Granite

Gris Targa

Gris Targa is a light Portuguese granite from the Tragal quarry region in northern Portugal, with an evenly medium-grained structure, a light white-grey feldspar groundmass and finely distributed black biotite mica dots. Also listed in the international trade as Gris Tragal; used for external façades, wall and floor areas, stairs, window sills, skirtings, prestige public buildings and project-specific cutting to size.

Granite Portugal

Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs · 2 of 208 reserved

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About Gris Targa

Gris Targa shows a classic, evenly medium-grained granite character with the calm, elegant look typical of Iberian granites. The groundmass consists predominantly of light whitish-grey plagioclase and potassium feldspar in a fine quartz matrix; evenly distributed within it are numerous black biotite mica dots and occasional hornblende accents, which give the slab surface a balanced salt-and-pepper look. The ratio of light to dark is around 60–70 % white-grey groundmass to 30–40 % black mineral dots — which produces an overall light, friendly impression with a clearly legible structure. The stone is very homogeneous and compact — from block to block there is only slight variation, which makes Gris Targa a planning- and project-reliable selection for large-area applications. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Geologically, Gris Targa is an igneous plutonic rock from the Tragal quarry district in the north of Portugal. In the international trade the stone is usually listed as Gris Tragal Granite — the German spelling variant Gris Targa has established itself in parallel in some Central European markets. The Tragal quarry region lies in the area between Galicia (Spain) and northern Portugal that is significant for Iberian granite production. The same quarry district also supplies the related selections Azul Tragal (with a bluish tinge) and occasionally rosé-toned variants.

Technically, Gris Targa shows the typical solid values of an Iberian granite: bulk density 2,640 kg/m³, open porosity 1 %, water absorption 0.3 %, compressive strength 165 MPa, flexural strength 15.9 MPa, abrasion resistance 15.4 mm. Frost resistance is confirmed — the loss of strength after 56 freeze-thaw cycles is only 2.8 %, which fully qualifies the stone for external applications. The thermal shock test shows a minimal change in mass (-0.02 %), which signals additional weathering stability. The Mohs hardness is 6–7. Gris Targa is therefore fully suited to everyday use in interior and exterior applications including external façades, heavily used floor areas, stairs and pool areas.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Gris Targa as a raw slab in 10 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm and 60 mm thickness (from standard tiles through wall and floor slabs to solid applications such as steps or bar counters), in tiles for floor and wall applications, as a tread and riser for stairs, window sill, skirting and for project-specific cutting to size. The stone is also outstandingly suited as a fountain element, pool coping and for external façades. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with supposedly similar Iberian grey granites such as Gris Mondariz (Galicia, somewhat darker), Gris Quintana (Galicia, with a warm tone), Gris Cadalso (Spain, more strongly patterned) or Cinza Alpendurada (Porto/Portugal, coarser-grained), Gris Targa brings a particularly balanced salt-and-pepper look with a light, friendly overall impression. Against Chinese or Indian grey granite imports, the Portuguese origin with shorter transport routes, fully documented DIN/EN standard values and many years of proven performance on the European market is a clear advantage in public building tenders, listed buildings and projects with high quality requirements. For architectural projects with a classic, timeless character — public buildings, universities, banks, hotels, prestige residential buildings, external façades with high weathering stability — Gris Targa is a planning-reliable and expressive choice in the middle to upper segment of the Iberian building granites.

Finishes

Gris Targa is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Poliert

Politur ist die klassischste Veredelung im Hartgesteinsegment — eine spiegelglatte, hochglänzende Oberfläche mit höchstmöglicher Farbintensität und maximaler Tiefenwirkung der Mineralstruktur. Als säurebeständiges Silikatgestein ist polierter Granit pflegeleicht und für Küchenarbeitsplatten, Wandverkleidungen und repräsentative Sichtflächen erste Wahl.

Geschliffen C120

Mattes Erscheinungsbild durch groben Schliff mit Körnung C120 — die ebene Oberfläche zeigt eine zurückhaltendere Farbintensität als poliert und kann sichtbare Schleifspuren tragen. Im Vergleich zur Politur pflegeintensiver, aber stilistisch ruhiger; bevorzugte Wahl für moderne Innenarchitektur mit reduzierter Reflexion.

Geflammt + 1 x gebürstet

Die Oberfläche wird durch Hitze aufgeraut und einmal gebürstet, um scharfkantige Mineralreste zu glätten und loses Material zu entfernen. Etwas sanftere Haptik als rein geflammt, weiterhin rutschhemmend, Farbe weniger intensiv als poliert. Standardwahl für Außenbereiche, Terrassen und stark beanspruchte Bodenflächen.

Care & fabrication

As a Portuguese granite, Gris Targa is a robust hard stone with low water absorption (0.3 %), confirmed frost resistance (2.8 % loss of strength after 56 freeze-thaw cycles) and full acid resistance. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, bathroom cleaners or descalers leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone — the stone is considerably easier to maintain and outstandingly suited to intensive everyday use.

For interior applications we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer at first installation. On polished interior surfaces a refresh every 8–10 years is enough; on heavily used floor areas, stairs or external applications we recommend a check every 3–5 years. A sealer protects against deep penetration by oil, grease and pigments — otherwise discolouration from sauces or red wine can settle more visibly on the light groundmass.

Daily care is done with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft cloth or microfibre mop. Clear warm water is usually enough. Acidic cleaners are fundamentally unproblematic, but should nevertheless not be used, because they can attack the sealer. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For kitchen worktops, Gris Targa is solidly suited: cut- and scratch-resistant, insensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for short periods, though longer heat exposure above 200 °C should still be avoided), acid-resistant and with good stain repellency. The light salt-and-pepper surface does, however, show sauce, red wine or turmeric stains more strongly than dark granites — with intensive kitchen use you should react promptly.

For external applications, Gris Targa is a very good choice: the DIN/EN-confirmed values (165 MPa compressive strength, 15.9 MPa flexural strength, freeze-thaw resistance) qualify the stone for demanding external façades, pool areas, heavily used public squares and external stairs. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For pool surrounds, external terraces and fountain surrounds, a slip-resistant textured surface is mandatory — on smooth external surfaces there is a high risk of slipping when wet. In areas with frequent salt contact (de-icing salt, pool chlorine) we recommend an additional sealer refresh every 2 years.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gris Targa geologically?

Gris Targa is an igneous plutonic rock (a granite in the strict petrographic sense) from the Tragal quarry district in northern Portugal. The quarry region lies between Galicia (Spain) and northern Portugal, a main centre for the production of Iberian building granites.

What synonyms are there for Gris Targa?

Gris Targa is usually listed in the international trade as Gris Tragal Granite. The spelling variant “Gris Targa” has established itself in parallel in some Central European markets. Both designations refer to the same Portuguese granite from the Tragal quarry district.

What technical values does Gris Targa have?

Bulk density 2,640 kg/m³, open porosity 1 %, water absorption 0.3 %, compressive strength 165 MPa, flexural strength 15.9 MPa, abrasion resistance 15.4 mm. Frost resistance is confirmed with only 2.8 % loss of strength after 56 freeze-thaw cycles. The thermal shock test shows a -0.02 % change in mass. These values fully qualify Gris Targa for demanding external applications including façades and pool areas.

Is Gris Targa suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Yes, well suited. With a Mohs hardness of 6–7, low water absorption (0.3 %), good compressive strength (165 MPa) and full acid resistance, Gris Targa is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant and absorbs no wine, lemon or vinegar acids. The light salt-and-pepper surface does, however, show sauce, red wine or turmeric stains more strongly than dark granites — with intensive kitchen use you should react promptly.

Which surfaces are available for Gris Targa?

The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.

Where does Gris Targa come from?

Gris Targa comes from the Tragal quarry district in northern Portugal. Together with Galicia, the region is among the tradition-rich Iberian granite provinces that have supplied light to medium-grey building granites to the whole of Europe since the 19th century. The same quarry district also produces the related selections Azul Tragal (bluish) and occasionally rosé-toned variants.

Is Gris Targa frost-resistant and suitable for external façades?

Yes, entirely. The DIN/EN-confirmed frost resistance (2.8 % loss of strength after 56 freeze-thaw cycles), low water absorption (0.3 %) and solid compressive and flexural strength fully qualify Gris Targa for demanding external applications including large-area external façades, heavily used squares, pool surrounds and external stairs. For external applications we recommend a matt, textured surface finish — it provides slip resistance.

Gris Targa or another Iberian grey granite?

Gris Targa differs from related Iberian grey granites through its particularly balanced light salt-and-pepper look with an even mineral distribution. Gris Mondariz appears somewhat darker, Gris Quintana warmer in tone, Gris Cadalso more strongly patterned and Cinza Alpendurada coarser-grained. On homogeneous large-scale projects or external façades with long runs of slabs, Gris Targa offers a particularly planning-reliable block-to-block consistency.