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Latest Articles
5 tips on how to increase house value
If you’re looking for ways to increase the value of your property and make potential buyers weak at the knees, these five handy tips on how...
on Feb 17, 2020
Add Value with Better Bathroom Design
Enhancing your home can increase the value of your property, as well as create a more comfortable living environment. Whether you live in a one-bed...
on Feb 15, 2020
Choosing a Modern Living Room Design
If you’re thinking about redecorating your living room, you might want to go for a total design overhaul. While something traditional is all very...
on Feb 14, 2020
Wallpaper Repair - Repasting, Blisters, Tears, Spots
Damaged wallpaper can be repaired. It's ideal if you have extra wallpaper that matches the pattern for repairs. Repasting, removing clusters,...
on Feb 13, 2020
How to Calculate the Right Amount of Paint for a Room
Painting a room, no matter how large or small, can create some confusion when it is time to purchase paint. You want to be sure that you get enough...
on Feb 13, 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...
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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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Articles Archive
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