Silestone Countertops - The Quartz Difference

Silestone Counter tops, whether you are upgrading an old kitchen or you are trying to "set-off" your new kitchen, are an excellent choice. Silestone has been on the market for over 20 years but it is in the last six years that it has made great progress in2231 becoming a fresh alternative for kitchen countertop surfaces, due to its durability, ease of maintenance and its rich natural stone appearance.

Silestone is actually made of 93% quartz, bonded with resins and other adhesives. Quartz is a natural element, granite is composed of it, with a hardness and durability that is second only to the diamond. The quartz is mixed with resin for bonding and pigments for color. This process produces a non porous and dense countertop surface, which means it does not absorb liquids, they are not marred by acidic substances and do not require sealing like natural stone surfaces such as granite.

Also, color matching is no problem, it is available in an array of styles, colors and patterns that are uniform through out unlike natural stone. It is a kitchen decorator's dream material because any kitchen design can be accommodated, this is why using Silestone quartz countertops in the kitchen have become one of the fastest growing trends in kitchen dcor, its versatility.

Ease of maintenance is another reason silestone is starting to surpass other styles of counter top surfaces like granite and solid surface. A major plus for these tops is that they are almost maintenance free. All you need to do is wipe them with a mild detergent to keep them beautiful. A big benefit is that they will never need to be sealed or resealed like granite because they are non-porous, and unlike solid surface materials like Corian or Gibraltar they will never need to be re-sanded because of cuts or nicks.

Even though a silestone countertop is extremely durable it is not 100% resistant to scratches. That being said though, you would really need to work hard to make scratches on them. Just normal kitchen usage will not leave marks on them.

Silestone is what the industry refers to as "almost" scorch resistant, so caution should be used when putting hot pots and pans on them. It is always prudent to use either a pot holder or trivet to protect them from burns.

Having your kitchen countertops done in Silestone can run you anywhere from $45 to $95 per square foot. The reason your price may vary is because of the patterns you select or the edge profile you choose. This price should include both manufacturing and installation.

If you are looking for a fresh and dramatic way to add some flair and a luxurious look into your kitchen dcor having a this natural stone alternative is the perfect way to do just that. They are a great investment that can literally be good looking and functional for decades, a 10 year warranty guarantees no less than one. Silestone is maintenance free and also hypoallergenic. They may cost a little more up front, but in the long run silestone counter tops are well worth the investment.

Get More information on kitchen counter tops click here Soapstone Kitchen Counter Tops Also go to http://Countertops and Cabinets.Com where you can get a fresh view of kitchen design ideas, product information, news.

Tips For Homeowners - Dumpsters and Roll-Off Rentals Are Not Just For Commercial Projects

A good trash company will accommodate the homeowner as well. They will explain the options to the average homeowner who may not be familiar with their terminology. Roll-off containers are rented in standard cubic yard sizes. The bigger the job, the larger dumpster you will want to rent.

Be sure to choose the right size container for the job; you will typically want a container that is one size larger than you think you will need. Carpet, scrap wood, drywall, yard waste and rubbish that has accumulated over the years will take up a lot of space. Concrete, rock and dirt will be heavy and should only fill the container about quarter or half full. Your rental company will be able to advise you on this issue.

Different volume sizes come in different dimensions. Height is an important thing to consider when lifting heavy materials over the side; you might ask if you can get a lower container if you're disposing of heavy items. Following is a description of typical dumpsters and roll-off containers:

10 Cubic Yard Container: 12 feet long, 8 feet wide and 4 feet high is a 10 yarder. It would be good for a small job, like tearing out a small bathroom.

20 Cubic Yard Container: 12 feet long, 8 feet wide, 41/2 feet high. This is usuall2238y the minimum size container for a large job; it will accommodate the rubbish from a small bathroom without overfilling or packing the dumpster.

30 Cubic Yard Container: This is an ideal size; it fits in front of most houses and accommodates carpet rolls, drywall debris and scrap wood without too much trouble. It's also good for disposing of concrete or rock.

40 Cubic Yard Container: This is the size for very large demolition and renovation jobs. It's 12 feet long, 8 feet wide and eight feet high and will serve most needs.

Decide on the size container that is right for your job, then plan where it will be placed for filling. Remember, you cannot move it once you've started filling it. Plan where you will be parking, whether or not you need vehicle access to and from the garage and consider how far you want to walk the rubbish before throwing it into the dumpster. Be sure the way is clear for the container to be delivered. If you will be placing the dumpster on the street, be sure to check with the city or township for codes and light requirements. The dumpster service company should be able to supply adequate lighting; a local company will most likely be familiar with the rules and regulations.

Don't forget to be sure the way is clear when it come time for the dumpster or roll-off container to be picked up. If the driver cannot get to it, he may charge extra for his time and trouble making another trip to pick it up. You may be delayed in having it hauled away and end up paying for an additional day.

This article was written by Sherman Rogers of All-waste, LLC, a dumpster rental company who provides dumpster delivery service and same-day dumpster pick-up service to residential, commercial, retail and industrial customers. Sherman has the size, shape and competitive priced dumpster for any size job. Other services include trash pick-up, hauling rubble, waste removal, delivery of landscaping supplies including mulch, sod, top-soil, crush aggregate and more.

Contact:
ALL WASTE, LLC
4751 22 Mile Road
Shelby Township, MI 48317-1515
Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm Eastern Time
Monday - Friday (Excluding U.S. holidays)
Phone: 877-524-1002 Fax: 586-254-9936

Web site: http://thegarbageman.com/
Email: sherman@all-waste.com

Tile Shower - How To Tips

Tile shower how to tips can help you design and install your own ceramic tile shower. There are some mysteries about how you build a tile shower, but the answers to your questions are available. You just have to know where to get the answers. Construction of a shower is done in a step-by-step method starting from the floor up. Here are the basic steps.

Building The Tile Shower Pan

The first section of a tile shower to be built is the floor and shower pan. The floor must be waterproof. Ceramic tile and grout construction is not waterproof so there must be a liner under the tile that stops water and routes it to the shower drain.

The traditional way to build a shower pan is to build a concrete base sloped to the drain first. Then top the base with a vinyl waterproof liner. A special drain is used with drain holes below the surface to which the waterproof membrane is attached. Then the tile are laid on this second layer and grouted to finish the floor.

Tile ready shower pans can also be installed. You have several different systems to choose from including, Tile-Redi, Schluter, and Wedi. All use a basic pan, of polyurethane, and different ways of mounting the pan and installing curbs, walls, and drains. Emphasis is on "system" since every part of the shower floor is included and some systems include the backing for walls and ceilings.

Shower Ceiling

After the floor is built the ceiling is installed. Will the tile fall on you? No! The adhesive will hold it up, but you can cut pieces of plywood to prop up each row of tile if you like. It isn't necessary though. The main problem will be the mortar falling on you. So you'll need a hat!

Shower Wall

The best backing for a shower ceiling and walls is Hardibacker cement board. The tile is installed right over the cement board. The wall should be laid starting in the back and then do the sides and front. Use a level and mark lines to keep on track. Use spacers to keep grout lines even. After you finish installing the tile and grouting, caulk the joints between the floor and walls with silicone caulk. Also consider caulking in the corners of the walls and between the walls and ceiling.

Ceramic showers are a great luxury, and if built properly should be trouble free for decades. But what if it isn't built properly?

Puzzled about how to build a ceramic tile shower? Need more information? Visit our site for ceramic tile shower tips.

We invite you to visit http://www.installingceramictile.net for answers to your ceramic shower questions.

The Cost of Remodeling

Being a homeowner you probably alre5B4ady know that remodeling your entire house will be expensive. There is no alternative around the money that you will have to spend in order to remodel your home. However, the most important consideration that you'll want to think about before remodeling is the rationale that you want to do so.

If you want to remodel because you want an enhanced environment for yourself and your family then the cost may be insignificant to you if you have the financial means to complete remodeling projects. On the contrary, if you are simply remodeling to increase the value of your house for when you sell it then you may not be that interested on spending every single cent you have just to update your house if you are not going to attain considerable returns.

Another important portion, though, is the thought of the total cost of everything. Cost is an especially important factor when remodeling the house, mainly because there are all sorts of things which could change the price.

For example, material that could be used in the wall that you are going to add-on to your house may have thought to have cost $4,000 by your home remodeling contractor, but if you found it at a considerably lower price then you may be able to save money in that area. However, the reverse is also true and more often then not expenses for materials and completing the job will almost always overshot the estimate that you initially received from your home contractor5B4.

Get a Second Opinion

If you are really considering taking on the remodeling projects of your house then it may not to be a bad idea seek out second opinions when it comes to researching on how much everything will cost. You may be able to have a remodeling company come in from out of town to do the project on the weekend simply because they are cheaper than the remodeling company in-town, however, when you add in the cost of transportation to and from your location then it may not be a significant difference between the two companies.

On the same note, home remodeling is one of those areas where the price for one company may be completely different from the price of one company, even though they are situated in the same city. Obtaining several estimates for completing jobs is of utmost importance if you would really like to get the most value for your dollar.

Hidden Costs

There are also hidden costs that are typically always associated with remodeling your house. For example, not many people consider this to be a big problem, but it could cost hundreds of dollars simply for debris removal alone! Of course, your home remodeling company may be able to get it done cheaper than if you simply called around for prices, but this is just one aspect of the home remodeling business that homeowners need to be aware of!

All of these issues, though, are important when remodeling your entire house! 5A1By taking into consideration the cost of the materials, along with hidden costs, and ensuring that you cross-check each cost with several remodeling estimates, is of utmost importance when remodeling your home.

Did you find those tips on remodeling cost useful? You can learn a lot more about remodeling cost by visiting http://home-remodeling.homeimprovementnewbie.com/.

The author of this article is Shin who is the webmaster of the site http://www.homeimprovementnewbie.com/ where he provides tips on home improvement.

Kitchen Faucets Help

Out of date, less modern kitchen faucets that are still in many homes today can look bad, lead to water problems, and increase your kitchen work. New kitchen faucets come in stylish designs that will suit and make wholesome the dcor of any kitchen. More over, newer kitchen faucet models are easier to rinse, can come with water filtration methods and include features which improve the capability to clean dishes, rinse out the sink, and wash vegetables.

If you are interested in purchasing a kitchen faucet, you may want to check out popular and quality kitchen sink brands such as Blanco, Moen, Franke, and Kohler. Many of these kitchens faucet brands can be found for discounted prices, and most of these faucets come with warranties and customer service assistance. Three of the more popular kitchen faucets today include: the Kohler K-10430 kitchen faucet, the Blanco Profession Series 157064 kitchen faucet, and the Franke DW100 Series. All of these brands have a proven track record and you really can't go wrong. The main thing you need to look for when finding the right kitchen faucet is one that fits your wallet.

Available in multiple stylish designs the Kohler K-10430 series kitchen faucet is equipped with a fashionable pull out spray spout. This series comes in seven different finishes that will certainly match almost any kitchen color and dcor. In addition to its style and pull out accessory, the spout has a function on it where you can choose between a strong water stream or a light aerated stream. Available in different finishing, the Blanco Professional Series 157064 is a Pot Filler Kitchen Faucet; this faucet can be installed near a stove so that you can add water to pots and other accessories on the stove easily. One of the more popular and stylish kitchen faucets in todays market is the Franke DW100 series. The Franke also comes with a filtration system, a uniflow single knob filtration faucet, and a swivel spout. In addition to the filtration features, the Franke DW100 series comes in a variety of styles and designs. But, before purchasing your brand new kitchen faucet, make sure you spend time and do your homework. Make sure you make a smart, educated decision and take full advantage of all the resources you have available.

Saji Nase is actively involved with an kitchen faucet review project that informs consumers through well-written articles. Read great information on Kitchen Faucet Reviews, Kitchen Faucets Guide, Delta, Moen, Blanco, and Kohler Faucets.

Foam Insulation Spray is the Smart Choice

Building material technology is keeping up with the changing needs of our society. Those needs encompass a range of concerns, from safety to energy efficiency. Foam insulation spray is one of the building materials resulting from advances in our technology.

If you are constructing a home or business, foam insulation spray is a smart choice. As an insulator, it is fire resistant, energy efficient and greener than most traditional materials available.

Additionally, it is easy to install and you can even do it yourself if you are trying to save on labor costs. Regardless of your space or climate needs, this is one of the most beneficial products you can use.

An important safety feature in any structure is its ability to resist burning. In fire tests, foam insulation performed far better than structures left bare.

In the un-insulated floor joist structure, the fire penetrated theB64 plywood roof in 9 minutes and 30 seconds.

Conversely, the spray-in insulator showed only sporadic burning after 3 minutes and 40 seconds and no penetration through the top of the structure. As a matter of fact, after 20 minutes, the flames burned themselves out, leaving only minimal charring on the test material. The integrity of the structure was not even compromised after a 26 minute trial.

Spray foam insulation is also recommended by government agencies for areas that face water dangers.

If you want an energy efficient product, this is a practical solution. Unlike other insulators, when the compound is applied, it expands to fill joints, joists and crevices. It also adheres to itself so there are no air pockets within the material. This means that it is air tight. You won't lose money because your foam insulation prevents air from seeping in or out, causing your heating or cooling units to consumer less power.

In this way, foam insulation spray is greener than other materials. However, it is also greener based on its composition. The components are agriculturally based (the actual formula is industry proprietary). It does not contain substances that can harm the ozone layer and is composed of mainly renewable resources.

If cost is your top priority, you should explore foam insulation options. Because it is sprayed in, you can apply this insulator to walls that are already constructed. The nature of the material allows it to easily fill joints, crevices, crawl spaces and hard to reach areas without tearing your walls apart. That alone is cost effective. You can also apply it yourself, saving money on labor and contractors.

When you have to decide how you are going to insulate your home or business, a variety of materials is available. However, spray foam insulation offers the most benefits.

It protects your structure from fire and water damage. It offers you a greener option because it is agriculturally based and renewable. Energy efficiency is yet another benefit - saving energy on heating and cooling needs.

In addition to all of these perks, it saves you money by reducing the amount of work you have to put in to get it in place. It also contributes to an increase in the value of your property.

When considering building needs, don't forget foam insulation spray. This type of insulator has a variety of benefits, including energy efficiency, cost effectiveness, and high hazard safety. Visit Apex Foam to learn how they can help you. http://www.apexfoam.us

Home Construction or Remodeling Contractor

Choosing the right Contractor is the most important aspect of any home construction project. You must take your time and do your research to find a good qualified contractor if you want excellent quality at a fair price. When we built our new home we spent many hours finding the best contractors for each aspect of building our new home. We developed a method that served us well and it is as follows:

Determine exactly what you want done and write it down. This may sound a little basic at first blush, but it is so important. Remember what is not well defined is easily manipulated. If it is not in writing, it can be disputed. You do two things when you define your project in detail, and in writing. You find any missing aspects that you may have overlooked and you have good definition and expectations for your contractor.

Get three (3) bids for each trade that you will hire. Never rely on one bid, and always meet the contractor face to face at the site where the work is to be done. If you are uncomfortable with the contractor when they are bidding the job how is it going to be when the two of you have to work out the details of your project. Remember cheaper is not always better!

Ask each contractor for references and make sure they are bonded and insured. Check their references and call the BBB (Better Business Bureau) in your area to see if they have any outstanding complaints.

Make sure they dont sub the work out to a contractor that is not insured or bonded. It is very common for a contract company to sub out work to contractors that are not insured and bonded. Another danger of the contractor subbing work out is if they dont pay their sub, the sub can put a mechanics lien on your house and you will have to pay even if you have already paid the contractor.

Set a definite timeframe for the work to begin and for completion and get it in writing. Nothing is worse than to have a project drag on not knowing when they are going to show up and finish.

Never, ever pay for the entire project in advance. If you do the contractor has no incentive to finish or even start. When you no longer have the money you are no longer in control! It is customary with most contractors that you pay a portion up front. On a large project hold back as much money as you can until the end. The incentive to finish must be motivated by the cash at the end of the project.

For more information on finding and qualifying contractors visit www.Build-YourOwn-Home.com

George Stevens is the popular author of the Website http://www.Build-YourOwn-Home.com teaching you how to build your own home. and Build-Your-Own-Home.com All Rights Reserved

Wireless Home Security

Traditional home alarm security systems rely on sensors that, as long as someone has remembered to turn them on, can detect windows or doors opening. It is a simple cause and effect relationship: a trigger sets off an alarm to alert neighbours or passersby, or an alarm goes off at the police station or the local security company.

The paid, and often expensive, local security company maybe phones to hear if everything is OK, or maybe even drives by. The police might show up if they're not too busy, but the system is prone to many loopholes. The proclivity of false alarms and the dull routine of the job means that security forces are often slow to respond, and the Police are often too busy. However, that was then, this is now. Wireless home security has changed the way we protect our homes. Let's take a look at some of the benefits a modern domestic security system has to offer.

Wireless: Just One Feature of Many
A wireless home security system is more than simply a traditional alarm system minus the cables. There are two keys to the system:
1. The whole system is digital, so you can program it to function in the way you want.
2. The system is part of your home networks.

What does this mean for your home security? If your house is broken into, the system could ring your mobile phone, or send a text message. You could set it to send messages to more than one cell phone. It could be connected to webcams positioned around the house, all accessed from your cellphone or Blackberry. In short, if it can be programmed, it is possible.

The Central Nervous System to Calm Your Nerves
Once you have a wireless home network with a powerful CPU at its heart, you can pretty well add any kind of detector. Why not cover every eventuality and hook up smoke, carbon monoxide, temperature or motion detectors? If anything abnormal takes place in and around your home, you can get a message via your mobile phone. If your mobile phone can access the Internet, the possibilities are even greater. You could call up your browser and get some live footage from your array of webcams, switch to infra-red if it's dark and maybe listen in too. The security possibilities are obvious, but it also sounds like something that would be great fun to play with... so with motivation that high, your home would be safer than ever.

Suddenly you can monitor all kinds of things going on at home without having to be there. Motion detectors and webcams can let you know whether the dog has curled up on your favourite armchair again. You can monitor the temperature of your greenhouse in winter and your wine cellar in summer. And you can even send a message via the network to regulate the temperature before anything gets spoiled. I'm not sure what you'd do about the dog though. 'Train' it when you get back, I suppose.

The Home of the Panic Button
An often overlooked, but extremely useful feature of a wireless home security package is the addition of a panic button. If you have an elderly or infirm family member, a panic button is a must. If someone sounds the alarm, you can pick up your cellphone and find out what is going on by taking a look, listening in or answering the distress call. Perhaps the sound of your voice coming from the loudspeakers would be enough to sooth your confused aunt with Alzheimer's or your sick child off from school. Perhaps you could even shout at the dog to get out of your lazy-boy.

Finally, the big advantage of building up a wireless home security system is its inherent flexibility. You can add, reposition and take away different components such as motion sensors or webcams without having to rip out lengths of wiring. As the hardware becomes more readily available and commonplace, it is falling in price. Upgrading your entire home would have meant employing a team of professionals just five years ago. Now you can do it all yourself after a brief and relatively inexpensive trip to the mall. Nervous about your home security? Give your own central nervous system a break; give your home its own central nervous system.

Chris Lee Ramsden is a freelance writer and editor. He writes both short fiction and non-fiction for both online and print publications. Although he stems from the UK, he currently lives and works in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Find out more about Wireless Home Security and home improvement at Where We Live.