Blog - Granite Leaders Chicago

Oregon’s First Skyscraper Has Massive Granite Slab

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Vyara in Blog

I was reading about some buildings that incorporated granite in interesting ways and came across the Wells Fargo Building in Portland.

At 12 stories in height, it was first “skyscraper” in the history of Oregon, and has a nice granite factor at its entrance.

The doorstep at the building’s entryway is made from the largest slab of granite ever shipped to Oregon, measuring six feet long and nearly six feet thick.

Six feet thick! That’s quite a piece of granite, and would make one heck of a granite countertop.

Avengers Review: Which Avengers Have Granite Countertops?

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Vyara in Blog

The new movie The Avengers broke box office records so badly this weekend that it’s even being written about on granite countertops blogs.

I saw it, it was a great deal of fun, and now I feel a need to write about it.

In the most impossible conceptual tie-in ever, let’s analyze which Avengers would have granite countertops.

Iron Man: Yes
Captain America: No
Thor: No
Hulk: Yes
Hawkeye: No
Black Widow: Yes
Nick Fury: Yes

That’s everyone, right? I don’t even have sufficient rationale for my answers – this just makes sense to me. If you disagree, please let me know!

Granite Countertops and Radiation

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Vyara in Blog

One of the concerns raised from time to time about granite countertops is the issue of radon and radiation.

I always recommend that people take a look at this FAQ from the EPA and get fully informed.

This is perhaps the most

Does the EPA believe there is a danger of radon gas or associated radiation being emitted from granite countertops?

It is possible for any granite sample to contain varying concentrations of uranium and other naturally occurring radioactive elements. These elements can emit radiation and produce radon gas, a source of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays.

Some granite used for countertops may contribute variably to indoor radon levels. Some types of granite may emit gamma radiation above typical background levels. However, at this time EPA believes that the existing data is insufficient to conclude that the types of granite commonly used in countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels.

The best thing you can do is test your home first. As the site further explains, most radon in the home comes from soil that’s in contact with basement floors and walls.

These are levels you should be checking anyway, so do so while making your granite choices. This will put your mind at ease!

Tour de Granite

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Vyara in Blog

This is just about the shortest post I’ve ever written because I think the picture speaks for itself, but check out this biking trail/course/whatever at this central California cycling site.

It’s called the Tour de Granite, and if you love granite countertops like I do, there’s no happier place on Earth.

How Much Granite Is In the World?

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Vyara in Blog, Quarries

I was doing some searching on Wikipedia for the answer to the titular question in this post, and found something fairly cool.

While it’s not as great as that giant granite boulder, this orbicular granite is pretty interesting.

As to the actual answer I was looking for, there were no definitive answers, but based on this, it seems like there’s a lot:

Granite has been intruded into the crust of the Earth during all geologic periods, although much of it is of Precambrian age. Granitic rock is widely distributed throughout the continental crust and is the most abundant basement rock that underlies the relatively thin sedimentary veneer of the continents.

Still, if you’re looking at obicular granite countertops for your home, you may want to hustle – that stuff is a little more rare.

Drilling Holes in Granite Countertops

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Vyara in Blog

A recent article from the Boston Globe about drilling holes in your granite countertops caught my eye, for obvious reasons.

The first, second, and third reasons being my employment by a granite countertops installer.

From the article:

I suggest you leave the granite alone…if you really want to drill holes, buy a bit specifically for masonry and stone. It will take a long time to do this, and you do not want to use an impact drill. If it takes too long, have a pro do it.

I’d skip all the intermediary “do it yourself” steps and go right to the “hire a professional” level. This is a difficult process, and honestly would not cost that much. Certainly not as much as replacing your countertops if you have a poor drilling session.

Alamo Drafthouse Kitchen

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Vyara in Blog

Not to sound cliched, but…now for something completely different.

I was doing some random reading online and came across this article about the Alamo Drafthouse kitchen. The Alamo Drafthouse is a movie theater chain started down in Texas that offers a really different theater experience. Food, drink, etc. They do this elsewhere, but they’re the recognized masters.

In any case, let’s read a bit about their countertops.

The commercial dishwasher and entire stainless-steel dish line are vented so the kitchen doesn’t get steamy at peak service times. The station where vegetables are prepped, pizza dough is made, and cheeses are grated is conveniently located right outside the walk-in.

These are no granite countertops, but rather stainless steel, as noted. This is true in most commercial kitchens.

I really just posted this so that they’ll bring a Drafthouse to Chicago soon. They don’t even need to use granite countertops – I just want to go there to see movies.

Giant Granite Boulder Heading For Los Angeles

Posted on March 19, 2012 by Vyara in Blog, Misc.

In case you hadn’t heard, a giant granite boulder is heading for LA.

Its new home with be at one of the Los Angeles art museums, in a stunning display of the power and wonder of pre-countertops granite.

Why it can’t come to Chicago instead, I don’t know. Think of how many kitchen counters could use a little piece of that thing.

Underside of Countertops

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Vyara in Blog, Granite Countertops

One of the most overlooked factors in your choice of kitchen countertops are the underside.

Granite countertops may be a bit more expensive that other stone and materials, but they’re well worth it. Especially with kitchen counters with seating, there are going to be plenty of times you’re going to end up seeing the underside!

With laminate and cheaper countertops, you’re going to have an unfinished look there. With granite countertops, not so. You get a nice, polished finish all the way around.

Ask your favorite kitchen designer and they will tell you the same!