FAQ

Q: Are Granite Countertops safe because I heard that granite has Radon and it’s dangerous for my home?

A: A considerable amount of research has been published in peer-reviewed scientific literature and all of it comes to the same conclusion; “The levels of radon emitted into the air from a granite countertop are NOT excessive and NOT showing any risk for the population in their home.”-John McCarthy president of Environmental Health & Engineering, a public health consulting firm in suburban Boston. In considering the public's health, we ask an important question—how much do natural stone countertops contribute to the amount of radon inside U.S. homes?" McCarthy asked. "The answer is very little, according to the best scientific evidence that is available at this time."

Dr. David Ropeick, author of the book “Risk”, agreed with McCarthy that “To properly measure radon, one must calculate the emission rate in connection with the area of granite and the volume of air in the home” he said. “Much like paint fumes do, radon generally will dilute into home’s air. These concentrated emissions will generally dilute down to harmless levels. To get even close to the type of dangerous levels of radon exposure that’s been reported in news articles recently, a consumer would have to completely seal off the room and stay in that room 24/7 for 72 years”.

"This study is consistent with all the studies we've conducted in the past, which have found that granite countertops pose no health risk," said Jim Hogan, president of the Marble Institute of America, the nation's leading natural stone trade association, which has funded several independent scientific analyses of granite countertops. "Though media reports have created public concerns about the safety of granite countertops, science continues to show that those reports have no basis in fact.">us, a growing body of scientific opinion has reaffirmed that no corroborated scientific research suggests that granite countertops pose any significant health risk.

How do you care for granitecountertops?

A: Mild dish soap and water to clean for everyday use. Avoid harsh ammonia or chemicals to clean your granite. We recommend you seal it once a year with any impregnating kitchen safe sealer found at local hardware stores. Oil spills can be problematic so, if you spill oil on your counters, clean it up as you go and do not allow it to sit on the stone for any length of time.

Q: How careful do I have to be with granite?

A: Granite is scratch resistant and heat resistant. You can take your pots right off the stove and place them on the granite and take things right out of the oven and place them on the granite. Do not cut on the granite because you run the risk of dulling your knives! Other stones such amarble and limestone do not perform as predictably and we discourage their use in several places, especially the kitchen.

Does Granite Harbor Bacteria?

A: A myth by the man made manufactures to sell more of their UNIFORM counter tops. Granite continues to be used and approved in food and medical applications. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has no records of granite harboring bacteria, and has no reports of people becoming ill from bacteria in granite. With regular cleaning, granite is far less likely to support bacteria than butcher block or even laminated materials with top-mounted sinks.

Q: I’ve noticed some granite have pits on the surface - will I have these on my kitchen counters?

A: Granite, which is crystalline in structure, always has tiny pits - spaces between the various mineral crystals. Granite sometimes has natural fissures as well, which may look like cracks, but are not structural defects and are a naturally occurring result of the immense heat and pressure that formed the granite eons ago. These characteristics are part of the natural beauty of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. A product of nature cannot be expected to look man-made.

Q: Why choose granite counter tops over synthetic materials?

A: Granite has become today’s countertop of choice for architects, cabinetmakers, kitchen designers and contractors. Luxury home builders all install GRANITE. A granite counter top is virtually impervious to abrasions, stains and extreme heat. On average man-made stone is about as expensive, if not more than granite. Manufacturers of man-made counter tops are trying to position themselves as equal in every way to granite. Unlike granite, synthetic and quartz looks very uniform and well, “man-made”. It doesn't possess the allure and unique colors, depth, textures or patterns of granite. No two pieces of granite will EVER be the same! You just cannot duplicate nature! There are just too many great natural stones to choose from when the cost is reasonably similar.