The article you linked isn't exactly from an objective source.


"dadiOH" wrote in message
...
Art wrote:
Radon from granite is a potentially serious problem if you happen to
get the bad slab.

The worst case granite type in the tests to which I linked emitted 7% of
the radon level that would cause concern. The next two worst cases
emitted 1% of that level. Emission of all others was "negligible".

dadiOH
___________

"dadiOH" wrote in message
.. .
infiniteMPG wrote:
We're pretty winding down on our new cabinets and we're seriously
seeking our best countertop choices (no, plywood is the temporary
choice until the real stuff arrives). We've heard stories of heat
affecting Corian and LG and things like if you cut on the countertop
itself it will scor or mark like a plastic cutting board. We've
also heard stories of everything from emisions of radon gas from
granite and the need to seal and care for the surface. We have
seen granite at places like Lowe's that is supposedly sealed for 15
years now, too. We've heard good and bad about Silestone but then
today someone said it's just Home Depot's branding of granite.

We'd like to get to the truth of the matter but I'd rather throw it
out to the knowledgable public (i.e. alt.home.repair) then from some
vendor or distributor. What's the truth about these materials????

Also, we like the molded in sinks that come with Corian and LG but
heard that if they get damaged from dropping something in them, then
you have to replace the whole counter top and can't just replace the
sink. We don't really like the stainless sinks sitting under a
granite countertop as there is a slight mating 'crap trap' between
the sink and the countertop and although we know this is sealed,
there is still the mating recess between them. Doesn't seem to be
something I'd want.

So what's the truth?????????

Man made materials - Corian, Silestone, "Quartz", et al - are made by
embedding minerals in plastic. How soft and/or durable they are
depends on what *kind* of plastic mostly and which minerals
secondly. And on the ratio of plastic to minerals. Regardless,
none of the plastics will resist a steel knife. Nor high heat. However,
they are resilient and should resist damage from things
dropping on them. Natural stones can be formed either in a similar
manner to the above
or by the interlocking of the crystals of the minerals of which the
rock is composed. Most limestone and sandstone are examples of the
former, granite an example of the latter. Again, their hardness and
durability depends upon the characteristics of the minerals
comprising them...limestone is soft, sandstone is hard (assuming it
is comprised of quartz sand). Their permeability depends upon how
tightly the grains are hooked together and the types of minerals. A
few natural rocks - talc, for example - have virtually no
permeability. BTW, "granite" has a fairly narrow definition
petrologically. Most
of the "granite" sold for counter tops should more accurately be
referred to as "granitic". As far as radon from such goes, I would
worry far more about being zapped by a death ray from aliens
somewhere in Andromeda than I would about radon emissions from a
granite counter top.
http://www.marble-institute.com/indu...-akron2008.pdf

Which to choose? Up to you. Personally, I think all of them -
particularly the man made ones - are way over priced so I like tile.

Sink-wise, I wouldn't want a Corian type sink...too easy to stain and
scratch. IMO, you can't beat cast iron covered with porcelain.


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dadiOH
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