24

Mar

9 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy Laminate Countertops

Laminate is one of the cheapest materials that can be used for kitchen countertops. Here are some reasons why you would want to think twice before choosing laminate countertops and instead of laminate, choose quartz countertops.

Disadvantages Of laminate Countertops

It Looks Cheap

It’s a hard hit, but it’s true. Laminate countertops, even though they have a very versatile and can be made to look like any material you want, can look cheap at times. You can definitely tell if your kitchen countertops are cheap or luxurious just by looking at them and sadly, laminate countertops don’t pass the beauty test.

The feel of the material isn’t the best as compared to natural stones and the look is similar to shiny plastic, which might sound okay, but it’s not.

There is an array of colors and patterns to choose from, but there is not a single one that exudes a contemporary and lux vibe. It’s entirely generic and the ones that look like wood or natural stones still appear a bit fake.

Yes, the material is inexpensive, but that doesn’t mean that the looks need to be compromised. Even concrete countertops look better in appearance when compared side by side to laminate. Looks matter the most to a majority of people and laminate countertops just doesn’t cut it.

It Can Get Stained

You might think that because of the super hard and non-porous surface, laminate can’t get stained. Well, this demerit is going to burst that little bubble. Laminate countertops are susceptible to stains, especially if you don’t clean them every single day. Food, liquid spills, and even dried-up food can be a nightmare to remove if you let these things sit on the surface for too long.

While it’s recommended that you clean your countertops daily, this fact can still be off-putting for a lot since laminate is marketed as a low-maintenance material. Given its characteristics, however, it’s not different from natural stones that need to be maintained by regular sealing, polishing, etc. So, why not choose something that’s at least pretty to look at and will add some value to your space? This is why quartz countertops are much better than laminate. But it comes with a bit higher price tag.

Not Scratch-Resistant

This one is truly discouraging because laminate is a hard material. When you see those ugly and deep scratches on the surface of laminate, your heart will drop to the floor. As unfortunate as it sounds, it’s something that you need to accept. Laminate is not scratch-resistant.

Sharp knives, pointy skewers, and even certain utensils will scratch the hard surface and it will stick out like a sore thumb. You would know how a single scratch can ruin the look of your countertops and laminate falls right into that category. At least, with natural stones and even some man-made options, scratches don’t occur that easily.

You can take quartz, limestone, tiles, and even soapstone and these options will sustain scratches, so they’re better materials than the seemingly cool laminate. So, whatever you do at the end of the day, choose the material wisely.

It Can Get Chipped

Laminate might look like a material that could, at least, resist breaking, but unfortunately, that’s not true either. Laminate is highly susceptible to breakage and even though it’s not primarily because of impact forces, it’s still quite a letdown.

Usually, the main culprit is temperature which can allow the surface or the sides of laminate to crack and chip, and you know what that means. One small chip can lead to a trail of them in no time and it can ruin the countertops.

So, if you’re considering laminate countertops, then keep this detail in mind, otherwise you will be highly disappointed.

Heat Stains

Speaking of temperatures, high heat and laminate also don’t go together when appearance is concerned. If you put hot pots and pans directly on the surface of laminate countertops, then be prepared to greet hideous heat stains. They’re extremely unpleasant to look at and the worst thing about them is that they are essentially irreversible. You can’t get rid of them no matter what unless you want to change the countertops altogether.

This is highly inconvenient as there are better stones, like granite and quartz that seem unfazed by the rising temperatures in the kitchen. Since natural stones are made under the influence of high temperatures and man-made stones like quartz and engineered stones are reinforced with strength and durability, hot things aren’t an issue for them. However, the same can’t be said for laminate countertops.

Full disclosure though, if you have natural stone or quartz countertops, you should still avoid putting hot pans directly on the surface.

Not Long-Lasting

With the continuous list of downsides of laminate, it won’t come as a surprise to you that this material is also not as long-lasting. Yes, it can last a couple of years, but that’s still not enough to justify the already low price of laminate.

If you’re looking for a countertop material that’s fairly decent in durability, then there are other materials that you can choose from and they won’t have other problems that laminate has. Laminate countertops are the epitome of the saying “You get what you pay for”.

Water Can Damage Them

Water can damage most countertops like natural stones and wood especially if you don’t seal them and laminate countertops aren’t safe from the throes either. It won’t cause the material to disintegrate, per se, but it will lead to water stains and an overall murky appearance that’s not pleasant to look at.

If you let water or spills sit on the surface of laminate countertops for too long, then it could lead to penetration inside the material, and over time, fungus and mold can form, and those are things you certainly don’t want in your kitchen.

Need Professionals For Repair

Considering that laminate countertops are very easy to install, this con might surprise you. Laminate countertops, when damaged, aren’t so easy to repair and you are going to want to have professionals on speed dial if you don’t want matters to worsen even more. Professional repair costs shoot through the roof and they can add up over time, especially if your countertops are always damaged. Not to mention, it also takes some time for the countertops to be reinstalled in the kitchen again, depending on the severity of the damage. So, here’s a question: Are laminate countertops worth going through all of this trouble?

Don’t Look Like The Real Stones

Laminate countertops are marketed as countertops that can mimic almost any material on Earth. Well, this is a huge claim and it is also one of the major selling points of laminate as well. But does it mimic natural stones to the T? No! Some things are just too good to be true and this fact about laminate countertops is one of them.

Even though there is a slight resemblance, you can still tell if the countertops are the real thing or a fake. So, save yourself from the embarrassment.

Conclusion

Even though laminate is a good choice for people who don’t have an elaborate budget, there are better options out there that can look as pretty as well as they function. Contact quartz countertop contractors Rockville and you will find some slabs that are durable and also affordable.

09

Mar

Do Granite Countertops Emit Radiation? Is It Harmful?

Granite countertops are really popular and they’ve been around for a long time. However, recently, there has been news flying around that these natural stone countertops are radioactive. Is there any truth to granite countertops being radioactive? Here’s what you need to know about it.

Radiation & Its Harmful Effects

The Earth is full of radioactive metals and substances. Uranium, plutonium, thorium, and even lead is found in the many layers of our planet. These metals can be extremely harmful to human health and if it’s mixed with resources like water, sand, and air, then the results can be detrimental.

Radioactive substances and metals are extremely unstable and they tend to emit certain rays to stabilize. Those rays are commonly known as radioactive rays or simply radiation. These rays can penetrate through almost anything and everything and the scary part is that it is not felt by humans or animals.

Radioactive rays can have a multitude of side effects and those include:

  • Abnormal changes or deformation
  • Miscarriages or still-birth in pregnant women
  • Defects of the face
  • Abnormal changes in the cell structure
  • Cancer and other vigorous disorders
  • Stomach issues like ulcers and chronic pain

Radioactive rays are a combination of certain rays and each of them has severe effects when it comes to human health. Radioactive rays consist of:

  • Alpha rays (positively charged or have an abundance of protons)
  • Beta rays (negatively charged or have an abundance of electrons)
  • Gamma rays (neutral rays with no charge)

Granite Countertops & Radiation

Granite is essentially an igneous rock that is made by solidifying molten rocks when cooled. These rocks can endure high temperatures and pressures that’s why they are used for various purposes like flooring and countertops.

However, there has been speculation and certain cases that granite is, in fact, not at all good for your health. This has caused a considerable blow to the rock’s reputation because emissions from granite sound downright terrifying. This was brought to light when granite was included in the conversation about radon emissions. Some tests and theories even found out that there are lethal emissions coming from the stone and this caused a whole debacle to take place and people were genuinely concerned.

Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless and odorless. Radon is produced when uranium breaks down chemically as it surfaces on the ground. Since, natural stones are also quarried from the ground, these rocks, especially granite can likely contain trace amounts of radon and can be emitted in plain sight.

Uranium that seeps out of the ground is sporadically found in certain areas. This implies that whenever there is granite, there won’t necessarily be a seep of radioactive metals, but where there is uranium and granite in close vicinity, then it’s possible that granite can get “poisoned” by the seeping uranium. Because of this, radon can penetrate in the rock.

Since granite is a natural stone, it’s also porous, so any fluid, whether it’s a liquid or gas, can easily find its way into the rock, without a lot of effort. This is also another supporting factor that granite can emit harmful radiation because of its characteristic porous nature and that is frightening, if you think about it.

Are All Granite Countertops Radioactive?

Things can blow out of proportion very quickly, especially if it’s something horrific like radon emission, or something coupled with the prefix “radioactive”. Does this mean that all granite countertops are capable of emitting radiation? Well, that’s not exactly true. While it can be a possibility that granite may contain minute quantities of radioactive substances, it is not always going to emit radiation.

A case-by-case approach is more suitable to support this claim. These allegations, related to granite and radioactivity, are not new. They have been around for a long time and even though some people might believe the fact, at face value, a lot of individuals want studies and proof to be able to understand the situation.

A very common theme that some studies have shown over the years regarding granite and radiation, is the veining of the countertop. Granite has very distinct and beautiful veining on the surface and while most of it can be molten rocks, mixed with mica, it is believed that these traces of random lines might also contain uranium, thorium, and plutonium, all of which can decay into radon causing lung cancer. The thicker and more prominent the veins are, the higher the possibility of radiation.

Radiation From Granite Countertops Is Negligible

However, this study needs a bit more support from research and observations before it can be deemed correct. It is a known fact that radiation emitted from granite doesn’t contribute to the annual world radiation percentage and it’s extremely minute. Instead, it has been found that radon found in the soil is far more lethal to human health than that found in natural stone countertops.

This allegation is also used as a marketing gimmick by other competing countertop material retails and manufacturers because undoubtedly, granite is the king of countertop materials and its popularity can’t be toppled over that easily. So, retailers and manufacturers use the next best tactic: creating rumors that might frighten people.

Can You Test For Granite Radiation?

While granite doesn’t contain a lot of radiation-causing metals or substances, it’s still important that you test your countertops for radon emissions. This can be done pretty easily. You can either call in a professional radon testing technician for your countertops, or you can also get radon testers from your local health stores. Although the former option is recommended more because the results will be precise and more believable.

Usually, the radon test is done either in the kitchen or in neighboring rooms and the air is tested for radon. The device uses calibration and highly meticulous measuring capability to sense the presence of radon. It is recommended to all granite countertop owners that they should get their countertops tested, if there is even a blip of worry in their minds so that once the results are in their hands, they can either breathe a sigh of relief or get down to business to decrease the elevated levels of radon in the countertops as well as in the air.

What To Do?

So, you tested your countertops for radon and the results show elevated levels. Aside from being alarmed, a burning question in your mind might be: Well, how do I get rid of radon? No, you won’t have to remove your countertops, so if that’s what you were wondering, then you can stop fretting over it.

There are devices available that act as filters for radon and they can be installed in the kitchen or other rooms and the gas can be eliminated by this nifty contraption. The device essentially removes radon from the air. So, it kind of works like an air purifier, but specialized for lethal radioactive emissions.

Conclusion

Although it is possible that there could be trace quantities of uranium and other radioactive elements in granite, but to label it as “destructive” and “deadly” is a bit far-fetched. Still, if you want to be careful, ask granite contractors Rockville for granite slabs that don’t emit any radiation when choosing granite slabs for your kitchen island or countertops. And in case you want to avoid granite, you can go for quartz countertops.