Consumer Information On Natural Stone
In our showroom, we often get asked questions in regards to the various types of natural stones available. While granite is the most popular choice for countertops, there are other natural options to choose from for countertops, as well as other applications such as fireplace surrounds, flooring, and bathroom vanities. While we try to educate our customers, many consumers are researching various products on their own before purchasing.
The Natural Stone Council, a collaborative organization representing businesses and trade associations, has a great website to help consumers do their research. The site answers the question, “Why Use Natural Stone?,” and gives information on characteristics such as variety, durability, ecofriendliness, uniqueness, affordability and maintenance. It also provides information on various natural stones such as granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, slate, onyx, etc. It also offers information on “green building” for those who want to build earth friendly homes.
If you are doing research on natural stone and considering it for your home, the Natural Stone Council is a great place to start.
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite, Company on October 23rd, 2007 by Barb | |
on October 23rd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Interesting article Barb! I have been a member of the Green Association for Building and Remodeling (GABR) located in Sioux Falls for the past 2 years. I recently read that Granite is not certified by the National Sanitation Foundation and most engineered stones are certified. Have you thought of certifying ParaMount Granite for commercial projects? Many of by business associates enjoy working with engineered stones because of there GreenGuard certification, NSF certification, and UMKosher certification. I understand that anywhere from 90-97% of engineered stones are “greener” than granite because of the natural materials, recycling process, and certifications to each industry. Is this true?
James Beameioux
on October 24th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
James:
I appreciate your feedback. To answer some of your questions, PGC does do some commercial work in general. I am not sure how engineered stones could be “greener,” as natural stone is 100% natural and can be completely recycled and re-used. Engineered stone is quartz held together by “plastic” and cannot be re-used. I had to do a bit of investigating to answer some of your other questions, as I was not familiar with some of the certifications you mentioned. I directed your comment to Chuck Muehlbauer, Technical Director, of the MIA, Marble Institute of America, and his response was as follows:
If you attend a geology class, like the one we did for StonExpo last week,
you will learn about the geological “Rock Cycle,” which while a lengthy interval, constantly recycles all rock products into different rock
products. Rocks are therefore recyclable and renewable resources.
NSF would certify any given slab of stone, but what they won’t do is certify stone products in their entirety, because since stone is a product of nature there is no guarantee that next month’s shipment of stone performs like this month’s. Manmade products have a quality control that is traceable. The performance as far as cleanability is virtually the same in their new state,
although no testing has been done in the worn state. Engineered stones conceivably would suffer more scratching in service due to the roughly 20% composition of plastics (they advertise 93% quartz, but that’s by weight -
by volume and surface area it is much less than that). Bacteria retention has to do with the smoothness of the surface, so scratches could affect it, although no testing has been done in this regard.”
For more information on granite and green building, you may also refer to the following links:
http://buildingstonemagazine.com/spring-07/green.html
http://texas.construction.com/features/archive/0706_feature1.asp
They are quite interesting and may answer more of your questions.
Thanks!
Barb