Elegant and durable, granite is one the world’s strongest and oldest igneous rocks.
So how much does granite weigh per square foot?
Granite is available in different thicknesses, and its weight per square foot varies.
3/4 inch (20mm) thick granite weighs about 12+- pounds (5.44 kg) per square ft.
1-1/4 inch (30mm) thick granite weighs about 18+- pounds (8.16 kg) per square ft.
Granite was created from cooling magma and lava as far back as 300 million years ago. This natural raw material has been used by humans for thousands of years.
It has helped create buildings, pathways, bridges, countertops, and many other long-lasting structures.
Granite is strong and eye-catching because it has slowly cooled for a long period of time. It also contains a wide range of attractive materials like feldspar, quartz, mica, and other materials.
These features come together to create a natural raw material that is considered to be a prestige material. It often costs much more than other naturally occurring rocks.
How Much Does A Granite Countertop Weigh?
The weight of a granite countertop depends on its size and the thickness of the granite used to create it.
A small granite countertop can weigh as little as 30 to 80 pounds (13.6 to 36.2 kg). A larger countertop in a big kitchen can weigh hundreds of pounds.
Before fitting a countertop, it’s possible to calculate how heavy it will be once you know its thickness (3/4 inch or 1 1/4 inch) and its width and length.
For example, if you decide to install a countertop that is ¾ inches thick, 2 feet wide and 5 feet long, it would weigh 120 pounds (12 pounds per square feet x 10 square feet = 120 pounds (54.43 kg)).
~ Fun Fact ~
After diamonds, granite is the next hardest naturally occurring material known to man. This is because its density is approximately 162 pounds (73.4 kg) per square foot. This means granite is more than twice as heavy as the same volume of water!
Resources:
http://sdfgranite.com/Weight%20of%20granite.htm
http://www.granitegurus.com/2010/04/faq-how-much-does-granite-weigh_07.html