Countertops – Giving Your HomeSome Color

While kitchens come in many shapes and sizes, almost all homeowners rely on their countertops for reliable surfaces to cook, work, and store. Coming in different colors and textures, countertopsmade up of natural stones are relatively pricier than other materials such as tile, wood, or laminate. 

When it comes to a countertop surface that is reliable, resilient, and beautiful, the first choice is natural stone. They are relatively easy to clean, tough and virtually fireproof. Natural stone provides 4 varieties, namely marble, granite, slate and travertine. Marble, though beautiful and available in various colors and designs, may raise the cost considerably. Granite, on the other hand, is a good mix of quality and functionality and is available in various forms. It offers a good value for money, though it does require maintenance such as a yearly sealing. Since marble and granite are naturally porous materials, they require sealing in order to prevent bacteria from hiding inside the surface. Using slates gives the option of going for multipurpose options. For people having a taste for natural and neutral color, travertine may be the best option. Coming from the limestone family, it may however stain more easily than others.

The modern day kitchen is increasingly using countertops made of wood that are long-lasting when properly cared for. These are made using modern adhesives that strongly bond the wood staves and may withstand high pressure. Aesthetically speaking, a wooden countertop goes well with wooden floorings, moldings, cornices and mantels. Though somewhat costlier, these are usually less expensive than natural stone and granite.

A countertop made of engineered stone consists of 93% crushed quartz and 3-7% of binders and resins. The use of quartz makes these durable and easy to maintain. The durability of the stone makes them resistant to scratch and heat. However, that doesn’t mean a person gets careless and is suggested not to directly place hot items on the countertops. It also offers various choices in colors and should be used specifically in a place like as countertop in kitchen and as vanity in bathroom. 

The last of the options, Formica, is an inexpensive and uses a high-pressure laminated countertops. In the general parlance, these are known as either plastic laminate countertops or Formica countertops. These are not long-lasting like others and may get scratched with cleaning.

Countertops -- On the Surface

People often take kitchen surfaces for granted. They just want to make sure that their countertops are durable, clean, and functional. But if you need new ones, this is often when people start researching more about countertop materials. There are a lot of options out there, and the one that's right for you may depend on what you plan to use it for. This is why it's important not only to do your research, but also to make a list of the things you want to be able to do on this surface. Taking these steps can help you to get the right product for the job.

Tile is a popular choice for countertops in both kitchens and bathrooms. It's pretty inexpensive to install, and you can choose from a wide variety of colors and tile types. You can even add some style with decorative tiles or patterned tiles. It's relatively durable and, even if you do chip a tile, it's easier to replace one tile than to have to replace an entire countertop. The only drawback for a lot of people is that tile comes with grout, and grout can be rather difficult to clean. Fortunately, there are other options.

Natural stone is also a popular material for countertops. This material is beautiful, natural, and very hardy. The most popular stone types for this application are usually granite or marble. You can get a variety of different styles or stone types. A granite countertop in particular can handle a lot of abuse. You can put hot pots directly on the countertop. Because stones retain coolness, it's also an ideal surface for rolling out pie dough or pasta. And because there are no grout lines to contend with, just a single solid surface, clean-up on granite or marble is a snap.

But one thing about natural stone countertops is that they're prone to scratching. You may not need to replace the entire countertop, but you may need to buff out scratches on a regular basis. The alternative to natural stone is engineered stone. These engineered surfaces combine quartz with polyresin in order to make a beautiful surface with a natural look that's much more scratch-resistant than granite or marble. These materials can range in price but are typically considered top-of-the-line materials. If you want beauty that will last a lifetime in your kitchen, then it is an investment worth making.

What is the Typical Cost of Caesarstone?

Caesarstone is a lovely & highly desired stone surfacing material created with current technology to resemble quartz in every capacity. Durable and available in a wide range of colors & textures, you can furnish your home with this beautiful surface everywhere from the bathroom to kitchen countertops to an accent wall. Even floors can be done with this product.

Caesarstone is ninety three percent quartz combined with pigments and polymers to strengthen the product and provide a variety of different color options for every type of style. Caesarstone also comes in honed, polished, and textured surfaces. For about $40.00 per square foot in some locations, it is an investment worth every penny.

Some of the rich colors to add character to your home include Deep Ocean, Black Rocks, Espresso, Smoky Ash, Pebble, Ruby Reflections, Mocha, Nougat, Rosemary, Eggshell, Cinder, Desert Limestone, & Organic White among many other choices. Caesarstone also comes in many recycled options with fleck filled color choices such as Starry Night, Carbone and Spring Blossom.

Determining the cost of your Caesarstone requires some research. You can calculate the footage by using online calculators, or Caesarstone’s handy app for the iPhone and iPad. Various web sites which sell countertop or flooring materials offer approximate pricing based on the surface dimensions you want to cover by filling in the square feet of the area and the price per square foot.

Caesarstone may cost as much as $60 or even $90 a square foot for the material and installation depending on your location. Caesarstone is one of the only materials which offers a lifetime guarantee, so really it is quite cost effective than other materials which need regular maintenance or repairs.

When caring for Caesarstone be sure to avoid contact with paint thinners, prolonged heat, soaps with high alkaline balances, oils, oven cleaners and other harsh products. The Caesarstone will last but you don’t want to stain its surface or create dull places in it. Hot pots and other heat sources can leave hairline cracks that are difficult to mask.

The Best Materials for Your Countertops

When it comes time to redo your kitchen’s countertops, you will find that you are inundated with choices as to what to make them out of. This is not a choice that should be made lightly either. You will be stuck, so to speak, with the new kitchen countertop for many years to come. So, while it may seem that this decision is not all that important, it really is important to the overall look of your kitchen and, considering how much it will cost to redo, you really can’t afford to get it wrong.

The first decision that has to be made when it comes time to get new countertops is what material they will be made out of. Here you will find that you have several choices including:

· Solid surface – This countertop is made out of acrylic and is the most common type that is found in most homes and apartment buildings. The material is very durable and can withstand stains and all of the rigors of daily living. Another plus to this type is that you can get them in almost every color imaginable so they are easily matched with the colors of your current kitchen if you do not plan to change them.

· Granite – For those with more money and who want fancier looking countertops, you can have them made out of granite. This type can definitely make the kitchen look classier. The only problem, other than the cost of making them, is that they have been known to absorb certain stains and, once that happens, there is no getting the stain out.

· Ceramic tile – Some people prefer ceramic tile for their countertop material. It can definitely make the kitchen look nice and clean and, much like with solid surface ones, you can get the tiles in all sorts of colors to match your kitchen. The only thing is that the tiles do not tend to last as long as other material types so you may find yourself replacing them in a couple of years.

The next decision you need to make is who is going to make and then install your new countertops. You want to make sure to choose someone who knows what they are doing and has been in the business for a while. Even a properly cut countertop can become messed up if it is not installed correctly. They cost far too much, even those not made of stone, for you to hire someone who is just going to mess them up. Sure, you may have to pay a bit more for a more experienced counter person, but it will be worth it in the end.

Remodeling Trends in Los Angeles: Kitchen Benchtops

In Los Angeles kitchen remodel projects are often based on both form and function. Contractors/designers meet with their clients to ensure that both the style and function of the space is addressed. The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home. It is where families gather for meals, where cooking, hosting, dishes, and homework are done. Some families look for comfort and coziness, while others look for modernity and sleekness, all the while needing the space to serve the functions needed with ease.

Countertops and storage space are often the first big decisions made, which shape the rest of the kitchen remodel. Recently benchtops are becoming more and more popular for their durability, low maintenance, and unique look. When looking for a benchtop, remember that it is in constant use, every day. It will need to be sturdy, functional and beautiful.

A kitchen remodel usually happens once in a home, depending on how long the family has lived there. You want to make sure that the countertop you use is strong enough to last for several years – decades even. For this you must turn to a sturdy material which lasts long and doesn’t require much maintenance. While there are a plethora of materials out there, natural stone seems to be the best in terms of price, quality, durability, & being low maintenance.

Natural stone such as quartz, as opposed to granite, is tough, non-porous (so it never needs to be sealed), as well as scratch, heat, and stain resistant. They also come in more colors and textures now than ever before.

While some specific stones get discolored or stained when something hot is kept on them, durable quartz such as Caesarstone is resistant to such things making it a smart choice for home owners who want to work freely without the worry of stains or discoloration. Busy moms, for example, who use their countertops every day, don’t have the time or energy to baby their counters. They want something they can install and forget about, aside from an easy cleaning once in awhile.

Quartz has become a hot favorite because it fulfills the most conditions specified by the customers. Durable, low-maintenance, heat, stain, & scratch resistant, a variety of choices for color & texture, regularly available, & well priced for the quality of the product: these are all qualities which have made quartz countertops & benchtops such as Caesarstone as a superior choice for satisfied customers. And because quartz is such a versatile material, benchtops can be made specific to various designs requested by the customer. From classic to modern, and even ultra modern, the possibilities are endless.

Caesarstone Partners with Bravo’s Flipping Out Host Jeff Lewiss

Global quartz countertop & surface pioneer Caesarstone announced a partnership today with Jeff Lewis, the star of Bravo’s hit docu-series Flipping Out and the recently announced series Interior Therapy. As a real estate mogul having speculated and designed over 100 homes, Lewis has developed some of the most sought after properties in Los Angeles. In this new venture with Caesarstone, Lewis will be developing surface colors and will appear in advertising campaigns for the company.

“Jeff Lewis brings to the Caesarstone brand his experience in designing homes for over 20 years; his understanding of the homeowners’ likes and dislikes; his use of modern and relevant colors, as well as his humor and humility,” said Arik Tendler, President of Caesarstone. “We are excited to collaborate with Jeff in 2011 to develop new colors as well as a fresh and humorous ad campaign.”

This will be the second year of partnership between Caesarstone and Lewis. In 2010, Lewis selected Caesarstone’s Pure White surface in his House Beautiful Magazine “Kitchen of the Year” design project showcased in Rockefeller Center.

“In my experience as a speculator and designer, Caesarstone is regarded as the premiere quartz surface provider,” said Lewis. “The opportunity to expand the line and develop new colors is a creative challenge that I look forward to.”

About Caesarstone
Caesarstone is the original quartz countertops & surfaces manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Colorado, Miami, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis and Dallas. 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 Residential Lifetime Warranty, Caesarstone countertops and surfaces are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. Caesarstone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance with stringent international environmental standards including ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), and NSF (public health and safety). A sustainable material, Caesarstone is GREENGUARD certified and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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

Caesarstone announces launch of new website

Caesarstone is pleased to announce the launch of their new and improved website. The site is bigger, cleaner, and more user friendly. It has new functions that are sure to please those in the market for a new surface.

“You’ll notice lots of new things on the site. We’ve given our products lots of room to sing with huge, gorgeous photography. We’ve also made it easier than ever to find the exact colors and textures you’re looking for, to share them with friends, and to find out where to experience them in person. All in a super-clean, ultra-modern layout that’s as sleek as the installations featuring our products.” Simon Lim, Caesarstone Senior Information Systems Manager

The new Caesarstone website has many streamlined features from up to date news to swatches.

The products section is stocked full of colors, textures, new surfaces and innovations as well as suggested colors within the range of the user’s preferences.

The edge visualizer tool is loaded with all of the top Caesarstone countertop colors and gives customers the ability to try out everything from ogee to beveled edges before they make their purchase.

The photo gallery section is full of new projects ranging from ultra-modern to classic with new videos to boot.

The customer service section is full of information about care and maintenance, and Residential Lifetime Warranty and Registration, to enable Caesarstone to continue to serve their customers in their signature full service fashion.

The site also has a section containing information about designers’ projects and websites.

Fan favorites like the How to Buy showroom locator full of useful information for those in the market for a new surface, are alive and well.

Finally, the Trade Partner Site for professionals has marketing materials, literature, swatches, fabricator searches… the list goes on and on.

And this just in, the newsroom section of the site went live this past Friday and is full of up to date events, press, and media so check it out!

This site launch is just the beginning for Caesarstone. There are all kinds of exciting initiatives set to launch in the coming months to connect with more Caesarstone fans across the country and around the world. So stay tuned! For now, come visit and enjoy Caesarstone’s new home.

About Caesarstone

Caesarstone is the original quartz countertops & surfaces manufacturer. The company is headquartered in Southern California with offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Colorado, Miami, New York, Atlanta, St. Louis and Dallas. 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 Residential Lifetime Warranty, Caesarstone countertops and surfaces are nonporous, stain, scratch and heat resistant. Caesarstone has earned the respected Good Housekeeping Seal from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute and is in compliance with stringent international environmental standards including ISO 14001 (environmental management system), ISO 9002 (quality management standard), and NSF (public health and safety). A sustainable material, Caesarstone is GREENGUARD certified and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

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

Tips for Choosing the Right Countertop

Your kitchen countertop is one of the most used surfaces in your home, so you want to be sure you make the right choice. There are a number of things you need to keep in mind when considering choosing the right countertop surface.

The first step in remodeling anything in your home is to know your design style. An excellent way to discover this is to choose images from interior design and similar magazines that appeal to you. These could range from flower arrangements, kitchen layouts, color schemes to appliances that you find attractive.

Fashion has always been a source of inspiration for kitchen design. So in figuring out your style, take a trip to your own closet. You can get a good idea of who you are by what you wear. Equally as important as your personal style is the overall style of your home: is it traditional, modern, contemporary, classic, transitional, or even nautical? Is the home architecture Mediterranean, Ranch or Spanish? This will give you great direction on the type of style that you are trying to achieve with your kitchen design and specifically with your countertop.

Once you have gathered your ideas and have a design direction, you will need to choose a color for your countertop that complements the other colors in your kitchen. What color are your cabinets, backsplashes and paints? What type of material have you chosen for your flooring?

What style and color are your appliances?

The next critical step in choosing a countertop is to consider what functions your kitchen serves. Is it a high traffic area? Do you have small children or teenagers at home? Do you enjoy entertaining? Are you a passionate cook? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you will need a durable countertop. Your two best choices are granite or quartz.

Although granite is an extremely durable surface, it is not as durable as quartz. Quartz remains the number one rated surfacing material for durability on the market today. Quartz is also the only material that will give you the ease of cleaning while offering a multitude of colors, textures and styles.

Caesarstone is the original quartz manufacturer of heat, stain and scratch resistant surfaces with a Residential Lifetime Warranty. They fabricate surfaces with a variety of different edge options to match your personal style and overall kitchen design, modern or traditional.

To get a crystal clear image of the finished product before installation even begins, check out Caesarstone’s amazing Edge Visualizer Tool on their website at www.caesarstoneus.com/catalog/edges.cfm.This tool features an animated, three-dimensional, 360° view of a segment of a Caesarstone countertop. The tool allows you to experiment with every possible combination of color and edge type.

Remember: your kitchen is the heart of your home, where you, your family and friends spend most of their time. This is where memories are made. Selecting the perfect countertop is a critical part of your overall kitchen design.

A More Elegant Look (and Feel) for the Home

Interior Designers are always on the lookout for what is new, fresh, and ground-breaking to the design and architecture scene. CaesarStone’s Motivo line, textured finished quartz countertops

& surfacing, just may be that next big trend.

Since its release early this year, interior designers have flooded the waves with interest and awe, sharing ideas and excitement as to how Motivo will be incorporated into their next projects.

This modern decorative textured surface from CaesarStone transforms walls and work surfaces into trendy visual and tactile pieces. Motivo comes in Lace and Crocodile patterns. Lace being the surface with a filigree design in a matte-white finish, which gives an elegant and refined look, ideal for the bedroom, bathroom, living room, kitchen countertop, or foyer.

On the other side of the spectrum Crocodile is a more dramatic surface with an exotic and luxurious feel in a glossy black finish. Motivo Crocodile is an ideal surface to add drama in the kitchen, dining room, study, recreation room, or home theater.

Despite its delicate look Motivo, as all of CaesarStone’s quartz surface products are, is nonporous, easy to care for, and appropriate for numerous applications including custom-made furniture, vanity tops, wall paneling, and kitchen countertops. CaesarStone used patented new technology to apply an embossed effect to a range of delicate surfaces to create a textured look and feel. Visit CaesarStone or ask your local designer/fabricator for more information on Motivo, and get inspired to add a bit of style and elegance to your home.

quartz countertops: How to Turn Your Kitchen into Your Favorite Room of the House

It’s the space we’re all well acquainted with, especially during the Holidays. Your kitchen can either reflect what you love, or what you hate about entertaining during the holiday season. Maybe you love hosting large parties, for this your kitchen will need to utilize the space for all that cooking and storing of food. Or if the form is what you require over function, certain accents which appeal to your style and taste can help create a space you’ll love to be in. For most, cabinets and countertops are the biggest part of any kitchen. Theses aspects can make or break your entire space. And while the holiday season may be a less than ideal time for a full on kitchen renovation, it is a great opportunity to make a few mental notes on what you'd like to change about your kitchen. When the New Year rolls around, you might even have enough notes to make a plan and then put that plan into action.

Improving both the form and function of the kitchen is not an easy task, but can save your sanity during those high-volume times. Whether it’s having a refrigerator big enough to store 2 turkeys, a stove big enough to bake 5 pies, or enough countertop space to prepare an entire feast, there are certain ways to steal space and improve the utilization of your kitchen.

Working with an expert is always the best way to turn a drab kitchen into both a functional and magazine-worthy space. Expert designers and architects can improve the flow of the house as well as design a kitchen perfectly suited to you, your family, and your lifestyle.

However, given the present state of the economy, many residents are reluctant to take on a large project like a kitchen renovation, and understandably so! A brand new kitchen can easily cost $75,000 or more. But there are a few advantages to starting now. During the holiday season contractors and designers are a little more freed up, so they have more time to devote to you and your project. You may even find some discounts available.

Another advantage of working with a designer is that you are now blessed with a personal kitchen shopper. While planning your space, many designers will accompany clients on shopping sprees for tiles, countertops and flooring. When you can't decide between granite, concrete, stainless steel, or quartz countertops, your designer will help you make a sensible decision. On most purchases, you'll even benefit from industry discounts. So while you may be reluctant to begin such a large undertaking, you may find it well worth it to have the kitchen of your dreams before the next Holiday Season rolls around!

It’s the space we’re all well acquainted with, especially during the Holidays. Your kitchen can either reflect what you love, or what you hate about entertaining during the holiday season. Maybe you love hosting large parties, for this your kitchen will need to utilize the space for all that cooking and storing of food. Or if the form is what you require over function, certain accents which appeal to your style and taste can help create a space you’ll love to be in. For most, cabinets and countertops are the biggest part of any kitchen. Theses aspects can make or break your entire space. And while the holiday season may be a less than ideal time for a full on kitchen renovation, it is a great opportunity to make a few mental notes on what you'd like to change about your kitchen. When the New Year rolls around, you might even have enough notes to make a plan and then put that plan into action.

Improving both the form and function of the kitchen is not an easy task, but can save your sanity during those high-volume times. Whether it’s having a refrigerator big enough to store 2 turkeys, a stove big enough to bake 5 pies, or enough countertop space to prepare an entire feast, there are certain ways to steal space and improve the utilization of your kitchen.

Working with an expert is always the best way to turn a drab kitchen into both a functional and magazine-worthy space. Expert designers and architects can improve the flow of the house as well as design a kitchen perfectly suited to you, your family, and your lifestyle.

However, given the present state of the economy, many residents are reluctant to take on a large project like a kitchen renovation, and understandably so! A brand new kitchen can easily cost $75,000 or more. But there are a few advantages to starting now. During the holiday season contractors and designers are a little more freed up, so they have more time to devote to you and your project. You may even find some discounts available.

Another advantage of working with a designer is that you are now blessed with a personal kitchen shopper. While planning your space, many designers will accompany clients on shopping sprees for tiles, countertops and flooring. When you can't decide between granite, concrete, stainless steel, or quartz countertops, your designer will help you make a sensible decision. On most purchases, you'll even benefit from industry discounts. So while you may be reluctant to begin such a large undertaking, you may find it well worth it to have the kitchen of your dreams before the next Holiday Season rolls around!