The original kitchen worktop material — and still one of the best. Every granite slab is a one-off, formed over millions of years and cut to fit your kitchen. Hard, heat-resistant, and a surface that only gets better with age.
Request a Quote Call 0191 258 1540Granite is an igneous rock, formed when magma cools and crystallises deep inside the earth. The process takes millions of years and produces a material of extraordinary hardness — harder than most worktop surfaces on the market. The crystals of quartz, feldspar and mica that make up each slab create the characteristic speckled patterns that vary not just from stone to stone, but across the surface of a single slab.
At Traditional Masonry we've been working with granite for over twenty years. We know which stones suit busy family kitchens, which look best as a polished feature island, and how to achieve perfectly matched joints on the most complex layouts. You're choosing a worktop that could still be in use in fifty years' time — it's worth getting the details right.
Every slab one-of-a-kind — no two kitchens ever match.
Formed under geological heat — your pans won't trouble it.
One of the hardest natural surfaces available for kitchens.
Maintained correctly, it will outlast your kitchen.
Granite comes in a huge range of colours and patterns, quarried from around the world. These are the colours and styles we see most often in North East kitchens — though we can source almost anything through our supplier network.
Absolute Black, Black Galaxy and Alaska White are timeless choices that suit both traditional and contemporary kitchens. Bold contrasts, consistent character, and a finish that looks as good in ten years as it does on day one.
Stones like Santa Cecilia, Venetian Gold and Kashmir Cream bring warmth and movement to a kitchen without overwhelming it. Rich amber and cream tones that complement natural timber cabinetry and traditional shaker kitchens beautifully.
Ubatuba, Volga Blue, Azul Bahia — granite from Brazil, Norway and India that brings dramatic colour and movement. If you want a worktop that's genuinely the centre of the room, these are the stones to consider.
Also available: Giallo Ornamental, Tan Brown, Blue Pearl, Bianco Romano, and many more. Browse our partners →
Granite's hardness and durability make it a natural fit for any surface that takes heavy daily use — inside or out.
Worktops, islands, upstands and splashbacks.
Vanity tops, basin surrounds and window sills.
BBQ stations and garden bar worktops.
Hearths, slips and mantel shelves.
Everything you need to know before choosing natural granite for your project.
Our partnerships with Brachot, Cosentino and International Stones give us access to hundreds of granite varieties from quarries in Brazil, India, Norway, South Africa and beyond — including hand-picked slab pairs for perfectly matched layouts.
What people ask most often when weighing up granite against the alternatives.
Granite is a natural igneous rock formed deep within the earth over millions of years. Its characteristic speckled appearance comes from interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar and mica. Because every slab is quarried from a unique geological formation, no two granite worktops are ever identical — each one carries its own pattern and colour story.
Yes — granite is a porous natural stone and benefits from sealing at installation, and then periodically thereafter (typically every one to three years depending on use and the specific stone). We seal all our granite installations as standard and can advise on ongoing maintenance products. See our aftercare guide for details.
Granite is highly heat-tolerant — it's formed under intense geological pressure and temperature, so the average kitchen pan poses no threat. That said, we recommend using a trivet for very hot oven dishes as a precaution, particularly to protect the sealant rather than the stone itself.
Granite is one of the hardest natural materials used in kitchen surfaces — harder than most engineered quartz on the Mohs scale. It resists scratching extremely well, holds up to heavy daily use and, when properly sealed, handles food prep, moisture and heat with ease. A well-maintained granite worktop can last the lifetime of a house.
Absolutely. Granite makes an excellent choice for bathroom vanity tops, shower surrounds and window sills. Its density and, once sealed, low porosity make it well-suited to wet environments. It also brings the same visual depth and natural character to a bathroom as it does to a kitchen.
The colour range in granite is vast — from classic black (Absolute Black, Black Galaxy) and crisp whites (Alaska White, Colonial White) through warm neutrals, rich browns and dramatic blues and greens. Finish-wise, polished is the most popular for its reflective depth, but honed, leathered and brushed finishes are increasingly sought-after for a more tactile, matte look.
Granite is one of four core materials we work with. See how they compare.
With granite, the specific slab matters — the depth of colour, the pattern of the crystals and the texture of the finish are all things that a photograph can't capture. Visit our North Shields showroom to compare stones side by side and get honest advice on which suits your project and your budget.
Request a Free Quote Call 0191 258 1540