Components by Durcon: Eco Friendly & Recyclable Countertops

In the past ten years it appears that every individual kitchen rehabilitation saw the installation of yellow butterfly granite countertops. Not only is granite getting a bit tired, it's also not a very eco-conscious choice. Enter Elements to save the day.

Made from a mix post-consumer recycled glass (an average of three beer bottles per square foot), natural quartz minerals and resin, Parts countertops are an attractive, green choice for kitchen renovations. In addition to its properties that were green, Parts is produced in Taylor, Texas.

Does anyone out in the community have expertise with one of these countertops? We'd love to understand the method by which they install.

Obviously, being green is one thing; being lasting and attractive is the extremely important part. Judging by these photos, the high-polish finish, available in 12 shades, would fit with both conventional and modern kitchens. Unlike many non-granite options, Elements is heat- and stain-resistant, in addition to being scratch resistant and non-porous. It needs no sealing and cleans up only with soap and water.

Where To Begin When Developing A House Color Scheme

I know you start picking your entire wall colours and want to dive right into the paint deck, but before you do, consider what's already set up. Don't forget, paint colour is the simplest thing to fit and shift, but dismissing the more long-term components of your home in favor of picking your favorite wall color will lead to a design disaster. So before you start, study the key components:

Flooring. Seriously, do not! Wood is never "wood colour." It is red toned, or honey, etc., or charcoal Set your paint chip close to your flooring when you are picking out a wall colour, and see whether or not they compliment each other. I normally like to go with a complimentary colour or a high contrast colour since I find the biggest paint errors to function as the ones where the wall colour is too similar to the wood color. For instance, yellow walls in a room with honey coloured stained reddish walls next, or floors to cherry stained floors conflict in a bad way. Bring a paint chip plus a floor sample into the room at the place where they will be set up in the event that you're picking out new flooring. Than they do at home samples look very different under showroom lights.
Cabinetry. As they do to floors, the same rules apply to cabinets. You will not be changing out your cabinets, so decide against a wall color that organize nicely. I find that paint colours that are cool are more flattering to warm coloured wooden cabinetry than warm ones and often more easy to work with. I hear people say they do not need a room to appear overly chilly, so they automatically start looking at yellows, forgetting that wood cabinetry provides enough heat itself.
Stone. Each rock surface that is particular has its own individual colour. As an example, the background color in Carrara marble countertop can seem greenish, gray, blueish, bare white, or ivory. So while selecting paint colors and accent tile, hold your choice up to the rock that is certainly already in place or that you will be using. Decide on a shade that's either within the stone already, or one that looks great next to it. Go with a bold or deep wall color or a shade in a contrasting tone in case you don't trust your eye to identify between neutrals.

The same rules can be applied to non natural stuff at the same time. The key is organizing together with the tones already present. So if your vinyl botticino tile looks more pink than yellow, choose a paint color that compliments the tone that is pinky.

Once you learn just how to organize with all the large, present surfaces of your house, smaller decisions like upholstery and accent pillows are considerably more easy to make.

Have we convinced one to clear your countertops off?

But it will enlarging your homework space even further, starting with where to put everything you have moved off the white granite countertops, and require some preparation that is smart. Here are 10 ideas for finding space you did not know you'd.

1. Transfer the microwave.

The biggest countertop space hog is generally the microwave. Many people get rid of it altogether, but in case you're not ready to go that way, consider if there is anywhere else you can place it. Maybe it would work to keep it on a ledge, as revealed above, or on a rolling kitchen cart (which, depending on how miniature your kitchen is, you might need to keep beyond the kitchen).

2.

Is it possible to put in a wall-mounted dish rack behind or above your sink? IKEA carries a dish drainer that's ideal for this. If hanging isn't an option, consider purchasing a small, compact dish rack which can be readily kept under your sink, like this one from simplehuman or this one from Umbra.

3. Set on a shelf that is floating.

This way you get tools and the crock easily within reach, but without being forced to give any countertop space because of it.

The truth is, floating shelves (especially on the backsplash) are great around the kitchen. Here are 10 areas to set one.

4. Store cutting boards in cabinet or a basket.

Keeping one cutting board that is large is totally fine — it's vital for prep, in the end, which is what the countertop is for. But if you have several cutting boards they keep creeping into your actual homework space or falling over, plus which you store stacked across the countertop edge, maybe it is time to get another spot to store them! You could store them in a tall basket on a floor, on the interior of a cabinet door, or hang them from a metal railing.

5. Include your wall.

That is advice that is old, but it still stands: For those who have any available wall area in your kitchen, utilize it to put away things you'd otherwise need to keep on the countertop. Put on a ledge or install a wall ledge that is very tall, narrow to hold coffee supplies, fruit bowls, along with other kitchen miscellanea.

6.Widen your countertop using a cart or island.

You don't have to rely on carts or designated kitchen islands to give yourself more flat space, although there are options that are excellent out there for that. Take a cue from Leela and Dave's kitchen and make your own countertop-extender out of a Home Depot tool cart and an IKEA butcher block top!

What are your smart tips for getting a little more countertop space?

The Best Way To Clean and Disinfect Granite Countertops

What's the top method to wash white granite countertops? We have read a lot of changing views on this — use Windex! Use a special granite-only cleaner! No, you do not need a unique granite-only cleaner! — The top part? You don't need any special cleaners to get those white granite countertops gleaming and streak-free.

DO: Be sure your granite countertop is sealed. While granite is not as porous than marble, unsealed or weakly sealed granite and a very tough surface will soak up oils, spills, and stains. To check whether your granite is sealed, leave a couple of globules of water on the surface. If it beads up, you have a safe seal. Then it's time to reseal the rock, if after several minutes the water has soaked to the granite.

DO NOT: Use Windex, harsh or abrasive cleansers and sponges, acidic cleaners like vinegar, lemon, lime, or anything with ammonia or bleach. The sealant as time passes wills dull and weaken.

DO: Wipe up spills when you notice them.

DO: Use a moderate or gentle dish soap, warm water, along with a nubby washcloth or microfiber fabric for daily wipedowns.

How About Disinfecting?

Hot water and dish soap should be adequate for daily sanitizing. However, if a stronger disinfectant is desired, blend together a 50:50 solution of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol. Spray on the granite, let to sit for 3 -5 minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber fabric. Avoid bleach or ammonia-based cleaners.

How About Special Granite-Safe Cleansers?

Some all-purpose surface cleaners also specify they're safe for granite. Take advantage of these cleansers should you need — merely realize that if you don't need to, you don't have to buy them. The cleaning tutorial below will work just fine!

7 Unusual Kitchen Countertops That Absolutely Work

Is your kitchen feeling a little bit dreary? Sometimes you want a space that stands out and makes a statement. In the event you are in that boat, contemplate making an upgrade to your natural stone kitchen countertops. There are plenty of ways you can update them to make your space feel brand new — and we are not just discussing marble or quartz. How about chalkboard, pennies, or copper?

Here are a couple more offbeat ideas to get you started.

Penny Countertops - Domestic Imperfection: What would you do with all those pennies you've collected? If you are feeling ambitious, they could simply be become a unique countertop.
Recycled Sea Glass Mosaic - Simply Irresistible Designs: Mosaic countertops aren't always new, but this recycled sea glass one is gorgeous.
We're unsure precisely how these cork countertops were created, but because they are a part of the bar that is wet, we're expecting they were made from pieces of wine corks.
DIY Glitter Countertop - Making Pleasant in the Midwest: In a cheeky retro kitchen, it is a home run, although a glitter and epoxy countertop is not appropriate for every kitchen. On a bar countertop instead of the complete kitchen, you may also just use it of course.
Luminous Quartz - We've seen tons of quartz kitchen countertops in our day, but this aglow quartz counter is a thing of beauty!
Lilledale: Copper counters might seem cost-prohibitive, until you understand you are able to do yourself to them. You only have to be certain you get the stuff that are right and follow this tutorial.
Array: Chalkboard walls and refrigerators may be more common, however only a little chalkboard paint is the best method to dress up countertops that are old.

Recycled Content Countertops

You'll find many firms which specialize in or have recycled content options in the event that you are looking into a kitchen remodel. Gaining in popularity lately, you can now locate countertops that suit any preference. Here we take a look at ten U.S. firms making a difference in the world of eco friendly recycled content products that strive to make healthy, delightful kitchen quartz countertops.

Recycled content countertops are generally split into two groups: those and those made from paper or wood. Look for products which are FSC certified, if you opt for paper/wood. No matter what materials you choose, make sure it has low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) usage as exposure to VOCs isn't healthy.

BOTTOM ROW

1. Recycle Top, Recycled Paper Countertop by KlipTech: Recycle Top from KlipTech is a 100% post consumer recycled paper fiber merchandise solidified with a unique resin made from corn and cashew nut.

2. Eco Top, Recycled Content Countertop by KlipTech: Also by KlipTech, the Eco Top is made from clear 100% water based resin formula, allowing to get a much more varied variety of colors from pure white to UV stable Jet Black.

3. Fuez, Sustainable Surfaces: Fuez is made from 100% curbside cement and recycled glass. Not only are the products eco friendly, but generation is well. Recycled water is utilized in the creation to reduce intake and 100% wind power generates electricity.

4. Squak Mountain Store, Recycled Content Countertops: Recycled paper, recycled glass, and low-carbon cement are hand-cast to create a unique fibrous-cement substance resembling soapstone or limestone. All stuff that are local are used by this small business out of Seattle.

5. Trinity, Recycled Glass Countertops: Trinity creates quality recycled glass countertops with the same friendly and community based values and is the sister company of Squak Mountain Stone.

TOP ROW

6. IceStone, Sage Pearl Recycled Content Countertop by IceStone: Brooklyn based IceStone plans to create the healthiest potential product for people and for the earth. Are their countertops made from 100% recycled glass and cement, but the business is eco friendly in every area of its own operation.

7. Paper Stone, Sustainable Complex Surfaces: Paperstone prides itself on their "countertops using a conscience" made from 100% FSC certified post-consumer recycled paper that's been saturated with PetroFree™ phenolic resins and chosen natural pigments. The business also works with all the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System©, "a voluntary standard for developing environmentally responsible, low emission, high performance, sustainable buildings."

8. Gilasi, Recycled Glass Countertops: Gilasi is a Chicago based firm that has partnered with the City of Chicago's Waste to Gain Network to recover and recycle glass destined for local landfills. Their countertops are composed of 85% recycled stuff, most of which is glass that can't be recycled using traditional methods.

9. Glass Recycled, Recycled Glass Countertops: by combining glass with epoxy resin rather than the standard cement Made, Glass Recycled can custom make almost any colour for a lighter, less bulky countertop.

10.Recycled Paper Countertops: Recycled content countertops by Richlite, 5 Richlite are made in Washington and purpose to make natural looking products with minimum impact to the surroundings. Their products "contribute to LEED building certification guidelines for third-party certified quickly sustainable, recycled content, regional, and low-emitting substances."

One Year After I used Marble Countertops

One the one hand, I just couldn't picture anything else in the kitchen. On the flip side, we were nervous; was it the correct choice? Would they be a practical option for a high-traffic kitchen? What about etching and staining?
Read on to find out what I think about my black marble countertops, after moving in a year.
The short answer? I love the countertops. Following a year of living with marble plus a half, I find cool it elegant, and vibrant. It is lovely to work on, and simple to clean.
We got Carrara marble, which is the most affordable and often the most heavily gray-veined marble. The slab we found has plenty of veining, but the white between the veins is brilliant white — that is not gray — and it just burns in the kitchen.
The marble was also one of the more affordable options in stone countertops, and certainly more frugal than the quartz I had been considering as another option. Any time you invest in solid countertops it's indeed an investment.
Nonetheless. There is a large but in my glowing love for our marble. The very first couple of months were chilling. Scrapes and the first few etches were wounding while I loved the appearance of the marble.
The Initial Week
We were racing to move in and get the kitchen put in place before family came to visit for Thanksgiving, and so I was putting spices as well as other basics away, and the installer had not yet come back to seal the marble. I spilled some cinnamon or cumin also it made a faint brownish stain that will not come off.
We put a sheet pan back on the black marble countertops and left a sizable rust spot beneath the next day. I scrubbed it and scrubbed but it still stained.
All these are the sole significant spots we've, and they were all from before we sealed the countertops, of putting anything on the countertops to get a little while after that but I was terrified.
After the countertops were varnished there have been nearly zero problems with staining. I'm cautious about wiping up particular things like turmeric or alternative spices, but I don't worry about splatters of coffee or red wine. They wipe up, even though they have dried or sat there for a while.
The First Month
We slowly got over our fear of staining the countertops, but there were etches to compete with. I used a huge cutting board I cut any lemons or limes, and carefully wiped up splashes of juice. I remember one of the large etches I first got, after some juice spilled on the countertop. I felt sick; you could start to see the dull shape of a puddle on the countertop.
But I stepped to the side, also it disappeared to the flow of the marble; it was just visible in a few lights.
For the very first few months I was cautious about wiping up spills, but I still felt nervous every time the counters got marred or etched. I easily hurt and felt like they were fragile; if we had made the decision that was wrong, I wondered. I didn't enjoy feeling like I had to tiptoe around my kitchen.
But I could not picture any other work surface, and I loved how it felt under my hands. It keeps the kitchen cool, and working dough or pastry on it really is simply wonderful.
I also found the best way to lift modest starts of blots with a poultice manufactured from baking soda and water, blended into a paste and left on the countertop instantly up. Also, to my surprise, I discovered that some of the staining that happened before the countertops were sealed faded decrease and the marble seems to absorb blots as time passes.

The Very First Year
I relaxed more and more about the marble as the months passed. In the primary couple of months I became more kind of the etches, but I could still name them. "That is where Chris made us cocktails. That's where I left the lemon juicer. That was the tomato sauce." And then, unexpectedly, I didn't care. They have faded into each other, and become a part of the rock, although there are so splotches and many etches on the countertop. You can just see them at certain angles and in particular lights, and I'm somewhat affectionate of the wear and tear we've put into the rock.
I do still use enormous cutting boards but I 'm more relaxed about it. I simply juiced two dozen lemons in a row I did not bat an eye when the juicer splattered all over the counter, and while preparing for a wedding I catered. I simply wiped it up and moved on.
Would I get marble? Absolutely. It was the right choice with this kitchen, and I adore the brightness and soft, organic feel of the stone.
I do, however, understand that I personally would never get polished (in contrast to honed) marble. Etches show a lot more aggressively on polished rock. In reality, I'd love to have mine honed to an even more matte finish. A Vermont rock company urges doing a moderate version of this yourself with Comet as well as a kitchen scrubby every so often, blending the etches into newly scrubbed rock.
In addition, I think that marble is best for two types of people: The first is someone who is tremendously about cleaning their kitchen, Type A or who barely cooks. You're able to keep marble almost pristine if you work extremely hard.
That's obviously not me. I'm the second type: a comfortable, messy cook who wanted the look of natural stone but is chill enough (in the end) to reside with the etches and marks and let it stream into a wabi-sabi strategy to the kitchen. It is all good. I make an effort to avert any really egregious damage; I Have seriously relaxed and do not feel a bit anxious about it anymore, although I'm not going to cut on a lemon directly on the countertop.
I do, though, want to demonstrate my etching personal and up close. Stay tuned for that after this week — about getting marble I think that it's helpful to understand precisely that which you're getting into, in the event you're thinking.