Stone name: China Juparana Granite (Dark Tone)
Pseudonyme: China Juparana Granite, China Juparana Grey Granite
Main color: Gray
Country of Origin: China
Classification: Granite
Application: exterior - interior wall and floor applications, countertops, monuments, mosaic, fountains, pool and and other design projects
Seams will always be visible in granite. Their visibility is affected by the granularity, color and pattern of the stone. Seams on a small, uniform grain or dark color will not be as noticeable as they will on a larger variegated grain or lighter color. A dramatic pattern with swaths of color will similarly highlight seams more than a uniform pattern. We pride ourselves on making our seams as transparent as possible. Seams are always made on a straight edge. Although granite is very heavy, there could be some movement along the seam. To seal them, industry standards call for a small bead of silicone to be placed between the 2 surfaces to allow for natural expansion and contraction. This bead may be between 1/16" and 1/8" wide.
Individual slabs can vary slightly in their thickness. If not corrected, this would result in an uneven seam, so the installer will install shims on the underside of the top to bring the upper surfaces flush. This is considered to be the proper technique for leveling the surface. Granite may or may not be installed over plywood; the fabricator will decide that.
In most cases, some type of back splash is used. It can be the same granite used for the counters, ceramic tile, or some other product. It may be attached to the counter or to the wall, but in either case the seam between the counter and the backsplash will be sealed with caulk. The standard height for a backsplash is 4" although they're frequently made higher if the customer desires. Remember that the thickness of the backsplash must be considered when taking surface measurements.
