Month: May 2016

Kitchen Countertop Materials: Comparison Shopping for your Renovation Project

I was helping my daughter having the kitchen in her Raleigh home remodelled recently. She was having problems trying to decide on a new countertop material. Walking through the counters area in Lowes gave her a few ideas, but she was still undecided when the time came to choose a month later. I decided to write out a quick comparison of all the materials and costs for her and when I was done I thought other people might find it useful as well, so here goes.

Most people are familiar with laminate countertops. (Formica is one brand name.) They’re a thin surface of high-pressure laminate applied to a thicker base of plywood or particleboard. Pluses: The standby, available in literally hundreds of patterns and colors, laminates are the least expensive (next to tile) and durable, requiring less upkeep than tile. Minuses: Easy to scorch with hot cookware, the use of layers in their construction makes it tricky to repair chips, show scratches, especially lighter colors, so not usable as a cutting surface. Less durable than natural stone or solid surface; use with under mount sinks is not recommended. Cost: $25 to $50 foot

Solid surfacing, (brand names Corian, Fountainhead, Avonite and Surrell) a newer countertop material, is durable and mimics the appearance of natural stone materials like marble or granite. Pluses: Gives seamless surfaces, easy to care for. High impact resistance, easily repaired, nonporous and seamless, so won’t trap dirt, collect bacteria or stain; easily. Minuses: May melt from hot pot; looks non-natural in some color schemes, licensed contractor required for installation and repair work. Cost: $60 to $110 per foot.

Natural woods. Used in butcher-block style arrangement. Maple, oak and other hardwoods, make durable and elegant countertops. Pluses: Good surface for cutting foods; scratches easily repaired by sanding; easy match with wood cabinets and floors. Minuses: Requires a finish to preserve appearance, may scorch with hot cookware, allows bacterial growth, so needs regular cleaning. Not practical for entire countertop – good for small sections. Cost: $50 to $75 per foot

Granite. Popular for their elegant and rich look, natural stone countertops will last longer than most kitchens. Pluses: Adds to value of home, hard durable surface, very heat resistant. Minuses: very expensive, requires care since it is porous and must be sealed periodically, grease will stain. Cost: 60 to $200 per foot for granite $60 to $130 per foot for marble (stains easily and not recommended for food prep countertop)

Ceramic or Porcelain Tile: This is the countertop material my daughter was replacing. While the counters were in pretty bad shape, refurbishing was an option. Tile has a comforting, classic look and is inexpensive.. Pluses: Easy to clean up after a mess. More heat resistant than laminates solid surfaces, inexpensive, unless you are thinking about custom or hand-painted tiles. Minuses: Can chip and crack easily; needs regular maintenance to keep bacteria out of grout. Scrubbing grout. Cost: $10 to $25 per foot.

While she didn’t go for this option, I feel it is important to mention. While carrying out my research, I ran across something I had never considered. Countertop refinishing is something that can be done yourself with a kit bought at any large home improvement store or you can hire a professional. You can keep your current countertop, repair any dings or damage, choose whatever color you like, and the job can often be completed in one day. The costs were significantly lower than replacing the countertops and I am still unsure why she did not go this route.

So, what countertop material did she choose in the end? For it’s reasonable cost and reparability, Corian got the nod for the new kitchen. We found a color that was very close to a granite look and we also liked the ten year warranty.


Learn How To Organize That Clutter And Improve The Image Of Your Home

How frequently have you heard the doorbell ring, and your initial thought is that you are not able to open the door because your house is such a mess? Are you ashamed for your friends to drop by because there is stuff all over your house? Have you been reluctant to tell your children to clean their own rooms because it might make you look like a hypocrite? Here at Image Maker we have a few quick tips to help you get that clutter under control and improve the overall image of you home.

An organized and decluttered home is easy to accomplish.
An organized and decluttered home is easy to accomplish.

There is a publication out that may help you, and it is called Declutter Fast, by Mimi Tanner. You are going to be on your way to a clutter-free house by downloading this under-thirty dollar ebook to your computer. One key thing to keep in mind is that the amount of clutter you have in your home does not have any bearing on your income status. Decluttering could start immediately and you may be able to do it in a couple of days for little to no money.

Even when the four-box technique does not work for you, make an effort to declutter as fast and as stress-free as possible. There is actually a five-minute option that will stop you from delaying. This will give you the inducement to organize all of your life’s paperwork, along with organizing your clothes to the place where you will wear what you love. There are 17 essential things that need a place in your home and the book clearly explains them. You’ll find just about everything you have will fall into one of those categories.

If such a multitude of people didn’t have a disorder problem, there wouldn’t be so many programs out there helping people get organized. There tend to be those whose full time profession is helping people with their clutter. The writer, Mimi Tanner experienced serious clutter issues which caused her to create Declutter Fast. This woman experimented with many strategies before coming up with what worked for her. Not many individuals would be able to try every method until they found one that was effective. She ended up being able to include what worked and write it in an easy to read format. As opposed to trying different methods yourself, use this book alternatively to see if it works.

Most people do not want to completely get rid of their possessions, just get them more organized. One great suggestion in the book that is often overlooked is to move the items that you want to hold onto but do not use very often into storage. You can rent a storage unit or another great option is to buy a storage container and put it on your property. AllStates is a container supplier that rents and sales shipping containers in the Charlotte, NC area. These containers are very inexpensive when considering the size of storage you will have at your disposal.

You will find once your house is clear of clutter, that you will experience a glowing feeling when you see your house in order. Experiencing a home that’s chaotic sucks the life right out of you. Especially when it is so terrible that uncovering a path to the bathroom is difficult. It is not the preferred way to live and it shouldn’t have to be this way for any of us.