Usually, a countertop grabs attention and is the largest surface in the kitchen or bathroom and this is why most remodeling projects include new ones. Choosing a countertop wisely will last for many years and give a homeowner a lot of bang for their remodeling buck.
According to Countertops in Tampa, granite is a penetrating sealer and impervious to heat so placing hot pots directly on top of the counter will not hurt it.
There is a myth regarding granite countertops and “going green” because many people want to be environmentally conscious when remodeling if it is within their budgets. The myth about granite countertops is that they emit dangerous amounts of radon which is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas.
The truth about granite countertops can be found at the Environmental Protection Agency’s website which says that they believe “that most types of granite used in countertops and other aspects of home construction are probably not major contributors of radiation and radon in the home.” The website goes on to say “that any radon from granite probably is somewhat diluted because kitchens and baths are among the most ventilated rooms in a home.”
Tampa countertops notes that the EPA has not conducted their own testing on granite countertops. An incomplete number of industry-funded studies estimate a wide range of radon levels in granite, most of them well below the EPA’s action limit. Since stone comes from many different locales, variations in radon levels are to be expected.
An individual can test their own granite countertops for radon by placing a short- or long-term home radon test kit near the granite and another at the lowest level of the house – such as the basement or crawlspace.
Tampa granite says if either kit picks up 2 to 4 picocuries per liter or more, then a radon specialist should be called.
Granite countertops are best for a natural stone look and can withstand heavy use and bathrooms or kitchen areas; it is stain resistant when properly sealed and also resists scratches and heat.
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