Granite And Health Hazards: Must Know Facts

Granite is extremely popular among interior designers. They can be mostly used in bathrooms and kitchens. Now some experts are of the opinion that granite emits radon gas which is one of the main causes of cancer among non-smokers. They have also said that even pregnant women are at risk from the radiation and hence this is a stone which should not be used in house at all.

Mostly granite is safe to use, but according to some experts the variations like the exotic highly-strained ones which are imported from Brazil and Namibia are not at all safe. Radon levels are high in these granite slabs. However recent research has proved that these allegations are baseless and radon emitted by the granite slabs are far below the health threat level. Hence it does not in any way prove that granite is non suitable for house. In fact it is one of the most eco friendly materials that can be used in house.

Radon levels are generally high in the basement area. Although experts have expressed their concern about radiation, they have also said that limited physical contact with the stone and a well-ventilated room can lessen the threat. If you feel that you are in constant danger, you can simply use some of the radon testing kits which are available from the local stores. No test can actually determine the amount of radiation. But with tests, you can always eliminate the possibility of imminent threat.

If you feel that you do not want to live under constant threat, you have the options of other materials which you can use for countertops like stainless steel, soapstone and other solid materials. You can consult the home builder to know about the advantages and disadvantages of the materials. Whatever material you choose, it should complement the design of your homes. Moreover if safety of your loved ones is a matter of great concern for you, you can always consult the home builders about the choice of materials.

Even scientists have said that there are no threats involved with granite. Radon is odorless and colorless gas. Although granite is known to contain variations of uranium which can emit radon gas, the amount is negligible and can never pose a threat which might be a life-risk. The indoor radon levels can increase the amount of radon inside the house. A few samples have been taken by the Florida Health Department for tests. They have confirmed that no granite slabs have produced radon which can be considered as life-threatening.

The amount of radioactivity is quite small in granite slabs and many tests have been done which have proved beyond doubt that it is not a cause of concern at all. Although there might be a possibility of direct radiation, in general we will find that it is nothing compared to the radiation from atmosphere. The amount is negligible which cannot cause any health hazard. However if you have doubts in your mind, you can use other materials for countertops or keep children away from the kitchen as much as possible.

Should You Worry About Radon?

With all the news reports and controversy surrounding radon gas and granite countertops, you may be very concerned. If you have granite in your home, you may worry that it's harming you and your family. You may also be confused as to what radon is exactly and the health risks it may or may not pose. While a lot of reports may be speculation, there are definite facts we can look at in deciding whether the radon found in granite countertops is in fact hazardous to your health. Here are a couple of those facts and the answers they lead to.

Fact: Radon Gas is a Form of Radiation
Radon is a type of radioactive gas. It is most commonly found in soil throughout the United States, and may be more prevalent in basements located in the midwestern and eastern parts of the country. Such environmental exposure is said to be safe according to government standards. In fact, you're likely to receive more exposure to radon from the soil than from a granite countertop.

Fact: We're Surrounded by Radiation
The word 'radiation' tends to incite panic and fear, and concerns for finding it in your home are legitimate. In certain concentrations with high exposure levels and long exposure times, radiation is very dangerous and shouldn't be treated lightly. Hence, why there have been so many studies and reports focused on radon in granite. But did you know that low concentrations of radiation exist all around us? In fact, we’re all exposed to some amount of radiation every day. How so?

For one thing, the sun is our biggest source of radiation exposure. Every time we step out into sunlight, we absorb some amount of radiation. Other materials making up a house, including concrete blocks, emit radiation. As mentioned above, the very ground we stand on emits some amount of radon. And even foods we consume emit radiation, including potatoes and bananas. We can't escape it; radiation, including radon gas, is a part of our environment. That doesn't mean it's always safe, and if you are concerned that unhealthy amounts of radiation are being emitted in your home, contact a nearby radon organization for help and advice.

Is Radon in Granite Dangerous?
As mentioned, the government deems our everyday exposure to low concentrations of radiation safe. Does this mean that the radon emitted from granite is safe? The U.S. EPA states that "most types of granite used in countertops and other aspects of home construction are not typically known to be major contributors of radiation and radon in the average home." The Florida Department of Health agrees and adds that while "there was measurable gamma radiation from the granite" it was "not at level of concern."

These and other scientific organizations, including the American Association of Radon
Scientists and Technologists (AARST), have studied granite emissions over the years and have concluded that even at their highest the levels of granite emissions are not high enough to cause concern. So there seems to be little to fear from your granite countertop or tiles.

Marble In Home Décor: Its Multifaceted Uses

People use various types of stone for home decoration and marble is among the most sought after types. It has an elegance that is hard to match for other materials. The marble tiles are available in a wide range of colors and design patterns. The mixed grain variants of marbles are usually stronger than single-colored marbles. However, the variety that has more strength also has more impurities.

Marble hardly has any competition as far as home decoration is concerned. Though they are mostly used on the floors, one can also use them on walls. It transforms the look of a room and adds a touch of style to it. Moreover it also reflects on the class of the home owner and adds a slight bit of royalty to his or her aura. A homeowner who wants to buy marble showpieces can consider figurines and statues made of black marble. They are not very cheap but the price is worth the value they offer.

If a person has a sprawling bungalow or garden house he can opt for a Hand-carved marble fountain. It will add a new dimension to the place. Similarly one can install a marble garden bench beside a marble statue which may make the place look like a dream. Marble can be used to adorn both the exterior and interior of a house.

Marble is also a worthy choice for table bases. To beautify the dining room of a house a person can fix a glossy glass top on the base of a marble table. The coffee tables can also be fitted with a marble base and glass top. It can be kept in the living room of a house.

Nowadays, marble can be given various types of finish to suit the need of the users. A person can opt for a high gloss, semi gloss and matte finish. The popular hues of marbles are black, pink, gray and white. This gives a person the chance to buy suitable furniture and upholstery to gel with the color scheme of the marble floor and tiles.

A lot of people prefer to use marbles on bathroom floors that have a reflective and glossy finish. However, in such a bathroom adequate provision should be kept to prevent slipping accidentally.

Like any other flooring and home decoration material the surface of marble can become dull and damaged over time. Therefore, people who have marble floor and tiles need to take proper care and perform maintenance on a daily basis. Marble reacts with harsh chemicals and use of abrasive materials to clean it is not recommended. It is also damaged by interaction with acidic materials and certain foods that have acidic properties can erode it.

To bring back the sheen of marble floors a person needs to clean it with specialized cleaners. It is undeniable that marble is delicate and the owners need to spend money and time to keep it in proper shape. However, when one considers the sheer splendor and elegance that marble has the price seems justified.

Use of Marble Fountains in Landscape Architecture

Your home reflects your personality. It is your dream home and it will contain everything that you love and like. Those who love to be experimental and innovative can add marble fountains to the landscape gardens. A well-maintained garden along with marble fountains, pruned bushes and trimmed hedges and paved paths simply look as if they are straight out of an 18th century book. If you want a classy touch to the gardens, you can add fountains. Apart from marble, fountains can also be made with granite, terracotta, metals and fiber.

Depending on the size and shape of the garden, you can choose the marble fountains. If it is a marble fountain, it will be durable and can stand the extreme weather conditions like heavy snow and rains. However marble fountains can be affected because of acid rain and pollution. As for the designs, you will find a number of choices. Often marble is used to create decorative figurines which add to the charm of the landscape garden. Landscape gardens are meant to be decorative and classy. Even ornamental fountains with intricate designs will be a good choice for the gardens. This gives a distinctive mark to the gardens.

Pot fountains are simple in design, yet they are attractive. If you like to be innovative and bring out your creative side, you can simply add ceramic bowls to design a tiered look. If the garden boasts of a concrete or stone structure, you can create a wall fountain. Tiered fountains are better suited for large gardens. You need an expansive space in order to get that perfect look. The steps will create the impression of ripples. A tiered garden as a centerpiece will draw attention.

When you choose the garden fountains, you should be careful about the materials. They should be durable so that they can stand the climactic extremes. Natural fountains are simple, but they are definitely a treat for the eyes. If you keep on changing the accent materials of the fountain, you can always create a refreshing and new look. The materials can be chosen so that they sync well with the home décor. You can actually add rocks and stones which acts both as concealers and accents. There can be variations in shapes and sizes and often it is the asymmetry which produces creates an impression on the readers.

When you look for rocks for the fountains, you can take a look at the crystal formations. Unusual selections will add a touch of uniqueness to the fountains. There are some rocks which will glimmer when put under water. The glimmer effect will be added advantage for the fountains. You can also erect a seat around the fountain, where people can sit and talk. This can be exactly the place where you can sit, sip tea and enjoy the fresh air of the outdoors. To create a cosy effect, you can also add some chairs.

To sum up marble fountains can definitely add a royal touch to your house and spruce up the home décor.

A Brief Retrospection On Marble Mosaics

To evaluate the quality of a product or a person certain parameters need to be taken in to consideration. Just as a person needs to have ethics and moral values instilled in his nature or good book needs to contain proper information, similarly the marble to be used in home décor needs to have certain qualities which will make it the right choice for mosaics. In fact the correct choice of marble is imperative to create the perfect mosaic, which will accentuate your landscape. Are you a home owner who is keen to add a marble mosaic to your house? Then read on as we give you some valuable tips…

There are many homeowners who resort using different color combinations and vibrant paints to enhance the look of the house. However, the Mosaic Art can also be used to increase the esthetic value of a house. In Mosaic art it becomes necessary to mix stones and glasses having variant hues. They help in designing several picture patterns.

As a matter of fact, the root of Mosaic art can be traced back to several thousand years. In the 3rd and 4th century BC the Mesopotamians created mosaic. They used cones of baked clay and the ends were painted differently. The ancient Greeks also decorated their floors using pebble made mosaics. The residents of Macedonia made use of polychrome pebble mosaics to beautify their structures.

However, the designs used by various civilizations in mosaic art varied greatly. The early Christian mosaics created in 6th century BC deal with topics like birds and animals, hunting scenes. On the contrary, the 7th century Islamic mosaics depict subjects like floral themes. With the passage of time Mosaic art has undergone several alterations even though the fundamental technique remains the same.

The Phoenician Arts played a pivotal role in the development and diversification of the mosaic arts. In fact it has added a new dimension to this form of art. It gave the world outstanding hand-made marble mosaic patterns created from semi-precious stones and natural marble. The Phoenician Arts also helped in reviving the ancient and traditional elite mosaics of the Byzantinians, Romans and Greeks.

The mosaics creations by Phoenician Arts are hailed as wonderful prototypes of the contemporary and primitive aspects of life. This has played a role behind the rising popularity of the mosaic art form. In recent times, the mosaics are the coveted and most valued means to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a structure.

In Phoenician Arts mosaics are made for a variety of themes like religion, figures & scenes, medallions, animals and they are used to decorate both the outdoors and interiors. In a workplace or house the mosaics can be installed in parts like dining areas, hallways, archway, near the fireplace etc. In case of the exterior of an establishment, they can be used in garden areas, tabletops, pools etc.

The Phoenician mosaics are more appealing than pictures and paintings. They add an elegant appeal to the rooms and exterior of a house. They do not get affected much by heat and water. They can be cleaned easily and with proper care remain immaculate for several years. The mosaics can be customized as per the requirement of the clients.