Granite Countertops—Here To Stay!
The other day, I came across a blog titled, “Down with granite counters,” that talked about the supposed downfall of granite countertops due to the green movement, which I totally disagree with. The author basically was predicting that the granite countertop trend would soon be over based on an article he read by some New York realtor.
Granite has been used for centuries for building and has proven that it can withstand time and most weather conditions. Stone has also been an intricate part of many structures throughout Europe and the rest of the world, and has only over the last few decades gained popularity in the United States. While the green movement has gained momentum and popularity recently, I don’t believe it will make the interest in stone and granite countertops go away. In fact, the stone industry, including the Marble Institute of America, and The Stone Council, are working hard to gain Leed points to make the use of granite countertops more sustainable for future green applications and continued granite countertop growth.
Following are some links that provide more information on the subject:
http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/historystoneingreenbuilding.pdf
http://www.genuinestone.com/env_greeninitiatives.php
http://www.genuinestone.com/env_whybuildgreen.php
http://www.buildingstonemagazine.com/spring-07/green.html
Thanks for reading!
Barb
Posted in Granite, Industry News, Business on February 27th, 2008 by Barb | |
on February 29th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Hello Barb, I’m confused with your blog and use of LEED Points. If my research is up-to-date, the Leed program already includes points for sustainable products, including engineered stones. But, I know that Engineered Stones gain more points than granite due to the green processes/products availabe with natural stone crystals such as Cambria. The process of milling granite and blowing it out of the Earth is not nearly as green as a green manufacturing facility like Silestone and Cambria. Thks,Mike
on March 3rd, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Michael:
I am definitely not an expert on the subject, which is why I attached some links with more information on the subject. Did you read through them? They should help provide you with more information on the subject. Page 6 on this link: http://www.marble-institute.com/industryresources/historystoneingreenbuilding.pdf talks about Stone in Green Building. You mention, “milling granite and blowing it out of the earth is not that green.” This is a common myth. According to the link, “Much of these misconceptions arise from the inaccurate idea that mining natural stone is somehow on par with strip mining, an environmentally devastating practice.”
I have included a fourth link to my blog that should answer more of your questions. It is also listed below.
http://www.buildingstonemagazine.com/spring-07/green.html
Hope this helps.
Thanks!
Barb
P.S. Engineered stones such as Cambria, Silestone, etc. are no more than 83% quartz by volume. The quartz is held together by a resin, (plastic), that does not have the same recycleabilty features as granite, and the extremely long life cycle that granite does.
on March 4th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Are we to blame the ancient Egyptians for glaobal warming?
Granite was used by the ancient Egyptians for building, generally as a lining material for chambers and passages, interior structure of temples, for door frames, and as facing stones, from the Early Dynastic period onwards. In most instances granite used for these purposes was a coarse-grained red variety from Aswan (monumental red granite), and to a much lesser extent a grey to black granite (monumental black granite) was used. During the Predynastic period granite was used to a very small extent chiefly for making vases and bowls. As the occurrence of granite increase as a building material its use for bowls and vases also increased. This seems to correspond to the increased use of copper tools by the ancient Egyptians (Lucas and Harris, 1962). During the Early Dynastic period onward it was used for sarcophagi, and during later periods it was used for statues, obelisks, stelai, and other objects.
how green were the people of the Early Dynastic period?
Ali Aamir
on March 4th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Ali:
Thanks for your comments. Again-I don’t think the “Green Movement” will make the interest in granite countertops go away.
Thanks!
Barb
on March 4th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Barb, I thank you for your input and links. It is very interesting information. I read on your link that engineered stones are 94% quartz, not 83%, but that’s besides the point. I’ve found that granite industry professionals believe engineered stones are inferior to granite. Why is that? I’ve noticed advertisements in The Builder’s Journal, Mpls-St. Paul Mag, etc. that show engineered stones as an option to granite - not downgrading them. I believe that there is a product for everyone and let the customer decide after they research the features and benefits of each product. I grew up in Rockville, Mn so I’m aware of the granite processes and procedures…I used CAMBRIA on my last model and it turned out wonderful. But, I met with a salesperson from paramount granite company a couple years ago and he seemed pretty knowledable, I found his email address on his business card, I will send him my new contact information.
thank you, Mike
on March 4th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Michael:
Glad the links were helpful for you. In regards to engineered stones, the 94% is by weight and 83% is by volume. I agree also there is a place for them in the marketplace, especially for those customers that are looking for something extremely consistent in the overall look. That is why we sell Caesarstone, so we can offer engineered stone to those customers that are interested in it.
Thanks again!
Barb
on March 4th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Barb, thank you for your confirmation on the percentage. When people use deceptive advertising to gain a sale it really ticks me off. I sent an E-mail to Joel at Paramount but it bounced back - I did leave a message on his cell phone. Is there something wrong with your E-mail hosting? I’ll wait to hear from him.
Thanks, Mike
on March 4th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Michael:
Joel is no longer with PGC. You can contact Brad, blein@paramountgranite.com, or Dave, dmurphy@paramountgranite.com, or our main e-mail, info@paramountgranite.com.
Thanks!
Barb
on March 4th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Really, that’s too bad. I hope he stayed in the industry, he seemed to have a great personality. I suppose that means he’s not going to return my phone call? Talk to you soon, I will contact Paramont on my next kitchen. thank you, Mike
PS. What are your payment terms?
on March 4th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Michael:
I’ll have one of our sales reps give you a call to go over payment terms, etc.
Thanks again!
Barb
on March 4th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Joel called me back this afternoon and gave me the scoop. I’ll wait to hear from your sales dept. thank you, Mike