Caesarstone Counters - Go Composite!
25 January 2007
Everyone loves the look of a natural stone countertop surface in their brand new kitchen. Problem is, they don't want the hassle of any extra maintenance that is usually involved with stone. Granite, marble, slate, quartz, and other natural stones are porous. If a stone counter is porous, that means water and stains can work their way into the surface - even the smooth, shiny surface of a new countertop.Desperate for the look of granite and all the benefits that come with it? Try Caesarstone. You might have heard of it - it's very low maintenance (easy to clean and does not require a regular sealant to protect the surface!) and is resistant to heat. Like stone, it stays cool to the touch and is as smooth and shiny as the the real stone material. As an added benefit, the Caesarstone counter is so non-porous that it will prevent any germs or bacteria from settling in on the surface from contaminated foods - it can simply be wiped away.
Caeasarstone will also last a very long long time. The natural colors will remind you of a granite surface and the quartz composite material doesn't have the same flaws and imperfections that can be found in stone. Finally, it is very impact-resistant - this means less of a chance of gouges or chips on the surface. Most Caesarstone installations even come with a warranty.
Looking for a countertop specialist in your area? Look no further than Construction Deal - on our site, you can post your counter installation request and have as many companies call you as you would like. This means you save time. And by having multiple bids, you'll also be able to save money. And, the best part -- you can post your request for free!
Labels: Caesarstone, Countertop Material Options
Slate Countertop Installations
15 January 2007
Slate has been a high quality home remodeling material for ages. It's been used as a counter material, on roofs, flooring, walls, and fireplace mantles. Like most other natural stones, it's a hard and durable product that can bring the look and feel of the outdoors into the house. It's not a porous stone which gives slate an excellent stain-resisting surface.
The great thing about slate is that it's not as expensive as some of the other natural stones, like granite and marble. While it's perfect for fighting stains, highly skid resistant, and can withstand high heat, slate countertops can be scratched. Also, the origin of the slate can be very important - some of the lower quality slates can be much softer and easier to scratch. Brazilian slate is the only kind that comes in a slab large enough to make a kitchen or large bathroom countertop.
Slate has a natural beauty and no two counter tops will be the same. The look of the stone is perfect for a less formal room. The colors and patterns have a truly organic feel to them. Slate is not a maintenance free product - the surface will need to be sealed on a regular basis, but the look of the slate should make it worth the effort.
If you'd like to talk to a countertop expert about installing slate counters in your home, post your request on Construction Deal. We'll match you with qualified counter installation pros who can help you get the look that you want. And it's a free service to have counter companies call you, instead of having to pick someone at random from the yellow pages...
The great thing about slate is that it's not as expensive as some of the other natural stones, like granite and marble. While it's perfect for fighting stains, highly skid resistant, and can withstand high heat, slate countertops can be scratched. Also, the origin of the slate can be very important - some of the lower quality slates can be much softer and easier to scratch. Brazilian slate is the only kind that comes in a slab large enough to make a kitchen or large bathroom countertop.
Slate has a natural beauty and no two counter tops will be the same. The look of the stone is perfect for a less formal room. The colors and patterns have a truly organic feel to them. Slate is not a maintenance free product - the surface will need to be sealed on a regular basis, but the look of the slate should make it worth the effort.
If you'd like to talk to a countertop expert about installing slate counters in your home, post your request on Construction Deal. We'll match you with qualified counter installation pros who can help you get the look that you want. And it's a free service to have counter companies call you, instead of having to pick someone at random from the yellow pages...
Labels: Countertop Material Options, Natural Stone Countertops, Slate
Countertop Edges
11 January 2007
Natural stone is still the number one choice for a countertop material in everyone's kitchen. Some examples of natural stone include the ever-popular granite, marble, slate, Jerusalem stone, quartz and a host of other options. Nearly everyone who renovates their kitchen plans on installing a stone counter. Nothing compares to the beauty of a natural granite countertop in any style of kitchen - from modern to country, it's always the perfect choice.
The one aspect many do not consider is the type of edging you'll put on your countertop. It's something to consider before you go shopping for just the right material. With the CNC technology available today, just about any type of edging can be put on your stone counter. But, not every edging is right for every kitchen.
The most popular edge is the straight, flat edge. It's a good jumping-off point. You can go with a straight edge on your counter and it should fit in almost any application. From there, the edges are beveled to give a variety of looks for multiple styles.
Clean straight lines and edges are perfect for contemporary and modern designs. If the kitchen is more formal, the Ogee cut works fine. For a country kitchen, the bullnose and Dupont edges are a great option.
If you're not sure, you can talk with a local Counter Installation Company for ideas on what will work best with your kitchen. Here are some examples of edges from BarefootFloor.com:
The one aspect many do not consider is the type of edging you'll put on your countertop. It's something to consider before you go shopping for just the right material. With the CNC technology available today, just about any type of edging can be put on your stone counter. But, not every edging is right for every kitchen.
The most popular edge is the straight, flat edge. It's a good jumping-off point. You can go with a straight edge on your counter and it should fit in almost any application. From there, the edges are beveled to give a variety of looks for multiple styles.
Clean straight lines and edges are perfect for contemporary and modern designs. If the kitchen is more formal, the Ogee cut works fine. For a country kitchen, the bullnose and Dupont edges are a great option.
If you're not sure, you can talk with a local Counter Installation Company for ideas on what will work best with your kitchen. Here are some examples of edges from BarefootFloor.com:
Edge Profiles Examples
 |  |  |
| A-3/8" Bullnose | F-Ogee | V-Full Bullnose |
 |  |  |
| B-Demi Bullnose | G-Ogee Roundover | Z-Straight Edge |
 |  |  |
| E–Bevel | H–Dupont | T–Double Eased |
 |  |  |
| Hollywood | Bullnose+Dupont | Radius+Dupont |
Labels: Countertop Edges, Natural Stone Countertops, Stone Counters
