New Concepts In Custom Countertops

Never before has there been more choices in custom countertops as there is now. Also, as more choices in types ands styles have come available, so too has the overall prices come down as well. This means that more and more home owners are looking to upgrade their homes with new affordable custom countertops.

Amazingly Real Looking

Cultured or ‘man made’ custom countertops are all the rage now. While many people in the past tended to shy away from these types of products in favor of natural stone, its the new ‘realism’ that is drawing them back for a second look.

Made From Real Stone

The truth, is that todays cultured stone materials are in fact, made from real stone and that accounts for their amazing realism and durability. They are made by mixing crushed stone such as quarts or marble with a high tech polymer and then milling the finished product after it has set and cured.

Mottled Textures and Glass like Polished Surfaces

These new cultured stone custom countertops contain all of the same features that you would find in a natural stone product including glistening mottled ‘textures’ and glass like polished surfaces. In fact many of them are almost virtually indistinguishable form the genuine article.

A Tougher and More Durable Product

What they don’t have though is vulnerability to chips and stains that so many natural stone custom counter tops have. Also, the joinery where two pieces are connected is completely invisible, lending the effect of one solid piece. Of course these new types of cultured stone custom countertops are far more affordable as well.

Match Your Custom Countertop to Your Home

However; for those who choose to go with natural stone custom counter tops, there are more choices than ever before. This means that far more choices in all types of exotic marbles can new be easily found. Either way, no matter what type of custom countertop you choose for your home, make sure to choose one that matches the overall value of your home.

By: Victor Kristophersten

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Written by Victor Kristophersten. Now you can learn top info on Custom Countertops and even Stone Countertops.

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Super Cool Kitchens

Our American style fridge freezer is one kitchen appliance I do not regret purchasing although I did have fun and games trying to install it. I would recommend them to anyone with the space. I have a family of four to feed, and found very quickly that this style of fridge, with the side my side doors rather than one over the other seems to fit almost twice the contents of our previous conventional fridge-freezer. Capacity aside, it comes with a lot of extra bonus features, including ice-making which is great not just in summer but all year round as it can dispense crushed ice and chilled water at will.

My partner loves it as its frost free and has several different zones which keep contents at different temperatures, making it very versatile when it comes to chilling my beers, the weeks’ vegetables deep freezing meat and fish.

If you are considering buying an American fridge freezer, I have a few tips to help you in your planning and installation – things that nobody told me.

When installing your new fridge freezer, keep it upright and allow at least six hours before switching on for the coolant to settle inside. Let new freezers stand overnight before loading with food to let them reach the correct temperature.

Firstly, if your new fridge freezer comes with water on tap or an ice dispenser, then you will need it to be plumbed in to the cold water supply. I recommend hiring a plumber to do this as brazing may be required, and you will want to avoid leaks and constant adjustments, especially if you are fitting your fridge freezer in a cupboard.

Also, it’s advisable to allow a gap of at least half a centimetre at the top, back and sides, not only to allow for adjustments in the event of a leek, but also to allow the heat produced during heat exchange to be ventilated. According to a friend of mine who I called on as he’s a refrigeration engineer, a lack of space to facilitate ventilation will cause the fridges pump and motor to needlessly work harder, resulting in faster frost build-up and a shorter life expectancy.

Also, measure up before you buy. These fridges are big. While you should be able to get them in through the frond door, you may have a bottleneck on route to the kitchen as I did. Consider alternatives entry approaches. Ultimately, I got my fridge into the kitchen through the back alleyway and through the garden door due to and archway leading to the kitchen. Fitting an American-style fridge freezer in a British sized kitchen or house can be a tight squeeze given their width and height.

All challenges aside, if you can afford it and fit it in the house, I strongly recommend the model these fridges as the match my family’s lifestyle by allowing us to do one big shop a month, comes packed with labour saving features last but not least – looks really good in the kitchen.

By: MikeG

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Check out these top of the range American+Fridge+Freezers

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Kitchen Improvements With New Worktops

If your kitchen is looking tired and dated, you do not necessarily need to rip it all out and start again. Replacing the kitchen worktops will instantly give your kitchen a major face lift whilst saving you lots of money and hassle.

There are many different types of worktop to choose from including granite, Corian (a composite of minerals and acrylic polymer, from about 400 a square metre), Raustone (similar to Corian, but less pricey), rubberwood (cubes of wood bonded together), stainless steel, Formica, real wood such as oak, beech, walnut, cheery, iroko and basic laminate. Granite, Corian, Raustone and stainless steel should be fitted by professionals.

Wooden kitchen worktops including oak, beech and walnut are the simplest option for those looking for the ‘do-it-yourself’ option because they are easy to cut compared to laminate, granite and stainless steel.

Oak worktops are the first choice for those looking for strength, durability and classic traditional elegance. Oak’s rich color and fine markings lend grace to any kitchen, maturing over the years to add character and warmth.

Walnut is a dark wood of immense warmth, with a rich grain and strong character. Walnut wood contains natural exotic patterns that set it apart from its contemporaries.

Cherry is an elegant and colorful wood, fast becoming one of the most popular choices for kitchens. Cherry worktops have a subtle autumnal red appearance that darkens gracefully over time to a rich maturity.

Beech is the most popular and versatile of all the hardwoods. The light tone and soft grain produce a bright feel that complements any style of kitchen.

Iroko – The dark hues of this rich African hardwood produce a stunning effect when used in the right kitchen environment. Often called ‘African Teak’, it is a most durable worktop due to its high resistance to staining.

Plan Ahead

Before you begin on your kitchen worktop project you will need to work out exactly how much new worktop you require to get the job done. If the existing worktop is a good fit then this job is done for you as you can simply use this as the template. If the worktop not to replace an exiting worktop or you require extra then you will need a measuring tape and cardboard to create the template. Even in new build houses, unfortunately corners are rarely at right angles so you will need to check carefully. Remember to order all trims, brackets and fittings when you order your worktop.

Kitchen Worktop Saw Points

If you are cutting laminate, kitchen fitters recommend using a circular saw with the laminate facing down. A jigsaw is fine for cutting out big holes for example, the sink but be aware of it fraying. Many people choose to hire a circular saw from a local hire shop. However, you will require very steady hands to do a professional job. The other crucial thing with laminate worktops is getting the mitered joins just right. These can be cut by a joiner with precision equipment, for a small fee.

Kitchen Worktop Fitting

A spirit level is essential when fixing the worktops with their supporting brackets, timber battens, or KD blocks, used especially in kitchen fitting. Leave a fall of about 2 degrees away from the wall at the back to prevent spills and dirt accumulating. Do any wall tiling work after fitting the worktops, so there is a permanent level edge to work upwards from. Seal any cut laminate surface to stop damp and between joints with a compound. Use silicone sealant between tiles and worktop and put reflective aluminum tape around cooker/hob to protect from radiant heat; use waterproof seal – unless a rubber gasket is supplied – around the sink.

If all this seems a little labor intensive, you might consider getting a professional company to provide the kitchen worktop, cutting and fitting as a package. You can then take advantage of their experience and workmanship to make sure the job in done to the highest standard. The worktop will be cut and finished to your own personal needs which will save you time and inconvenience.

By: Sarah Maple-11606

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

John Lucas, DIY enthusiast and wooden kitchen worktops handyman. Oak worktops are the first choice for those looking for strength, durability and classic traditional elegance.

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