|
|
 |
|
|
7 Steps to Beautifully Painted Flea-Market Finds
Even the designers on TV are doing it; finding great furnishing at flea-markets, charity shops, and yard sales. Often, a wonderful piece of furniture can be had for mere dollars, especially if its finish is in desperate need of some TLC. ...
Home Improvement Contractors
There are thousands of home improvement contractors out there,
each one specialising in different aspects of home improvement.
Some are designers, plumbers, electricians, engineers, joiners
and interior designers. They all have their specific...
Home Improvement Magazine
In every newsagent in every street there are several home
improvement magazines to choose from. These magazines are
available for all different sorts of home improvements. You can
improve your home in anyway that you like, these magazines...
Home Improvements – The Fun Stuff
Planning home improvements necessarily involves addressing numerous practical matters. That doesn’t mean you should ignore the fun stuff!
The Fun Stuff
The first thing to plan for in home improvements is the practical stuff. The second thing...
Installing a Bathroom Vanity and Countertop
The installation of a new bathroom vanity and countertop can transform an outdated bathroom into a contemporary one. Installing a vanity and countertop is simple to do and can be purchased from any home improvement store for less than $500.
...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Choosing A Countertop That Is Right For You
Choosing a kitchen counter material can be an overwhelming task in the midst of a huge kitchen makeover. Before you select a material, try to decide what look you are going for. Scour magazines and take a trip to your local home improvement center to get an idea how each type of material will effect the overall style of the kitchen.
Some materials for kitchen counter tops include:
Laminate - The least expensive and comes in a huge range of colors. You have to be careful not to cut or put anything hot on the surface, but it is easy to clean. It is not as durable as stone or Corian and doesn’t look as nice either!
Tiles - Tiles can range in price from very inexpensive to very expensive depending on your choice. In my opinion they make terrible counter tops because food and such tends to get caught in the grout lines. Even worse, if you use light colored grout it gets dirty very quickly and must be scrubbed all the time. Tiles can crack and chip easily.
Corian - A very durable counter that is seamless and has the look of granite. It comes in a myriad of colors and can scratch, but these can be sanded and repaired. Unlike stone, it will melt so no hot pots on the counter top. More expensive than laminate but a bit less than stone.
Granite - This material is a long time favorite and one of the most expensive. It is extremely durable and virtually scratch free and heat proof. It is
porous, though so you will have to wipe up any spills quickly and be careful about what chemicals you put on it. These days, granite comes in a range shades in the gray - black - green and even dark blue colors. Granite must be sealed every year, but otherwise is quite easy to clean and care for.
Marble - Beautiful but very porous and is not really practical for a counter top. It will stain easily with normal food prep.
Slate - Slate has a nice warm earthy look without the shininess of granite. It is durable and easy to clean and unlike granite is nonporous. Scratches can be easily repaired.
Butcher Block - Wood kitchen counter top materials can give hour kitchen a warm look. Butcher block is good for cutting as the marks can be sanded out but it is not very resistant to bacteria or stains. Would need periodic conditioning.
Concrete - Fast becoming a favorite in modern kitchens that want an industrial look, concrete is a mid priced material that can be mixed to form any color and even can be mixed with little pieces of anything you want it it! It is durable and easy to clean but is very porous and should be sealed to avoid staining.
About The Author:
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.home-improvement-solution.com
in addition to other sites. Visit the article database at http://www.home-improvement-solution.com/articles.html for more on remodeling and home improvement.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|