What Resining Does

• Granite is a natural material quarried from the earth. The term "granite" refers to a group of hard, dense stones, many of which are igneous in nature, or which formed from molten lava. Not every stone sold as granite is a true granite, although most have comparable levels of density and hardness. When two molten lava streams connect and cool next to one another, this can cause a fissure or weak spot in the stone. Likewise, some metamorphic stones may form with fissures or pits in their surface. Resin is an epoxy compound that is injected into fissures and pits at the factory. It is used to seal these weak spots and maintain the integrity of the stone.
  
  

What Resin Looks Like

• A good fabricator will match the color of the resin closely to the color of the granite. Many fissures and pits can be filled from the backside of the slab, so they are never seen once the counter has been installed. If the fissure or pit goes straight through the stone, or exists on the top surface of the slab, the resin may show. Surface resin is subjected to the same polishing process that the rest of the counter is; the seal is undetectable by touch.
  
  Depending on how large the fissure or pit is that was filled, the resin may be visible under certain lighting conditions. To detect resin, look at the slab from an angle, rather than head on; light will reflect differently off a resin patch than the rest of the stone.
  
  

The Integrity of the Stone

• Resin is used to fill fissures, voids and pits in granite that may weaken its structure. This may cause some potential buyers to stay away from a resined stone, fearing that it may be weak. In fact, resin is made up of an epoxy compound with extremely high tensile strength. This means that once the fissure or pit has been resined or filled with epoxy, the weak place in the granite will be strengthened. With the exception of some stones that have fissures running their entire length, or which are composed of multiple deep fissures, a resined counter will be just as strong, if not stronger, than a comparable stone.
  
  

Cost and Considerations

• Resined granite that had few fissures or pits before filling, and which has an even color and tone can be sold as a grade 1 or grade A stone. This means that it will sell for the same price as a slab of the same granite with no resin. Stones that have multiple areas of fill, or which have areas of resin in conjunction with an uneven color or color pattern may be sold for less. If you are concerned about the use of resined stone, inspect the slab from all sides by looking at it from a slight side angle. If you see large amounts of resin, spread throughout the stone, it may be wise to choose another slab.