The Best Countertops to Help Revamp Your Kitchen

by

30 November 2018

Home Improvement

Kitchen

There are a lot of reasons why a person might remodel their kitchen. You might choose to remodel or upgrade your kitchen while repairing your house or simply for a change. Replacing the countertops is a great means of kitchen remodelling. Countertops often form the kitchen surface, and that is one reason why they get so chipped, stained, and scratched. You are bound to come across them in a plethora of options that match your budget. What you get in the end is your ideal kitchen that gets all eyes fixed on it.

The extra amount that you are required to pay for your granite countertops is likely to be recovered by the durability and elegance of the material. The different layers of the rock show their colours. You may pick one out of the various shades. The predisposition of granite towards any product that contains cleansing agents, vinegar, alcohol, and citric fluids gets checked by experts.

Experts are known to advise you against putting items on it directly. Countertops can be protected when appropriate precautions are taken. The countertops are not identical because they are often created manually. The fact that the countertops are easily customisable allows them to be designed while keeping with your specific needs and preferences in mind. Apart from fine detailing, you may ask for a rare texture to be created with pigments and coatings. The chemical solutions will enable the concrete to gain either the feel and look of limestone or that of marble and granite.

What are the best options that you have in hand?

A countertop comes with several design options. Apart from trivets, the small inserts and sinks are also an important point of consideration. Various quartz countertops have been engineered, following the advent of new technologies. They have become indestructible with time. While placing a hot pot or pan over the countertop, you must use trivets as these units are most susceptible to heat.

Is there any inexpensive option?

Laminated countertops are among the cheapest options. With models resembling stone and wood, these countertops come in various other patterns and colours. You may even choose between numerous patterns and designs. While the organic patterns are quite popular, you may also pick from a few designs depicting polka dots, rock, and wooden varieties.

Know a few good benefits that the countertops come with:

Colour versatility:

Quartz gets developed from actual stone. That is why it can adapt to various styling options. You can certainly choose between a clean and smooth body. Quartz countertops are a good option as they appear both modern and monochromatic.

Easy maintenance:

You may have to get the surface re-sealed once every year. All you have to do is to read through the instructions laid down by the manufacturer carefully.

Uniform durability:

You will not have to think twice about putting a toaster on the surface. The surface may only be damaged by the hard impact.

Stain resistance:

Stain resistant countertops are good for your household if you have kids. Besides being much easier to clean, these countertops are made to resist stains. The surface is bound to remain elegant and smooth for many more years to come.

Depending on your budget, you may choose between numerous kitchen counters that you find on the market. A good number of them will deliver the looks that you prefer for your kitchen. A marble countertop is a simple option for those that are on a restricted budget.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Best Heat Pump

How to Choose the Best Heat Pump for Your Home?

Heat pumps serve dual purposes. They heat the home when it is cold outside and cool it when the temperature rises. These units are energy efficient and good for the environment because they don't burn fuel. However, the homeowner needs to ensure they get the correct unit for the home.  The Concept Of A Heat Pump  The heat pumps are becoming more and more popular these days. If you still don’t know about them and are trying to look for more information before buying a heat pump for your house, then you have landed yourself on the right page.  An electric air source heat pump is an outdoor unit. You can use this unit to keep your home both heat as well as cool your home. This totally depends on the weather.  The heat pumps are a great alternative to your central air conditioner or your furnace systems. This technology is specifically used in a refrigerator or an air conditioner. The unit extracts heat from a specific source.  It can be from the surrounding air, nearby sources of water, or eleven geothermal energy. Once it is done collecting the heat, it further amplifies it and then transfers it to the space where it is necessary.     How Do Heat Pumps Work?  Most heat pumps pull heat from the air and move it to the desired location. When heating the home, the unit takes the hot air from outside and brings it indoors. When cooling the house, the unit removes hot air from the home and transfers it outside.  They use less carbon than other heating options and work best when set at a consistent temperature. To see the optimal results, homeowners must ensure their houses are properly insulated and sealed. What else should they know before requesting a heat pump installation?  Heat Pump Options Air-to-air heat pumps are the most common air-source heat pumps used in America today. They come in two forms.  Ducted air-source heat pumps function like central AC units. Treated air is distributed throughout the home with the help of ductwork.  Ductless or mini-split air-source heat pumps are the second option, increasing in popularity. No ductwork is needed when a homeowner selects this option. However, other options exist.  Geothermal heat pumps pull heat from the ground to warm a home and release heat into the ground to cool the house.  These systems are highly efficient, but they often cost more to install. Water-source heat pumps are similar to ground-source units but are installed at the bottom of a pond. Air-to-water heat pumps use a hot-water radiator system to distribute heat throughout the home.  The Benefits of Heat Pumps Heat pumps are easy to install and work in most homes. The mini-split system is ideal for those without ductwork because the house won't have to be modified during installation.  Moving to a heat pump will significantly reduce the owner's carbon footprint, and many areas offer subsidies for those who choose to upgrade to this type of unit.  Let’s learn about the benefits of the best heat pump:  Energy Efficiency  Many users have agreed that heat pumps show more efficiency than all traditional furnaces. These heat pumps help to move the heat from the outside air or ground into your home.  As a result, you can easily save a lot of money on the overall energy bills.  Improved Air Quality  The heat pumps can both filter and then deodorize the air. This helps you to reduce allergies as well as asthma.  Quiet Operation  The heat pumps are an excellent choice for your home and businesses as they generate less noise and are typically quieter than the other systems.   Easy Maintenance Process   The heat pumps do not require much attention and are very simple to manage. It does not need regular servicing.  P.S. Heat pumps can be expensive, and you may face difficulties installing the system. Otherwise, the system and its benefits make it a perfect long-term investment.  When Not to Install Heat Pump? A poorly insulated home or a leaky one will not benefit from a heat pump because drafts and cold spots are often an issue.  Homeowners must research their electrical service to ensure it can handle the heat pump load, as upgrading the electrical system to install this unit will add to the cost.  Finally, individuals in cold climates may find their heat pumps cannot keep up. The Department of Energy has established eight climate zones for the United States. In zones 7 and 8, homeowners need to consider other options.  Choosing a Heat Pump Homeowners must consider several factors when choosing a heat pump. You must consider the size and capacity of your space. If you fail to choose the best heat pump of the proper size, it will cost more to run. Moreover, it won't keep the home at the desired temperature.  The determination of the right size heat pump involves two kinds of measurements:  1. Manual J Load calculation  HVAC technicians widely use this specific kind of calculation. They consider certain factors that help them to understand how much heating and cooling your home needs before choosing the best heat pump. These factors are as follows:  The square footage measurement of your home Ceiling height  Insulation of your house  The climate type and the number of days you might need the heating or cooling  How often the space is being used?  The number of people who use the space The total number of heat-producing appliances that you have in your room  Number of windows and doors.  The technicians consider these values and further enter them into a formula to get the precise result.  2. Square Footage Calculation The calculator might seem a bit simpler, but it is not precise enough to calculate the required heat pump capacity.  For instance, if your total house space is around 1500 square feet, then you would need a 3-ton unit. BTUs, or British Thermal units further measure these ton units.  An experienced technician can help the homeowner determine the BTUs needed for the house.   Home size (sq. ft.)Size of the heat pump (in tons)Size of the heat pump (in BTUs)500 sq. ft.1-ton 12000 BTUs. 1500 sq. ft.3-ton36,000 BTUs2500 sq. ft.5-ton 60,000 BTUs Apart from these calculations, compressor type is important when choosing the best heat pump. Most homeowners choose a variable-speed compressor, which automatically adjusts to maintain the selected temperature.  Efficiency is also a consideration when choosing the best heat pump. Look for a high SEER rating to save on energy bills.  Learn about each unit's climate performance and research the noise level. Finally, the reliability of each unit must be considered to ensure the heat pump will work when needed.  Once a heat pump has been selected, choose a contractor. Ensure they are trained to handle this task and have been in business for a while.  Doing so ensures best heat pump will be installed correctly, and help will be available if problems arise. When homeowners take these steps, they will have peace of mind knowing their unit will work when needed. Additional Reading: Removing Air Conditioner Filters: A Guide Advantages Of Using A Water Heater At Home What Can An Air Conditioning Installation Expert Assist You With?

READ MOREDetails
Kitchen Island

3 Trendy Lighting Ideas for Your Kitchen Island

The kitchen island is where the joys of cooking preparation happen. It also involves the engagement of small talks which is why many consider the kitchen the heart of a home. Such a pleasing place only deserves the best of things! One of these things is lighting. With proper lighting, not only will it light up the entire room, but will add more appeal to your kitchen as well. 3 Trendy Lighting Ideas for Your Kitchen Island: Listed below are the top 3 trendy kitchen lighting ideas that will surely achieve the desired design you have in mind! 1.  Pendant Lighting: When it comes to choosing the right kitchen island lighting, pendant lighting is one of the latest trends. You can hang it from the ceiling which makes it the best choice for kitchen islands. It is small and affordable. Additionally, it comes in different styles and sizes making it more convenient for your kitchen island needs. These are the  top 7 pendant lightings that will work best for your kitchen islands: ● Mini Pendant Lighting: Upon reading its name, you can already understand that this is the smaller version of a normal pendant. Just like its size, the mini pendant is incapable of intense lighting. It only works well as an overhead focused source of light that you can hang above eye level of your kitchen island. ● Bowl Pendant Lighting: The bowl pendant is one of the most popular pendant lightings of all time. You can often see it in movies scenes where they interrogate prisoners in a dark room. The only thing that lights up the whole room is the bowl pendant. It has a standard size which can cast enough light for your kitchen island. ● Drum Pendant Lighting: Drum pendant earned its name because of its shape. It gently illuminates the whole kitchen island, due to its ambient feature. It is available in different colors and sizes. However, you must take note of the lighting rule, “the darker the color, the more watt you’ll need for the light to illuminate the area.” By this being said, we recommend that you only use light colors for your drum pendant. ● Multiple Pendants Lighting: If you’re familiar with a chandelier with multiple lights, then the style of multiple pendants is not new to you. People usually hang and align them in a row above kitchen islands. Additionally, the use of multiple lights is designed to evenly distribute the lights to your kitchen island. ● Abstract Pendant Lighting: The abstract pendant is considered to be one of the most beautiful and artistic pendant lightings. The layers are styled to house the lightbulb inside. It’s the best design if you’re looking for lighting both to illuminate and decorate the area. ● Exposed Bulb Pendant Lighting: Exposed bulb pendant is basically a bulb pendant hanging above the kitchen island. It is one of the most affordable pendants on the market. You can even do a DIY for this lighting. Even if they are low-cost, they are still beautiful and functional because they can illuminate your kitchen islands. ● Globe Pendant Lighting: Globe pendants are based on its shape because they are round. They became popular around the 1950s and ‘60s. Apparently, globe pendant can still give you the vintage vibe that can outscore another pendant lighting for your kitchen island needs. 2. Chandelier Lighting: Chandelier lighting is no longer new to everyone. You can see it almost anywhere, not just in the kitchen, but also throughout the whole house. With the modernized technology uprising today, chandeliers have lost some popularity due to its vintage look. However, chandelier lighting will never go out of style when it comes to your kitchen island needs. They are in fact the most used lighting for kitchen islands due to their illuminating lights that are branched together. 3. Linear Suspensions: Linear suspensions are also affordable kitchen island lighting you can use. They still have the same lighting capacity with the other lighting ideas mentioned above. However, they are too plain and not stylish enough to be used as a decoration. The good news is, there are a lot of LED lights available on the market today. They can add more style if you opt for this kind of lighting. You just need to choose the high quality LED strip for longevity and better lighting. Conclusion: With all these awesome lighting ideas, you can surely find the one that best fits your kitchen island. Always remember to focus on the function and of course, the design! We all want a fully-functional kitchen that is pleasing to the eyes! Read Also: List Of Most Durable Kitchen Flooring Kitchen Renovations Must Be Done At Regular Intervals Installing A Kitchen Tile Splashback – The Basics 4 Tips For Choosing A Good Kitchen Tap The Best Countertops To Help Revamp Your Kitchen Top 4 Must-Have Appliances In Every Kitchen How To Choose LED Lights For Every Room In Your Home 10 Unique Kitchen Hacks To Save Your Time In Kitchen And Cooking Installation Of Kitchen Cabinets: Best Way To Give Your Home A Perfect Facelift

READ MOREDetails
Home Improvement Project

Important Things to Know Before Starting a Home Improvement Project

When planning for a renovation project in your home, you may have a lot of small things to keep track of such as time, money, cost, fixtures and other details that need attention. Due to the number of things that you need to worry about you can easily lose focus. So here are some interesting tips that you can use during your home improvement project to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Essential Factors To Consider Before Going For  A Home Improvement Project There are several essential factors that you need to consider for your home improvement project are as follows:- Consider creating a long term plan: One of the most common mistakes that most homeowners make is lack of planning. Most people get too wrapped up with the idea of living in the present and have not considered planning for the future. To avoid this from happening, think about what your living conditions would be in the next five to ten years. There are things that you might not need today but will be essential in the future. If you have a party wall in your house, then renovation can be quite complicated. Before doing anything, it is best to seek advice from a professional party wall surveyor Cheshire offers regarding the next steps to take in fixing your wall. Besides, hiring an expert will also help you save money in renovation work. Work on a checklist: A checklist is essential in making sure that the renovation project goes smoothly as planned. It is vital to note everything in detail, so you will not miss out important things. Skipping steps can cost you more money and inconvenience in the future. Set a realistic timeline for the project: If you want to see amazing results after your home renovations, you need to understand that it takes more than just a day or two to fix things especially if you are thinking of having major work done on your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom. If you want to save money and do the manual labor all by yourself, then expect the project to take longer than expected. However, if you have the budget, then it is okay to hire a contractor to work on your requests promptly. Know the numbers: Home improvement projects can range from a few hundred to thousands of pounds depending on the type and amount of work that needs to be done. It is easy to make suggestions, but the real question is how much money can you afford to spend right now. If you are on a limited budget, then it is okay to start with small changes such as repainting, grouting and decluttering in the meantime. Once you have saved more than enough money, then it is time to think about bigger things. Do a background check of your contractor: Before finalizing renovation deals with a contractor make sure to do a full background check. Many homeowners have experienced dealing with horrible, unprofessional and overpriced contractors and you do not want to experience this kind of nightmare. Take time to check the business license, physical office, insurance and reputation of the contractor before closing the deal. Home renovation is not an easy thing to do, but it can be fulfilling once you start seeing the results of your project. Read Also: Basic Idea On Power Tools For Home Improvement 10 Tips To Pick The Best Table Saw For Home Improvement Projects Home Sweet Home Improvement: How To Find The Best Home Improvement Loans

READ MOREDetails