home sectionhome section
Pricing a granite countertop for your kitchen involves more than simply knowing the price per square foot. There are numerous measurements and considerations that go into the estimation of how much granite is used and what the final price will be. Understand what factors are used to make an informed decision for your kitchen.
The size of the kitchen sink can really affect the use and feel of the kitchen. A sink that is too small can make the entire area seem cramped and unusable. Enlarging the sink is a fairly simple step that increases the utility of the kitchen. When the kitchen has a tile countertop, some of the tiles need to be removed, and possibly replaced, to help make the opening larger to fit the new sink.
Countertops become the crowning glory of cabinetry, whether in the kitchen, bathroom, butler’s pantry or craft room. Both cabinet design and countertop material factor into how counters are fastened. Some countertops aren’t set on cabinets at all, instead providing a work or snack spot at a wall pass-through or freestanding bar. There’s no single correct way to install a countertop, so choose the materials and methods best suited for the job.
Caulking and sealing a kitchen skin on a laminate countertop is going to need a caulking gun, a tube of caulk and a razor blade. Caulk and seal a kitchen sink on a laminate countertop with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
When installing caulking on countertops you'll need to use a type of caulk that is good around large amounts of water. Install caulking on countertops with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
You don't have to pay a professional if you want to install a metallic tile backsplash in your home. Get do it yourself metallic tile backsplash ideas with help from a remodeling expert, speaker, writer, certified construction manager and LEED Accredited Professional in this free video clip.
Designing a kitchen requires you to answer the age-old question: which goes first, the countertop or the backsplash? Learn which to install first with help from a registered interior designer in this free video clip.
Granite looks durable, but it's more sensitive than you think because of the pores in its surface. Liquid spills such as acid and paint and even surface staining such as burns work their way beneath the granite's surface. Cleaning solutions may be enough to repair surface stains from granite. For deep or stubborn stains, you may need a poultice to repair the granite and draw the substance up and out of the its pores.
Bathrooms and kitchens are often the biggest show rooms of a house, with much of the remodeling budget designated for countertops. While not the most expensive countertop material, onyx is a natural stone choice that makes a powerful impression. One feature that makes onyx stand out among other choices is its transparency. Although not completely transparent, light shines through it, illuminating the intricate pattern of the minerals within the stone. You can build a backlit countertop for your home to take advantage of this standout feature. You'll need to work with a lighting company and a professional electrician.
A cost-effective way to update the look of your bathroom or kitchen is to add a curved counter. You retain the function that you need while adding a modern touch of class. Making a curved countertop out of concrete is like working with liquid stone that you can easily embellish and personalize. You will need to know how to use basic carpentry tools, as well as an orbital wet sander.
Curling concrete countertops can occur for several reasons; when there are differences in temperature between the countertop's top and bottom, or when moisture content varies throughout the countertop's slab instead of being consistent. These situations cause the countertop's edges or corners to move upward, creating a "curled" look. An issue that's common with all types of concrete -- slabs, floors and countertops -- the repair method is similar. While not an easy repair, it can be done by someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in working with concrete.
Quartz is one of several types of stone used for countertops in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas of a house that need a tough, durable surface. Unlike granite or marble, quartz countertops are not solid stone. Quartz crystals are ground into particles which then are bonded into a solid sheet with a resin binder. The color, size and uniformity of shape of the crystals determine the final finish for the slab, which then is smoothed and polished. Countertops are cut to your specified size and finished with edges by a manufacturer using special tools to cut the hard quartz.
In medieval Europe, elaborate corbels were fashioned from stone to support the portico roofs where people entered buildings. Featuring hideous faces and grotesque designs, corbels were functional but also reflected the times, illuminating a spirit of superstition and religious beliefs. In the New World, lumber was plentiful and skilled craftsmen hand carved more fanciful corbels to support roof overhangs. Today, manufacturers produce machine-created wood and metal corbels for the odd house exterior and to support heavier countertop overhangs. Even beginning craftsmen can replicate a basic corbel by hand to get a taste of this age-old craft.
A kitchen bar or island isn't just attractive, it's useful too. From providing extra food-preparation space to breakfast or snack-time seating, a bar or island quickly becomes the focus of your kitchen. Some builders will create the bar or island from cabinetry and top it with a countertop. Building a knee wall -- a short wall made from dimensional lumber -- is more affordable and looks just as good. While most walls use 2-by-4-inch framing, a wider board, such as 2-by-6-inch or 2-by-8-inch, will provide greater strength and stability and allow for a deeper countertop surface.
Granite is a strong, heavy igneous rock available from quarries as dressed or semi-dressed stone for construction projects. Semi-dressed granite, where the face of the stone is left rough, complements a landscape with a natural or rustic theme, and often serves as a distinctive site feature. Granite blocks are often used to construct an informal stairway, where the blocks can be used whole, simplifying the installation process. Stone work is labor-intensive and heavy, and cutting and filling the ground and positioning the stones take patience.
The laminate overlay used in countertops -- the same material used in Formica -- is what makes laminate used so commonly in kitchens. The laminate is made with a resin-coated brown layer, topped with a design layer, coated again with another resin, and finished with additional resin over top a clear layer. Laminate overlay is sturdy and comes in a variety of designs and colors. The countertop is susceptible to warping before installation due to the porosity of the particle board the laminate covers. Fasten it according to standard procedures and it will straighten during installation.
Certain colors go absolutely perfectly with a mauve kitchen counter. Find out what colors go well with a mauve kitchen counter with help from a professional kitchen designer in this free video clip.
When coordinating kitchen appliances you need to do so with your floor, back-splash and cabinets in mind. Coordinate kitchen appliances with the floor, back-splash and cabinets with help from a professional kitchen designer in this free video clip.
Whether or not you need a backsplash in your kitchen depends on a few distinct things. Learn if you need a backsplash in kitchens with help from a registered interior designer in this free video clip.
If you've got pickled oak cabinets you'll have to be very careful when it comes to selecting matching kitchen countertops. Learn about kitchen countertops that look good with pickled oak cabinets with help from a registered interior designer in this free video clip.
A resin countertop provides a scratch-resistant surface for your bathroom vanity. And its non-porous surface doesn’t harbor bacteria. The many colors available match any decor. You can select a resin vanity top with the sink and countertop manufactured as a single unit, or you can set a sink into the pre-cut opening on the resin bathroom top. Installing a resin bathroom top requires very few special tools for its completion.
Creating a custom light show inside concrete kitchen or bathroom counters is one reason to pour your own. The magic of embedded countertop lighting is the surprising effects you can achieve with illuminated fishing-line-thin acrylic fibers. There are never any bulbs to change -- light bounces back and forth along the fibers -- and, surprisingly, you also don’t need to wire counters for electricity.
A countertop bath tower is a convenient storage option for a small bathroom with limited floor space. Rather than take up valuable floor space by installing a built-in storage tower or spend a great deal of money on a custom storage unit, save space and money by building a countertop tower. This is a project that the average homeowner can do in just a few hours. Once you have built the basic frame for the tower, you can customize it to suit your needs and match the decor in your bathroom.
An eat-at countertop is an asset for most kitchens, as it provides an extra seating area. Busy parents can have their kids sit at the counter and watch them eat as they do other chores in the kitchen. This type of counter has room underneath for chairs and legs. It can even double as a buffet table during holidays. Building your own countertop allows you to customize the height, length and color.
A hinged countertop comes in handy when there is limited counter space in a kitchen. You can raise the hinged counter portion to a horizontal working position when you need the surface space for preparing a meal, then fold it down when you're through in the kitchen. Folding counter surfaces are also suitable in the garage, where space can be tight. If you mount one outside, you can use a hinged counter for a variety of garden projects; it will double as a buffet table when barbequing. Simple hinged countertops are easy to construct since there are a variety of…
Concentric radii are simply circles with the same axis point. In countertop construction a designer may wish to create a curved countertop that is the same thickness or radii across the curved area. Creating concentric radii is a simple process once the basic measurements of the area are known. Use the same basic technique for small concentric circles or large ones.
A feature sometimes found in corner kitchen cabinets is a Lazy Susan. This is a rotating rack that provides easy access to stored items. When laminate countertops are installed in a corner, the ends are cut at a 45-degree angle so that they fit together properly in the corner. The ends are then attached to each other along the bottom edge of the countertop, over the location where the Lazy Susan will be installed.
Pegasus granite is type of precut granite countertop that you can use with an undermount sink. When choosing the faucet to go with this setup, use only the size of faucet that the manufacturer recommends. For example, if the manufacturer recommends a faucet with an 8-inch spread, don't try to fit a larger or smaller faucet in position. Follow the manufacturer's instructions, when necessary, to get a fit that lasts for years.
Laminate countertops are a durable, inexpensive alternative to natural stone, including granite and travertine. However, they don’t always provide a kitchen with that high-end, luxurious look many homeowners want. A cost-effective alternative to upgrading your laminate countertops is to create a faux stone finish. This look is accomplished with faux granite countertop paint, which is available from home improvement and hardware stores. Before applying the faux finish, prep your countertops to ensure the paint adheres effectively.
Beach bars are symbols of relaxation and vacation living. Imbued with feelings of fantasy and suspension of reality, these bars foster an environment of comfort and luxury. Building a countertop to be attached on the top of a beach bar requires extra care to make sure that the countertop is reliable, sturdily installed and durable enough to last many seasons. As these bars are often outdoors or at least partially exposed to moisture, an all-weather sealant is recommended for protection against moisture and the damage it can cause over time.
Granicrete is a counter resurfacing agent that is applied in three distinct layers during the course of a week. It brings old counters back to life by giving a hard-wearing finish to existing counter materials, and it can mimic the colors and patterns of many different materials commonly used to make counters. You can install Granicrete countertops yourself using a trowel and a paintbrush and have a new countertop finish that exactly matches your own preferred color, pattern and texture.
Installing a separate cooktop from the stove increases the amount of workspace in your kitchen. With two separate cooking appliances, someone can open the oven while another person stands over the stove across the room without the two bumping into each other. Counter cooktops are built into the counter and they can be installed anywhere in the kitchen, but ventilation will still need to be considered when choosing and installing a gas cooktop.
A multicolored concrete countertop can set off your kitchen from every other house in the neighborhood. This countertop installation takes skill and patience. You need to be familiar with working with concrete. If you pour the concrete in place, it takes up to 30 days for it to cure. If you make the countertop elsewhere, it may crack during installation. As you make the countertop, you can make the concrete one integral color, and then add colored stones or colored hardener to create multiple colors or a marbled effect within the piece.
Granite develops naturally in the earth where manufacturers mine it in large slabs and cut them into countertops. When homeowners order a granite counter, they provide measurements to the manufacturer who then cuts the granite to size and creates sink openings. If you realize during installation that the sink hole is slightly too small, you can enlarge it using a metal file. The file grinds away small portions of the granite until the sink slips down into the proper location.
Laminate end splashes are exactly like backsplashes except they're shorter and reside on the side edge of the counter instead of the back. An end splash is installed on any laminate counter that stops at a wall or cabinet and covers any irregularities between the counter's edge and the wall. If both ends of the counter meet a wall, you have two end splashes. Installing the end splash is identical to installing the backsplash and requires only adhesive.
The deep charcoal to light gray appearance of a natural soapstone countertop accented with a stunning backsplash completes the look of a newly updated kitchen. But sometimes that is easier said than done since the numerous backsplash choices available can be overwhelming. Narrow your choices by selecting those that complement the tones of the soapstone counter best.
Basement areas provide an extension of living space if you finish them off by enclosing the walls and ceiling. If you have existing cabinets, installing a countertop on them is useful to provide a sitting or dining space. Although preformed countertops are readily available, home owners can build and install their own at a much lower cost. Constructing your own counter also allows you to choose a color and pattern that matches the basement décor.
When you are thinking about reviving an old quartz countertop, one way to provide a new look is to use tile. Tiles come in a wide variety of sizes, and they are colorful, giving a plain quartz countertop a different appearance. Depending on your wishes, you can cover your old quartz countertop completely, or you can simply add a decorative border to the countertop’s edging.
A stone countertop adds instant beauty and charm to the kitchen. Although precise measurements are taken before cutting the slab of stone for the counter, sometimes you may need to trim excess length that overhangs along the front, corners or edges after it's installed. Trimming excess stone gives the countertop a neat and professional look. It is possible to trim the countertop yourself instead of seeking professional assistance. A regular circular saw fitted with a diamond cutting blade cuts through the stone to create a sharp, straight edge.
Laying a tile backsplash behind a kitchen or bathroom sink is a great way to create a decorative, durable and easy-to-clean element in the room. Installation is relatively simple, even for novices, and the trick is to create a life-size map of the area behind your sink to plan tile placement. This also helps you get the correct dimensions and shapes for tiles that will need to be cut in order to fit around outlets, plugs or other built-in features.
Melamine is a veneer plastic that is commonly applied to plywood boards. It can be used for shelves, cabinets and even countertops. Typically, melamine counters arrive pre-finished, but if you do not like the color or pattern on your counter, you can paint over it to change the look. Melamine requires a special paint as well as special preparation. Do not use a regular latex paint, as it will not adhere properly and will eventually peel right off.
Although stainless steel is incredibly hard and durable, bonding it to an incorrectly prepared substrate will destroy the look of a finished countertop. This occurs when the adhesive shrinks as it dries and pulls the stainless steel into cracks, crevices or around high spots caused by debris. Using a weaker adhesive will eliminate this problem but will cause the stainless steel to separate from the substrate. Using the correct type of adhesive and properly preparing the substrate is the only way to bond stainless steel to a countertop without causing surface defects in the metal.
Over time, the glue holding laminate sheeting to the wood surface of a countertop can loosen and cause the laminate to lift or pucker. Moisture, heat and poor bonding can all lead to puckering and lifting seams. In most cases, the puckering can be repaired without an extensive remodel. However, allowing the puckered area to sit for an extended time allows moisture to saturate the wooden structure that supports the laminate. The sooner the repair is made, the less chance the countertop will need to be replaced.
Refurbish a bathroom counter top with paint for a low-cost project that makes the surface look fresh and clean. Choose a paint roller to apply the primer and enamel, instead of a paint brush, to get an even application with a smooth and professional appearance. Refinishing a bathroom counter takes patience, as the paint and sealer need to dry adequately between each application. Use the time between each application to prepare for the next step, and watch the transformation occur.
If you are in the market for new cooking appliances, choosing between a full range and a range top can be a difficult process. The most important factor is making sure that the appliance you select meets your own personal needs. Comparing ranges and range tops head to head helps to make the differences between them more obvious.
Granite countertops are common in many homes and are favored for their long list of benefits. A standard thickness for a granite countertop is 3 centimeters, or 1.18 inches. At this thickness, the countertop is extremely durable and resistant to several types of damage, making it ideal to consider for your kitchen renovation.
A concrete countertop is an inexpensive yet attractive alternative to a stone, wood or laminate surface. Concrete is a sturdy and durable building material that tolerates abuse and moisture without decay, making it a suitable option for an outdoor countertop. To construct the counter, you have to create molds or forms into which you will pour prepared concrete. Once cured, transfer the concrete counter to its final outdoor location so it serves as a functional and attractive part of your backyard kitchen.
Building your own cabinets is an economical way to create a storage system in your kitchen. By building your own cabinetry, you can make an entire cabinet system for the same price as one commercial cabinet. The process of creating cabinets is highly customizable, and can be altered to fit larger pieces of kitchen equipment. These cabinets are built with plywood or medium-density fiberboard, which provides the most strength for the money, and is easily painted to create any type of finish.
Countertop vanity mirrors enable you to see yourself close-up when you are applying makeup or putting on jewelry, and they're transportable, which every on-the-go diva knows is a handy thing. However, buying a countertop vanity from a department store or a home decorating shop might not fit into your budget. One option is to make your own countertop vanity using a few tools and materials that you can get at any hardware store or home improvement store. This way you can have your own efficient vanity without spending a fortune.
Corian is a brand name of countertop material manufactured to fit specific molds and shapes. It is a type of synthetic stone made from a combination of polymers and natural stone fragments. Corian may also be used to describe any synthetic countertop made with these materials. While Corian-like counters cannot simply be painted over, they can be coated to change their appearance or add a protective layer.
