Large blocks of granite are mined and cut into slabs ranging from ¾ of an inch to 1¼ inch thick. Cutting granite into slabs makes it relatively easy to transport. Containers that are loaded onto trains or ships can contain between 50 and 80 slabs of granite. Granite slabs receive some level of cleaning and polishing before they are transported and made available to consumers and dealers.
On average, the length and width of granite slabs are around 112 inches long and 65 inches wide. According to associates at buildingdirect.com, ¾ inch granite slabs can weigh up to 12.8 lbs. per square foot. 1¼ inch granite slabs can weigh around 18 lbs. per square foot.
Granite slab bundles can weigh around 5,700 lbs. The granite slabs in a bundle are separated from each other by thin plastic sheets. Information about the slabs is traditionally printed on labels found on each bundle. The name of the material, quality of the slabs, billing sizes, country of origin and supplier information are all printed on the labels.
There are two common ways to seal a slab of granite. Applying a resin with a hydro-repellent will cover most smaller fissures and will brighten the overall color of the granite. Applying a resin with epoxy is often used to fill open veins and larger holes. Brazilian stone manufacturers typically employ resin with epoxy to seal their granite slabs.
Granite is known for its heat resistance and resistance to wear. It is also one of the hardest types of stone available to consumers and is rated a "6" on the Moh's scale for measuring hardness. These features are some of the main reasons that granite slabs are often fabricated into counter tops. Because of their weight and the risk of injury involved with handling granite slabs, it is recommended that granite slabs be handled and cut by professionals only.