Delices Enfance

In what seems to be a genuine concern of the effects of radon emissions in residential homes. A certain Webster from a non-profit organization out of Houston has made it a point to imply without scientific proof, that natural stone could be a major contributor of radon in a household.
The allusion that seems to be made, that natural stone installed in your home is dangerous to your health is raised repeatedly on the Webster and in a recent local Houston TV news program.
It’s interesting to note that the two major contributors of this non-profit organization are manufacturers of engineered stone. One of those contributing manufacturers has a marketing executive on the board of directors of this particular organization.

From what may be perceived on the surface as perhaps another “going green” ad campaign, seems to be a different slant on the ongoing battle of the engineered stone manufacturers against natural stone.
Keep in mind that granite as does most natural components found in building material, allows vapors to pass through them that might contain trace amounts of radon. There are very small amounts of uranium found in trace minerals such as biotite in some natural stones. When quarried if a large cluster of biotite is exposed the result initially would be a radon reading. However, once a piece of granite or natural stone exposed to a large amount of uranium rich mineral in the ground is removed from the source and exposed to the air, the radon vapor transmission would weaken drastically and then dissipate. Simply put, think of natural stone as a very dense sponge that allows water, air and yes radon to pass through the stone. Once the stone is removed from the source of radon (the earth) the stone has no radon to filter through it.
We do endorse Radon testing but to allude that natural stone is a main contributor seems ludicrous.
Here are some facts about Radon:
WHERE DOES RADON COME FROM?
“Radon comes from the natural radioactive decay of radium and uranium found in the soil beneath the house. The amount of radon in the soil depends on complex soil chemistry, which varies from one house to the next. Radon levels in the soil range from a few hundred to several thousands of pCi/L. The amount of radon that escapes from the soil to enter the house depends on the weather, soil porosity, soil moisture, and the suction within the house”.
HOW DOES RADON GET INTO THE HOUSE?
“Houses act like large chimneys. As the air in the house warms, it rises to leak out the attic openings and around the upper floor windows. This creates a small suction at the lowest level of the house, pulling the radon out of the soil and into the house.( Just as natural stone filters radon emission as mentioned before.) You can test this on a cold day by opening a top floor window an inch. You will notice warm air from the house rushing out that opening; yet, if you open a basement window an inch, you will feel the cold outside air rushing in. This suction is what pulls the radon out of the soil and into the house. You might think caulking the cracks and the openings in the basement floor will stop the radon from entering the house. However, scientific studies show, it only takes enough unsealed cracks or pin holes in the caulking to equal a hole 1/2" in diameter to let all the radon in. It is unlikely that caulking the accessible cracks and joints will permanently seal the openings radon needs to enter the house. The radon levels will still likely remain unchanged.
Fortunately, there are other extremely effective means of keeping radon out of your home. Throughout the country, several million people have already tested for radon. Some houses tested as high as 2,000-3,000 pCi/L; yet, there hasn’t been one house that could not mitigate to an acceptable level. The difference in reference to natural stone is that one the stone slab is removed from the source and exposed to the atmosphere the radon is vented in the same way ventilation of a house mitigates the radon emissions in the soil.
Levels of radiation from granite products, which technically are measurable, are in fact, small fractional values of established thresholds for environmental safety. The truth of the matter is that granite is a safe product. It’s been used for thousands of years and the relationship between granite and radon has been studied for years and years. How safe is granite? There have been mathematical models developed that show that one could live in an all-granite home or building, including sleeping on granite, for an entire year and still be within very safe levels of exposure.
Calculations show that, if an average countertop, traps an average uranium concentration of four ppm (parts per million), the concentration of radon that is given off by the countertop into the household air would be 270,000 times less than the level of radon in the outside air. The maximum contact level that you would receive over one year if you were to sit on a countertop all of the time would be about one quarter of the annual radiation from all sources. If you were just a few inches away from the granite (such as when doing the dishes), the dose would be too low to measure.
To Quote Donald Langmuir, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Geochemistry, Colorado School of Mines, & President, Hydrochem Systems Corp.
”To show how laughable are the concerns of radon emitted from natural stone, the typical granite countertop in our example will release 7.4 x 10 -7 pCi/L of air. This corresponds to 2.7 x 10 -8 atom decays per second (dps). This represents 0.85 decays per year. In other words, less than one atom of radon is produced by the countertop in one year. This is hardly worth getting excited about. I would suggest that a good way to reduce our exposure to the radon present in outdoor air would be to build an air-tight house out of granite countertops! There are certain properties of rocks that can increase their radon emanation efficiency, or in other words increase the release of radon from a given weight of rock. These are rock properties that maximize the exposure of internal or external rock surfaces to water or air, allowing any radon gas to escape. The author of ‘Granite and Radon’ argues that such properties, which include rock porosity, fissuring and mylonitization, will increase radon releases. This is probably true, however, a granite with such properties would be too brittle to make into a countertop, and too open to take a polish, and so would not be marketable as a countertop - unless the rock pores were first filled with a chemical sealant. Such sealing would also eliminate any possible radon release problems.”
In a more recent study that was conducted by L. L. Chyi, a Ph.D. and professor of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology at The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio. Dr. Chyi studied 13 of the most popular granites used throughout the United States as determined by an industry-wide survey. Due to their popularity these 13 granites, are believed to represent up to 85% of the granite countertop market in recent years. The granite types are as follows:
1. New Venetian Gold, Brazil; medium grained, yellow-beige gneiss with many dark red garnets
2. Uba Tuba, Brazil; A medium- to coarse grained, olive-green granite
3. Santa Cecilia, Brazil; A coarse-grained, yellow-grey gneiss with up to pie-sized, red garnets
4. Tropic Brown, Saudi Arabia; medium-grained, brown granite
5. Absolute Black, India; black basalt
6. Tan Brown, India; A black-brown igneous rock with big, shapeless, brown-red feldspar crystals
7. Giallo Ornamental, Brazil; coarse-grained, brown-yellow granulite with some brown-red garnets
8. Crema Bordeaux, Brazil; Juparana Crema Bordeaux (Brunello). A coarse- to very coarse-grained, pink to red granite with areas of quartz, alkali feldspar and quite a lot of ore
9. Baltic Brown, Finland; brown-black granite
10. Giallo Veneziano, Brazil; medium- to coarse-grained, ochre-yellow to golden-brown, also light pink, gneiss
11. Dakota Mahogany, USA; medium- to coarse-grained, brown-red granite
12. China Black, China, a fine-grained plutonic rock
13. Yellow Star, China, a medium-grained yellow to pink granite
The testing methodology was designed to measure the amount of radon which each granite type would add to the interior of a 2,000 square foot, normally ventilated home with 8 ft ceilings. The results show that Crema Bordeaux (the most active in terms of radon emissions) would contribute a concentration component of less than 0.28 pCi/L, or less than 7% of the EPA’s recommended actionable level of 4.0 pCi/L. This radon amount is well below a level which might cause health concerns. Tropic Brown and Baltic Brown, second and third in radon emanation based upon Dr. Chyi’s testing, amounted to only 1% of this action level. The other granites tested added almost immeasurable amounts of radon to the house. Radon atoms in pore spaces and fractures are of minimal concern in the case of granite countertops
Dr. Chyi’s test results show that the granites that are currently found in the United States’ market place are insignificant contributors to radon levels in the home. “Based on the testing results and EPA standards, we can conclude that the most popular granites used as countertop surfaces pose no health threat to homeowners. If proper resealing is applied once a year or at other frequencies determined by the industry, the radon emanation can be further reduced”.
Daniel J. Steck, Ph.D. also ran a test on interior radon and granite, and this is what he had to say.
“The average radionuclide contents of your building material samples are similar to other average granite samples and other common earth-derived building materials such as brick and soil. Thus, the amount of gamma radiation emitted from similar masses of these building materials will be approximately the same;
There is little sample-to-sample variation in the radon family radionuclide concentrations; the radon flux is somewhat larger for the counter-top squares than for the smaller samples. This indicates that the effective diffusion length is only on the order of the thickness of the counter-top samples, i.e. several centimeters. Thus, material thicker than 5 cm (2") most likely will not emit more than the counter-top samples.
While we feel that health safety is a great concern especially in our homes, for an industry to attempt to gain financially by “scare tactics” or under the auspices of “Eco friendly” is reprehensible. We urge the consumer to not be taken in by these alarmist tactics.

Radon In Granite Causes Cancer | Newsflash2

Home remodelers and builders have experienced a boom in the demand for granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal in home design, and the durability and easy care of granite countertops keeps them a favorite for homeowners who are looking into the future. Though adding granite countertops to any kitchen can be quite costly, they remain the premiere choice in upscale homes, as they retain their value better than most other improvements.
Granite, like marble and other popular stones, are as old as the earth. Granite is found all over the world. As a preferred material, granite was used in the construction of temples and other public buildings in ancient societies. In the recent past many builders continued to use granite for pillars and exterior finishes. Stone suppliers didn’t begin experimenting with polished granite until 1831. The preference for polished granite began in 1851, when a finished piece of granite was displayed in London at The Great Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations.
Granite makes an excellent medium for countertops, as it is the most durable of all stones. The hardness of granite is rivaled only by the hardness of diamonds. The durability and versatility of granite countertops makes it a favorite of professional and home chefs. Granite can withstand the placement of a hot pot and serves as an excellent surface for handling doughs and confectionery. The natural beauty of granite countertops complement any tone of wood or style of cabinetry, from French country to sleek modern styles. Granite is an attractive stone that adds color and warmth to any room.

 
Granite Countertops Have Become Popular
A popular choice of designers for decades, granite countertops have now become popular with the public. There are literately hundreds of colors of granite, from variations of white through browns, reds, greens, blues, and black. Brown and beige tones are the most popular, as they work well with most any kitchen color scheme, allowing greater flexibility in redecorating over the years. Some of the granite colors exhibit ‘movement’ or a design within the natural color. Movement from large patterns can carry the eye quickly over the surface of the countertop, while small patterns have a more sedate appearance. The combination of color and movement means that no two countertops are exactly the same.
While granite countertops are a favorite choice due to their beauty and durability, they are not impervious to damage. Regular care includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining. Although granite is quite hard, it can be easily be chipped. A skilled professional can perform repairs that are nearly invisible.

Cost & Maintenance
Granite countertops can cost more than other countertop materials, with prices starting at $60 a square foot installed. The majority of the cost is not in the stone, but in the quarry work, cutting, transportation, polishing and installations. It is not recommended that the do-it-yourself homeowner to take on this project. Despite the strength of granite, the oversized slab sheets must be precisely cut to fit the counters, and are very delicate when transported. Special care must be taken to reinforce the base cabinets, and the slab must be set perfectly level. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could cause it to break during regular use.
When a homeowner desires the utility of granite countertops, but is unable or unwilling to pay a premium, discounted granite for countertops may be a good option. Retailers maintain groupings or tiers of stone based on popularity of color and movement. Lower tiered cuts of stone maintain the consistent characteristics granite is known for, but the shade of a color may vary according to current fashion trends.

Granite Lasts a Lifetime
Granite countertops will continue to remain a favorite of homeowners, architects and interior designers. The ageless beauty and durability of granite makes it a home improvement treasure to last a lifetime.

Granite Countertops - Natural Stone Restoration Alliance

Is your countertop surface damaged or showing its age? Don’t replace it – repair it! We have restored countertops, sinks, tub surrounds, service bars, and many other surfaces damaged by:
• Cracks
• Chips
• Stains
• Scratches
• Dullness from long term wear.

WHY Choose A NSRA Member?
We understand that your kitchen, bath and work surfaces represent a significant investment in your home or business. We know that you want the repairs to be made quickly and professionally with minimal disruption and mess.

• Specially Trained Techs
Our members specialize in restoring, repairing, and refinishing a wide range of natural stone surfaces, including Granite, Natural Marble, Travertine and many other natural stone products from all over the world. The natural stone restoration specialists of the NSRA are highly trained and experienced.

• State-of-the-Art Equipment
NSRA members are kept up to date on the latest restoration techniques, the use state-of-the-art tools and use the finest materials for repairs.

• Timely Response
We will follow up on your service requests within 24 hours, provide you with realistic estimates and schedules, and make every effort to work quickly and efficiently. We make the extra effort to be timely and customer-friendly.

When you choose NSRA member you can be confident that the technicians will be neat, courteous, professional, and fully qualified to do the job. It is our mission for you to be delighted with our work and our service. We strive to ensure that you are so satisfied with our restoration work that you will recommend us to others for their natural stone repairs.

We also offer scheduled maintenance programs that keep your Natural stone surfaces looking like new.

Columbus Ohio Countertop Repair - Columbus Ohio Countertop Repair

Home remodelers and builders have experienced a boom in the demand for granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal in home design, and the durability and easy care of granite countertops keeps them a favorite for homeowners who are looking into the future. Though adding granite countertops to any kitchen can be quite costly, they remain the premiere choice in upscale homes, as they retain their value better than most other improvements.
Granite, like marble and other popular stones, are as old as the earth. Granite is found all over the world. As a preferred material, granite was used in the construction of temples and other public buildings in ancient societies. In the recent past many builders continued to use granite for pillars and exterior finishes. Stone suppliers didn’t begin experimenting with polished granite until 1831. The preference for polished granite began in 1851, when a finished piece of granite was displayed in London at The Great Exhibition of the Industry of all Nations.

Granite makes an excellent medium for countertops, as it is the most durable of all stones. The hardness of granite is rivaled only by the hardness of diamonds. The durability and versatility of granite countertops makes it a favorite of professional and home chefs. Granite can withstand the placement of a hot pot and serves as an excellent surface for handling doughs and confectionery. The natural beauty of granite countertops complement any tone of wood or style of cabinetry, from French country to sleek modern styles. Granite is an attractive stone that adds color and warmth to any room.

Granite Countertops Have Become Popular
A popular choice of designers for decades, granite countertops have now become popular with the public. There are literately hundreds of colors of granite, from variations of white through browns, reds, greens, blues, and black. Brown and beige tones are the most popular, as they work well with most any kitchen color scheme, allowing greater flexibility in redecorating over the years. Some of the granite colors exhibit ‘movement’ or a design within the natural color. Movement from large patterns can carry the eye quickly over the surface of the countertop, while small patterns have a more sedate appearance. The combination of color and movement means that no two countertops are exactly the same.
While granite countertops are a favorite choice due to their beauty and durability, they are not impervious to damage. Regular care includes proper cleaning and the use of sealers to prevent staining. Although granite is quite hard, it can be easily be chipped. A skilled professional can perform repairs that are nearly invisible.
Cost & Maintenance
Granite countertops can cost more than other countertop materials, with prices starting at $60 a square foot installed. The majority of the cost is not in the stone, but in the quarry work, cutting, transportation, polishing and installations. It is not recommended that the do-it-yourself homeowner to take on this project. Despite the strength of granite, the oversized slab sheets must be precisely cut to fit the counters, and are very delicate when transported. Special care must be taken to reinforce the base cabinets, and the slab must be set perfectly level. Failure to properly set a granite countertop could cause it to break during regular use.

When a homeowner desires the utility of granite countertops, but is unable or unwilling to pay a premium, discounted granite for countertops may be a good option. Retailers maintain groupings or tiers of stone based on popularity of color and movement. Lower tiered cuts of stone maintain the consistent characteristics granite is known for, but the shade of a color may vary according to current fashion trends.

Granite Lasts a Lifetime

Granite countertops will continue to remain a favorite of homeowners, architects and interior designers. The ageless beauty and durability of granite makes it a home improvement treasure to last a lifetime.

Granite is an igneous rock, once molten and formed and cooled deep inside the earth. Some types of granite can look very similar to marble.

Granite is believed to be second only to diamonds in its hardness. Kitchen granite countertops are becoming increasingly popular because of this unbeatable toughness. Granite is a durable stone that requires little maintenance and can be highly polished or finished in a variety of ways.

Since granite is a natural material, it is surprising just how many colors are available for kitchen granite countertops. Because granite is quarried from so many parts of the world, the quantity of colors is remarkable. Each kitchen granite countertop can have its own unique pattern of colors, with speckles, splotches and veins.

There is nothing more beautiful than granite for its natural beauty and refinement. Kitchen granite countertops are available in dozens of rich and elegant textures and colors ranging from light-colored accents to the more deeper and darker tones.

Kitchen granite countertops can make a very impressive design statement. Granite kitchen countertops have certainly become the countertop of choice for most kitchen designers because with granite countertops can add to the value of your home. Granite is attractive, easy to maintain, and durable.

Kitchen granite countertops are a beautiful, and affordable natural stone which will add warmth and character to any kitchen. The colors and patterns vary from stone to stone. A kitchen granite countertop is unique in that no two pieces of granite are exactly the same, therefore no two countertops are alike. It also brings a richness and texture to your home that is unmatched by any other material.

Granite is an igneous rock-originating deep in the earth from magma, then cooled slowly with considerable pressure. It makes up about 60% of the Earth’s upper crust. Although it has been around for centuries, granite has been a viable material for kitchen granite countertops just in the past 30 to 40 years.

Granite can be found all over the world. Granite is extremely durable and is the hardest of natural stones for kitchen granite countertops. Granite is composed of quartz and feldspar. It has a very dense grain, which makes it virtually impervious to stains, because it has very little porosity. It takes a highly polished finish and once polished it is completely resistant to liquids.

Other benefits of kitchen granite countertops are the mirror-like finish. Granite countertops can resist extreme heat from frying pans.

A granite kitchen countertop is very easy to maintain and care for. For daily cleaning you just wipe with a soft cloth or paper towel with water.

Some other advantages to having a kitchen granite countertop are that they are affordable, beautiful, the stone changes appearance in different light during the day. One thing you have to watch for is than each granite stone is unique. This can mean that the color in the granite can look different from one day to the next depending on the lighting situation. Lighting can cause a reflection in the granite making one color more dominant. So in picking a color it is a good idea to choose from actual slabs not samples

There can be some other design factors in addition to color that you may need to consider. One is selecting an edge profile. An edge profile is the exposed edge of the countertop. You might also want to consider an undermount sink for your kitchen granite countertop. An undermounted sink would sit under the granite therefore there would be no lip to hit when cleaning around the sink.

To sum up; whether you are remodeling or designing a new kitchen choosing kitchen granite countertops for your home you increase its re-sale value with this important addition to your kitchen and it is one of the best ways to stay green.

We are sure you have heard of companies that offer warranties on natural stone, but when you read the find print they warranty absolutely noting.

We would like to introduce The Opps Factor Plan; finally a plan offered by stone restoration specialists that can accommodate a customers needs. No more struggling to find a stone restoration service in the area. The peace of mind knowing that if the client has an issue, accident or just a basic maintenance plan to protect their investment. Our job is to restore natural stone. We are independent of the fabricators and installers. Our services specialize in post installation issues that might occur therefore representing a third party with the client. This relieves the designer, contractor, installer, and fabricator of any post installation issues as well as offering a unique customization plan for the client’s stone surface. The designer is able to offer a fully comprehensive plan to the client in order to enhance the sale. no more dealing withe that customer that ordered a hone finish and now claiming they order a polish finish. 

Our members specialize in restoring, repairing, and refinishing a wide range of natural stone surfaces, including Granite, Natural Marble, Travertine and many other natural stone products from all over the world. The natural stone restoration specialists of the NSRA are highly trained and experienced. All work done by NSRA members is guaranteed.

NSRA members are kept up to date on the latest restoration techniques, the use state-of-the-art tools and use the finest materials for repairs.

We will follow up on service requests within 24 hours, provide a realistic estimate and schedule and make every effort to work quickly and efficiently. We make the extra effort to be timely and customer-friendly.

Our plan offers a percentage incentive to the designer for the presentation of the service. We provide all promotion materials as well as online or phone contact.

NSRA One Year Residential Natural Stone Protection Plan

Level One

A basic protection plan that covers the sealing of stone surface. This allows client unlimited service for sealing the stone along with one professional cleaning and evaluation of the stone.

Level Two

An enhanced plan that covers Level One as well as repairs of chips, scratches, etches and normal wear and tear. The plan also covers stain removal. The plan has certain restrictions relating to settling, intentional neglect or abuse or seam failure.

Level Three

Covers both Levels One and Two. This plan also includes customizing seams to make the seams less noticeable to match the surface as well as altering the surface ie: honed, polishing, satin, antiquing to the clients wishes. This plan covers all issues with the stone surface: settling, structural settling, seam failure, natural characteristics of the stone such as fissures water lines and color manipulations with the exception of intentional physical abuse or cracking the stone due to excessive weight.

These plans cost as little as $250 a year. To learn more abut these plans, contact your nearest stone suppler or log on to www.nsraweb.com to find your nearest participating NSRA member.

Natural Stone Protection Plan | Newsflash

MAKE YOUR NATURAL STONE SURFACES LOOK AS GREAT AS INTENDED ONE THE DAY OF INSTALLATION.
Is your natural stone surface damaged or showing its age? Don’t replace it – repair it! For nearly a decade we have restored countertops, sinks, tub surrounds, service bars, and many other surfaces damaged by:
• Cracks / Breaks
• Chips / Holes
• Stains / Discolorations
• Gouges / Scratches
• Dullness from long term wear. WHY Choose A NSRA Member?
We understand that your kitchen, bath and work surfaces represent a significant investment in your home or business. We know that you want the repairs to be made quickly and professionally with minimal disruption or mess.
• Specially Trained Tech’s
Our members specialize in restoring, repairing, and refinishing a wide range of natural stone surfaces, including Granite, Marble, Travertine and many other natural stone products from all over the world. The natural stone restoration specialists of the NSRA are highly trained and experienced. All work done by NSRA members is guaranteed.
• State-of-the-Art Equipment
NSRA members are kept up to date on the latest restoration techniques, the use state-of-the-art tools and use the finest materials for repairs.
• Timely Response
We will follow up on your service requests within 72 hours, provide you with realistic estimates and schedules, and make every effort to work quickly and efficiently. We make the extra effort to be timely and customer-friendly.
When you choose NSRA members you can be confident that the technicians will be neat, courteous, professional, and fully qualified to do the job with the full support of the natural stone community. It is our mission to provide quality natural stone care, restoration and maintenance through a network of qualified natural stone professionals. We strive to ensure that you are so satisfied with our restoration work that you will recommend us to others for their natural stone repairs.
We also offer scheduled maintenance programs that keep your Natural stone surfaces looking like new.

For more information

please visit www.nsraweb.com

WHY Choose A NSRA Member For Your Project | Story

The NSRA is now going to be running a "Website of the Month" contest each month where members can submit their boards to have a chance at winning Website of the Month.

Rules:
*Owner must be an active participant of the forum to submit their site
*User must have 10 are more post to submit their site
*Each user can submit only 1 site per month
*The submitter must own are work for the owner of the website
*All site must promote the use of natural stone over all other surfaces

How Will It Work
On the 1st of each month we’ll create a thread that users can submit their Site for the SOTM Poll. This will be open for 3 Days
Next, the Nsra core members will choose the top 3 to 5 sites and create a Poll where users can vote on the BOTM.
SOTM winners will receive a link on 12,000 pages
You will get a thumbnail of your site, a short description of your site with a link to it on almost all of the pages of the nsraweb.com
You will have a spot on the
NSRA blog network that presently consists of 20 blogs
NSRA Link Directory
You will also receive a little button that you can place on your site that shows the month and year that you won over your fellow tradesman.

Can you imagine, 12-20,000 new back links in one month!!

NSRA website of the Month (SOTM) - Natural Stone Restoration Alliance

A stone kitchen countertop suggests a special sort of luxury and lasting quality, but care must be taken to select the right stone, have it properly installed, and respect its natural vulnerabilities.

Stone counters are elegant and durable when installed and cared for properly.

Stone Properties
When it comes to selecting countertops, stones with similar looks and characteristics are often combined into one class, even though they may actually be different stone types. The most common stone types for kitchen countertops are marble, slate, soapstone, limestone, travertine, and some sandstones. Slabs are cut into two-foot wide strips and then further custom fabricated.
A stone’s strengths and vulnerabilities depend on its hardness or resistance to abrasion and scratching. Stones are composed of deposits that affect their overall strength. Granite—composed of quartz and feldspars—is resistant to scratches and resistant to many chemicals. Marble—any crystallized carbonate rock—is softer and more chemically sensitive, so it will show wear sooner than granite. Marble can be etched by acids and stained by oils, but is restored more easily than granite.
Stones like marble that are limestone-based are more susceptible to acid attacks than silicate-based stones like slate, soapstone, or granite. Stone counters are susceptible to stains, scratching, and breaking, but are easy-to-clean and resistant to bacteria growth. Stone countertops are cleaned with hot water, not detergent because it can leave a cloudy residue. Granite tops may be wiped with vinegar.
Preventing Countertop Damage
Understanding a stone countertop’s vulnerabilities and care requirements will ensure a comfortable and long-lasting fit in your home.
Staining
Most, but not all, stone countertops come sealed with a substance that impregnates the material to protect against stains. If a sealer or impregnator is applied, be sure that it is non-toxic and safe for use on food preparation surfaces. Stone countertops that are sealed usually require re-application every five years, and sometimes as often as every two years depending on the product used.
"The biggest issue on any contaminant is dwell time," says Chuck Muehlbauer, technical director for the Marble Institute of America, in Westlake, Ohio. If you choose a stone countertop, you will have to protect it—as you would most other types of countertops—from staining foods by cleaning up immediately after use or a spill. Acids from tomatoes or lemon juice are noted for staining if not wiped up promptly.
Scratches
Guard against scrapes from pans or knives on marble or other non-granite stone surfaces by using placemats under china, ceramics, silver, and abrasive objects that can scratch the surface.
Cracking
Stone—even granite—can crack from a strong, localized heat source such as hot pans or dishes, so it’s important to use trivets or hot mats underneath.
Repairing Stone Counters
Counters can be polished to eliminate stains or scratches. Small cracks or chips may require resin injection and polishing, a job best left to professional restorers. Pitting is common with granite and most polished igneous rocks so you must be prepared for how the stone will age. Fissures also occur naturally in many stone types. This visible separation differs from a crack in that it is a naturally occurring feature in the stone and one that contributes to its character.
If your stone surface cracks, the entire countertop will need to be replaced. However, certain repairs are possible if the damage is not in a structurally significant area.
Costs and Installation
Once a stone is cut into strips, the fabricator uses basic measurements of your countertop to finish edges and plan for sink and cooktop cutouts. Stone countertops range from $30 to $100 per square foot installed. The type of stone, thickness, and number of cutouts impacts the cost. Almost all stone countertops come in either 20mm or 30mm thickness, roughly 3⁄4 and 11⁄4 inches. Dozens of edge profiles are available.
A very experienced handyman could install a stone countertop, but it’s not recommended by stone experts. A fabricated countertop often arrives in sections that must be seamed. Separate stone backslashes, corners, and extra long sections require seaming. Multiple sections will not affect performance but will impact installation and total cost.
During installation, cabinets must be permanently affixed. Fragile stone varieties or those with excessive fissuring or unsound veins may require a full subtop to support the stone. If an undermount sink has been chosen, a special support rail for the cabinet frame is suggested. Stone sections are set on adhesive beads on the cabinet. Polyester adhesive, which cures to a hard shiny state, is the most common material used to seal the seams, which are about 1/16th of an inch. The whole installation process typically takes a half day.
Countertop Choices

A counter is as resistant as the stone it’s made from. Use the list below to study the strengths and weaknesses of the most popular stone countertop varieties:
Granites: Resistant to abrasions and scratches. Resistant to most chemicals but may be vulnerable to some acids. Can be porous and stained by oils.
Marbles, serpentines and onyxes: Known for their aesthetic appeal. Vulnerable to scratches, abrasions, and chemical attack. Stained by oils and other liquids.
Soapstone’s: Easily scratched. Unaffected by acids but darkened by oils. Stains can be scrubbed out.
Limestones and travertine’s: Vulnerable to acids and abrasions. Many varieties have high absorption rates.
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Source: bobvila.com

See what the real pros have to say about this topic.

Stone Countertops - Natural Stone Restoration Alliance

On 3/18/2008 A great service and web site was introduce to the greater Columbus Ohio area, Patrick Stone Restoration Service specializes in the repair of natural stone countertops. Steve Patrick, owner of Patrick Stone Restoration Service realized there was need for detailed countertop repair not offered by stone fabricators and installers in the Ohio area. After exhaustive research Steve found Fred Hueston’s “Stone University” that gave the fundamentals of restoration as well as a background of basic geology and chemistry that is important in working with natural stone. Steve also took an advanced hands on courses offered by the renowned stone restorationist Josveek Huligar of Huligar Stone Restoration. He now offers high quality restoration of natural stone surfaces. Viewing stone as “art” produced by Mother Nature, the goal is to produce a highly detailed surface restoration. In addition to professional cleaning and sealing to help keeping marble and granite surfaces looking their best, Patrick Stone Restoration Service also offers detailed seam work on countertops to make the necessary seams less noticeable and in most case totally invisible from two feet away.

When asked, what is the best part of your job, he said “One of my favorite parts of the job is when the customer returns and has a hard time finding the seam that was so apparent before the work was done” Steve concludes. “For us in the stone restoration trade this is a form of art.”

To learn more, visit Steve at http://countertop-repair.com

Pick The Best Stone For The Job

Commercial or construction use of stone

Architects, specifies, designers, clients; choosing and using stone is an experience and one for which we recommend you ask for professional advice. Stone is a naturally occurring material and as such, has to be chosen like no other building material. Stone Federation members are fully trained, experienced and competent professionals who should be consulted as soon as you decide to use natural stone on your project. They can advise you and prevent any costly mistakes being made before it is too late.

Domestic use of stone

Using stone in your home or property can enhance your living space but you must be aware of the questions to ask when making your choice of stone.

Stone, correctly selected, can enhance the value of your property and be durable, and virtually maintenance free. However, incorrectly selected it can cause you problems. By purchasing stone you are making an investment so protect your money and get the right advice. Stone Federation suggests you always consult the experts first.

General types of natural stone

Classification

There are many different classification schemes for stone, which have prompted the industry to simplify descriptions. This has led to many problems when, for instance, a stone laid as a granite is actually found to be a different stone type altogether and does not perform as expected. The British Standard BSEN12440 (Denomination of natural stone) addresses the classification problem and insists upon the correct identification of stone type and origin. For the purposes of this guidance however, the simplified descriptions remain and it must be stressed that all stones should be considered individually for their merits in whatever use they are being considered for.

GRANITE

The term granite has been applied to almost any igneous stone that can retain a polish. True granites provide many of these stones but other types of igneous stone that may fall into this classification include syenites, gabbros, dolerites, and diorites. The metamorphic stones gneiss, schist and granulite are frequently also included in this ‘granite’ classification.

The formation of these igneous rocks by the slow cooling of molten minerals such as quartz, feldspar and hornblende has resulted in a wide variety of colors and grain patterns.

In the United Kingdom the quarrying of granite is concentrated in a small number of locations. Those of particular importance may be found in Devon and Cornwall, Cumbria, at Peterhead and Aberdeen and on the east coast of Scotland.

The main sources for imported granite are Scandinavia, South Africa, Sardinia, Portugal, Spain, India, North America, China and Brazil.

Applications
The interlocking crystal structure imparts both the high strength and low porosity necessary for a wide range of applications other than just flooring; these characteristics are also important in allowing successful use of slabs that are thinner than other types of stone.

Appearance
The immense color choice includes fine and medium grained silver gray from Devon and Cornwall and fine grained pink from Scotland, whilst other countries provide dense, very fine grained materials with reflective crystals such as larvikite (e.g. blue and emerald pearl) from Norway; reds from Scandinavia and India; large grained brown from Finland; yellows from Brazil; and the delicately mottled grays, fawns and pinks from Sardinia.

The surface finish affects the appearances of granite and those available include sawn, flame textured, dolly pointed, fine axed, rough punched, honed, bush hammered and water jet. It is in the gloss polished form, however, that these granites reveal fully their colors and grain patterns.

Performance
Very hardwearing and physically strong, granite is largely unaffected by erosion, pollution or atmospheric attack. Facades are generally self cleaning, although eye level areas benefit from occasional cleaning as for glazing. A polished finish is almost indestructible.

SANDSTONE The term sandstone is used to describe almost any stone of sedimentary origin with a granular texture. Some other types of stone that may fall under this classification include grit stones, siltstones, gray whacks, conglomerates and marls. Aside from particle size variations, the dominant factor affecting sandstone performance is the grain cement that may be siliceous, calcareous, clay bearing or iron-rich.

Geologically it is a sedimentary type rock made up of various mineral particles mainly quartz, mica and feldspar. All these minerals are bonded together with natural cements such as silica, calcium carbonates, iron oxides and clays. The individual make up of each sandstone gives a wide range of colors. A pure silica sandstone is white with the colors arising from other minerals. Iron oxides can cause the stone to vary from buff or brown through to the deepest red. Gray color stone is due to the presence of clay and green could indicate the presence of glauconite which contained potassium.

Sandstone is a natural material traditionally regarded as the building stone of the North. However, sandstone can be seen throughout the United Kingdom in many prestigious buildings from structures which form part of our heritage to modern office blocks.

Sandstone is traditionally used as a building material in many areas where it occurs locally particularly in Derbyshire, Yorkshire and the North East of England, Wales and Scotland. Many of the “stone cities” of the North derive their particular architectural character from the use of sandstone.

Most of the major sandstone quarries working today are located in the North of England, Derbyshire and Scotland. For flooring purposes, sandstones are also imported.

Appearance
Sandstone has many colors ranging from white, gray and buff to various shades of pink and red.

The color and texture of stone is self evident, however the color of dry stone can change quite dramatically on wetting. Natural weathering can play a major part in the change of color. Such color change can sometimes be viewed on abandoned faces of the quarry although it is much more important to view existing buildings constructed from the same stone.

Sandstones generally have an even texture, which may vary from course to fine, but the stone from some quarries also show attractive natural markings.

Applications
Many types of sandstone are suitable for paving or flooring. Some can be split (“riven”) otherwise the normal finish is sawn. Tooled, sandblasted and flame textured finishes are also available.

There is a vast variety of surface finishes available from the traditional rubble walling to wrought stonework with its finishes to different forms ie. boasting, pitched, broached, hammer dressed and rusticated, to the very intricate looking vermiculated. But most importantly, credit must go to the craftsmen who hue the sandstone to all the various forms from large stones with a high degree of molding to the most intricate of carving work. Sandstones are suitable for block construction in most building and engineering work and can now be cut to relatively thin sections for cladding to steel framed or concrete structured buildings.

All in all sandstone is one of the few historic natural minerals still in use today. It provides excellent durability and is virtually maintenance free. It is aesthetically appealing to the eye whilst giving great value for money to the client.

Performance
Most sandstones have good load bearing and weathering properties. Correct detailing with regard to weathering is of prime importance, especially on buildings designed with sloping surfaces and without overhangs. Great care is required in the design of non-ferrous cramps and corbels for fixing to structures.

SLATE Slate is found extensively, throughout the British Isles and has, for centuries, been a major source of building stone. Historically, and, in common with other stones, it was first used in and around the immediate areas of availability.

The term slate is often used to describe any rock that can be easily split into thin sheets, principally for roofing purposes. True slate is defined by the presence of a ‘slaty’ cleavage; this allows the slate to be split at almost any point through the stone parallel to the cleavage plane. Most true slates are metamorphosed sediments, often formerly mud stones; however, some British “slates” are derived from volcanic ash sequences and are not true slates in the strict geological sense.
Appearance
The major UK sources of slate, with their distinctive colors, are the Lake District blue/gray, light green, olive green and silver gray, North Wales blue, gray, blue-black and red, and Cornwall - gray.

Slate is easily split (“riven”) into thin sections, giving a natural finish. Other finishes include sawn, sanded, fine rubbed, flame textured, bush hammered and water jet.

Applications
From the very early, basic applications, British Slate is now used for very wide and diverse purposes. Modern quarrying and machine processes allow prime blocks to be sawn or split into large slabs and a variety of thickness. Current products include: roofing, cladding, cills, copings, flooring & paving, treads, plaques & memorials, work tops & fireplaces.

Slate is typically a very durable construction material and rarely exhibits visible degradation, even when placed under extreme atmospheric conditions for many years. For flooring purposes U.K. slate is unlikely to delaminate or exhibit efflorescence.

High flexural strength and typically very low porosity makes slate eminently suitable for flooring purposes and it requires little maintenance.

Caution should be exercised when choosing material marketed as slate as some may not be suitable for flooring. If any doubt exists about the material being considered, specialist advice should be sought.

Very thin, split, natural riven sections are used for roofing and the same methods produce thicker material for flooring and cladding. Slate is readily available in sawn, fine rubbed and other finishes such as sand-blasted and flame textured.

Performance
British Slate has a proven record of durability and being supplied fit for its intended purposes. This is readily seen on countless buildings in the UK and many areas of the world. Such examples of installation are witness to the ability of slate to withstand the rigours of extreme atmospheric conditions. Slate is extremely stable and will not degrade, warp or twist. Quality Assurance, management systems are widely used throughout the industry.

LIMESTONE

Stone is a material that man has used in building for several thousand years and it still lends itself to modern usage and design, and limestone in its various geological forms is probably the type of natural stone most widely used for this purpose. It occurs naturally in many parts of the UK with the limestones of the Jurassic period being those of most importance in this field. They run broadly in a belt from Dorset and Somerset in the south west, through the Cotswold’s and Oxford shire, on into Northampton shire and Lincolnshire, to just north of the Humber.Limestone is a sedimentary rock. Many of the commonly used varieties were formed by the accretion of the hard remains of former organisms such as corals and shells. These materials principally comprise calcium carbonate (calcite), as does the cement. Calcite is a relatively soft mineral and careful selection will be needed when you choose this for use as flooring. Variations in the types and quantities of shell and other remains and the nature of the cement provide a huge range in the types of limestone available.

The limestones of these areas were used for building in Roman times and, in later centuries and to-date, have been the traditional building material of their localities, Many buildings throughout these counties bear witness to this. In addition, some limestones are extensively used outside their areas of origins as is evidenced by the many fine buildings to be seen throughout the British Isles, particularly in major cities and towns. Cathedrals, churches and numerous public and private buildings provide outstanding examples of the durability and beauty of these limestones and they show through the skill of the mason, how this stone is so eminently suitable for producing masonry of excellence in all aspects of plain and detailed work that may be required. Among the better known limestones of the Jurassic age are those of Purbeck, Clipsham, Ancaster, Ketton, Bath, Doulting and Weldon, whilst Portland stone is a characteristic feature of London architecture. From the earlier Carboniferous age come the limestones of Derbyshire and Cumbria such as Hopton Wood, Sheldon, Orton Scar and Salterwath.

Imported limestones, most notably French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Turkish, Egyptian and Israeli are also available in the UK.

Appearance
The colors of limestones range from almost white to the warm honey tone of Bath stones with gray/blue and darker browns a feature in some limestones. Textures range from fine even grained stones to the smooth fossil bearing types and to the coarse open textured Portland roach. Certain limestones such as Purbeck and Hopton Wood take a polish and can be used as “marbles”.

Applications
Limestones are used extensively in both new building and restoration where their ease of working facilitates the production of cladding, ashlar and other forms of walling. They are also suitable for flooring.

Many limestones are particularly suited to carved and moulded work. Components such as cills and jambs, soffits and copings, heads and mullions are readily produced to add interest and enrichment to building facades.

Performance
Limestones generally have good load bearing properties and weathering characteristics although correct detailing is important as with all building materials. Limestones must not be used above sandstones on exterior elevations.

The properties of individual types of stone can vary considerably and advice should always be sought on the selection of suitable stones, both for general and particular applications.

MARBLE True marbles in the geological sense are metamorphosed limestone and are principally composed of recrystallised calcite formed into an interlocking granular structure. Some hard or partially metamorphosed limestones are incorrectly referred to as marble, even though they exhibit many of the characteristics of marble.

In its ‘purest’ state marble is typically white, however the presence of other minerals can often provide color (s). In some cases the color appears as irregular shaped patches (brecciation) or as substantial veining. Specialist advice should be obtained as to the suitability of such marbles in particular locations.

Greater care must also be taken during installation as other construction defects easily taint the pureness of marble, particularly from underlying materials, and may result in staining at a later date.

It is common to use marble with a highly polished surface finish and, as a consequence, slip resistance should be carefully considered. Marble is imported.

QUARTZITES

Quartzite’s are typically the metamorphosed product of an original sedimentary rock e.g. sandstone, composed almost entirely of quartz.

In general quartzite’s are hard wearing, have low porosity, a high compressive strength and good durability making them suitable for use as flooring. The metamorphic varieties in particular may be brittle and so some care is required in assessing a material prior to use. While composed largely of quartz, the presence of some impurities can lead to the development of different colors and the typical range is from white to yellowish brown, through to green, brown, gold, gray and blue. In Eire, the metamorphic quartzite’s have a complex geological history which has tended to result in them having a relatively small natural block size. All operating quartzite quarries in the British Isles occur in Eire. Elsewhere quartzite’s are commercially available from Norway, Sweden, Italy, South Africa, USA and Brazil.

TRAVERTINE

Travertine is the name normally given to a type of precipitated calcite associated with the cooling of waters around hot springs or in caves. Being formed very slowly it often incorporates dead matter such as tree debris that later rots away to leave a voided structure.

The performance of travertine greatly depends on the size and density of the voids, which, in most instances, are routinely resin surface filled before the finished stone is supplied. The nature of the fill material must be compatible with the travertine and not subject to discoloration or decay.

Traditionally travertine was naturally bedded and generally referred to as vein cut. Recently travertine cut face bedded and referred to as classics has appeared on the market. Whilst the vein cut material has a long and proven history of use, the cross cut or classic travertine has not yet proved to be as suitable because of surface collapse and filler failure. Before this material is considered, its limitations in performance must be taken into account.

Generally travertine is suitable only for internal flooring purposes, and then only after the most careful consideration. Strength may be lower than most other stones and the presence of hidden voids below the surface may lead to ongoing repair when the filling material collapses.

Unfilled travertine has been used for flooring purposes but only after strict quality control of the size and distribution of the voids. All travertine is imported.

GREEN MARBLE OR VERDE

Green or Verde marble is considered separately to true marble because its origin is often the result of the metamorphism of rocks other than limestones. The green color is typically derived from the presence of serpentine minerals. These minerals are relatively soft and the structure often weak, the stone commonly requiring reinforcement from matting glued to the underside.

Verde’s are rarely used for whole floors and are preferred for providing colored inserts to other flooring materials. Care must always be taken to ensure their compatibility with other stones.

A special consideration for any Verde is the presence or otherwise of asbestiform minerals that may be naturally present e.g. chrysotile (white asbestos) and the amphiboles tremolite and actinolite. It may be prudent to establish that, where present, fibres of these minerals in the respirable range are not generated during any cutting, grinding and polishing operations, particularly if carried out dry.

The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations have banned the import, supply and use of blue, brown and white asbestos (crocidolite, amosite and chrysotile respectively) essentially when part of an asbestos admixture product. Natural stone that contains chrysotile for example, and is used for flooring, would not be classed as an asbestos admixture product.

You can find the very best stone cleaners and polish at www.nsraweb.com/store

Pick The Best Stone For The Job « Natural Stone Makes The Best Countertops

Stone Repair Class

The two-day boot camp is packed with skills training that can only be learned through a true hands-on experience. One on one tutoring based on your individual skill level. Each student has the opportunity to perform multiple repairs and polish various types of stones. No seats. No stories. No sales pitch.
The students will learn how to make repairs and seams look and feel like a natural product, remove scratches, factory blending, chip repairs, color blending and matching, seam repairs, honing, and the widely coveted knowledge of top-polishing.
This class has been revamped to include some of today’s new trends and finishes. Students will also learn how to deal with and doctor natural stone in a variety of colors, how to perform and maintain the antique finish, and how to remove the flaws of poor cnc tooling.
For an additional $200 per student, we have also added for the first time a real Floor repair seminar where we will work on a newly install floor. We will perform all task from prep work to sealing.
Successful participants receive not only the knowledge, complete set of tools necessary to perform typical surface repairs, but they are also eligible to join the NSRA.
The NSRA is a nationwide group of independent, natural stone restoration professionals dedicated to quality and the education of the consumer and our members.
Time: May 09th - 10th - 11th 2008, from 9am-5pm
Place: 30 Hilliard Street, Manchester CT, 06040
Cost: $1,800.00 us dollars
Public registration Ended: May 01, 2008
Click here to see what others had to say about the
Click here to sign up our comprehensive class
Airport: Bradley International
Hotel: Fairfield Inn & SuitesSM by Marriott® Hartford Manchester
121 Pavilions Dr
Manchester, CT 06040

Stone Repair Class - Natural Stone Restoration Alliance

Q:

Stained stone

I had a visit from an old guy the other day who wanted advice about some staining on his stone - so I went to visit him this morning.
He has a lightly colored Juperana Indian Gold granite (very sandy, sedimentary stone) with what looks like typical cooking grease stains at his stove. He was told that the stone was sealed upon install but I have strong doubts about that because even at other areas you can see stains from simple hand oils at the edges and oily marks near eating areas on the island. He tried some poultice he bought at H.D. - it looked to him to have taken care of it. He placed tin foil over the poultice to hold the moisture in. When he applied aquamix sealer to it the oil spots returned.
I am not familiar with the poultice they sell at h.d. so I have no idea what it is. I have never used the aguamix sealer either. How tough will it be for a better poultice to get through the sealer.
Any suggestions? I would like to help the old guy out if I can.
I was thinking an acetone based poultice covered with plastic wrap to remove the stains and maybe enhance the color with ager after if some remain. I would hate to darken the kitchen on the guy unless I need to.

A: All you have to do is use a degrease, floor, plastic wrap and ducked tape to remove that stain, do not forget to cut small holes in the plastic.

Stained stone - Natural Stone Restoration Alliance

Q: How often should I use the Lustro Italiano polish?
A: The polish should be used on a weekly basis to restore the luster to your countertops and protect them against everyday use.

Q: How often should I use the Lustro Italiano cleaner?

A: The cleaner can be used on a daily basis (even several times during the day).  It is the product you will use to cleanup everyday spills. It will clean everyday spills and leave a beautiful shine without damaging your counter

Q: Can I use any countertop cleaner on my granite countertops?

A: No. Typical cleaners contain harsh chemicals that may damage your granite countertops.

In addition, granite is often sealed with chemicals to add strength and fill in pores; certain chemical cleaners may erode these sealers.  Granite countertops are an expensive investment and it makes sense to use products design specifically for granite.

Q: How should I apply the Lustro Italiano cleaner and polish?

A: Just spray the cleaner on your countertop and use a paper towel to dry the counter.  The polish should be applied lightly and buffed to a shine with a cotton cloth. The same would apply to granite flooring but an old fashioned cotton string mop can be used for the polish.  Remember both products may make floors slippery initially, so be careful when walking on wet surfaces!

Q: Will certain foods, drinks or cleaners stain my stone countertop?
A: Granite and Marble are porous materials. Marble is actually 10 times LESS porous then granite. Although it would seem like a good idea to use Marble for a countertop, you need to take in consideration that marble is basically calcium carbonated. That means it will etch if in contact with any acid material. Acid is present in citruses, ketchup, sodas, etc. so all in all granite is a better fit for a kitchen countertop.

Q: Do I need to use a sealer on my countertop?
A: A use of a good sealer is recommended to maintain your countertop clean. Using the "Lustro Italiano Stone Polish" regularly, will allow you to avoid re-sealing yearly.