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Latest Articles
How Heat Can Damage Your Roof
Your roof is the most important place of your house. Throughout the years, it protects your property from intense heat, cold temperatures, heavy...
on Sep 13, 2019
What are the Differences Between Household and Business Waste?
Skip hires are easy-to-use, convenient, and dependable whether for domestic or for business purposes. If you are not sure whether you need a skip...
on Sep 12, 2019
4 Professional Home Plumbing Tips and Ideas You Must Know About
It can be a relief to own your own home instead of an apartment. There is no rent to pay, you can decorate your home how you like, and you do not...
on Sep 12, 2019
When Should I Replace My Air Conditioner?
Like everything else, an air conditioner doesn’t last forever. The average air conditioning system lasts as long as 15 years, depending on...
on Sep 12, 2019
10 Interior Design Tricks to Try Right Now
The smallest things can make the most impact if you are looking for ways to quickly decorate a new space or would like to improve on your current...
on Sep 3, 2019
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 |
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