The Counters Blog

What Things Are Made From Granite Why Get Marble Countertops For Your Kitchen?

Quartz Vs. Laminate Countertops

However, the formerly huge gap between quartz and laminate is narrowing all the time. Laminate is often erroneously referred to as “plastic,” but it’s not. It should be noted that high-end laminates that try to replicate the look of stone are becoming more realistic all the time. Premium laminates can “roll” the veins over the edge of the countertop as if showing a cross-section of natural stone.
Can I Paint Formica Countertops? Intro And Base Coat For Faux Granite | Duration 1 Minutes 45 Seconds Traditionally, laminate has been the refuge for bargain-seeking homeowners. It is virtually impossible for homeowners to develop the skill set needed to fabricate and install quartz countertops. But this is a small market, and over the years, this sector has not grown in popularity. Premium laminates are racing to catch up to quartz’s wide customer acceptance and market share. The structural part is a thick slab of particleboard, which you never see because it is covered with a thin sheet of laminate. While it still is, it’s possible to buy a premium laminate that is nearly as expensive as a lower-end quartz counter. This includes a rolled front edge and a built-in backsplash. But quartz comes out ahead in abrasion ratings and laminate ahead in heat resistance ratings. This can be a problem since sharp objects such as knives feature prominently in kitchens.

Integral Kitchen Integral Kitchen Suppliers and Manufacturers At Alibaba by alibaba.com

With developments, we also provide one-stop solution for home furniture. It provides an open and airy layout with all three work areas being located on one wall. We consider the problem of freight, the product you purchase here can be loaded with your other products together. Whether for a new home construction project, or kitchen cabinet prefab, or remodel, our company has what you are looking for at a price you can afford with quality products. This kitchen is a very popular layout because of the compact work triangle it creates. Maybe we can not fall in love at first sight in the vast sea of humanity, but we will figure out we are the perfect couple at last. Narnia cabinets are with high quality, good price in the custom furniture market. About 3% of these are kitchen cabinets, 2% are mat, and 1% are utensils.

Testing 1… 2… 3… Versions Of Chalk Paint by inmyownstyle.com

Is this how to make chalk paint or chalk board paint? I taped off a piece of scrap molding into 3 sections and marked them. I painted two coats of paint on each section of the molding and let it dry between coats. I tried to find a color that matched as closely as possible. It only takes 10 minutes and will only help with adhesion in the long run. The main benefits is that colours blend incredibly well with no mix procedure outside of dipping a brush into two different (or more) colours. Not possible with latex based paints as latex paints separate by nature leaving their chemical compounds in layers as the paint settles over time. Add mica powders to a water based glaze with a touch of the original colour and the finish be comes a galaxial beauty with almost no effort. I read where you said that poly(urethane) finish would leave water marks, and not be easily fixed, whereas with wax you can buff it out and easily reapply another coat of wax. I was going to use a spray finish instead of applying with a brush. It has to be reapplied and not recommended for surfaces where hot items are set or food touches. First you cannot just add a coat of paint if wax has been added as a finish. If you use a few light coats, letting each on dry before applying the next the painted finish should hold up fine. Put in the shade and protect from the elements and it will last a long time. If you have a chalk painted table and it is going to get a lot of use and have glasses of water on it, you may just want to stick with wax and here is why. I buff it to a shine with a soft cloth and the table looks brand new. If you do just use wax, build up a few layers so the paint gets great protection. I have used chalk paint and wanted to make my own as they can be expensive. If you want to use spray paint inside, you will need to mask everything in the room. There are many different chalk paint recipes on the internet. To get it mixed well – add the water and the powder first to help dissolve it and then use an old electric beater to blend the paint in. No matter which one you choose – one bag or container will be plenty to paint quite a lot of furniture.

How To Paint Laminate Countertops Part 1 | Duration 9 Minutes 47 Seconds I would not use it in a kitchen because of the heat on cabinets near the stove or oven may melt the wax. You may need place mats and a new coating of wax every so often. Read more of my posts to find out even more about making and using chalk paint. It does not matter whether there is a chalky additive used (calcium carbonate or other). Completely non-toxic, no glues, formaldehydes, fixatives or rubber/latex is used in the formula. Larger batches only require light mixing for consistent results. If you are only slapping on a one coat, lazy redo of a chair or dresser then sure any old latex will do. I can on a sunny warm day paint an entire dresser, faux finish it and wax/seal the 2nd coat in under 3 hours. No add to the mix that water based paints allow for washes, fancy finishes, water-based glaze mixed with a second colour can create amazing finishes. So would the same hold true with an acrylic finish, that is, leaving a water mark and not be easy to fix? Today’s latex flat paints like valspar and do it best paints are equal in quality to most chalk paints. Painting is much simpler than spending a lot on small quantities of name brand chalk paint with limited color choices. Will the recipe with unsanded grout and a black exterior paint adhere well to metal and will it be weather proof? Just make sure to sand it with 100 grit sandpaper first to rough up the surface a little and make sure it is free of dirt and or grease. What you will notice over the years will be a slow fading of the paint that will only add to its charm. If you get a water ring on a waxed surface, you can simply buff it out with fine sandpaper and re-wax over it. Apply a thin layer at a time and buff, and then add another thin layer and buff. I would save some money by doing gray chalk paint and distressing to our simple black painted chairs and table in the breakfast nook. It may be enough to lessen the look of the gold around your shower. If you want to use it, you still must sand the metal first and clean it. If any of these are on the surface when you paint, the paint will fail and not adhere.

How To Modernize Your Outdated Kitchen by freshome.com

Renew Old Laminate Countertops | Duration 32 Minutes 15 Seconds Whether you are trying to sell your home, or if you plan on staying in your space for generations to come – these ideas can help you transform your kitchen into the cooking space of your dreams. These materials will last longer as well as boost the value of your home. Often times, these cabinets consume the eye and make the kitchen feel crowded. This frees up the wall, allowing for modern open shelving with a few decorative items and dishware. Your countertops also get a large portion of real estate in your kitchen. Foom solid surfacing varieties that consist of resin and polymers to natural stone varieties such as marble and granite, there’s an option for everyone’s style and budget. Modern kitchens embrace this by adding seating to the kitchen. Busy families with children doing homework to parents entertaining friends while cooking make seating essential in your modern kitchen. Consider replacing plumbing fixtures as well, as low-flow kitchen faucets save a lot of water. Painting and staining your kitchen’s existing cabinetry is a great option for homeowners on a budget. From distressing doors to paint glazes and stains, you will be surprised how your elbow grease and some additional color will transform your old cabinetry into new. If your kitchen solely contains one overhead ambient lighting fixture, look into recessed lighting for a modern illumination source. For many homeowners, plant shelves on top of cabinets allow room for plants, artwork, and other decorative items. Add a vase of flowers, and a fresh bowl of lemons for a shot of color. Your kitchen can grow in size or it can just get opened up to other areas of your home. From updating finishes and materials to bringing in color, illumination, and space – the options abound for your outdated kitchen. Here are 10 creative ways to make your dull, outdated kitchen feel new and inviting once again.

Can I Paint Formica Countertops? | Duration 1 Minutes 28 Seconds In recent years, ceramic tile that mimics the look of hardwood has become popular, as well as travertine and slate. If you’re looking to open up the space of your kitchen and don’t have and room to grow outwards, consider removing the upper cabinets. While outdated kitchens may have the inconvenient tile-and-grout or cheap vinyl for workspace, the variety of countertop surfaces options out there today are endless. Whether you choose countertop stools and seats at a breakfast bar, or you opt for a banquette or bench at a window side table, seating can make your kitchen have a whole new appeal. If an appliance upgrade is in your future, be sure to make it energy efficient! You could choose a vibrant and bold blue, or a dark, modern black finish to cover up outdated wood and dingy colored cabinets of yesteryear. Consider installing a dimmer switch for versatility while entertaining, cooking, or just relaxing for a midnight snack! Built-in display shelves below your kitchen island can showcase your prized kitchenware, your favorite cookbooks, or display an heirloom set of china passed down through generations. If you’re looking to open up your kitchen and share the view with an adjacent dining room or living room – consider knocking down some partitions! While your kitchen could look fabulous as-is, what would it look like without that bothersome wall?

Grouting and Sealing Tumbled Travertine Backsplash by countertopspecialty.com

I love the rustic look and don’t want to grout in any “holes” in the tile and have heard that they make grout release for this purpose. I keep the porous look of the tiles by using a grout release product during installation and then use a good sealer to keep the tile looking good and free of food (with regular maintenance)? How do we seal the tile and clean off the excess grout? Using a grout release or sealing prior to installation of a kitchen tile backsplash has pros and cons. Sanded grout is typically used for a tumbled travertine backsplash to match the rustic look of these tiles and the wider grout lines. Non-sanded grout usually works better to fill the smaller holes, though. Gener ally, the holes are filled in with a grout color that matches the color of the travertine. Wait 2 weeks for the whole thing to cure and dry out and then seal it. It looks very pretty, but now people are leaning toward white.

Can I Paint Formica Countertops Part 2 English Brown Faux Granite | Duration 3 Minutes 25 Seconds At this point you’ll have to hire a stone restoration pro to re-finish the travertine, if you want a glossy shiny finish. A polished travertine will show dust and dirt a lot more and the shine will wear away with foot traffic, etc. For instance, a 6×6 tile is never a true “6×6” (or any tile size, for that matter, in most cases). A slightly larger grout joint makes me think of a few friends over eating nachos, drinking beer, and perhaps listening to something a little more modern on the radio. Tile is a cosmetic aspect, much like that of paint on the walls. However, generally speaking (especially if you are not a tile tradesman) colors that match the tile/stone are always a safe bet, and by picking a color that matches the tile, you can hide a lot of mistakes that might have been made along the way. We love the rough look of tumbled travertine backsplash tiles especially when wet and want to maintain this look. Sealing travertine in the holes won’t protect against this build-up at all since these things grow or accumulate on the surface and sealing protects from absorption of liquids. But usually, this is only with a “polished” finish, which makes the stone far less absorbent. Just spray it on, let sit 5-10 minutes, and scrub with a soft-bristle brush to clean off. This can be used to fill the larger holes in the face of the tiles. Note, if planning to use a darker grout color for the grout lines you probably want to use a different grout to fill the holes in the travertine tile face. When you have too many colors , textures and patterns the look can become too busy and unappealing. The natural travertine had a whitish look, so we did the color enhancing. This is fully explained on this page about polishing marble / travertine. That is they will have to grind smooth and then “polish” the tile using special tools, techniques and abrasives. A tumbled finish is far easier to maintain long-term than a polished finish. There are top coats that you can apply that will literally sit on top of the stone, even if you did already seal it. If you do not wipe off access enhancers and buff once you are complete, you may run into bigger problems than you imagined. The remainder that would make the tile a true 6×6 is 1/8 inch. By using a smaller grout joint like a 1/8, will give you a sophisticated, “neat” type of look. The kind of feeling that if you left the mail sitting on the counter for a couple of days; well, that’s okay. You can use a utility knife, screwdriver, or whatever you can figure out to make your job easier; although, this is a daunting task.