the weight of the building.

           At the most basic level, metal stone are used in its most crude from for strengthening  the foundation. When laying the foundation. When laying the foundation, these are used in quantity in the base so be able to support the walls would be later built on them ,For the main columns , pillars and the concrete slab which separates the floors , it is used for the concrete mixture. In many different stages of building , it is used in various forms , sometimes to be visible , sometimes not.

            In its more sophisticated polished  form , known as “granite” , it is used for the floor to provide a more high-end , modern look. Made in flat slabs of rock , smoothed and polished to a high sheen, granite slabs come in many different sizes and varying color and grain. The color and the grain differs depending on the rock base from which they were quarried. Apart from using granite on the floor, it is used as the work-tops in the pantry, in bathrooms as the base for the vanity, and in many other instances. Since it is highly durable , easy to maintain, gives a good finish and water resistant, it is one of the most popular materials among builders.

           In its basic form as the metal stone and in its more sophisticated form as granite, it is also used to create art-works as well. Though it is a hard material to work with, it has been one of the most common materials used specially in yesteryear, in sculpture. Our heritage cities like Anuradhapura , Polonnaruwa , Sigiriya and many other places are full of these old sculptures in various sizes and forms, as examples and legacies of the old sculpture’s talents.

        

                                                         

 

    During ancient times, especially in cold climates, most of the bigger buildings were made using the metal stone, since it is energy efficient. The heat absorbed during the day from sunlight gets stored within the stone, helping keep the interiors warmer during the cold nights. Since the walls that were built back then were rather thicker and deeper, the interiors were safer from the elemental changes outside. Taken in this light, the metal stone, the granite is a very versatile material which comes in many forms, shapes and hues.