Kitchen Countertop Options

03 June, 19:24, by
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A kitchen remodel can be an exciting yet stressful event that can last days, weeks, months or if not planned correctly…sadly even years. The main aspects in a lower budget kitchen remodel tend to usually be the flooring, paint, cabinets, countertops, fixtures and appliances. Larger scale kitchen remodels usually consist of completely tearing down walls, installing new electrical, insulation, new plumbing and doors. The extent that you decide to take your home’s kitchen remodel should be based on your family’s budget, time frame and whether or not you are doing it yourself or hiring out a professional contractor.

Often times people will spend countless hours researching appliances and materials before purchasing. A big purchase in any home’s kitchen remodel is that of the countertops. Depending on the size of your budget some of your options are that of laminate countertops, concrete countertops, Corian countertops, butcher block countertops and granite countertops. There are many pros and cons to all of the countertops listed above and you should bear in mind that there is no perfect countertop.

Laminate countertops offer a great product for an extremely affordable price. A budget kitchen remodel will almost always include laminate or formica countertops. Laminate countertops are durable, inexpensive, come in a wide variety of textures and colors and in most cases can be easily installed by the average do-it-yourselfer.

Owning Laminate/Formica Countertops

Laminated countertops are steadily gaining popularity over traditional wood or granite countertops. They are cheap, readily available, and can be made to conform to any shape or size of the counter. Formica is the leading brand for laminate countertops and is known worldwide for creating durable, and easy to maintain countertops. Many interior designers, housewives and home decorators prefer using formica countertops because the style and variants available are endless. In addition to being extremely flexible, the laminates can be made to imitate any kind of texture and pattern, giving off a very polished finish to any laminated countertop.

In the kitchen, formica countertops can be a huge blessing in disguise. Traditionally, countertops were made of expensive materials such as granite or concrete. Though the formica laminates are less durable than granite, they can be made to withstand a bit of wear and tear. If the formica sheets show signs of deterioration, they can be easily replaced with a different texture and design. Those who easily get bored with monotone designs can afford to have their kitchen countertops redecorated several times.

There are, of course, several disadvantages to owning a laminate countertop. One such disadvantage is the durability of the material. Laminated sheets are not known for their durability and usually surrender to high temperatures, dampness and excessive strain on the surface. There are resurfacing kits that can help you prolong the life of your countertop at the local hardware store. Another disadvantage to owning a laminated countertop is that the surface can attract stains like no other material. The stains can be hard to clean and may even permanently leave a mark on the laminate.

In order to maintain the beauty of your laminated countertop, you need to be extremely careful when dealing with stains. As formica laminates are known for their wonderful shine, it can be quite a challenge to restore it to its’ former beauty. You will need a warm damp rag to wipe the area clean of collected dust and grime. Note that the rag should be damp and not soaked. A soaked cloth can actually worsen the condition of your countertop as it will leave stains. Using detergent diluted with warm water, dampen the rag and wipe it gently on the countertop. Once all the stains have been removed, completely dry the surface with a towel before proceeding to wax the countertop. In general, people use wax to restore the shine on countertops. You can ask your local hardware store for brands that are safe to use on laminated countertops. Apply the wax gently on the countertop and polish it after it dries. Some homeowners actually like to apply a second and third coat of wax so the shine will last longer.

Butcher block countertops have been around since the 1800s and offer a beautiful all-natural, renewable countertop source. Butcher block countertops do require annual maintenance, but the look is so unique for each household that the time spent on maintenance may just be well worth it. Butcher block countertops come in a variety of colors, Woods, thicknesses and edges. Each homeowner has the ability to choose from all these different looks to add to the uniqueness of their own kitchen. Butcher block countertops can be ordered even online to specific kitchen dimensions and then be installed by the average do-it-yourselfer at home.

Granite and Corian countertops are on a similar level when it comes to affordability, durability and installation process. Both Corian countertops and granite countertops can be quite expensive and are not easily installed by the do-it-yourselfer. Granite and Corian both offer an elegant unmatched look by any other countertop products on the market today. Granite countertops and Corian countertops are quite durable, easy to clean and come in a wide array of colors, thicknesses and edges.

Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops are the best choice that a homeowner can make when thinking of renovating or buying a new kitchen countertop. Concrete is just one of those sturdy materials that will last for a long time. Concrete is used everywhere from tall buildings, houses, roads and a lot more.  For years, concrete is growing to be the most popular material as people slowly appreciates the advantages of having a concrete countertop.  So, if a person is looking for a countertop with a durable material, then concrete countertops are the right choice. Hence, let us know the different advantages of a concrete countertop. First is durability and strength. Concrete countertops can resist all kinds of damage from chipping, scratching and so on. Most concrete countertops are protected by sealers that are great in resisting heat and stains. Although these countertops are durable, it is still better to use a pot holder or cloth for putting down hot pots and use a chopping board in slicing foods. Second is smoothness. These countertops come in different sizes, designs and a person can choose if he or she wants a countertop with seams or not. There is an endless option in styles when choosing a concrete countertop from colors, cuts and shine. The finisher can help you out in choosing the best cuts and colors for the countertop. Some manufacturers also allow the buyers to design their own countertop. Some wanted to have a granite look countertop. There are also others who wanted to add in chips of glass or stones to create a different look. But the most well liked design today is the vein style which is more natural to look and may hide any cracks. Concrete countertops are very easy to clean. What a person needs is just warm soapy water and a soft cloth.  Concrete countertops also cost a lot less than the granites- almost one half of the actual price.

In caring for a concrete countertop, it is better to have a coating sealer and apply it on a regular basis on the concrete countertop. Sealers help a lot on protecting the countertop since it leaves a coating on the concrete that acts like a protective sheet. Sealers can be bought in hardware stores and it usually comes in different forms like spray, wax, or liquid. Each of these forms creates a different finishing look of either a natural or wet look. For a person to find the best protective sealer, ask the manufacturer or the hardware shop what sealer they can recommend for the concrete surface. Applying a sealer is easy and do this once a week. Next, avoid any spills on the surface. If this happens, clean the spill right away and never allow it to stay on the countertop for a long time. Also avoid using bleach and any strong cleaning solutions that can cause any discoloration and dullness of the countertop. If there are stains, use a soft cloth and rub it slowly. Also avoid cutting foods on the countertop so not to cut the sealer. It is really important for a person to take good care of the countertop to be worry-free about the thought of replacing it and buying a new one.

These are just a few of the many different kinds of countertops are available today. Looking for sales, specials, closeouts and buying raw materials is one way to save money when installing new countertops. Often times installation companies will have what they call remnants left over. Remnants are what is left over her off of a raw chunk of granite after it has been cut down to be used for a specific customer’s home. Remnants are usually sold extremely inexpensively and can even be cut to size for your kitchen application. Home remodels should be planned and not rushed. Take your time and do your research to ensure that you are going to be able to finish your project in a timely manner.

The Right Kind of Exterior French Doors

05 November, 17:59, by
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A house with a garden or a patio on the back needs a good set of French doors to complete the look. External French patio doors can be pre-hung single or double doors. These doors come in different shapes and sizes and the materials used can be just as diverse. Arched French doors are rare and give the house a very vintage look and feel.

The materials used for making exterior French doors are traditionally made of wood, but newer materials such as steel and fiberglass have been mass produced over the years. Wooden French doors are made from sturdy hardwoods like mahogany, cedar, narra and oak. Hardwoods are best known to provide protection from damage cause by the weather. Hardwood can also be easily carved into magnificent designs that can be painted on or polished with varnish. Steel French doors are sturdier and last much longer than wood doors. They are heavy so they can afford better protection to home owners. The most recent development in material for French doors is fiberglass. The material is said to satisfy new home owners’ cravings for the vintage style combined with the strength and durability that steel offers. Fiberglass can imitate any material used for making French doors- even steel. They cannot rust and flake like steel, and don’t twist and bend like old wooden doors.

When choosing French doors, always put your home into consideration. The style of the house can easily allow you to pick up a design best suited for your home. In the renaissance era, these doors were huge to say the least. They were built on an entire side of the home in sets of 3 or four double sided doors. The doors offered an exterior view of luscious gardens, while home owners enjoyed the shade of the inside of the house.

French doors can either be pre- hung or not pre-hung. Pre-hung doors are ready to install doors complete with all the necessary parts. These doors come in standard sizes designed to fit standard sized doorway openings. A none hung door requires a handyman’s skill as the homeowners will have to built a door casing for proper installation of the door.  Needless to say, none hung doors are a bit more expensive than pre-hung doors. The doors are also characterized by having 9-16 panes of glass installed inside the door. True divided lites are separate pieces of glass divided by wood, metal or vinyl. Modern homes, in order to save on costs for making true divided lites, have single pane of glass with pieces of wood, metal or vinyl glued on the inside and outside part of door to give the effect that the glass is separated.

Hardie Plank a Growing Alternative for your Home

11 May, 00:04, by
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Hardie plank siding is growing in popularity as a alternative to traditional wood and vinyl siding due to its durability and strength. Hardie siding is also called fiber cement siding or board and resembles real wood, vinyl or aluminum siding. It is manufactured to imitate the texture and grain of real wood siding. Hardie Siding originated n Australia but over the ears it has become wildly popular all over the world. It was built to resist extreme weather conditions so its perfect for any climate you might live in. It also can be painted any color to achieve you home design aesthetic.

Cement board siding is also resistant to fire, water, never warps or rots, and is unaffected by termites and other insects that cause costly damage to traditional wood sidings. Hardie siding isn’t more or less expensive then other more traditional sidings but this particular siding requires almost no maintenance. Because it is so durable to pests, rot, and extreme weather conditions repair is rarely needed unlike many other forms of siding.

Another benefit that was mentioned earlier is that the siding can be painted and even retains paint much better then wood.  It is moisture-resistant, it never swells so therefore the paint never peels, chips, or cracks. Since it never peels or chips when painted, some home owners however decide not to paint their hardie plank siding because in it natural appearance is attractive and appealing. Since you don’t have to re-paint this product will not only save you time, it saves you money and energy!

Hardie siding is so easy to paint you can change your mind on your color scheme anytime you want to. The color choices are endless, some homeowners decide to put shutters around thier windows to highlight the color of their siding with the windows in thier home. And because you dont have to worry about the paint chipping or peeling your home will always look like you have a fresh coat of paint.

With proper maintenance and installation, hardie plank siding will last you for years and years to come.  Maintenance is also easy, it can easily be washed off with a garden hose. With proper siding tools and equipment even a home owner can install hardie siding to their homes, or you can talk to a professional near you to set up an appointment to get an estimate. If you use an installer who has specific experience with hardie plank siding you will have no issues with your siding. And with proper installation the product comes with a fifty year warranty. Hardie siding cost is very competitive with most other comparable sidings on the market today. Upfront cost may be a bit more, but should pay for itself in time.