mineral / Stone / Igneous

Granite benchtop, various thicknesses & finishes (20mm, 30mm, 40mm)

Premium natural stone benchtop material quarried from igneous rock formations, offering exceptional durability, heat resistance, and unique aesthetic patterns for kitchen and bathroom applications across Australian residential and commercial projects.

Atlas code
MIN-STN-IGN-003
granitenatural-stoneigneousbenchtopkitchenpremiumheat-resistant
Granite benchtop, various thicknesses & finishes (20mm, 30mm, 40mm)
At-a-glance signals

Premium natural stone benchtop material quarried from igneous rock formations, offering exceptional durability, heat resistance, and unique aesthetic patterns for kitchen and bathroom applications across Australian residential and commercial projects.

Overview
Executive summary

Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock composed primarily of quartz (20-60%), feldspar (65%), and mica minerals, formed through the slow crystallisation of magma beneath Earth's surface. As a benchtop material, granite offers superior hardness (6-7 Mohs scale), excellent heat resistance (up to 350°C), and natural resistance to scratching and staining when properly sealed. Available in hundreds of colour variations from light whites and greys to deep blacks and exotic patterns, each slab features unique natural veining and crystalline structures. Standard thicknesses of 20mm, 30mm, and 40mm accommodate various design requirements and structural considerations.

Best when…
  • Exceptional durability with 40+ year lifespan
  • Heat resistant up to 350°C for direct pot placement
  • Scratch resistant with 6-7 Mohs hardness rating
  • Each slab unique with natural patterns and colours
  • UV resistant for outdoor applications
  • Non-combustible for bushfire zones (BAL-FZ compliant)
  • Adds significant property value (up to 25% for kitchens)
  • Low maintenance when properly sealed
  • Resistant to acids and chemicals (when sealed)
  • Environmentally preferable to synthetic alternatives
Top advantages
  1. 01 Exceptional durability with 40+ year lifespan
  2. 02 Heat resistant up to 350°C for direct pot placement
  3. 03 Scratch resistant with 6-7 Mohs hardness rating
  4. 04 Each slab unique with natural patterns and colours
  5. 05 UV resistant for outdoor applications
Top limitations
  1. 01 High initial cost ($700-$2000 per m² installed)
  2. 02 Heavy weight requires substantial support structure
  3. 03 Natural porosity requires periodic sealing
  4. 04 Can crack under extreme thermal shock or impact
  5. 05 Limited repair options for chips or cracks
Technical
Physical ·8
Density
2700 kg/m³
Specific gravity
2.7
Porosity
0.4 %
Water absorption
0.2 %
Hardness
6.5 Mohs
UV resistance
Excellent No degradation observed
Chemical resistance
Good When properly sealed
pH tolerance
3 – 11 pH Sealed surface
Mechanical ·6
Tensile strength
15 MPa
Compressive strength
200 MPa
Flexural strength
20 MPa
Shear strength
27 MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.25
Creep resistance
Excellent Negligible creep at room temperature
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
Embodied carbon
290 kgCO2e/m² For 30mm thickness at 2700kg/m³
Carbon footprint
107 kgCO2e/tonne
Embodied energy
3.5 MJ/kg
Water footprint
150 L/m²
Recycled content
0 % Natural material
Renewable content
0 % Non-renewable geological resource
Circular score
6 /10 High durability, full recyclability
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·4
Fire resistance level
Non-combustible
Flame spread index
0
Smoke dev. index
0
Heat release rate
0 kW/m² Non-combustible
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·3
Lifecycle cost
35 AUD/m²/year Including installation and maintenance
Annual maintenance
50 AUD/year Sealing and cleaning products
Market availability
Readily available
Service life & durability ·1
Expected lifespan
40-100+ years With proper maintenance
Layer D

Where it's used

Kitchen benchtops and island surfaces
Bathroom vanity tops
Outdoor kitchen and BBQ areas
Commercial food preparation surfaces
Laboratory benchtops
Reception desks and commercial counters
Bar tops and servery areas
Splash backs and wall cladding
Window sills and architectural features
Hospitality and healthcare surfaces
MIN-STN-IGN-003 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.