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Granite is an igneous rock formed as magma cooled — and that is the source of every advantage it has. It is harder than marble, less porous, unaffected by kitchen acids and unfaded by the Saudi sun. This guide covers the granite types available locally and imported, where it beats marble and where it does not, the finishes and which ones stop you slipping, and what drives the price per square metre.
In this guide
What granite is, and why it is harder
Granite is an igneous rock formed by magma crystallising slowly underground, growing its three main minerals: quartz, feldspar and mica. That crystalline structure is what gives it both its hardness and the speckled look that distinguishes it from marble veining.
Because quartz is one of its main constituents, granite sits around 6–7 on the Mohs hardness scale while marble sits at 3–5. In practice: a knife will not scratch it, lemon leaves no mark, and sun does not fade it.
Saudi granite: a strong local card
The Kingdom holds excellent granite quarries, and the local types compete with imported stone on quality while beating it on availability, transport cost and lead time:
| Type | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Najran Gold | Warm golden ground with brown grain | Facades, entrances, external stairs |
| Najran Desert Brown | Even desert brown | External floors and walkways |
| Saudi Pink | Pink with clearly visible feldspar grain | Facades, columns, architectural elements |
| Saudi Bianco Sardo | Light grey flecked with white and black | High-traffic floors and stairs |
| Halayeb | Medium grain in earth tones | Large-area projects |
Local stone means a shorter lead time and the ability to reorder from the same quarry later if you need extra pieces — which is close to impossible once an imported shipment is finished.
Imported granite
- G684 (Pearl Black) — fine-grained black, excellent flamed for external stairs.
- Tropical granite — lively multi-coloured movement, for statement surfaces.
- Light grey granite — the neutral most requested for commercial floors.
- White granite — light grain that lifts the brightness of enclosed spaces.
Browse what is available in Granite Slabs.
Granite vs marble: when to choose which
| Criterion | Granite | Marble |
|---|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 6 – 7 | 3 – 5 |
| Scratch resistance | Very high | Moderate |
| Food acids | Unaffected | Etches and dulls |
| Heat | Takes a hot pan | Good |
| Exterior use | Excellent — does not fade | Affected by sun and rain |
| Appearance | Fine even grain | Natural veining with more visual depth |
| Porosity | Lower — sealing every two years | Higher — annual sealing |
| Re-polishing | Possible but harder | Easy, returns to new |
The short rule: granite where it gets used, marble where it gets looked at. Marble types are covered in our guide to marble types and prices.
Finishes and slip resistance
With granite the finish is not only taste — it is a safety decision, especially on external and wet surfaces:
Polished
High gloss that brings out the grain. Interior only — slippery when wet.
Honed
Smooth without gloss, better slip resistance and a contemporary look.
Flamed
Treated with flame to leave a rough, open surface. Best for external stairs and walkways.
Bush-hammered
Pitted with a special hammer — high slip resistance and a traditional look.
Any external granite that meets water — stairs, pool surrounds, walkways — must be flamed or bush-hammered. A polished exterior looks beautiful on handover day and becomes dangerous at the first rain.
Where granite is used
- Kitchen worktops: the strongest natural stone choice — unaffected by knives, lemon or a hot pan.
- External stairs: flamed, with anti-slip grooves near the nosing. See our stairs guide.
- Facades and entrances: the colour does not fade and it does not crack with temperature swings.
- High-traffic floors: malls, offices and mosques — it lasts decades.
- Pool surrounds: flamed or bush-hammered, and chlorine resistant.
- Door and window sills: it takes daily abrasion and dust.
Sizes and thicknesses
| Item | Common | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Large slabs | Up to about 320 × 160 cm | Kitchen runs and facades without seams |
| Ready tiles | 30×60 and 60×60 cm | Floors and walkways at lower cost |
| 20 mm | Kitchen tops and interior floors | The most used |
| 30 mm | Stairs and external surfaces | Stronger and carries more load |
| 2 – 3 cm for facades | By height and fixing system | Set by structural calculation |
What drives the price per square metre?
| Factor | Effect |
|---|---|
| Local or imported | The biggest factor — local is noticeably cheaper on transport alone |
| Type and rarity | Rare colours and lively patterns cost more |
| Finish | Flamed and bush-hammered need extra processing |
| Thickness | 30 mm above 20 mm |
| Cutting and shaping | Edges, cut-outs and grooves are separate items |
| Quantity | The rate per m² falls as the project grows |
| Installation location | A facade costs more than a floor — scaffolding and mechanical fixing |
Installation
- Check the substrate: level the floor or structure first — a void under the slab is what cracks it later.
- Measure on site, especially in kitchens once the cabinets are installed.
- Cutting: CNC for openings and corners, with exposed edges polished.
- Fixing: an adhesive made for natural stone with full coverage; for facades, a mechanical system with stainless steel cramps.
- Joints: hairline joints with colour-matched grout.
- Final treatment: an impregnating sealer to reduce staining, especially in kitchens.
Care and common mistakes
- Daily cleaning with water and a neutral soap is entirely enough.
- Seal every two years indoors, every 3–5 years outdoors.
- Avoid concentrated acidic cleaners despite its resistance — they attack the sealer, not the stone.
- Common mistake: a polished finish on an external staircase. A genuine slip hazard.
- Common mistake: relying on one photo — granite varies between shipments, so ask for a photo of the actual slab.
- Common mistake: not buying spare material from the same batch for future repairs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does granite cost per square metre in Saudi Arabia?
It depends on the type (local or imported), the finish, the thickness, the quantity and where it is installed. Saudi granite is noticeably cheaper because transport costs less. Send us the type and area and you will receive an itemised quote within minutes.
Granite or marble for a kitchen?
Granite, clearly. It sits at 6–7 on the Mohs scale against 3–5 for marble, it is unaffected by food acids such as lemon and vinegar, and it takes direct heat. Marble has finer veining but needs more care in a kitchen.
Is Saudi granite as good as imported?
Yes. Saudi quarries produce excellent types such as Najran Gold, Saudi Pink and Bianco Sardo. The added advantage is faster supply, lower transport cost, and the ability to reorder from the same quarry later.
Is granite slippery?
Polished granite is slippery when wet. For external and wet surfaces use a flamed or bush-hammered finish, and on stairs add anti-slip grooves near the edge.
Does granite need periodic sealing?
Far less than marble. Sealing every two years indoors and every 3–5 years outdoors is enough, because its porosity is low to begin with.
Is granite suitable for facades?
Yes, and it is one of the best choices. The colour does not fade in sun and it does not crack with temperature swings. On facades it is fixed with a stainless cramp system sized by height and structural calculation.
FREE QUOTE
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Tell us the type, finish, area and where it will be installed, and the KAASEB team returns an itemised quote covering supply and installation.
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