Award winning ALKEMI is a SCS certified, LEED credits receiving, recycled surface material composed of post-industrial scrap waste (34% by weight—as certified—or 60% by volume). Made from fine flake aluminum milling scrap—which commonly burns up as a heavy smoke pollutant when exposed to conventional aluminum recycling—ALKEMI leaves no hazardous footprint.
Available in a variety of colors and surface treatments (Textured & Classic and Honed), ALKEMI may be fabricated and installed using standard solid surface fabrication methods. Strong, durable and exquisite to the eye, ALKEMI offers a brilliant, sustainable alternative to the stagnant commercial options, such as solid surface, plastic laminate, stone and glass.
http://www.alkemi.com/products/about_alkemi.html saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 11:56:54 AM
Have your kitchen countertops seen better days? Do they look as if they belong in another era? If you cringe every time you walk into your kitchen, it is definitely time to check out new countertops. This can be fun. Envision your kitchen with brand new counters. They can be anything you want them to be.
The possibilities are right before you. Look at the variety of materials that are available for your beautiful new kitchen. It will probably be hard to stop at just the countertops. However, one thing you should be prepared for is there are so many you will probably change your mind several times before you make a final choice.
http://www.kitchencountertoptypes.com/ saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:10:44 PM
All Granite and Marble is a premiere fabricator of kitchen counter tops, bathroom vanity tops, jacuzzi and fireplace surrounds, as well as other products for residential and commercial applications.
http://www.marble.com/ saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:10:57 PM
Laminate Countertops can be a very inexpensive and relatively easy way to freshen up an otherwise outdated kitchen space. Pricing can start as low as $4 - $8 sq ft. if purchasing it by the sheet to be installed over an existing workspace. This is a great option for the do it yourself er, but has its limitations.
For the molded or beveled edge or custom design laminate countertops range between $24-$40 sq ft.
http://www.thesexykitchen.com/laminate-kitchen-countertops.html saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:11:39 PM
Dealers price counter surfaces by lineal or square foot, with template, delivery, and installation (TDI) quoted in the total price of the countertop. Prices vary depending on texture, color, pattern, intricacy of edging, number of holes, sink type, and seams. Seams affect look and durability, and can lead to water seepage that warps wood and causes laminate to pull away from its substrate. A qualified, certified kitchen designer can help research qualified manufacturers and fabricators.
http://www.bobvila.com/HowTo_Library/countertop_options-countertops-a1579.html saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:12:23 PM
We recently installed two different colors of quartzite in our kitchen.
[granite 002 by basianov, on Flickr] granite 002">
The island is called Illusion Blue (I am in love with it).
granite 003
The perimeter stone is Mother of Pearl and I am also in love with IT. Ha!
granite 012
Now, of course, we need to choose a backsplash. There is paint there now, but I would like to choose a tile that compliments both of the colors without competing with the Blue Illusion (which is so striking, that I would hate for it to compete with a busy backsplash).
Ideas? Thank you!
http://www.thathomesite.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0208133220148.html?8 saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:14:50 PM
CaesarStone is the original quartz surface manufacturing company that introduced pioneering innovation in the field of quartz surfaces. Our quartz surface product is commonly referred to as "CaesarStone" by retailers and buyers, please make sure you ask for the authentic product that is manufactured by CaesarStone when specifying or purchasing our quartz surfaces.
http://www.caesarstone.com/what_is_caesarstone.aspx saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:15:49 PM
Picking out countertop material used to be a lot easier when there were significantly less choices. Now there are not only more materials available, but also new patterns, and new types of countertops application. The new trend is to mix and match two different kinds of counter materials together. You might like to pair up a solid-wood counter surface with a marble insert and stainless steel.
http://www.invitinghome.com/kitchen-counters/kitchen-countertops.htm saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:16:17 PM
Granite is a very durable stone and for the most part is carefree, but as a natural product there are some helpful suggestions that will keep your granite looking like the day it was installed. Everyday cleaning of the granite surface should be done with simple dishwashing soaps, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry the countertop completely using a clean dry cloth. Don’t use anything on the countertops that you would not use on your hands. Do not use vinegar or anything that may contain ammonia (e.g. Windex), bleach (e.g. Clorox), or specialty bathroom, tile or grout or cleaners that may contain acids. These chemicals could have a bleaching or etching effect on some of the minerals in the stone. There are some very good commercial products available that will really keep your granite counters looking new.
http://www.clcweb.com/granite/ saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:18:01 PM
Granite is fast becoming one of the most popular materials for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Regardless of your personal taste and style, there is a granite color just right for you and your home. 1000 Granite Colors is a collection of the world's granite colors to aid you in finding the perfect granite countertop.
http://www.1000granitecolors.com/ saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:18:42 PM
Kitchen Counters at Savings Up to 50% Off Retail Prices
Since the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home, most homeowners want to create a kitchen that looks great and offers maximum service with easy maintenance. Counter tops are an important part of the kitchen plan, and you can purchase brand-name counter tops for a beautiful kitchen design at manufacturer-direct wholesale prices from DirectBuy.
http://www.directkitchenremodeling.com/counters.aspx saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 5/25/2010 12:19:05 PM
Sue recommended to glue countertop or tiles in the bathroom or kitchen.
LEXEL IS A CO-POLYMER RUBBER-BASED SEALANT THAT IS USED AS AN ADHESIVE BY MANY MOSAICS ARTISTS. IT HAS EXCELLENT ADHESION TO A WIDE VARIETY OF MATERIALS, EVEN AFTER SEVEN DAYS OF WATER IMMERSION SO IT'S GREAT FOR OUTDOOR PROJECTS. LEXEL DRIES 19 TIMES CLEARER THAN SILICONE AND WILL NOT YELLOW MAKING IT A PERFECT SOLUTION FOR GLASS ON GLASS APPLICATIONS. UNLIKE SILICONE, LEXEL STICKS TO ITSELF SO YOU CAN REPAIR IT BY APPLYING NEW LEXEL ON TOP OF THE OLD LEXEL. LEXEL STICKS TO ALMOST ANYTHING - WET OR DRY. SOME CUSTOMERS REPORT THAN IT HAS LESS FUMES THAN SILICONE GLUE.
ADHERES TO:
acrylic • copper • most plastics • polycarbonate • polystyrene (except foam) • aluminum • chrome • nylon • fiberglass • steel • PVC • ABS • asphalt • wood • Formica • Lexan • tile • Plexiglas • masonry • metal • glass • vinyl • canvas • paint • concrete • brick • fiber-cement • porcelain • parquet • terra-cotta • and more!
LEXEL HOLDS ITS SEAL THROUGH RAIN, SNOW, SUN AND WIND, HOWEVER IT SHOULD NOT BE USED IN AREAS OF CONTINUOUS SUBMERSION (i.e., aquariums or swimming pools). DO NOT USE LEXEL IN AREAS WHERE TEMPERATURES EXCEED 200ºF. LEXEL MAY DAMAGE SOME PLASTICS, SUCH AS POLYSTYRENE FOAM INSULATION, THEREFORE IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT PLASTICS NOT LISTED SHOULD BE TESTED FOR COMPATIBILITY BEFORE USE.
http://www.marylandmosaics.com/lexel-tube-p-46.html saved by
pj in
Kitchen on 11/24/2011 8:20:18 PM
If you're going to paint or repaint one room or more inside your house, then a paint sprayer can make the job go a lot faster! A paint sprayer is powered by electricity. Once you fill the reservoir at the bottom of the sprayer, all you have to do is to pull a trigger to release the paint.
The best paint sprayer to use inside your house is the airless type. It has less over spray than other types of sprayers.
http://www.essortment.com/home/paintinteriorw_tqnn.htm saved by
pj in
Painting on 5/22/2010 10:39:57 AM
Would anyone be willing to share their cost for spray foam insulation or any estimates they have gotten. Cost per square foot. I have looked high and low and have had little luck. All the contractors I have contacted won't give an estimate over the phone without a visit. We are planning on building a home, there is nothing to see. We are currently in a 40's traditional that is a nightmare to heat/cool. Can't do much without spending more than I will gain in equity. The housing market is junk down here. The price u pay when you live in a small town of 800 convenient to nothing.
http://forums.treehugger.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=11145 saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 10:13:52 PM
Top 10 Reasons to buy Foam it Green? Spray Foam Insulation Kitsbr /Just 1 inch seals out air and insulates. R-7 per inch. Sprays on like paint, expands to 1 inch thicknessbr /The easy to use spray foam kit Professional Results, Your Way, Fast.br /Closed-cell polyurethane spray foam kits E-84 Fire Rated Class I Spray Foam Insulation for use in buildingsbr /No CFCs, Penta-BDEs, VOCs, Urea Formaldyhyde Save Up to $1,500 w/ 2010 Tax Credits!br /Green building material: USGBC and Terrapass Quick and Easy No outside source of pressure or power needed
http://www.sprayfoamdirect.com/ saved by
anonymous in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 10:43:25 PM
Tiger Foam? 200 bd. ft. Kit - FRbr /ASTM E-84 Fire Rated Fast Rise formulation for spraying on surfaces. Covers 200 square feet at 1 or 16 cu. ft. yield. All kits come complete with Gun/Hose assembly, extra tips and instructions, but PLEASE read our FAQ PDF file. Thank you.br /Shipping weight per kit = 40lbsbr /br /Price $335.00
http://www.tigerfoam.com/products.php saved by
anonymous in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 10:44:01 PM
Spray foam can be used as an insulating and air sealing product for residential wall and ceiling cavities. The insulation is sprayed, via special equipment, into wall cavities and expands to fill all the nooks and crannies in a wall cavity. Excess foam is scraped off the studs to form a uniform wall cavity. Spray foam insulation makes it easy to completely fill wall cavities with insulation and to perform air sealing in the same step.
http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/walls/sprayed-foam-insulation saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 10:50:22 PM
Air Krete offers a high R-value 3.9 per inch
? Air Krete flows around obstructions in the wall during installation preventing voids
? Air Krete does not shrink or settle in the wall, which eliminates unwanted air infiltration
? Air Krete will not burn - an important consideration especially in homes with older wiring
? Air Krete repels insects and rodents and will not support mold growth
? Air Krete is a true Green product. It contains no Carcinogenic fibers, no CFCs or Formaldehyde. Air Krete is odorless and free of toxins that may affect the chemically sensitive.
http://www.bauerspecialty.com/insulation/insulation-airkrete/air-krete-cementitious-foam-insulation saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 10:51:38 PM
Blown Cellulose has the higher savings, lower costs
"R-Value" (an expression of heat transfer resistance) is the standard for measuring insulation performance. At R 3.6 to 3.8 per inch, blown-in cellulose insulation is considerably better than fiberglass insulation which has an R-value of about 2.2 to 2.6. But R-value is only one factor in the energy efficiency of a home. Studies of actual buildings regularly show that cellulose-insulated buildings may use 20% to 40% less energy than buildings with fiberglass, even if the R-value of the insulation in the walls and ceilings is identical. One reason for this is the capacity of cellulose to stop air infiltration and heat-zapping convective air currents within your walls and ceilings, which are inherent with most fiberglass insulation.
http://www.aboutsavingheat.com/cellulose.html saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 10:53:44 PM
Spray-on insulation is a powerful and relatively recent plastic material, with an insulating efficiency (rated in R-values) that amounts to the double of traditional insulation products like fiberglass batts/rolls.
Most of spray-on insulation is made of liquid polyurethane or polystyrene, also found in small aerosol cans and used in refrigerators and water heaters (see also, for elements on the environmental impact of this type of insulation: Insulation materials and the environmental issue).
http://www.house-energy.com/Insulation/Spray-Foam.htm saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 10:57:03 PM
Insulation materials play a primary role in achieving high energy efficiencies in buildings. There has been concern over the health impacts of the material constituents of insulation ever since the problems associated with asbestos became apparent, followed by the banning of urea formaldehyde based insulation. Some health concerns have spread to potential inhalation of fiberglass and cellulose insulation fibers and dust. Always wear a proper dust mask when working with these materials.
http://insulation.sustainablesources.com/ saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 11:03:00 PM
Open-cell foam is soft - like a cushion or the packaging material molded inside a plastic bag to fit a fragile object being shipped. The cell walls, or surfaces of the bubbles, are broken and air fills all of the spaces in the material. ... Closed-cell foam has varying degrees of hardness, depending its density. A normal, closed-cell insulation or flotation polyurethane is between 2 and 3 pounds per cubic foot. It is strong enough to walk on without major distortion.
http://www.foam-tech.com/products/urethane_foam/open_closed_cell.htm saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 11:08:30 PM
We considered do-it-yourself foam insulation. It's easy to find polyurethane foam insulation kits online. However, after some discussion we decided that even if it cost a bit more we'd have it done by a professional. It would undoubtedly go quicker and be done better by a professional. We figured that the amount of potential over-spray if we did the job ourselves would probably be costly. Also, the professionals have all the necessary tools and safety equipment.
http://www.foam-insulation-guide.com/residential-foam-insulation.htm saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 11:09:32 PM
Say you have 1200 square feet total outside walls to insulate. That would cost you about $3,600. If you got a loan from the bank for $3,600 - your payment would be about $85 a month. Now, every time that $85 a month was due, so would be your utility bills. If you saved $200 on utility bills every month and paid $85 of it to the loan, you'd be ahead $115 each month or $1,380 a year! Just by using the banks money and your own labor.
http://www.fomofoam.com/existing_homes.htm saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 11:12:32 PM
Injection spray foam makes it easy to retro fit older homes, attics and finished basements that lack insulation with spray foam insulation. Injection foam requires drilling small (usually 1?) holes in the wall cavity so that the foam may be injected. Injection foam will fill voids and cavities around electrical wiring, plumbing and windows without having to remove plaster or drywall.
A few facts about injection foam:
http://www.envirotite.com/spray-foam-insulation/injection-foam/ saved by
pj in
Insulation on 5/24/2010 11:16:09 PM
close