Yard Products for Your New Home

Gazebos
Gazebos run the gamut from the very elegant, fairy tale garden gazebo to a unique gathering place to four-post aluminum frame structures that most would call canopies.
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Gazebos

Today's gazebos come in just about every size, style and shape imaginable, from intimate, open-air havens for quiet lounging to spacious, fully enclosed models for creating a personal day spa, to a room equipped with sophisticated cooking and entertainment systems. A backyard gazebo can be customized to reflect a family's unique lifestyle and taste.

Here are some ideas and tips to consider so that you choose a gazebo that best suits your needs and lifestyle:

Where To Put Your Gazebo?
Since aesthetics are important you may want to highlight your structure by making it the center of attention in your garden or blend it into your landscape to make it a secret hideaway. There are no rules - so be creative and have fun. A good design tip is to be conscious of your gazebo's relationship to the rest of the structures on your property. Before you have the cement poured, think about what your gazebo will look like during all four seasons. The surrounding foliage (and weather) can look very different from one season to the next. All of these considerations should have some impact on where you locate your gazebo.

From a functional perspective, avoid low-lying areas where water can collect. Set it on a level or elevated spot in order to keep it - and you - dry, and to maximize the view. Before building, make sure you or your contractor consults the local building department about whether you need a permit.

Size Matters
Another major consideration is the size of your gazebo, because once it is erected you won't be able to enlarge it. Bigger is definitely better when you build a permanent gazebo. Once you're in it - you'll quickly realize its potential as an outdoor retreat, and you'll want to accessorize it. Most manufacturers offer sizes that range from eight feet to as large as you want, however the most popular size is 100 square feet.

The key is to ensure that your space is large enough for its intended purpose, while remaining proportional to the setting. A good rule of thumb is that an eight foot gazebo fits two people, two chairs and a small table. With every two-foot addition, two more people can be seated comfortably in the gazebo (for example, a 10 foot gazebo holds four people comfortably, a 12 foot gazebo holds six people comfortably, etc.)

Materials
A gazebo is generally defined as a freestanding, open-sided structure with a solid roof and (usually) a floor, though designers are constantly reinterpreting the form. While traditionally made of wood, gazebos also can be built of metal, stone, vinyl or even reinforced concrete. Cedar and redwood are the top wood choices because of their stability and weather resistance. Both woods can be painted or left unfinished. Pressure-treated lumber (generally pine) is a less expensive option, but it should be covered with a semitransparent stain. Floors, which are often raised by one or two steps, may be wood, brick, concrete, or stone. Most often, the roof is covered in cedar shakes, though other materials, including copper and slate, may be used, especially if you want it to match your house.

Dazzling Designs
Keep in mind that the design of your gazebo needs to blend with the landscape and work with the style of your house. Most manufacturers offer a line of gazebos that come in various shapes and styles, including octagon, rectangular, oval, double roof octagon, double roof rectangular and double roof oval.

Another nice touch is creating a pathway that leads to the entrance of your gazebo, using flagstone or other paving products.

You can have your gazebo fully enclosed by choosing your own doors and windows (be sure they come with screens) or choosing your own railings and wood patterns for an open gazebo. Most manufacturers have their own line of gazebos, which have their own architectural details and accessories like balustrade panels, decorative corbels and roof accents. A good manufacturing company usually has a web site that details each of its gazebos.

Cost
A high-quality, customized kit starts around $2,000 to $3,000 for a six to eight footer and can go to about $10,000 for a larger kit with added features. Do-it-yourself kits start around $2500 and are generally made from treated pine (aluminum designs are also offered by some manufacturers). When it comes to labor, you can expect to pay $500 and up for labor, plus the cost of the foundation.

Popular Options
Get wired: while you don't have to wire your gazebo, it is a very popular option because it not only provides interior lighting, but can be used as an outlet to power a lamp, a blender for mixing drinks, a small refrigerator or a plug-in stereo system. If you really want to highlight your gazebo considering having swimming pool lights in the floor.

Screening the sides will deter mosquitoes from joining your dinner parties, while adding removable windows can extend the gazebo's use in cooler weather. Sliding lattice-panel sides provide privacy screening as needed. For extra sitting, you can opt for built-in benches.

In warm climates, the gazebo is often built complete with a hot tub, but be sure your gazebo is large enough so that it doesn't turn into a giant covering for your hot tub.

Wooden and vinyl gazebo manufacturers offer a number of optional add-ins, so you can create a customized gazebo. Rail and brace design, optional hidden wiring, removable screens, doors, cupolas, treated or untreated wood, painted or unpainted, these are just a few of the features you can decide on when designing your gazebo.

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Structure Products for Your New Home

Engineered Wood
New building systems and high-tech products are changing the way builders construct new homes. An alternative construction method using engineered wood components is leading the way into tomorrow.
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Engineered Wood

Leading the way in new building systems and high-tech products are engineered wood products. They offer high-performance, consistency, reliability and are an environmentally sound choice in new home construction.

Glued engineered wood is manufactured by bonding together wood strands, veneers, lumber or other forms of wood fiber to produce a larger and integral composite unit that is stronger and stiffer than the sum of its parts. The phenomenal growth in the use and acceptance of engineered wood is proof that a new era is dawning in how homes are being built.

The reason for its growing popularity is that it allows designers greater flexibility to design the open floor plans that so many homeowners want. The benefit to homeowners is a more durable and stronger floor, wall and roofing structure. The product is easy to use and lightweight, which makes it a favored material among homebuilders.

As for the cost, most engineer lumber products will cost more than regular grade lumber, but keep in mind there is less waste. Engineered wood products don’t have any natural defects, so they have 100% utilization ratio versus traditional lumber. Almost 35% of natural wood is wasted while building a home because of imperfections in the wood.

In the end, the cost of the product will offset the final construction bill because you’ll be using less product and contractors can work quicker and easier - cutting installation charges.

Here is a list of engineered wood products available for building your new home:

Plywood- The Original Engineered Wood Product
Manufactured from thin sheets of cross-laminated veneer and bonded under heat and pressure with strong adhesives, plywood has been one of the most prevalent home building products.

OSB (Oriented Strand Board)
OSB is manufactured from waterproof heat-cured adhesives and rectangular shaped wood strands that are arranged in cross-oriented layers, similar to plywood. This results in a structural engineered wood panel that shares many of the strength and performance characteristics of plywood.

Glulam: Lower Cost, Higher Design Value
Glued laminated timber, or glulam is a stress-rated engineered wood product comprised of wood laminations, or "lams," that are bonded together with strong, waterproof adhesives. Glulam components can be a variety of species, and individual "lams" are typically two inches or less in thickness.

The strength and durability of glulam beams make them an ideal choice for large, open designs where long spans are required. Glulam beams, arches, and trusses can be used in a host of design configurations. For architects and designers, the capability to achieve longer spans makes it easier to achieve the open, airy designs and high ceilings that are popular in today's homes.

SCL - Strong, Reliable and Consistent
Structural composite lumber (SCL), which includes laminated veneer lumber (LVL), laminated strand lumber (LSL) and oriented strand lumber (OSL), is a family of engineered wood products created by layering dried and graded wood veneers or flakes with waterproof adhesive into blocks of material known as billets. Cured in a controlled process, SCL is typically available in various thicknesses and widths and is easily worked in the field using conventional construction tools.

Rim Board - A wood framing solution
Rim Board is a highly engineered and precision trimmed product, specifically designed as a component in engineered floor systems. It is designed to tie joists together and precisely fill the space between sub-floor and plate and is engineered with the structural capacity to transfer vertical and lateral loads.

I-Joists - Outstanding structure and performance
I-joists - are "I"-shaped engineered wood structural members that offer strength, versatility and economy. I-joists are comprised of top and bottom flanges of various widths united with webs of various depths. The flanges resist common bending stresses, and the web provides outstanding shear performance.

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Stairs for Your New Home

Choosing Your Stairs
Beyond performing their purely practical functions as vertical passageways, most staircases serve as powerful design elements, presenting strong vertical line, rhythm and pattern, and graceful forms. A stairway is an opportunity for you to be expressive.
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Choosing Your Stairs

Staircases are not only for practical functions and vertical passageways. Staircases serve as powerful design elements, presenting strong vertical lines, rhythm and pattern, and graceful forms. Stairways can be difficult and expensive to build. Handcrafted hardwood varieties that are custom built can be very costly.

Ready-to-assemble staircases are lower cost, but less customized. In either case, you can choose spiral, straight, circular, or another shape. They can be wide or narrow, steep or gradual, and can be made from a multitude of materials - wood, stone, concrete, iron and much more. Here is a list of some of the more common options for building your stairway.

Spiral Stairs
Spiral stairways are the most common pre-built and knockdown kits. They are economical in cost and space usage. They are great for new attics, basement rooms, and two-story additions.

Spiral stairs are made in steel, aluminum, hardwoods, and combinations of these. Many companies make both metal and hardwood, but some specialize in one or the other. Usually you choose a basic design from them and then customize the treads, balusters, railing, and etc.

Hardwood stairs can be made in wood or metal also. They come in red oak, poplar, white oak, ash, walnut, mahogany, cherry and other types of wood. They also come in a variety of finishes from hot-dipped to galvanize to custom color coating in steel and aluminum. Treads can be flat or embossed steel, gratings, hardwood, rubber, or plywood or steel base for carpeting.

You will be able to choose the direction of the twist when you order the spiral staircase. You will also have to specify the diameter. Your diameter should be between 4' to 6.6'.

The first choice you will have to make is, whether to pick either a knocked-down kit or a complete one-piece unit. Knocked-down may be cheaper and easier to ship, but one-piece will be much more durable. They are also quicker and easier to install and lighter in weight. There are more options available for a one-piece unit also, such as railings.

So you ask why even consider a kit? They are cheaper and much easier to ship. They start at around $400 for small-diameter steel models where one-piece steel models start at $500. Aluminum is about $1500 and all wood or combinations start at between $2000 and $5000 or more.

Straight Stairs
Straight stairs are the most common and understandable. The design is straight up or down. Some companies manufacture them in section ready to connect end-to-end or at landings. They range in cost form $1000 to $2000, but customized can be much higher. Most pre-built sets come with pre-cut and fitted trimmings that are numbered for reassembly.

Circular Stairs
This styles of stairs are normally custom-designed for high-end homes. They can be purchased pre-assembled or custom made at the factory. Any type of circular stairway is heavy and will require a lifting device to reassemble.

Prices range from about $10,000 for a stock-sized hardwood circular stair to ten times that amount for highly customized units. It's difficult to use stock sizes, because the house's floor-to-floor heights must be designed and built exactly to the stairs' specifications. Contractors prefer to have the stairs fitted to the home, not the other way around. The average price for custom designs is about $25,000.

Know The Code
Most local codes match the national standards, but you should check with your local departments first. The trimmings on the stairway do require minimum depth and widths for safety. Know these before choosing your stairway or it may be very costly later.

Types of Stairs

The style varieties of stairs depend on the shape and direction they run:

Straight stairs - stretches from lower to upper level in one straight run. This is the easiest type of stair to build, but can be difficult to squeeze into a floor plan.

Return stairs - divides the run, reversing direction a full 180 degrees at a landing.

"L" stairs - makes a 90-degree turn at a landing.

Winder - serves like an "L" stair, but requires less space because the landing is divided into pie-shaped steps.

Circular stairs - generally sweeps in a broad curve from one level to another.

Spiral stairs - twists around a center pole in one of two ways. The common spiral stair has a straight center pole with steps radiating out from it; a helix-style spiral has a curving center support that follows the sweeping twist of the stair.

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Specialty Products for Your New Home

Glass and Acrylic Block
Glass and acrylic block is beautiful, strong, sound-deadening and allows natural light to enter while still giving privacy.
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Glass and Acrylic Block

A practical and unique way to enhance a home is to use glass and acrylic block. With lots of new products, colors, shapes, and custom configurations available, there are unlimited creative ideas. While looking great, they are also strong, sound-deadening, thermal insulated, good security and fire protection, and allow natural light to enter while still giving privacy.

Traditional Glass Block
The traditional glass blocks are similar to the laying style of bricks or concrete blocks. Each row is set in mortar. Then the mortar is cleaned off as it is drying to create nice clean joints. This can be a difficult process and is often best left to a professional installer.

With the popularity of glass block growing, more companies now offer several options. Many new styles are more affordable, such as acrylic blocks, silicone grouts, pre-assembled window units, and operable block windows.

Most manufacturers are now building pre-assembled blocks that are set into a frame. These can then be delivered to the building site and installed as a single unit like a window frame. They still look like the traditional installation, but save money and mess over building them on the construction site. Most of the frames they are built in are either white or almond aluminum, although vinyl wrapped aluminum is available. The window sizes range from a single block, which is usually eight inches, to square or rectangular up to about four by seven feet.

You can also use silicone grouting with pre-assembled glass block windows. It is easier to maintain, lighter in weight, and improves flexibility in areas of high wind or where moving the window could be a problem.

Acrylic Block
Acrylic blocks offer a great alternative to traditional glass block. It looks just like the real thing, but weighs and costs less. Acrylic is durable, energy efficient, and easy to install. You can use them for partitions, shower walls, or clock windows. They allow light to flow through naturally yet still offer privacy. Since it is not as heavy, they can be used virtually anywhere without reinforcement.

You can purchase acrylic blocks in the same sizes and textures as glass blocks. They are made from virgin acrylic instead of glass. Most are pre-assembled with synthetic rubber caulk in aluminum or vinyl frames. Because they are lighter weight, there is greater flexibility in the manufacturing process. This allows a wider variety of shapes and custom configurations, such as triangles, half-rounds, octagons, and more.

The window sash is light enough to allow the entire window to operate with acrylic blocks. Both awning and casement styles are available so you can get the same result as a traditional block installation when they are closed. Yet, they will open easily. With acrylic, you also have the curved wall option that is usually prefabricated and shipped as a single unit.

Combining Traditional Glass Block with Acrylic
If you prefer the traditional glass blocks to the acrylic, you can always combine a glass block assembly with an operable window in one unit. The window uses glass blocks grouted with silicone for flexibility, set into a common frame with an operable awning window, which can be placed above, below, or even in the center of the block assembly. The entire unit is factory assembled, and the common frame gives the unit a unified look while making installation very simple.

Most window companies, large lumberyards, and home centers have glass and acrylic block window assemblies available through special order.

Curved and Specialty Glass Block
Curved blocks have unlimited possibilities for curved construction. Think how beautiful columns would look made from curved glass blocks.

At one time, glass block designs had to be enclosed. With end and double end blocks available now, you can design without limitations.

Glass Block Precautions
Don't put glass blocks in areas where they will be required to support part of your home's structure. They are not designed for bearing loads.

Will the blocks scratch?
Acrylic blocks are possible to scratch. There shouldn't be a problem with normal use though. If you do find that you have some scratches, just use a plastic polish to easily remove them.

How do I clean the blocks?
Washing with a mild soap or detergent and lukewarm water should do just fine for cleaning. If you must use plastic polish, at least use a good quality product. Use a soft cloth or clean sponge to minimize scratching and rinse well with water. If you have used a high quality acrylic product, your glass block will not need a large amount of cleaning. Don't scrub or use any brushes. Harsh cleansers are not necessary and if you do choose to use a cleanser at all, make sure that it is compatible with acrylic.

DO NOT USE: Tile cleaners, or abrasive cleaners, such as Tilex(r), SoftScrub(r), or Clean Shower(r) and never clean in hot sun or elevated temperatures.

How long does it take to get a glass block window?
The normal timeframe is two to four weeks to receive your windows. This can vary on your location and the manufacturer you purchase from. Some of them will offer quick shipping programs that may get your window to you in just two days without additional shipping cost. The windows will most likely have to qualify for this though.

How do installations costs for acrylic block compare to glass block?
Most of the time the installation cost will be the same or less for acrylic block windows as the traditional mortared glass block.

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Paint & Decorating for Your New Home

Wall Coverings
They are the background of every room; they set the tone for your house; they are the first way that you begin creating your environment-they are your walls. With recent technological advances, fashioning a new mood has never been easier-or more fun. From paint to wallpaper to (yes) leather, today's wall coverings are only limited by your imagination.
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Wall Coverings

Every room of your home has a background that sets the tone of your house. These backgrounds are your walls. Today's wall covering options are limitless: from paint to wallpaper to leather. Changing the mood of your room has become easy and fun.

Since wallpaper and paint have unlimited possibilities, we have given them their own space. Take a look at the many other options out there for your interior.

Gypsum wallboard (aka plasterboard or drywall) is most common due to the flexibility it provides. It can be a base for wallpaper, ceramic tile, paneling, textured finishes, or simply painted. Gypsum wallboard is sold in panels. It's made of crushed gypsum then papered on one side and natural on the other with the appearance of plaster. Regular gypsum is fire resistant and averages around 15 cents per square foot. You may want to consider paying an extra few pennies for actual fire proof at around 20 cents per square foot and/or waterproof at 30 cents per square foot.

Plank paneling looks natural like solid pine or cedar planks. It is wonderful in appearance and can be worked with in any space. You can install it vertically, horizontally, diagonally, or in a herringbone pattern. Place it on walls, wainscot, accent walls, and ceilings. Plank paneling averages about $3 to $5 per square foot, but will vary depending on the manufacturer.

Sheet paneling comes in many style, patterns, and colors. It can be purchased with or without grooves, real wood veneer or photo finish, light or dark. Sheet paneling is a plywood type of material, which basically mimics plank paneling. It comes in 4'x 8' sheets at a lower cost than plank paneling.

Tile board is similar to sheet paneling with the exception that instead of being made from plywood, it is made from hardboard. It also comes in 4' x 8' sheets. This type of wall covering works well in areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms that have a lot of moisture. Tile board is available in a variety of solid colors and stamped face that give the look of ceramic tile.

Wainscoting adds a lot of character to a room. It is commonly found in the dining room (generally installed a third of the way up the wall and capped by a chair rail), but can now be found in stairways, in the study, on a kitchen island or surrounding a breakfast nook. Use your imagination the possibilities can be endless.

Traditional wainscoting is made of solid wood and uses a system of vertical and horizontal wood members that surround raised or flat wood panels of various styles and sizes. This older system is usually found in older homes because only a seasoned carpenter could properly install it.

Because wainscoting has become so popular, manufacturers have been producing a new raised wainscoting system. This new wainscoting is made up of thin veneers, applied to a dense core of either engineered wood or a unique wheat board core that recycles wheat straw. These can be found in finishes of cherry, oak, maple, and a paint able grade. This wainscoting is very stable. It will not contract and expand in humidity. Other modern systems blend solid wood and plywood raised panels covered with hardwood veneers. This allows for more species of wood like walnut, cherry, poplar, and oak.

If you feel certain that you want to use solid wood in your home, it may be beneficial to check your local yellow pages and find a woodworker in your area that could customize a wainscoting system for you.

Ceramic wall tile has become popular in rooms outside the bath. These tiles now come in more than just glazed and unglazed. They range from deep textured to high-definition relief to hand painted with rugged, aged appearances. Ceramic tile comes in many new shapes so that you can create a mural if you like. Average tile runs from about $2 to $75 per tile, but the range is dramatic depending on variable factors of the tile you choose. The price does not include installation.

Paint, Paint, Paint

Decorating with color is fun. It's never a bad idea to let the pros give you a hand in choosing your colors. If you can't find the colors you want, have them custom mixed for you. Most all paint retailers have the ability to match any color you take them. They can match a color in you favorite pillow or a paint chip from and expensive designer brand.

According to the American Society for Interior Design (ASID) homeowners choose comfort shades such as red, which is very popular for the dining room, and soft blues and lilacs, which are serene. Once you pick a shade for each room you can begin to create an environment that truly represents your personality and tastes. Color is known to have psychological effects, so you'll want to choose your colors carefully. The "warm" shades on the color wheel, including red, orange, and yellow, will make a room energetic and welcoming, and stimulate the appetite; the "cool" colors, such as blues and greens, are conducive to relaxation and sleep. This may be why red, for example, is so popular in dining rooms and blue finds its way into many bedrooms. Consciously or unconsciously, we tend to gravitate to colors appropriate for our emotional needs in our rooms.

Don't overlook neutrals as you are choosing your colors. Neutrals are browns, tans, grays, whites, and blacks. These colors help to balance the space and other colors in your home.

There are hundreds of variations on the color white and it is a favorite on home walls. White can have the slightest tint of any warm or cool color to give a nice creamy color to keep the walls light.

Regardless of what color you choose, test it first. Colors can look much different once they are on the walls. Test at least a one-foot section before doing the whole wall. Paint will be the lowest cost wall covering you will most likely find.

Faux Finishes

Faux is French for false, and faux finishing is used to make surfaces and objects look distressed and aged. It is also used to mimic materials like stone, marble, wood, and leather. When using paint as your wall covering, faux finishing can add the view and texture you want to spruce up your rooms. These techniques can be a bit difficult, so it may be a good idea to request a sample board and work closely with the artist so you know what you are getting. Faux finish prices vary depending on the size of the room, labor, and the amount of detail. If you would like to try this yourself, all the materials needed can be found in most high scale paint or hardware stores. Some of the materials you will need are brushes, finishing tools, cheesecloth, stencils, trowels, and wood graining tools. The old technique of using a sponge and rag are no longer used.

Faux finishing is completely unique and custom. Every finish is different. It is also very durable. The technique is done on eggshell base coat with washable paints, so clean up is easy.

Really Know Your Colors

It can be fun choosing your home colors. It can also be very rewarding if you know the basics on choosing your palette. Knowing a little about the basic color codes can be very helpful.

Color affects mood and emotions.

Colors are broadly divided into two categories - warm and cool.

Warm colors (red, orange and yellow) make us feel warm in a psychological way.

Cool colors (blue, green and purple) convey peace and relaxation.

Colors have psychological meanings. Understanding them can help match each room's colors to a personal taste and the room's purpose.

Color can change the perceived size of a room. To make a room seem larger use a light color scheme.

When selecting a new color scheme, bring home a variety of samples to view. Stick a color chip to your surface and look at it at different times and in different weather. Changes in light can give the same color many different looks.


Types of Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a very common alternative option to paining a room. It provides a very large variety of patterns, colors, and finishes to choose from. The wallpaper can be dramatic, whimsical, comforting, stimulating, formal, casual, and on and on. Wallpaper has the largest selection to allow you to show your personality in any form, be it traditional, transitional, contemporary, or just plain 'off the wall'.

There are 10 basic types of wallpaper from which to choose:

1. Printed wallpaper - general category with printed patterns.
2. Unbacked fabric - most difficult because you have to work carefully to smooth out the fabric as you apply it to the wall.
3. Relief - raised texture that you can feel.
4. Solid vinyl - most durable wall covering and because it's waterproof it's ideal for very humid areas.
5. Vinyl coated - most common, made of paper but with a protective coat of vinyl that makes it ideal (and allows scrubbing) for kitchens, bathrooms or wherever kids or pets might brush against a wall. Vinyl coated wallpaper is usually strippable, which makes it easy to pull off a wall and re-paper with a new pattern.
6. Flocked - usually considered "old fashioned" which includes a raised felt pattern that contrasts with the background color.
7. Foil - known best by the brand name "Mylar" can be difficult to work with because it shows imperfections in the wall surface and because it wrinkles easily.
8. Cork-faced - thicker because they have a surface of cork. They give a room a cozy, dark and woodsy effect.
9. Grass cloth/burlap - exotic, but shouldn't be used in high-traffic areas or where there's high humidity, because they can stain.
10. Paper-backed fabric - high quality looks of a fabric wall covering but can be installed with the ease of a vinyl-coated paper.

Helpful tips: Consider pasting a liner on the wall before applying the wall covering. The liner hides many imperfections and makes it much easier to strip later. If you choose a wallpaper pattern that repeats, you'll have to order more than you would for a random pattern, a vertical pattern (like stripes) or a solid color because you'll have to shift each strip of the wallpaper to match up the patterns at the edges, which makes for considerable waste.

Wallpaper is back in a big way
Wallpaper is now very common again. The top trends of the modern day are murals and textured walls. Examples of these are streets scenes, baseball fields, and children's storybook fantasies. Murals have become a highly chosen option in customizing a room. Pretty much anything that can be glued can be put on the walls and turned into a mural: cloth, sand, glass, and etc. Wallpaper averages $20 to $30 per roll, but specialty wall coverings can cost more than $200 a yard.

Don't Forget to Look Up
Most people forget to consider their ceilings as part of the home decor. There are tons of options available to decorate the ceiling to add personality and appeal to your home. Knowing this, you can do something besides leaving it boring plain non-textured white.

Drop ceilings are attractive and easy to install. These are available in 2' x 2' and 4' x 4' panels that rest in a grid suspended from the ceiling joists. This makes it easy to level up a ceiling and create easy access to pipes and wiring. To create a sleeker look, use tiles or planks that mount directly to the ceiling, which also allows more, headroom and design options.

The most common ceiling covering is the gypsum wallboard. Its smooth surface allows for painting or base for popcorn or other textured finish. You can also use texture paint to achieve popcorn, stucco, sand, or other texture effects. Textured paint is a thick paint form infused with particles that give a three dimensional look. It can be mixed before hand with your paint color or painted after it dries. You can get a rustic look by applying plank paneling. The things mentioned in this article should show you the multitude of endless options available to create the look you want.

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Lighting for Your New Home!

Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are an important part of creating the perfect home decor. During the last decade ceiling fans have become much more technologically advanced and aesthetically pleasing. They provide cooling during the summer months and warming during the winter months, which saves you a lot of money on your yearly energy bills.
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Home Lighting
Home lighting is probably the most important element in home interior decorating, because it is instrumental in setting the mood of any room. It can affect performance, mood, morale, safety and security. When deciding what lighting to use in your new home it's important to consider how each room will be used, what fixtures are appropriate, energy efficiency and cost.
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Progressive Lighting

There's no single way to live, decorate or even light your home. Just as one person prefers the hustle and bustle of city life, another seeks the quiet solitude of the country. While one feels comfortable with a new urban look, another is coziest with cottage. And where one might pair two mini-chandeliers to accentuate a dining room, another might use a large chandelier with twin sconces. Yet living, decorating and lighting your home have one thing in common. All three revolve around style: lifestyle, home-style and personal style, making all three important elements when properly lighting each room.

If you work from home, you might have an area in your kitchen used as a computer hub. If you're retired, that same area might be a breakfast nook for morning coffee. On a different note, you may feel rejuvenated with the smells and tastes of an oceanfront hamlet, or you might be just as invigorated by the sights and sounds of a downtown hub. Understanding your lifestyle, the way you live, is essential in defining your lighting needs.

A home possesses its own style. Whether it's Old World, Craftsman or Urban, more often than not, a home's facade foreshadows the interior. A stone and stucco home with copper roofs and towering arches, would be well served by furniture and accessories that hint of old Europe, just as an Arts & Craft home might be filled with Mission furniture. Knowledge of your home's style, the period it represents and its environment, is also crucial in defining your lighting needs.

This is all about you. With or without the help of a designer, you make the decision to highlight a kitchen island with a linear chandelier or a trio of mini-pendants, distinguish a foyer with sconces and a two-tiered chandelier, and choose if the master bath should have matching two or three-light vanities to go with the semi-flush fixture. Incorporating your personal style is the final key in defining your lighting needs.

There are many lighting choices, but Progress Lighting simplifies the lighting design process by offering you a lighting collection that best suits your needs. From finish selection to glass appointment, each collection exhibits attention-to-detail in every aspect of its creation.

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Home Lighting

LAMPS PLUS
America's Lighting Superstore®

One of the most important elements in home interior decorating is home lighting. Lighting is instrumental in setting the mood of any room. When deciding what lighting to use in your new home think about how each room will be used. This will allow you to choose fixtures that fit your style, budget and are energy efficient. To ensure you create the right effect in every room, you should understand the four basic types of home lighting.

Ambient or general lighting illuminates the whole room. It is a good idea to install a dimmer with your track and recessed lights so that you have the flexibility to adjust the brightness. Examples of ambient lighting are recessed downlights, cove lighting, soffit lighting, valance lighting, wall washers, sconces, surface-mounted lights, pendant lights, track lights, chandeliers, under-cabinet lights and portable fixtures.

Task lighting provides sufficient light to help you perform the task at hand, for example cooking, office/school work, reading, grooming, etc. Task lighting should be glare free and it should make things easy to see without tiring or straining your eyes. Examples of task lighting are valance lighting, pendant lights, under-cabinet lights and portable fixtures.

Accent lighting is focused lighting that is used to illuminate an object in your home like a sculpture, piece of art, or architectural element. Accent lighting is about three times as bright as ambient lighting. Example of accent lighting are wall washers, sconces, track lights and under-cabinet lights.

Natural lighting comes through windows, doors, and skylights and depending on the time of day, season, or weather, it can vary in brightness and intensity.

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Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans have become much more technologically advanced and appealing. They are often a large part of a home's decor. They help to cool the home in the summer and warm it in the winter. Ceiling fans can reduce your energy cost by 40% in the summer and 10% in the winter. Fans are used throughout the home in main rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, verandas, patios, and etc. They add to the rooms appeal and lower dampness.

Choosing the right ceiling fan
The price varies on ceiling fans based on the quality, style, and size. Check over the differences before making the purchase. If you purchase an inexpensive one, it may seem good when you first use it, but over time it will warp, become off-balance, and wear out. Choosing a good fan to start with is a better idea. You can enjoy the comfort and beauty for years. What you should look for in a fan is the quality, motor, durability, performance, design, and warranty.

Choose a fan that fits in with the style of your home and room that suits your taste. There are many colors, finishes, blade designs, sizes, accessories, lighting, and styles to pick from. Options to choose from are polished brass, antique brass, iron, copper, nickel, pewter, chrome, black, vibrant colors, oak, rosewood, and other real wood veneers.

Details to consider before choosing a new fan for your home:

Fan Size:
To utilize the most efficiency the fan needs to fit the size of the room. A general rule to follow is 29" to 36" fan diameter for a room up to 75 square feet, 36" to 42" for rooms up to 144 square feet, and 50" to 54" for rooms up to 225 square feet.

Height from the ceiling:
The fan should be more than 7 feet over the floor in the middle of a room to get the most comfort, circulation, safety, and decor from it. The best height is 8 to 9 feet from the floor.

Blades:
The blades create the circulation, so their position is very important. The blade brackets should hold the blades at a 12-15 degree angle. The weight of all blades should be the same. This allows optimum circulation and avoids fan wobble. Less than 12-degrees on the angle will lower the circulation, higher will increase it. Be sure the blades are wood or acrylic with moisture treatment to avoid warping.

Motor:
The motor is the most important part of the ceiling fan. A high-quality motor should have heavy-duty windings and sealed bearings with permanent lubrication. This will insure quiet operation and long life.

Lights:
Lights on a ceiling fan can add to your decor and create the final touch to your room lighting. There are various styles of lights to choose from on ceiling fans. They range from classic to antique to contemporary. You can also add opal, marble, crystal, glass, and hand blown glass on the fitter, shades, or votives. You can often choose a fan and light kit separately to satisfy your taste and compliment your room's decor. You can also choose between up and down lighting to add ambiance to rooms like your living or bedroom.

Finish:
To avoid blistering, fading, corrosion, and tarnishing, be sure that the blades have a high quality finish. If they are not high quality, the blades will quickly peel, bubble, or corrode. The main finishes are brass and wood. Brass is long lasting and scratch resistant does not need polishing and the painted finishes are thick and durable when properly coated.

Warranty:
A good warranty is always the best option. If you choose your fan carefully, you will find that many manufacturers with high quality fans offer a lifetime warranty and even in-home service.

Installation:
You can usually install a ceiling fan on your own. The installation is not difficult and the fans come with step-by-step instructions. Support systems are normally provided to allow hands free wiring. Just be sure the fan and home wiring is compatible.

Cost:
You can expect to pay $135 to $425 for a good quality fan. The price will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and depending on the ceiling fan's features. The old saying "you get what you pay for" definitely applies to ceiling fans.

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Elevate Your Laundry Room!

Laundry Room Ideas
Your laundry room may not be the most favorite room in your house - since it means washing, drying and folding - but with a little planning you can turn this room into an efficient workplace. Generally, architects would place the laundry in a closet or hallway off the kitchen or in the garage, but today they're finding more practical places to put the laundry like a seldom used bathroom or on the second floor next to the bedrooms (closest to the dirty clothes).
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Washing Machines
Moving into a new home often means new purchases for appliances and furniture. If you're in need of a new washing machine, you'll be amazed at all of the options now available even from just a few years ago.
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Washing Machines

When you are finished building your new home, you may also need new appliances when you move in. If you are purchasing a new washing machine, there are many new options available to choose from. They have become more water, energy, and time efficient with more washing options.
You should choose the washing machine carefully. It will be long lasting and needed in your home. According to research, an average family will do eight to ten loads of laundry per week. Knowing this, an extended warranty on the machine should also be considered.

Front-Loaders
Top loading machines have been the most common on the market for a long time. They were not as efficient as a front-loading machine, but were easier to use, had larger capacity, and were cheaper to run. With the new technology available and concern for energy efficiency, front-load machines are now more efficient and clean better.

Advantages of Front-Loaders
Front-loaders can be more convenient because you do not have to lean over the top to get clothes in and out of the machine. Most of these machines can be put in closets or other areas that have a lot of cupboard space because you will not need access to the top area for loading and unloading. This allows more storage space above the machine. You can also now purchase a frontload set that is stackable to offer even more space. Many times, the controls are mounted on the front of these machines. There is not an agitator in the center of the tub, so they have more capacity and allow easier blanket and rug washing.

Front-load washers usually use about 40% less water than a top-loader. Without an agitator, water movement is used to clean the laundry. The spin cycle is better in the front load compared to the top load also. The clothes are damp when finished instead of wet. This reduces the wear and tear on the clothes and creates faster drying ability. The continuous rotation uses 75% less electric compared to the agitator that has to rotate back and forth.

There is not twisting and tugging on the clothing as there is in a top-loader, so your clothes have longer life. The machine itself typically has a longer life expectancy than a standard top model.

Disadvantages Of Front-Loaders
Front-loaders are normally more expensive than other machines. The price ranges $800 to $2000. Even though the purchase price is higher, the long-term savings can make up for it. You save on water, energy, and detergent. Just as some complain of the reaching and leaning into a top load washing machine, some may also complain of the bending down to reach in and load and unload.

Features To Look For
There are lots of features available like: stainless steel drum, multiple cycles that control washing time, water temperature, volume, and spin speed. You can choose automatic dispensers for the detergent and bleach, electronic or mechanical controls, digital displays, and computerized touch screens. You can choose a model that has an internal heater to raise the water temperature to 200 degrees or more to take the place of using bleach (these models usually require a 220 volt line).

Top-Loaders
There are a wider variety of models available in top-load washers. They come in different colors with different features. They cannot be stacked though. The prices are generally lower ranging $450 to $800. They do tend to be less energy-efficient than the front-load machines. If bending to load and unload is unappealing to you, these have access from the top. When browsing for a machine, be sure that you look at the tub inside right away. It may have the features you like, but the capacity needs to accommodate your needs also.

The deciding factor for your purchase will most likely depend on the features that you need and want. Most manufacturers will have a model that compares to another manufacturers model, so you can find a model that you like most, then compare brand to brand for some minor differences in looks and warranties. The tubs in the top-load machines are now made in a plastic that is actually longer lasting than a porcelain-coated steel tub. Porcelain can chip and rust eventually, but is still heavy duty. The plastic tubs may seem less durable, but they are made very well to hold up to many years of use. There is a possibility that the plastic tub may someday crack, but less likely than a steel tub is to chip and rust. You will find that sales people at the appliance store will lead you to the steel tub. The machines themselves with steel tubs do tend to be better quality for long-term use.

All washing machines will have some setting for water levels. To be most efficient in water use, the clothes should just be covered with water. It would be to your advantage to choose a model with more water levels than just the minimum options. There are models that have several different wash cycle options. The type of clothing you and your family wash should guide you on the options to look for in your machine. If you have a lot of hand washable clothing, a model with a 'true' hand wash cycle may benefit you. Using wash cycles that your clothing requires will help them last longer. Water temperature is another option that varies from model to model. If the machine you get has a temperature regulator to allow compensation for variations in the water source of your home, your clothes will also benefit.

Know Your Capacity
The washing machine's tub size is the capacity. This is rated in volume and ranges about 2 to 2 1/2 cubic feet for a large tub, 2 1/2 for an extra large tub, and 3 to 3 1/2 for a super large tub. Unless you're washing bulky items like comforters and throw rugs, figure on about a 10- to 12-pound maximum load for large-capacity machines and 14 pounds or more for extra large and super large ones. Front-loaders typically can handle 7 to 8 pounds without mangling your clothes.

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Laundry Room Ideas

Did you know that the average household does seven to eight loads of laundry every week? The laundry room used to typically be a spare closet in the hallway near the kitchen or in the garage.

Today, new homes are being designed with more practical locations. They are being put in less used bathrooms or on the second floor near the bedrooms, which is where the most laundry is. In the design process of building your new home, take a little time to add the laundry area to the plans that will keep it largest enough and in a location that will be more convenient and efficient for you.

Here are some practical ideas to keep your laundry area efficient:

1. It is never a good idea to place the laundry room in a high traffic area such as the kitchen or garage.
   
   
2. Avoid combining the room with another. As an example, do not combine the laundry and a home office in one room.
   
   
3. The master bedroom should never have the laundry room in it. You will never be able to get away from those daily chores if you have to look at dirty clothes every time you go to bed.
   
   
4. Place the laundry room as close as possible to the largest source of dirty laundry. The most household laundry normally comes from the bedrooms where, of course, the clothes are kept and changed.
   
   
5. Leave at least 48 inches of clearance in front of each unit so you'll have room to walk around the open doors.
   
   
6. Add a cupboard or shelf over the laundry appliances to allow for storage of laundry supplies - and extra cleaners.
   
   
7. If you are limited on space for the laundry machines, consider a stack set. Although they are tall, they only take the width and depth of one machine. The cost is the same as individual machines.
   
   
8. Always install shutoff valves at your machines water supply in case of leaks or the need to move the machines for repair.
   
   
9. Leave extra space in the area where the machines are installed. Do not create a custom size space that is only suited for a specific laundry set because someday if the machines need to be replaced you may not find a set the same measurements.
   
   
10. Add insulation to the wall and floor area of the laundry room to lower the noise level.

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Dryers

Dryers contribute to the life and appearance of your clothing. For this reason it is important to choose a quality dryer to suit your wardrobe. Dryers are available in gas or electric, but all spin the clothes while blowing hot air on them. Gas dryers are usually a little higher priced alternative, but tend to be more cost efficient in the long run compared to electric. Know that just because a dryer advertises 'extra large', this doesn't necessarily mean that the capacity is large. You should choose a dryer that is compatible with your washer size so that you can dry your clothes as they are washed, not let wet clothes stack up while the dryer is running. The general rule of thumb is to have about twice as much capacity in the dryer than in the washer. So if you buy a 3.3 or 3.5 cu. ft. washer, you will need a 7 cu. ft. dryer.

Pretty much all dryers will do a fine job of drying clothes. The choices in dryers that you will mostly find are the features and cost of operation. There is a wide selection of digital, dial, and push button controls. The temperature settings can vary from model to model. You may want a dryer that has specific fabric temperature settings. Features like that may be on one model and not on another. Some models have different styles of moisture sensors. A sensor that is in the venting system of the dryer, which is most common, will not be a drastic difference from the style that is built-in to the drum or doorway, but will be less accurate. The door style sensor will be more accurate, but will probably raise the price of the dryer some.

Most dryers do not automatically come with drying racks, but most have one available separately. If you require one of these, be sure to ask the sales person to check the pricing and availability for the model of dryer you choose before making the purchase. Some dryers have drum lights some do not. A light can be a nice added feature, but if the model you like most does not have one, the white interior that is most common will probably give you the lighting effect you desire anyway.

Always keep in mind that your washer and dryer work together. The dryer can only dry as efficiently as the washer spins the clothing. If you feel that your drying time is too lengthy, do not jump to blaming the dryer - it may be a less efficient washing machine that is the cause. You will find that a matching set is usually the best choice because the sets are designed to work with each other. In other words, the dryer should be able to keep up with the washer if properly designed.

Dryers vary in price from model to model and depending on whether you choose gas or electric. The average low price for a basic model is around $250. With added features such as permanent press cycles, tumble only (no heat), temperature options, sensor styles, and etc, the price can be $350 to $600. Dryers costing more than $600 are more likely to have computerized controls and touch panels. The most well-known brands are GE, Whirlpool, Maytag, and Kenmore.

With all of these manufacturers it may be to your advantage to compare warranties, service contracts, and consumer advice on the model you like in the different brands available. Sometimes knowing about the competitor's can get you a better deal at your local appliance dealer. Remember, local dealers offer service on all appliances purchased from them. Many will not service a machine that has been purchased elsewhere and depending on where you live, this may be a problem for you in the future when the machines are much older.

The Duet dryer keeps pace with your washer, cycle for cycle, while providing gentle care for even delicate fabrics.

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Kitchen Products for Your New Home!

Appliances: How To Decide
You don't want to begin your journey looking for kitchen appliances unprepared. Because an appliance showroom is packed with products, it can be an overwhelming experience if you don't know exactly what you want.
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Kitchen Sinks and Faucets
It wasn't long ago when homeowners had two choices when it came to selecting a new kitchen sink: cast iron or stainless steel. There were fewer choices of colors or shapes and no options for customized sink accessories. Today, homeowners have a multitude of sink choices to help personalize their kitchen.
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Refrigerators

Don't go overboard on all the fancy new features available on the new refrigerators. The sole purpose of a refrigerator is to keep your food fresh, beverages cold, and icebox chilled. What you should be looking for when you are looking at refrigerators is the amount of free space, accessibility, and practical special features. The cubic footage is the first important thing. As a rule of thumb start with the smallest size of ten cubic feet for two people and add one cubic foot for each additional family member. As a general rule, when you are looking for a refrigerator, you will find that most appliance dealers carry about five different sizes that vary from 15 cu. ft. to 26 cu. ft. So you will need to choose the size they carry that is closest to what you need. They may even be able to order the size you want or something close to it. If you like to keep your refrigerator well stocked, you may as well choose a larger refrigerator to start with.

Look at the features that will keep your food fresh. Separate temperature and humidity controls for the different compartments can help keep food fresher. If you want ice and water, know that you will have a little less space. There are different options for ice and water available now on different refrigerator styles that are beneficial.

The three models available are top freezer, bottom freezer and side-by-side. A top-freezer is the lowest priced and usually has the most usable room. Icemakers are available for the freezer. A bottom-freezer will offer pretty much the same usable space, but will offer easier refrigerator access since the refrigerator would start at waist height. They are a little higher in price and have the option of adding an icemaker to the freezer. There is now a bottom-freezer French-door model available that offers the icemaker in the freezer and a water dispenser inside the left door on the side with a water filter. A side-by-side is usually the highest priced model, but offers ice and water on the front of the door. Access is more convenient, but much narrower. The freezer space is limited because of the narrowness. All models come with different features and are priced accordingly. Shelves will adjust, slide, crank, have covers, spill-proof glass, wire, and etc. Other features can be wine racks, refreshment centers, digital and computerized accessories, humidity controls for crispers, night lights, and a multitude of other creative ideas. You can now even get a refrigerator with a built-in LCD screen that provides Internet access and satellite TV.

Prices ranges:
Top-freezer: $600 - $900
Bottom-freezer: $900 - $1500
Side-by-side: $1000 - $2000
Any of these in a built-in model (not including panels): $3500 - $5000

Whirlpool offers a wide variety of refrigerators. The sleek design of the refrigerator may fit flush with kitchen counters for a streamlined look, without sacrificing capacity.

Specialty

If you're looking for something special you might want to check out separate cold storage units such as wine chillers, under-counter refrigerators, drawer refrigerators and ice makers.

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Ovens

Conventional, convection, microwave, and combination are the choices you have for your new oven. What are they and what are the differences?

What is Conventional?
A conventional oven heats mainly on electromagnetic waves that radiate from the sides of the oven. The heat radiates through the oven naturally - warm air rises and is replaced by cooler air, which then rises and is replaced. This is the lowest cost oven with an average cost of $850. The problem with this type of oven is that if you do much baking, you will find that the heat does not distribute equally causing the food on the lower rack to cook quicker than the food on the top rack.

What is Convection?
A convection oven cooks faster than conventional. It works basically the same as a conventional oven, but uses a fan to circulate the heat evenly. This results in more even and faster cooking on all racks. The odors and tastes of different foods will not mix in a convection oven, so you can cook different foods together. Since the air circulates for even distribution you will not have to move things around in the oven to get even cooking. You will have to get used to the oven cooking faster though. Recipe times will need to be adapted. Some new conventional ovens come with a chart you can refer to. Some have an auto adjustment on their digital display that will reset the appropriate time for you when you put the recipes conventional oven time in. The average convection oven cost is $1300.

The innovative Polara(tm) refrigerated range combines cooling and cooking in one appliance. So you can keep dinner cool until you're ready to cook-while you're still miles from your kitchen.

How does a Microwave cook?
Microwaves cook by getting water molecules in the food moving in a rapidly alternating electrical field. In order to cook effectively it is recommended that your microwave operate on 750 to 1,000 watts. Most microwaves come with programmed buttons for specific foods, which is helpful since microwaves cook food much faster than ovens. Microwaves are usually used as a cooking accessory to heat side dishes and warm-up leftovers. They do not cook to the same taste and texture that an oven does. Depending on the size and brand, a microwave can cost from $100 to $500.

What is a Combination oven?
Combination ovens combine the advantages of different types of ovens. Some examples are conventional oven with convection option, microwave that can be used as a halogen light cooker for quicker cooking time, and convection oven that can also be used as a microwave to brown food to look like it was cooked in a conventional oven. Combination ovens allow for quicker cooking options, but are more expensive. These ovens start around $1500.

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Not All Kitchens Are Created Equal

Merillat offers ways to make the most out of a kitchen Island

For prospective new homebuyers, the kitchen can make or break the sale. This was determined in Merillat's study, Model Behavior: How people, think, act and shop in a model home. The study, the first-of-its-kind, examined the key motivations and actions of homebuyers.

The study found that new home shoppers ranked the kitchen as extremely important. In fact, of the shoppers studied, only three percent indicated that they would return to the house for a second visit or consider purchasing the home if they didn't like the kitchen.

"The kitchen is the gathering place for special occasions, family functions and day-to-day activities, which is why it is so important to prospective buyers to ensure that the kitchen meets the needs of their family from a design and functionality prospective," said Karen Strauss, Masco Builder Cabinet Group president.

Kitchen Feature Shoppers Liked Most Certain features in the kitchen caught the eye of prospective homebuyers and drew them into the kitchen. Among those features, islands were the most cited 'wow' factor.

"The island is a great opportunity to add function, style and personality," said Strauss. "This specialty area attracted a great deal of attention and sparked conversations by shoppers."

The Functionality of the Kitchen Island Kitchen islands offer much more than visual appeal, they lend themselves to multiple functions such as storage, convenience, additional workspace and even comfort.

"One way to put the island to work, is by incorporating dual height surfaces," said Paul Radoy, manager of design services for Merillat. "Dual height countertops can provide separate work surfaces, such as a cutting prep area. They can also be used as a serving or buffet area." Radoy added, that dual heights allow for seating at an informal dining area, satisfying homeowners with children, or anyone who entertains. Seating areas can also be taken one step further by incorporating a table into the island, this allows for a more formal seating arrangement.

Adding organizational features is another way to make an island as functional as possible. Pull-out waste baskets, cutting board kits and spice drawer inserts are just a few features that can make an island prep area more efficient. The island workspace can become even more streamlined when essentials such as sinks, cook tops or dishwashers are incorporated into the design.

The Beauty of the Kitchen Island
In addition to the function, most homeowners love the look of an island; however, many overlook its true potential. By adding decorative elements, the island becomes the perfect vehicle for increasing the kitchen's overall style and personality.

"A high-end look can easily be accomplished by contrasting the island with the other cabinetry in the kitchen," said Radoy. "Simply using a different cabinetry style, wood specie or finish on the island adds visual interest." However, in some cases the homeowner may prefer the island to seamlessly match the other cabinetry. In this case, visual interest can still be accomplished by adding details like a built-in wine rack, open display shelves or glass front doors.

Merillat also offers decorative accents that work to enhance cabinetry style and design with details such as feet, legs, corbels, ornamental onlays and molding inserts. These decorative details can change the look of an ordinary island into heirloom furniture, turning an average kitchen into something exceptional.

Islands for any Kitchen
Whether the kitchen is big or small, homeowners of today expect their kitchens to accommodate their busy, multi-tasking lives. They want islands that can handle a variety of activities from cooking, to entertaining, to family time. However, when designing a kitchen island, the most important point to keep in mind is - how are the homeowners going to live in their kitchens and how do they intend to use their islands. Moreover, by incorporating Merillat design elements, a kitchen island can become a functional focal point.

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Kitchen Sinks and Faucets

In today's world there are many styles and colors to choose from when purchasing a new sink for your home. The only available choices in the past were cast iron and stainless steel in very few sizes and colors. You could not order a customized sink and you had to design around what was available. Now you can select a sink to fit your design as well as faucets to compliment that style. Here is a guide to some of the choices that are out there for consideration.

The least expensive and most popular option is stainless steel. Concern yourself with quality though; don't just choose the cheapest one. It is best to find a sink that is from 18- to 20-gauge steel. The lower the gauge, the heavier and more durable the steel will be. Content of the steel can also affect its quality. The best combination to look for is 18% chrome and 8% nickel. Chrome adds strength and nickel prevents corrosion.

Stainless steel will compliment commercial-style appliances and can be molded as a continuous part of a stainless steel countertop that will not chip and is easy to clean. It will show scratches quickly and easily. Over time this will develop a natural patina, but this does take time. Choose a satin textured finish if you picked a thin gauge. Thin will dent and make noise and a satin finish can help with this. These sinks are made for under-mount and drop-in models. If you choose an under-mount stainless steel sink, be sure that your countertop is made of a solid material and not a laminate. Otherwise, water exposure can cause separation and bubbling. Average cost of a stainless steel sink is between $350-$800.

Cast Iron Sinks feature an iron base coated with an enamel finish. There are many colors to choose from in a cast iron sink. They are prone to chipping, which will expose the black surface that is beneath the color. Then you will have to deal with rusting and staining. Cast iron sinks are pretty much the most difficult to install because they are very heavy and bulky. There is limited under-mount installation available for them. Expect to pay $300 to $1500.

Composite sinks have three common forms: polyester/acrylic, quartz composite, and granite-based. Polyester/acrylic will scratch, cut, nick, and stain the easiest because they are made from soft materials. Many people still choose them because of the multitude of color options available. These are the lowest cost at $300 to $500. Quartz composite sinks have a much more durable surface. It is made of 70% quartz and 30% resin filler. They can resist much of the everyday cuts, scuffs, and dents; and can withstand harsh cleaning materials or liquids the other sinks can't. Granite-based sinks are the strongest on the market, but are also much pricier. They will not scratch, rust, dent, burn, or crack. Granite-based sinks are only available in matte finish, so if you really want a glossy finish you will want to consider a different type.

Solid Surface sinks are made from solid synthetic sheets, which are formed by mixing a mineral compound with polyester and/or acrylic resins. The nice part of these sinks is that you can have them molded from the same piece of solid surface that you use on your countertop. They come in many colors and designs. If they scratch, you can sand them out. The average cost is around $300 to $700.

Types of Sinks
The least expense and most common option is the self-riming sink. The edges lap the countertop.

The edges are hidden in an under-mount and integral sink. An under-mount attaches below the countertop and an integral is made from the same material as the countertop and fused without seams. Stainless steel, solid surface, and composite materials are flexible enough to mold integral sinks. Both of these sinks offer a clean look and easy cleanup since there are no rims to push crumbs over.

Farmhouse sinks, otherwise known as apron sinks, have an exposed front that sometimes stick out past the front of the cabinet a bit. These are most often used in kitchens with a rustic or country-style decor. The bowl itself is typically deeper than the average sink. They normally do not have a deck. The faucets and other accessories are mounted directly to the countertop right behind the sink bowl.

Note: If you choose a flat-bottomed sink and steep, straight sidewalls, you'll greatly increase the space around the sink for usability.

Sink Styles
The most common sinks are single bowl, double bowl, triple bowl, and main sink plus prep sink.

Single bowls are best for small spaces where you are tight on space or if you like a larger single sink area for rinsing large pans.

Double-bowl sinks have two bowls that are the same size. You usually wash in one side and rinse in the other. You can also get these with one large and one smaller bowl to use as a prep sink to clean fruits and vegetables.

Triple-bowl sinks combine the possible single and double bowl functions by giving two larger, but same size, bowls and also the smaller prep bowl. Most commonly the garbage disposal is built into the smaller bowl.

Prep sinks alone are most often placed in a separate area from the main kitchen sink. They are on kitchen islands or close to the stove. This offers convenient prep cooking.

Sink Accessories
There are some convenient accessories available for your kitchen sink if you spend a lot of time preparing and cooking food. There are cutting boards that fit securely on the sink's sides with holes to scrape the scraps through; it is handy to use this on a sink that has a garbage disposal. Other accessories are available, such as colanders to hang on the side, garbage disposals, dish racks that fit in the basins, and hot water dispensers.

A note about garbage disposals - you want a high horsepower garbage disposal that can handle tough foods like meat scraps. If you're worried about noise using a larger horsepower, just be sure you have a wide dampening collar, because it greatly reduces the noise.

Faucets
In general your faucet will have its own style based on the shape of its handle or handles, its height and its accessories. Keep in mind that your faucet should be chosen to compliment the architectural theme you've created with your countertops, cabinetry and appliances. Faucets also offer a lot in the way of options - adjustable heights, spray and swivel features and multiple colors and finishes.

Don't forget about your sink when you choose your faucet, because if you have a self-rimming sink it comes with predrilled holes so you'll need to make sure your faucet will fit. You can pick any faucet you like if your sink is undermounted or integral, because the holes are drilled by the installer after you've picked out your faucet.

Here's a few things to consider to help choose a faucet that's right for you.
Handles
Handles should be chosen to compliment your kitchen. The traditional style is a two-handled faucet with one knob for hot water and the other for cold water, which allows for independent control of both. However, faucets with one handle are becoming increasingly popular because you can enjoy the convenience of single-handedly controlling your water temperature and volume. Handles come in a thousand varieties, from cross-handles to wrist-blade lever styles.

Finish
Look for a long-lasting, low maintenance finish to compliment your decor. Your choices are quite extensive and include chrome plating, nickel plating, white enamel, brass, colored epoxy, platinum, porcelain, bronze, stainless steel and gold or silver. The favored finishes are chrome and brass because they are easy to maintain and very durable. A word of caution if you go with brass - it requires a special protective coating to prevent it from tarnishing. For lots of color options and easy cleanup go with an epoxy finish.

Material
When it comes to the faucet's main material, your two best options are solid brass or plastic. Solid brass comes highly recommended because it is a much tougher material than plastic and can handle extreme temperatures. Internally, your faucet will control the flow of water using either rubber washers, a plastic or ceramic cartridge, a plastic, brass, or stainless steel ball valve, or a ceramic disk. A ceramic disk is recommended for the same reasons as solid brass.

Spout and spray
A basic kitchen faucet has a standard spout that rises only slightly in height from the faucet body to its tip. A high-arc faucet (also known as high-neck or gooseneck) has a spout that increases dramatically in height, often as high as ten inches or more. This allows for easy rinsing of large pots and presents an elegant look in any kitchen.

Note: If your design calls for a sink with two or three bowls, the length and flexibility of the spout is important. A long spout with a reach of 12- to 14-inches may be called for, as well as one that swivels at least 180 degrees to reach the different bowls. Spouts can be straight, short, elongated, curved, and high-rise, with an integrated spray that pulls out or pulls down.

It's hard to imagine a kitchen faucet that doesn't have some kind of retractable sprayer for washing vegetables and rinsing large pots, which is why almost all faucet manufacturers sell a system with a sprayer - a traditional side sprayer or a modern pullout spray.

Dripless Faucets
Think longevity when you're installing anything that has to do with water. Consider how long a new faucet will last without dripping. Faucets should offer long-term performance and be drip-free for life - of course the operative word is should. To help minimize the chances of dripping it is best to use ceramic disc valving, because it's very durable and leak resistant.

Scald Protection
This may not seem that important to you if you don't have children, but you may someday, so why not add an anti-scald feature to your faucet for a few more dollars.

Look for quality
An inexpensive faucet may look as good as the more expensive one, but don't be fooled - it won't last long. Your flag should go up when plastic is used on integral parts, washers are controlling the flow of water (should have ceramic disks or replaceable cartridges) and are lightweight. Plumbing bills will be far more costly down the road, than purchasing a high quality faucet from day one.

Get enough holes
When you buy a new sink, you'll need to decide how many holes you will need in the "deck" - the flat part behind the bowls. Depending on the style of faucet you choose, you will need one to three holes to accommodate the taps and spigot. More holes will be needed for a hot-water dispenser, a spray accessory (if it's not part of the faucet) or a built-in soap dispenser. It's difficult, but not impossible, to add holes once the sink is in place, so get as many as you think you'll ever need.

Off-set drains
By placing the drains to one side you'll gain more flat space for stacking dishes and glasses and create more usable space under the sink. Offset drains also allow water to drain, even if a large pan or tray is soaking in the sink.

Web or divider
For double bowl sinks, make sure the web divider between the two bowls is lower than the outside sink walls. This will provide overflow protection by allowing water to flow from one bowl to the other.

Trends in Faucets and Sinks
Bigger is better, when it comes to kitchen sinks. The new trend in the kitchen is installing a large, single-bowl sink - which is more efficient for rinsing and washing, especially large pots and pans. The standard single bowl sink is 25 inches, but now people are looking for bowls that are 30 to 36 inches.

Rims are out! The majority of new homeowners are spending the extra money (about a couple hundred more) to get an undermounted or integral sink. It not only looks great, but it is very functional.

Pullout spray faucets and satin nickel or stainless steel finishes are very popular. Another trend is towards decorative faucets, which help add a little spice to your kitchen. If you want a sleeker style and finish, then satin nickel or oil-rubbed bronze are worth checking out. Oil-rubbed bronze is a unique finish which gives a weathered, natural look that changes into a nice patina. For a more rustic/country look you can go for a farm or apron sink.

People like the idea of having a sink on the island where the cooktop is because they won't have to worry about dripping back and forth from the sink to the stove. For an added touch on your island you can get a small basin installed. It may look like just a pottery bowl, but it has real plumbing and is attached to the wall.

Pot-filler faucets are also becoming popular, because people don't want to have to keep running back to the sink to fill a pot. This faucet is attached right by the stove and folds back against the wall when you're not using it.

Source thehousedesigners.com

Kitchen Countertops

Two decades ago, choosing a countertop was not at all difficult. You chose from less than twenty variations on color of plastic laminate. It was simple. Today the interest and desire of consumers to have a more practical style of countertop has revolutionized the market. Countertops are no longer merely a work surface, but a key element in the design and luxury of your home.

Around the world, manufacturers now offer numerous different styles, color schemes, and materials to match any desire of the consumer. The kitchen is the focal point of any home. Now you have the means to construct the perfect look.

When limited to only a few choices, making a decision was quite easy. When choosing from possibly hundreds of styles, you may become overwhelmed. You may discover the decision to be quite difficult. In this case, here is a descriptive list of products to aid in your decisions toward a perfect kitchen.

Plastic Laminate: Price if compared at $25 to $50 per linear foot installed.
Plastic lamination was the beginning of modernized kitchen. This particular material is by far the most inexpensive and is available in almost all colors and textures. There are four major manufacturers of plastic laminate- Wilsonart, Formica, Nevamar, and Pionite. Each offers hundreds of styles. For an extra amount of cash, you can have your plastic laminate customized. This means matching your own color, texture, and style. One of the pros of this material is that it is very easy to clean, but the con is that cuts or scratches are difficult to repair. An entire counter surface can be installed from $600 to $1800 in most cases. Tip: If you plan to match your countertop and backsplash, inform your installer when ordering so he has enough material and possibly gives you a discount.

Ceramic and Porcelain Tile: Price is compared at $50 to $80 per linear foot installed. Plain colored tiles compare at $2 to $40 per tile. Hand painted tiles compare at $5 to $75 per tile.

If you are trying to create an artistic or specific look in your kitchen, ceramic and porcelain tile is the key. You can accomplish looks from contemporary to retro when working with these materials. If you are unsure of the design and style wanted, most stores will have showrooms to help you choose. Rustic, timeworn, and stone style surfaces are a current trend. If selecting from one of these looks, it is a good idea to ask the designer or salesperson to see several pieces of tile from the same lot. This will allow you to compare color variations from piece to piece.

Porcelain tiles may be a bit more expensive, but the material will handle wear and tear well without losing its ceramic style. Porcelain is the hardest fired product you can find.
A con to installing porcelain tiles is grout lines. It seems no one invests the proper time and energy intended to keep grout clean. Grout requires routine cleaning and care, but is very easy to clean.

Corian and Solid Surfacing: Price is compared at $75 to $150 a linear foot installed.
Dupont manufactures the most readily available and widely known 100% synthetic countertop material. This is Corian. Other manufacturers such as Wilsonart, Formica, and Avenite also produce a variety of styles. Corian is known as a solid surfacing material. It will be made from a pure acrylic product or a polyester-acrylic mix. Although there are some solid colored materials, most have a real stone texture produced by small flecks. The real stone texture is more expensive. The pro of the solid material is that the surface is scratch resistant. If you do get a scratch it can be sanded out. Deep scratches will require replacement of the damaged piece.

Concrete Slab: Price is compared at $50 to $100 per square foot poured.
Concrete is a very old material that is a new trend. It may be purchased in pre-formed sections or poured and formed on-site. Having the concrete poured and formed on-site is appropriate for unusually shaped counters. Although concrete is an old material it has an unusually high price. Because it is susceptible to cracking and its constructive look, consumers are weary about using the product indoors. On the plus side, concrete can be stained to match any color desired.

Granite: Price is compared at $75 to $200 per linear foot installed.
Granite is a timeless countertop surface. Not only does the product stand the test of time, granite slabs greatly increase the value of your home. Therefore, granite is the most expensive of all countertop types. The type, quality, and availability of the material, as well as the edge finish will all affect the price you are going to pay. A popular edge finish is a 1-1/2 inch bull nose, but find out from your fabricator when pricing the material to find out the style of edge included.

Granite is a very practical material due to the near impossibility of damaging the surface stone.

If the price is just too extreme, but you can't resist the look and style, look into granite tiles. A 12-inch square tile contributes identical resistance to that of solid slab. You can also reduce the size of grout by butt-jointing the tiles. Also, you can achieve the same basic look and style of solid granite by combining dark colored granite with dark colored grout.

Composite Stone: Price is compared at $110 to $250 per linear foot installed.

Now, composite stone material is the granite rival. The stone is a synthetic composite made from 90% quartz particles and 10% acrylic or epoxy binder. It is even difficult to decipher between the looks of real stone, composite, and granite. Because the composites are man-made, there is no chance of variation as in granite or marble. Therefore the material does not need to be sealed. Using the same process- Silestone, Okite, CaesarStone, and Dupont's Zodiaq are the major manufacturers. The only difference among these companies are the variations in color and texture. Together they offer over 130 countertops, all of which are scratch resistant. They can stain if not cleaned properly.

Butcher Block: Price compared at $30 per square foot.
Ordinarily comprised from rock maple, it can also be made from oak and cherry or mixed and exotic species. Although the surface it explicit for cutting and chopping, knife marks will show and the surface is also prone to water damages. Tip: If placing the butcher block by a sink, apply several coats of sealant.

Stainless Steel: Price compared at $150 per linear foot.
For a professional style or restaurant appearance, steel is perfect. The stainless steel is an alloy containing minute amounts of chromium for its rust resistant surface. Because of its thinness, it is attached to plywood, which provides strength, and helps mute the sound. The pros of steel are that it is stainless, heat resistant, and easily cleaned. The cons may be far and beyond for some. Fabrication is extremely costly and difficult. It shows scratches, fingerprints, dents, and can be rather noisy work surface. Also, if you tire of the look and style in the future, it is quite difficult to change or replace.

Soapstone (Steatite): Price compared at $55 per square foot.
Historically, soapstone was used in kitchen sinks. Generally it is a dark gray color, smooth to the touch, and respectively stain and burn resistant. It does however need to be treated on a regular basis with mineral oil.

Trendy Countertops

Designers and dealers get together yearly to discuss upcoming trends and exciting new ideas in home decorating. New and extravagant ideas have arisen in the kitchen. High tech laminates, stainless steel, and the mixing of all of the above materials for an artistic and personal design are among the many new ideas. Yet, the latest in cutting-edge technology is cement.

Countertops, Countertops, Countertops

Integrated drain boards and hydraulic lifts that let you access variations in height are helping designed countertops to be as functional and practical as ever. "Surface energy" is the combination of several countertops and a variety of styles and materials. Surface energy has prevented high functionality in the past, but today design pros are embracing new ways to cope.

A Bit of Last Minute Advice

In the end, you want to choose a countertop material that suits you and your home. Remember that none of the materials are trouble-free. Scratching and periodic resealing will apply to certain materials. All of them will stain if not properly cared for. The only material that does not stain is stainless steel, but it does scratch and the look isn't for everyone.

Tile and granite should be tested out before installing. Certain tile may dull when in contact with vinegar or other foods and chemicals. Test the surface before choosing a specific design. Granite can also contain irregularities. Although they are not noticeable on a 4x4 inch sample, it is best to meet the fabricator upon purchasing and choose the slab yourself.

Backsplash

A backsplash can include wall, sink, and prep area protection which makes the surfaces easy to clean. Once you have chosen a countertop, you will want to decide on the desired look of your backsplash. The overall look of your kitchen can be enhanced by a creative backsplash.

Here is information on some popular backsplash materials and their cost and installation.

Ceramic: Price is compared at $2 per square foot for machine-made tiles. Hand-made tiles compare at $20 per square foot. Mass produced tile murals compare at $45 for a six-tile pattern. Labor and installation is compared at $2.50 to $8.50 per square foot.

If you want versatility, ceramic is the way to go. Its shape, size, and color are among the greatest offers of all backsplash materials. Some different possibilities with ceramic include- a matte finish, a glossy finish, raised edges, textured areas for dimension, ability to rotate tiles, combining different shapes and sizes, and accenting. All of these possibilities can really accent your kitchen.


Stone Tile (Granite and Marble): Price is compared at $10 per square foot and up.
Granite and marble tiles come in multiple colors and textures. A new trend is tumbled marble in 4-inch squares. Because of abrasion and acid wash, it has a pitted surface area with softened colors.

Solid Surfacing: Price is compared at $25 to $30 per linear foot for loose. Integral backsplashes compare at $45 to $50. Full-heights compare at $75 per linear foot.

Solid surfacing can be costly due to the amount of wasted material upon installation. If you chose a solid surface countertop for your kitchen you can ask the fabricator if there are enough materials left over to make a backsplash. This way the fabricator does not have to waste left over and you just may get a backsplash for free.

Metal and Metal Laminates: Price is compared at $140 to $160 per square foot for copper or zinc. Stainless steel compares at $20 per square foot. With less metal material, prices compare at $8 per square foot. Fabrication and installation prices compare at $10.
Fabricators can create a backsplash from any sheet metal. This includes copper, steel, zinc, brass, and nickel. Surface textures include hammered, ribbed, and quilted. The problem with metal laminates is finding a fabricator that specializes in sheetmetal backsplashes.

Make a Splash
Picture the area around and above your countertop as a blank canvas. You or your designer can choose from endless textures and materials that will artistically define your kitchen. Glass, hand-painted porcelain, luxury tiles, gleaming metal, risen dimensional, and natural stones are among the possibilities. Mix, match, and accent away.

Source thehousedesigners.com