Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 229
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 218
- Appliance / Repair — 175
- Interior Design / Decor — 162
- Real Estate / Finance — 154
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 114
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 111
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 105
- Doors / Garages — 103
- Improvements / Remodeling — 100
- Plumbing / Basements — 98
- Construction / Materials — 94
Latest Articles
Why Maintaining A Clean Space Is Extremely Crucial
Cleanliness and hygiene are not only about keeping yourself clean and staying away from harmful bacteria. It is a rather vast arena and includes...
on Aug 11, 2020
Five Frequently Asked Questions about Residential Roofing
A roof is one of the essential parts of a house. It is also one of the most expensive parts of a house to be maintained or replaced. Homeowners are...
on Aug 11, 2020
How to Maximize the Life of Your Water Heater
Your water heater is one of those home appliances that help your life be comfortable. So, you want to make sure that it is lasting as long as...
on Aug 10, 2020
Why Is My Well Pump Short Cycling?
Your well pump is an essential piece of kit that is often overlooked until something goes wrong with it. Unless you want to draw water by hand you...
on Aug 4, 2020
What to Save for Common Homeowner Expenses
Being a homeowner is a rewarding experience. After all, you do not have to answer to a landlord, you have a space to call your own, and you own an...
on Aug 2, 2020
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
57346 Views
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
54198 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
51337 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
33185 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
21659 Views
Kitchen Counters: A Materials Overview
by Guest on Feb 27, 2010
Kitchen countertops are available in an almost limitless array of materials and colors. Nothing beats granite for durability, stainless steel for a contemporary, functional look, or tile for timeless charm. Below are some of the more common counter surfaces with their respective advantages and disadvantages.
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages | Care | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laminate |
|
|
Clean with sponge and nonabrasive cleanser. | $10-20 a linear ft. |
| Tile |
|
|
Sponge clean with household cleanser. To maintain glossy finish, avoid overusing harsh abrasives. | $35-80 linear foot depending on tile selection |
| Marble |
|
|
Wipe clean. Seal with salad oil if used for food preparation; otherwise seal with commercial sealant. |
$40-70 sq. ft. |
| Granite |
|
|
Wipe clean. Reseal periodically. |
$60+ sq. ft. |
| Synthetic stone |
|
|
Clean with sponge and mild cleanser. | $60+ sq. ft. |
| Solid surfacing (i.e., Corian) |
|
|
Clean with mild cleanser. Minor scratches can be removed by buffing with an abrasive pad. |
$100-150 linear ft. |
| Concrete |
|
|
Wipe with sponge and mild cleanser. Reseal regularly with wax or sealant. |
$200-300 linear ft. |
| Stainless steel |
|
|
Wipe clean with a sponge and cleanser. | Cost depends on fabrication and edge finish. Custom fabrication is $300-500 per linear foot. |
| Wood |
|
|
For unfinished surfaces, use mineral oil weekly. Sand and refinish stains and burns. For finished surfaces, clean with a damp cloth and a mild cleanser. |
$50+ per linear foot |
Author
Guest
- Articles: 1006
- Send email
Most Recent Articles
- Jun 3, 2020 Bored In Lockdown? Refresh Your Kitchen by Mark Klein
- May 16, 2020 The Best 7 Upgrades You Can Make to Your Kitchen by Guest
- Apr 21, 2020 Budget Bathroom Remodeling for an Updated Look by Blewitt
- Mar 28, 2020 How Walk-in Showers Can Aid Those with Reduced Mobility by Guest
- Feb 15, 2020 Add Value with Better Bathroom Design by Boris Dzhingarov
Articles Archive
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates
Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Why Maintaining A Clean Space Is Extremely Crucial
on Aug 11, 2020
Cleaning / Maintenance
Cleanliness and hygiene are not only about keeping yourself clean and staying away from harmful bacteria. It is a rather vast arena and includes...
Essential Checklist for When You Want to Buy a Condo in Vancouver
on Feb 20, 2020
General Household
Buying a condo has its pros and cons, but it is a completely different experience from buying a single unit, a family home, or a detached...
Random Articles
Installing a Kitchen Backsplash
Before beginning to install a tile backsplash, it is advisable to read all manufacturer documentation for the tile, grout and other supplies to be...
Why an Outdoor Shower Should Be your Next Home Improvment Project
When most people stop to think about their next home improvement project, an outdoor shower probably does not make the shortlist. That is a shame,...
Are You Constantly 0n the Go? Secure Every Single Home
How many times did you move the last five years? People, who don't own properties, move a lot. Even people with their own homes are forced to move...
How to Perform Home Improvement the Easier and Cheaper Way
It is true that all of us dream of changing our floor tiles, our wall paint color, our window sills and the like. However, this dream of yours can...
5 Things to Know About Tuckpointing
Stone and masonry are virtually maintenance free which is great news for a homeowner, however, it isn’t completely maintenance free. Bricks...