Quartz countertops

[ducatiz]

Radon is an issue in NH....hmmm

Granite State?

It was never an issue until houses were built too tight and the news got a hold of it.

It's only granite from a few places, I have read, mainly Afrika. 

haha............radon......kitchens are some of the best ventilated rooms in most homes. radon should be no issue

the issue isn't radon, it is uranium present in granite.  originally, people getting their homes radon tested found radiation and thought it was radon and it turned out to be the granite containing uranium

[rgramjet]

Granite is a bigger pain in the ass than a synthetic stone.


I was going to get the 3M brand synthetic, I think that may be the Zodiac? It was out of my price range, so I got Granite instead.


Granite is a make the beast with two backsing pain.

You can't use any cleaning solvents on it other than soap, water, and a sponge.

You have to buy special "polisher" to make it shine after washing it.

It is porous (I never cut on my counters but apparently people do).

and

you have to seal it every year.


I still like it, but think next time I will go for a synthetic top for ease of cleaning.

I respectfully disagree.  My granite came with a permanent sealer.  Ive used Windex as well as granite cleaner/polishes on it.  After 5 years, it still looks great, havent had any issues.  Dont think Id use laquer thinner or Ajax on it....

Might have to hit it with a Geiger Counter though....

Is this where we post up pics of our countertops?  "Countertops of the DMF"  lol

[ducatiz]

I respectfully disagree.  My granite came with a permanent sealer.  Ive used Windex as well as granite cleaner/polishes on it.  After 5 years, it still looks great, havent had any issues.  Dont think Id use laquer thinner or Ajax on it....

Might have to hit it with a Geiger Counter though....

Is this where we post up pics of our countertops?  "Countertops of the DMF"  lol

it probably depends on where one gets it.  i doubt the cheaper stuff has a permanent seal.

[hbliam]

His answers:

Q: 100 a sq foot?

Yep, right in there.

Q: Granite or Quartz?

Granite is already overkill for residential applications. Quartz even more so. Quartz is harder to work with (for the installers that cut and shape it).

He said he only uses quartz when people want red or blue or something you can't find in granite.

[VisceralReaction]

I don't know what the issue with granite is.
I have grantie counters with a round-over edge and it was about $100 a foot.
It's polished and I can use any non abraisive cleaner on it.
It doesn't stain. It's hard and you can cut on it without marking it.
Though you'll dull your knives really quick. I can put a hot pot or dish on it
without worrying about scorching it.
I have a friend with the composite counters such as silstone and he has
to treat it like any counter to avoid marking it.

[Speedbag]

http://www.cambriausa.com/

Right up the road from me.

[cyrus buelton]

I don't recall my granite being "cheap"

I just have to seal it once a year.

[Langanobob]

Michelle,

No FHE but I've seen magazine articles about stained poured concrete countertops in some pretty high end homes.  Isn't whatsisname some sort of artist?  This might be a lower cost and more creative alternative.

[The Architect]

Michelle,

No FHE but I've seen magazine articles about stained poured concrete countertops in some pretty high end homes.  Isn't whatsisname some sort of artist?  This might be a lower cost and more creative alternative.

Yes much cheaper!  $30 - $40 for the whole counter.

[herm]

much more likely to crack if there are any problems with the level of the counters/room.

[ducatiz]

I don't know what the issue with granite is.
I have grantie counters with a round-over edge and it was about $100 a foot.
It's polished and I can use any non abraisive cleaner on it.
It doesn't stain. It's hard and you can cut on it without marking it.
Though you'll dull your knives really quick. I can put a hot pot or dish on it
without worrying about scorching it.
I have a friend with the composite counters such as silstone and he has
to treat it like any counter to avoid marking it.

http://www.askthebuilder.com/N8_Granite_Countertop_Stains.shtml

Summary: Granite countertops are beautiful, but remember, they will stain. Try to keep oils and liquids off of granite before it is sealed and stained countertops will be a thing of the past.

Granite is porous and will stain unless you seal it.

[Scotzman]

I agree with some and not so much with others. After spending days watching the DIY channel (good stuff), they did a demo with granite. They set a bottle of Vegetable oil on the granite and it left a stain after 15 mins. They could get it out with some special cleaner. They said that quartz AND recycled glass won't stain, is non-porous and pretty much maint. free because it's smooth. Both of these are more expensive then granite though.

[Grampa]

Michelle,

No FHE but I've seen magazine articles about stained poured concrete countertops in some pretty high end homes.  Isn't whatsisname some sort of artist?  This might be a lower cost and more creative alternative.

I've looked at those, too, but from what I've seen it's not just your Home Depot brand concrete.  It's a special composite.  They do look really cool though!

LM

[Jobu]

It's only granite from a few places, I have read, mainly Afrika. 

the issue isn't radon, it is uranium present in granite.  originally, people getting their homes radon tested found radiation and thought it was radon and it turned out to be the granite containing uranium

Radon comes from uranium (actually radium, but they all start with uranium) when it decays (that's why it is radioactive).  Radon is a nonreactive noble gas but it is still radioactive which cause cancer when it enters the lungs and emits alpha particles.

There isn't gonna be enough uranium in a granite countertop to matter, no matter where it comes from.

I find it funny that quartz is the most common mineral on earth and, often, the most common mineral found in granite.

Are these countertops made of pure quartz?  There's only a handful of practical things harder than quartz, so that seems like overkill.

[cyrus buelton]

Yes much cheaper!  $30 - $40 for the whole counter.

hahaha, sure.


Got some sort of link to support that?



You'll have 30-40$ just in wood to make the pour template.............