Granite Countertops

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Author Message Paul Gerber Senior Member Username: paulgerber Post Number: 121 Registered: 04-2010 Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 12:58 pm:    I am working on an addendum for a project that has granite countertops in some servery areas. Our client wants to use granite instead of solid surfacing as it is virtually the same price. This is not something I have ever specified and have had no luck finding of any kind of guide specs online. Since I am leaving for the Construction Specifications Canada national convention tomorrow (and the clock is ticking rather loudly) I was wondering if anyone had a Section they would be willing to share with me? If you do, you can send it to paul.gerber@rogers.com. Thanks in advance! Ride it like you stole it!!! J. Peter Jordan, FCSI, CCS, AIA, LEED AP (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 03:31 pm:    The quartz agglomerate solid surface material would be much more preferable from a sanitary standpoint. Dale Roberts CSI, CCPR, CTC, LEED Green Associate Senior Member Username: dale_roberts_csi Post Number: 98 Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 06:25 pm:    Like any other countertop material, if cleaned regularly and properly, granite poses no health or sanitation problems. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 241 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 07:20 pm:    I'm with Peter. Granite needs to be sealed and maintained or it can become a real problem. Your client may want to rethink this one my friend. Paul Gerber Senior Member Username: paulgerber Post Number: 123 Registered: 04-2010 Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - 11:32 pm:    Personally, I tend to share some of your concerns, however, the application is in a long term care facility in an area where there is no preparation being done, only serving to the residents by staff members (Personal Care Workers). If there was higher potential for scratching or more damaging prep work being done I would be much more vocal about their choice. In this case spills would be the most "hazardous" activity taking place. I will however ensure I call for the countertops to be sealed. Thanks to all who sent me Sections. It seems very few people spec granite countertops, but the information I did receive was way more helpful than anything I had found online! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!! (Yup, I really am Canadian eh?) That is the one thing I have really come to appreciate about the community hear...we listen to each other vent, we share things that make us laugh (or shake our heads in disbelief while we laugh), we share opinions and information...and when someone is in a bind we share spec sections to help out! I am so glad I have found this spec writing community, but at the same time saddened by the fact that something similar can't be found north of the border! I am looking forward to September and Phoenix! I really enjoyed meeting some of the people who hang out here at ArchiSpec in March, I look forward to seeing them again in September...and I look even more forward to meeting so many more of you in Phoenix!! Ride it like you stole it!!! John McGrann Senior Member Username: jmcgrann Post Number: 88 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 08:55 am:    Paul, You might advise the designer to verify with local health authorities that natural stone is acceptable this particular use. Every once in a while we run across a local health inspector that requires NSF approval for all food service work and serving surfaces including salad bar and buffet lines in dining room facilities which precludes use of a natural stone product. Have fun and learn well at CSC. See you in Phoenix. John. John T. McGrann, Jr., AIA, CSI, CCS, LEED AP J. Peter Jordan, FCSI, CCS, AIA, LEED AP (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 10:18 am:    ARCOMM does have a section in their library for stone countertops as I am sure BSDSpecLink does. Granite countertops have become so ubiquitous in our market that one of my clients several years ago. crinkled their nose and observed "Granite countertops are so residential." There is a company marketing countertops manufactured from cement and recycled ground glass ("Icestone"). It is really a terrazzo product, and although it looks like a quartz agglomerate, it is relatively porous. Its use in a food service/prep or restroom area should be carefully evaluated even in a residential application. I find the product to be very attractive, but most suitable for reception countertops and the like. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 242 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 11:27 am:    I'd be careful with Icestone. It is very porous and, from what I've seen and heard from people who have used it, should not be used anywhere it can be stained (not sure where that might be). Even coffee (as in receptionist desks and conference rooms) can apparently stain this material. Sealing the product is a maintenance issue that your client should be aware of before subjecting them to it. Seems like there are better options; solid surfacing such as acrylic (Corian) or quartz-based countertops come to mind. Nina Giglio (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 12:03 pm:    Your client may also want to be aware that the solid surface products in dark colors wills show scratches, and it isn't hard to scratch. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1260 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 04:18 pm:    I agree with Peter about the ubiquitous-ness of granite. About a year ago, some friends of mine in Seattle were urging me to get granite countertops for my (then) house and I wrinkled my nose and said "granite is so over with!". turns out they had just gotten absolute black polished granite all over their kitchen and bath and were in love with it. However, I have seen polished black granite used all over the place in buffets and hotel bars (where they serve food) and if its polished and not near a plumbing fixture, it works just fine. the high polish will keep it non-absorptive and easy to clean; you might not even need a sealer.