Palmer Custom Builders

By Frederick M. Hueston, Technical Editor, STONE MAGAZINE A customer enters your showroom and asks: I have been looking at solid surface and granite and I am confused about which one I would like for my kitchen. I have been told that granite is dangerous and will harbor bacteria and that it may contain radon… Is this true?

There are many rumors circulating about the use of granite in our industry and many of them are simply untrue. Before I sat down to write this article I spent several hours on the Internet searching for information. I could not believe what I found. There are dozens of websites, which are distributing false information about the properties of granite. Before we can dispel these myths we need to look at both materials and examine their advantages and disadvantages.

Solid Surfaces are defined as a mixture of real stone in a matrix of either acrylic or polyester resins. The manufacturing process will differ depending on the brand. Some popular brands are Corian, Avonite, and Wilsonart, to name just a few.

Some of the advantages of solid surfaces claimed by the manufacturers are as follows:

• Consistent color and pattern all the way through and cannot wear away
• Numerous color selections. Some claiming more than 90 different colors
• Rich, Translucency
• Can be cut, formed, inlayed, carved, routed and thermoformed to create unlimited, unique designs
• Solid surface sinks available to create-color coordinated look with no visible seams or crevices. Some even claim that granite sinks are not available.
• Seamless-looking countertops with angle designs or L-shaped
• Easy to clean, with no open seams to trap dirt.
• Non porous surface resists stains because liquids can't penetrate
• Nicks, cuts and scratches are easily removed with ordinary abrasive cleaner or sandpaper
• Solid surface is repairable. Some make claims that granite cannot be repaired

Granite, as we all know, is a natural stone composed primarily of quartz and feldspar. Advantages of Granite:

• Durable scratch-resistant surface
• Endless patterns and colors
• Each piece unique
• Acid-resistant
• Lasting value-granite will last forever
• Will not burn when hot pots are set on it
• Stains can be removed
• Harbors no bacteria or radon
• Can be repaired if it ever scratches
• Granite sinks are available

Now, let's take a look at some of the myths:

Myth #1: Granite can harbor harmful bacteria! This statement is simply untrue. However, it did concern me, so I called the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to find out how many cases they had on file where granite has caused any illness or disease as a result of bacteria. They could not find one case, proving that granite will not harbor bacteria. In addition, you would expect one to clean their countertop on a regular basis.

Myth #2: Granite contains harmful radon gases! This again is another myth that is untrue. This claim was investigated by the Marble Institute of America (MIA). The MIA undertook an investigation of this claim and discovered the real truth about radon. The following is an excerpt from the report issued by the MIA. To view the complete report, visit the MIA web site at www.marble-institute.com.

Solid Surface, The Journal of the Solid Surface Industry (Volume 1 Number 1) that was published several weeks ago, included an article entitled Granite & Radon. The introduction to the article stated Scientific research poses disturbing questions about the safety of granite countertops and copies of this article have circulated around the stone industry raising questions about radon gas emissions from granite countertops. The key advertisers in this journal were Corian and Formica.

The MIA has called upon several of the country's leading scientists in geology and geochemistry to assist in preparing a response to the allegations in this article that radon gas emissions from granite countertops may be hazardous. On reading the article, our consultants reacted with such comments as ludicrous, a fabulous collage of nonsense, politically motivated, unethical, and bizarre.

Donald Langmuir, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Geochemistry at the Colorado School of Mines and president of Hydrochemical Systems Corp., both in Golden, Colo., has prepared a response on behalf of the Marble Institute of America that evaluates and refutes these allegations. His report appears in full in this Special Bulletin. Dr. Langmuir received his BA (with honors), and his MA and PhD degrees in geochemistry from Harvard University. He served as a geochemist with the Ground Water Branch of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division and subsequently taught and conducted research for 11 years at Pennsylvania State University, with temporary appointments at Rutgers University, the Nevada Desert Research Institute, and the University of Sydney, Australia. Dr. Langmuir has been a full professor at the Colorado School of Mines since 1978. In addition to working with Dr. Langmuir and other scientists, the MIA staff also talked with the major U.S. granite quarriers and producers about the issue of radon emissions from granite. These companies have certainly not ignored the issue and several have had radon testing performed on their granites. The research done for these companies has shown that actual levels of radon gas emissions from granites are so low as to be insignificant and generally represent no threat to the health and well-being of people who live or work in buildings with granite countertops, floor or wall tiles, furniture or any other furnishings made from granite.

Marbles, limestones and stones other than granites are of such mineral composition that they generally do not contain measurable quantities of radon-producing material. In terms of building materials, radon emissions from concrete, cement and gypsum could be of greater concern.

Myth #3: Granite cannot be repaired once it is scratched! If this is true, then I would like to know why there are companies who manufacture and sell equipment and abrasives for resurfacing and polishing granite. First and foremost, most granite surfaces are nearly impossible to scratch. This is what makes them such a great choice for kitchen countertops. Solid surfaces will scratch very easily and while they can be repaired, constant refinishing can cause a dip or dish in the solid surface countertop. The simplest way to prove this is to take a piece of granite and try and scratch it with a steak knife. This is very effective sales tool when selling granite. Have your customer scratch a solid surface and then have them attempt to scratch some granite.

Myth #4: Solid Surfaces will not stain and granite will! Think about this for a moment. If some solid surface materials are made with natural stone, what is different about the natural stone in solid surfaces that is different in natural granite. The answer… nothing. If the stone used to manufacturer a solid surface is absorbent it will stain. To prove this, take some solid surface material and place some red dye on it. Let it sit for several minutes and wipe it up… does it stain? Do a comparison test with a piece of granite. Some granite will need to be sealed to prevent it from staining, but this process is very easy and will only need to be done once every year or so. If you pre-seal your countertops prior to installation, then I would test the sealed piece. Many of the solid surface people make a big deal of the sealing issue. How many of your customers absolutely hate their granite because it stains. I am sure you won't find many.

Myth #5: There are no granite sinks available! Again this in untrue. There are several companies who fabricate granite as well as marble sinks. These sinks are wonderful and are starting to show up in some of the most prestigious homes across the world. I have recently seen several celebrities' homes with these granite sinks. They add a very unique, elegant look to a kitchen or bath.

Myth #6: Solid Surfaces will not burn or be effected by heat! We know this is true of granite, but what about solid surfaces. One manufacturer claims that its material is heat resistant to 212 degrees F. Have you ever measured the temperature of a burner on your oven. I have and it approaches 400 degrees F and higher. What this means is that if you take that hot pot of boiling water or a hot frying pan and place it on your solid surface countertop, its going to melt it. This same manufacturer who claims that their surfaces are heat resistant also has a section on their website called Preventing Heat and Other Damage.

Myth #7: Granite countertops cannot be made seamless! Well, maybe they have us on this one. However, there are now methods for seaming granite slabs so that the seam is extremely thin and barely noticeable. Look at some of the laminations by some really good fabricators and you will have to really look hard to see the seams. Many types of granite can be purchased in larger sizes as long as 120 inches and more and if properly planed and laid out, the seam will not be a problem. This is hardly a reason for not going with granite.

Myth #8: Granite is difficult to clean! Also, not true. Anyone who works with or owns a granite countertop knows it is very easy to take care of. Cleaning requires wiping with a good stone cleaner. There are even disinfectant cleaners now available for both granite and solid surfaces.

Competing with solid surfaces is not that difficult. The natural beauty and elegance of granite should sell itself. The information presented in this article should help you dispel some of the myths that are circulating about granite and solid surfaces.

As one stone fabricator told me in a recent phone conversation Although it looked pretty obvious to me, over the years I've got to realize that, apparently, not many consumers realize that the term 'solid surface' indicates nothing but a piece of plastic.