HGTV Green Home 2009 – What Makes it so Green?

This year’s HGTV Green Home is as green & beautiful as ever. Fans across the country have been entering to win the HGTV Green Home grand prize package valued at $750,000. The contest ends on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 5 p.m. This year's home, located in Tradition, FL, received a significant Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and earned the Indoor airPLUS label from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 2009 HGTV Green Home, a 2,430-square-foot contemporary Spanish-style cottage which features construction and design elements that contribute to an energy efficient, cleaner and healthier living environment, will be presented to one lucky viewer during a special broadcast on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

The Platinum LEED certification signifies that the HGTV Green Home – from countertops to floors, to windows, to lighting, and everything in between - meets stringent standards for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, indoor environmental quality and innovative design. LEED for Homes, a voluntary rating system, is a project of the U.S. Green Building Council.

To earn the Indoor airPLUS label, a home must meet strict guidelines set by the EPA for reducing poor indoor air quality and have third-party verification. The 2009 HGTV Green Home includes more than 30 additional design and construction features for moisture control, radon control, pest barriers, improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, combustion pollutant control and low emission materials. These features help protect the homeowners from a host of health problems associated with poor indoor air quality, including eye irritation, allergies, headaches, and respiratory problems such as asthma. As an Indoor airPLUS qualified home, the HGTV Green Home also meets guidelines for energy efficiency set by the EPA's ENERGY STAR program.

Just looking at the kitchen, it’s a calm and uncluttered space and, for an eco-friendly home, & interior designer Linda Woodrum wouldn’t have it any other way. “I wanted an almost Asian feeling that was very clean and not overdone,” she explains.

The walls, covered in glass mosaic tiles, punctuate the cooking space, which features streamlined espresso-colored cabinetry and sleek stainless-steel hardware and fixtures. CaesarStone quartz countertops, in a shade of bold black and crafted from recycled material, add a hint of sparkle and continue the green story, as they are naturally antimicrobial as well as mold- and heat-resistant. This type of countertop is ideal for eco-friendliness and food safety, because of its nonporous, durable, & recyclable materials - it is easy to clean and never has to be sealed.

Check your local listings for the watching the HGTV Green Home Giveaway, and for more information on CaesarStone quartz countertops visit www.caesarstoneus.com.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

CaesarStone Announces Winners of Design Contest with Dwell Magazine

CaesarStone, the original quartz countertops manufacturer, and Dwell® magazine announced that Hayato Takahashi’s Curve Table was awarded first place in the Challenge Your Imagination design competition. Takahashi won the grand prize of $5,000. The competition required designers to create tables that are sustainable, innovative and challenged conventional thinking about how CaesarStone can be used.

Jonah Takagi’s Deconstructed Prism Table and Sven Schroeter’s Keybeam Table won second and third place respectively; both designers were each awarded a $1,000 prize.

The competition was launched last year at the Dwell on Design® modern design event in Los Angeles and culminated at the 2009 AIA Expo in San Francisco where the final entries were displayed and the top three entries were named. The judging panel, which included members of the Dwell and CaesarStone creative teams, reviewed 240 entries to select six final designs. All finalists were able to work with a CaesarStone fabricator to actually create their designs.

The other finalists included Efrain Velez for the O-Lithas Table; Troy Carlson for Table Cleavage; and Eric Mackey for the Turnstone Table.

All finalist tables will be exhibited at the Dwell on Design LA event held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, June 26-28, 2009.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz countertop manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; New York, NY and Atlanta, GA. CaesarStone produces premium quartz countertops, complementing any design application, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide.

Offering a lifetime warranty, their products are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping Research Institute in addition to ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), GREENGUARD certification, a member of USGBC (The U.S. Green Building Council) and NSF (public health and safety) certification. Dwell and Dwell on Design are registered trademarks of Dwell, LLC

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For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Common Countertop Materials

Here are the most common materials used in countertops.

Laminate

What it is: Layers of paper topped with a thin coating of plastic, then glued to plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).

Pros: Laminate resists stains and comes in a slew of colors and fun patterns, such as zebrawood.

Cons: If you slice through the top layer, you’ll need to replace the entire countertop. Laminate can buckle under high heat, and seams are visible where pieces meet.

Cost: $10 to $30 a square foot.*

*Price ranges include installation.

Solid surface

What it is: Molded resin.

Pros: Often referred to by the brand name Corian, it is stain-resistant and nonporous and ranges in color from bright blue to earthy beige. “Some shades mimic the look of smooth concrete,” says Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend, design and brand for Lowe’s.

Cons: Scratches can be gently sanded out, but the material may be scorched by hot pots and marred by knives.

Cost: $35 to $80 a square foot.

Marble

What it is: Crystallized limestone, typically with gray or beige veining.

Pros: It’s classic. “Like the Parthenon, marble gets better with age,” says Matt Aanensen. It is heat-resistant and features a cool-to-the-touch surface that’s ideal for rolling dough.

Cons: It’s prone to chipping, and acidic foods, like lemons and tomatoes, can cause stains and deep scratches. It should be sealed annually. You’ll have to apply a poultice to suck stains out.

Cost: $40 to $100 a square foot.

Tip: Marble and granite vary from slab to slab, so if you’re particular, visit a stone yard to pick out your own piece.

Stainless steel

What it is: Sheets of metal.

Pros: Stainless-steel surfaces are heat-resistant and nonporous, so they will stay bacteria-free. “There’s not much you can do to hurt it, and the look never goes out of style,” says Tracey Overbeck Stead, an interior designer in Austin, Texas.

Cons: It’s generally a fingerprint magnet. However, smudges are not as noticeable on a brushed or matte finish. Stainless steel can also scratch easily.

Cost: $70 to $120 a square foot.

Concrete

What it is: Cement, water, sand, stone and pigment formed into a slab.

Pros: “The surface is incredibly smooth,” says Paula Flanagan, an interior designer in Chicago. And it’s customizable. Tint it to match a paint color, embed it with shells, and choose any thickness.

Cons: It may crack when exposed to extreme temperature changes. It also needs to be sealed annually and waxed every couple of months.

Cost: $80 to $120 a square foot.

Engineered Stone

What it is: This material is 93% quartz particles mixed with various resins and pigments. Brands include CaesarStone Quartz countertops and Zodiaq.

Pros: It’s as tough as nails. There’s minimal variation from slab to slab, and it comes in bright colors, such as race-car red and aqua blue. It won’t scratch or scorch, and it never needs to be sealed.

Cons: Seams are visible, and the edges may chip.

Cost: $45 to $90 a square foot.

Paper composite

What it is: Paper pulp bonded together with water-based resins. Richlite is one of the main brands.

Pros: It’s made from a renewable resource. It’s also heat- and scratch-resistant and exceedingly smooth to the touch (you won’t believe it was made out of paper).

Cons: Red wine, juice, and mustard may stain it (they can be tackled with warm water and a scrub pad).

Cost: $90 to $120 a square foot.

Soapstone

What it is: A natural, porous stone, usually gray in color. You might remember it from high school chemistry class, as it was used to top those old lab tables.

Pros: It can handle hot spots and doesn’t stain.

Cons: You’ll have to smooth out scratches and help the stone oxidize (or darken) evenly by occasionally applying mineral oil. The stone is soft and thus susceptible to chipping.

Cost: $50 to $100 a square foot.

Wood

What it is: Solid slabs of hardwood (usually maple, oak, cherry, walnut or teak) or butcher block (pieces of hardwood glued together). Wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council comes from sustainably managed forests.

Pros: It takes on character as it ages.

Cons: It can warp, stain, burn and scratch and must be sealed annually. Wood absorbs bacteria; disinfect it after exposure to raw meat or fish.

Cost: $40 to $65 a square foot.

Limestone

What it is: A sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcite.

Pros: Limestone features minimal veining and varies from slab to slab. It can withstand high heat.

Cons: It stains easily and must be sealed at least once a year. You’ll need to use a poultice of baking soda and water to draw out tough stains (such as the rust ring from your husband’s shaving can). It’s also prone to scratches, nicks and chips.

Cost: $60 to $100 a square foot.

Granite

What it is: One of the hardest natural stones on earth, ranging in color from basic black to pink.

Pros: Granite has become the upgrade of choice in kitchens and baths for good reason. It is nonporous and extremely durable and can hold its own against hot pots. The varieties are endless, and no two slabs are exactly alike. A few types come presealed.

Cons: Seams are visible. Most granite needs to be sealed annually.

Cost: $40 to $100 a square foot.

Recycled glass

What it is: Ground-up glass mixed with concrete.

Pros: This eco-friendly material can withstand heat, resists scratching, and comes in many colors and thicknesses.

Cons: Dropping a heavy pot or pan on recycled-glass countertops could cause the surface to crack or chip — and the damage can’t be repaired. Some kinds are slightly bumpy. You’ll need to seal it once a year, and it can show fingerprints.

Cost: $100 to $190 a square foot.

By Carolyn Weber, Real Simple

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

CaesarStone Table by Pedro Gomes

Developed by designer Pedro Gomes for the Caesarstone Design Competition, the CaesarStone table is a practical furniture unit known as “Caesarstone Table” that works as a coffee table or side table in compact apartments, apart from being presenting a storage space for your books/magazines and other stuff. Made of standard CaesarStone Quartz Countertops materials, the multifunctional furniture features a free flowing form with a nifty storage area underneath the surface of the table. While the special board, developed in glass with embedded side lightning, of the table not just make the unit durable and lightweight, for a safe as well as easy transportation, but at the same time trendy to be placed in contemporary apartments.

All of the winning designs will also be featured on the CaesarStone website. For details, rules and regulations go to www.CaesarStoneUS.com/dreamdesign.

About CaesarStone

CaesarStone is the original quartz surface manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; Miami, FL; New York, NY and Atlanta, GA. CaesarStone produces premium quartz countertops & surfaces, complementing any design application, from traditional to contemporary, for both home and commercial applications. CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath retailers, fabricators, architects, designers, builders and distributors nationwide.

Offering a lifetime warranty as of February 15, 2008; their countertops and other products are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. CaesarStone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping Research Institute in addition to ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), GREENGUARD certification, a member of USGBC (The U.S. Green Building Council) and NSF (public health and safety) certification.

For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s website at www.CaesarStoneUS.com, or call toll-free 877-9QUARTZ (877-978-2789).

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.