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What do Granite, Radon and Wasabi have in common?

By
Home Stager with Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign

Yesterday I went to a granite and stone showroom here in Denver with a group of fellow stagers following a RESA meeting.

Touring the showroom and  seeing the large slabs of granite up close was fun and informative. Did you know there was a pattern called Wasabi? Here it is.

Wasabi granite slabVery dramatic and unusual for granite. Perfect for that statement island.

We all know granite is still the go to counter top finish in kitchens and bathrooms. It's hard to beat for price, durability and wow factor.

But one of the questions that came up was "Do our clients have to worry about radon emitting from their granite counter tops"?

Our guide at the showroom said granite doesn't emit enough radon to be a worry.

I thought I would do a little research and find out what I could.

According to radon.com, almost 70% of radon comes from the soil under our homes. Also radon is present, not just in granite, but in a multitude of other natural products such as stone, sand and glass.

According to this source, building materials only account for about 2.5% of radon emissions.

As radon is considered a cancer causing radioactive gas, it's not something to take lightly. Although I'm new to CO and the Denver area, I'm already aware that most homes here are tested for radon during the purchase process or have some form of radon reduction in place.

There's a lot more info on the EPA site about radon and consumer tips to manage it.

Do your clients in your area still prefer granite counters? Do you think they're a selling feature that out weighs even a slight risk of radon exposure? It seems to me it's a very low risk and not something to worry about but I'm interested to know what your thoughts are!

Posted by

Tessa Skeens

Interior Design, Real Estate Staging and Marketing Support 

M 817-891-9563  

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Comments(11)

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Laura Allen, Lake Tahoe - Truckee Real Estate for Sale TahoeLauraRealEstate.com
Coldwell Banker Realty, Tahoe City, CA (530) 414-1260 - Tahoe City, CA
Tahoe Real Estate Agent Helping Buyers and Sellers

Tessa - Great information for anyone concerned about radon and their kitchen granite counter tops!  Great topic!

May 16, 2014 06:10 AM
Diana White-Pettis
Bennett Realty Solutions - Upper Marlboro, MD
GRI, CDPE, CNE, WHC Upper Marlboro Homes for Sale

Tessa,

Good information.  No, I am not familiar with the pattern called Wasabi. But, thanks to you, I know now.  It looks rather interesting. Thanks for sharing.  Have a great weekend!

May 16, 2014 06:19 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

Hey Tessa good post and I had no idea it came from those materials but I guess it does make sense. That is a very interesting pattern on granite.

Have a good wkd

May 16, 2014 10:02 AM
Tessa Skeens
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Hi Laura - thanks, I had heard about the connection between granite and radon before but this trip made me dig a little to find out if it's a problem. The more information we can give clients the better!

Diana, I like a little wasabi with my sushi and this granite is nowhere near as green but its a cool alternative to the usual isn't it? Hope your weekend is a good one.

May 16, 2014 10:27 AM
Tessa Skeens
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Have a great weekend yourself David. Will be nice to see the 80s again!

 

May 16, 2014 10:29 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Hi Tessa ~ Radon is nothing to fool around with, that's for sure.  Although granite is still popular for countertops, we're seeing a big increase in Caesarstone surfaces which are very durable and come in many colors.

May 16, 2014 04:04 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Tessa, had not heard granite could be a source of radon.  Just got some installed in my bathroom.  

May 17, 2014 01:11 AM
Tessa Skeens
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Hi Maureen - I'm hearing Caesarstone and other solid surface products are gaining on granite too. Hope you had a great weekend!

Hi Joan - I wouldn't worry too much. The incidence is very low. Hope you enjoy your new countertops!

May 19, 2014 01:25 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I'm from New Hampshire....the Granite state!  I am having my new granite counters installed next week and I can't wait!  I'm not concerned at all.

May 19, 2014 10:02 AM
Tessa Skeens
Hampton ReDesign, Home Staging and Redesign - Grand Junction, CO
Staging For Realtors, Builders & Investors

Hi Sharon - I'm familiar with the Granite state as I used to live in MA many years ago!  Granite really makes a huge difference in how a kitchen looks and feels doesn't it? Enjoy your new counters!

May 20, 2014 01:20 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Counters are in and I love how they look.  What a difference it makes in the feel of the kitchen!

Jun 07, 2014 09:41 AM