From the ground up: Muskoka granite leaves its mark

By Matt Driscoll On April 13, 2023 Business

Below your feet exists some of the oldest stones on the planet. Located on the southernmost tip of the Canadian Shield, the granite that forms the bedrock of Muskoka was forged between 800 million and 1 billion years ago during the Precambrian era.

It also holds a special connection for many Muskoka residents, as the sheer rock cuts and exposed granite shorelines of lakes and rivers sit in stark contrast to the geology of our neighbours to the south.

“Known by geologists as the Grenville range, it’s incredible to think of but this region was once as high as the Himalayan mountains – and possibly the highest mountain range to ever exist on earth,” says Seth Rudin, the president of Muskoka Rock Company. “You can find granite all over the world but the granite you find in Muskoka is very unique. There are certain shades, colours, and variations that you can only find in this area.”

Few people know more about Muskoka granite than Muskoka Rock Company. The company operates a series of proprietary quarries throughout the Muskoka region that offer a range of colours, tones, and textures. In addition to their processing and manufacturing facilities in Gravenhurst and Huntsville, they utilize advanced technology for precise custom cutting, finishing and in-line processing, offering a wide variety of granite products for multiple interior and exterior uses. In total, Muskoka Rock Company employs over 85 people in their various locations throughout the Muskoka region.

Demand continues to remain strong for our local products, says Rudin.

“Our customers are in Muskoka the surrounding areas and the GTA, but we distribute all over North America. We just came back from delivering an order to Idaho,” says Rudin.

Rudin says the geographic region that contains Muskoka granite stretches roughly from the Severn River to Lake Nipissing and from Georgian Bay in the west to the Ottawa River in the east.

“Muskoka granite, used either inside or outside, gives your living space a seamless, inspired-by-nature look and feel,” says Rudin. “It just makes sense to take your inspiration from the local beauty that surrounds you.”

Aesthetically, Muskoka granite has a singular beauty without having a singular look. Your Muskoka granite flooring and your neighbour’s can vary widely in their distinction and unique qualities. Ranging from the subdued to the dramatic, every granite piece has its own “fingerprint” based on its quarry.

The work to transform the raw granite into the different products crafted by Muskoka Rock occurs at the plants in Gravenhurst and Port Sydney and at the quarries in Huntsville and Dwight. Methods include everything from hand splitting to precision cuts with CNC machines and flame tables that create a rougher texture on the surface of the granite.

Understanding that there are options when considering building and landscaping. Rudin says despite the different options, most people in the region opt for Muskoka granite.

“Nothing looks quite like Muskoka granite,” he says. “Many architects, designers, and property owners want something that mirrors and compliments the local landscape.”

For most buyers these days, it is difficult to justify the environmental impact of importing products including heavy stones over thousands of miles by ship, not to mention the questions raised by using stone from countries where environmental and labour laws might be less stringent than those employed in Canada.

Rudin says there’s a great range of uses for Muskoka granite, including everything from veneer and interior flooring to flagstone and stair treads.

“The options are endless really,” he says. “I believe that the popularity of our products is due to the truly unique aesthetic value only offered by Muskoka’s Canadian Shield granite. When the right aesthetic is matched with unmatched product durability and safety, the decision to choose Muskoka RockGranite comes naturally. Our customers love the idea of having a piece of Muskoka in their homes and on their property whether its at their cottage or chalet or at their home or condo in the city.”

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