Many of our customers come to our showroom wanting to replace their existing tile countertops. They are simply tired of cleaning the grout. Though removing the tile countertops is a must, replacing the cabinets is not an option.
“Is this possible”, they ask?
Of course it is possible! We do replacement countertops all the time.
Because maintenance is the number one reason for replacement, we begin by introducing our customers to either solid surface or quartz surfacing material. Both of the products offer easy maintenance and virtually endless design possibilities.
Removing a tile countertop can be a daunting task. Following these basic steps can make the process as pain free as possible.
THE MESS
Removing tile is a messy job. But there are certainly steps that can be taken, including covering the floors with tarps, using plastic to mask off the area of work, dust collection on tools, etc. that help to keep the mess to a minimum.
Zip Walls are also a great way to contain any stray dust. Zip Walls are temporary, plastic walls that go floor to ceiling, limiting the migration of dust to adjacent rooms. Be sure to ask your fabricator how they protect the area that they will be working in.
THE DAMAGE
Tile Countertop DemolitionYes, absolutely there will be damage to walls and cabinets when tile is removed. Typically, tile is set in a mortar base and most tile installers use the large 2’’ drop edge pieces where there is finished edges on countertops.
When that tile and mortar is removed you will typically find that there will be some damage, or at least fading of stain on the front of the cabinets. This can certainly be remedied by asking your countertop fabricator to extend your edge height from the typical 1 ½’’ to a 2 – 2 ½’’ height to cover the damage. Keep in mind, there is additional cost involved in taller edges, but that cost would certainly be much less expensive than refinishing or re-facing existing cabinets.
If you have tile extending up the wall for backsplash, the removal of that tile will most certainly damage the drywall or plaster behind it. Again, there is no reason to panic. A quality countertop fabricator should be able to create a backsplash with the same material you have chosen for your countertop to cover up any damage to the wall. In fact, you can even ask your installer to go up a ¼’’ – ½’’ or so past what is the existing height of your current backsplash in order to cover up any old paint or grout lines.
CONCLUSION
When your tile countertops are past the point of repair, don’t let the tile removal process overwhelm you. With the right tools and equipment, removal of existing tile countertop will be as smooth as selecting the new counter.
Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo – New Color
/in Kithen and Bath, News, Quartz /by Andy GravesCaesarstone formally introduces a new color, Calacatta Nuvo. It’s a beautiful, natural looking marble and the wide, grey veins on the white opaque base add the perfect amount of organic combined with the refreshing white palette. It’s based on the natural Calacatta marble but this has all the ease and maintenance of Caesarstone. With the beauty and function, it’s a win-win for everyone!
Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo can be used in a variety of interior styles, from traditional to modern. My favorite approach is how it’s seen here in a modern, clean environment. Paired with grays and whites it feels antique yet new.
That said, the marble would fit into almost any other setting because of its ability to complement most color palettes with its white tones.
Caesarstone Calacatta Nuvo would also be a great choice when designing a bathroom. Once again, it feels and looks old in all the best of ways and adds a lovely patina to a new space.
Best Kitchen Countertops – Pros and Cons
/in Concrete, Glass, Granite, Kithen and Bath, Laminate, Marble, News, Quartz, Solid Surface, Wood /by Andy GravesThe best kitchen countertop can be replacing when scratched, scorched, stained, or just plain unattractive. New kitchen countertops can transform any kitchen. Happily, there are lots of options in a wide range of prices. A new laminate kitchen countertop can cost as little as $10 per square foot. Or you could easily spend 10 times that on quartz, granite, or recycled glass. Consumer Reports tested more than a dozen popular types of countertops to see how well they resisted stains, heat damage, cuts, abrasion, and impact, and found seven that passed muster. Here are the details.
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Tile Backsplash – Top 10 Tips
/in Ceramic Tile, Kithen and Bath /by Andy GravesOn a daily basis, I have clients come into the showroom asking me if they should use tile for the backsplash. While it’s not for everyone, tile backsplash can add tons of character to any kitchen. With thousands of style and colors the design options are endless.
Top 10 Tips to a Beautiful Tile Backsplash:
LivingStone Solid Surface Introduces Six New Colors
/in News, Solid Surface /by Andy GravesLivingStone Introduces Six New Colors
US Surface Warehouse added six new colors to its Livingstone solid surface products. Sold directly to fabricators, the new colors include two in the Escape Series— Oyster and Clay; and four in the Explore series— Ambrosia, Bianca, Opus, and Montana.
LivingStone Solid Surface
GEOS Glass Countertops
/in Eco Friendly, Glass, Terrazzo /by Andy GravesIntroducing a brilliant new concept in surfaces.
Flecked with jewels of color in a dense, durable substrate, GEOS Glass Countertops blends recycled glass into a unique surface of superior strength and remarkable beauty.
Offered in a wide range of evocative colors, GEOS makes a striking visual statement and is a rare find among environmentally conscious products—it’s both earth-friendly and affordable. With a carefully chosen mixture of both post-consumer and industrial-use glass, GEOS gives new life to a cast-off resource.
Combined with superior and proven binders, the resulting fusion of strength and beauty takes very little from the planet, and gives back an enduring product rich with colorful organic texture.
GEOS Sustainable Surfaces for Your Home
If you’re looking for an environmentally friendly countertop with a sophisticated color pallet, look no further than GEOS. GEOS glass countertops are a new environmentally friendly countertop material made from recycled glass and a proven proprietary binder that ensures a strong and durable countertop that does not require sealing. Much of our glass is sourced from recycling centers or directly from factory by-product. The unique combination of colors make for an amazing array of colors that will set any kitchen apart.
Samsung Radianz Adds Two New Colors
/in Quartz /by Andy GravesSamsung® Radianz™ Adds Two Colors to Quartz Surfaces Line
New color varieties provide more versatility for residential and commercial projects. More than 26 distinctive colors are now available in the Radianz line.
The two new colors, Caucasus Gray and Kunlun Ink, provide a consistent texture throughout the entire surface. Unlike granite and other stone products, Radianz Quartz offers a non-porous, hygienic and aesthetically consistent surfacing option.
Radianz is comprised of more than 93 percent natural quartz crystals, one of the hardest minerals found in nature. Color controlled quartz is blended with technologically advanced polymers, resulting in a luxurious and smooth high-gloss material that does not require sealing.
“We’re committed to providing beautiful, yet versatile and durable surfaces,” said Dale Mandell, Samsung Surface’s North America sales manager. “These new color varieties provide even more choices for homeowners, remodelers and designers seeking a high-quality natural surface for residential and commercial projects.”
About Radianz Quartz Surfaces by Samsung
Samsung offers three great surfacing options – high-performance Staron Solid Surfaces, luxurious Radianz Quartz and the versatile Staron Tempest. All combine natural beauty with design sensibility to offer a variety of colors and patterns. Durable, stain-resistant and hygienic, these surfaces make the design and selection process easy. For more information about Staron and application ideas, please visit www.staron.com or call 800.795.7177.
LG Viatera Quartz Introduces 15 New Colors
/in News, Quartz /by Andy GravesLG Viatera Quartz Introduces 15 New Colors to its countertop surface collection.
Appealing to a wide range of preferences in today’s surfaces design options, Viatera® by LG Hausys introduces 15 new sophisticated colors to its popular collection of quartz surfaces. These color additions expand their robust palette and were inspired by emerging fashion and color trends.
“We are constantly evaluating our Viatera® collection as we aspire to provide our customers with limitless design choices,” commented Michelle Rhee, marketing manager for LG Hausys. “The quartz line by LG Hausys is in high-demand and we desire to provide our customers with relevant colors that suit their individual styles and tastes.”
Lava Ice Viatera® combines natural quartz with advanced polymers to create a non-porous countertop material that is stain-resistant and hygienic. The Viatera® collection increases from 30 colors to 45, ranging from soft and warm to passionate and intense. The 15 color launch includes brand new collections – Reflection, Ice, Veined, and other new colors.
The freshly expanded Viatera® line features the following colors:
Tile Removal -Tired of Tile Countertops?
/in Ceramic Tile, Kithen and Bath, News /by Andy GravesMany of our customers come to our showroom wanting to replace their existing tile countertops. They are simply tired of cleaning the grout. Though removing the tile countertops is a must, replacing the cabinets is not an option.
“Is this possible”, they ask?
Of course it is possible! We do replacement countertops all the time.
Because maintenance is the number one reason for replacement, we begin by introducing our customers to either solid surface or quartz surfacing material. Both of the products offer easy maintenance and virtually endless design possibilities.
Removing a tile countertop can be a daunting task. Following these basic steps can make the process as pain free as possible.
THE MESS
Removing tile is a messy job. But there are certainly steps that can be taken, including covering the floors with tarps, using plastic to mask off the area of work, dust collection on tools, etc. that help to keep the mess to a minimum.
Zip Walls are also a great way to contain any stray dust. Zip Walls are temporary, plastic walls that go floor to ceiling, limiting the migration of dust to adjacent rooms. Be sure to ask your fabricator how they protect the area that they will be working in.
THE DAMAGE
Tile Countertop DemolitionYes, absolutely there will be damage to walls and cabinets when tile is removed. Typically, tile is set in a mortar base and most tile installers use the large 2’’ drop edge pieces where there is finished edges on countertops.
When that tile and mortar is removed you will typically find that there will be some damage, or at least fading of stain on the front of the cabinets. This can certainly be remedied by asking your countertop fabricator to extend your edge height from the typical 1 ½’’ to a 2 – 2 ½’’ height to cover the damage. Keep in mind, there is additional cost involved in taller edges, but that cost would certainly be much less expensive than refinishing or re-facing existing cabinets.
If you have tile extending up the wall for backsplash, the removal of that tile will most certainly damage the drywall or plaster behind it. Again, there is no reason to panic. A quality countertop fabricator should be able to create a backsplash with the same material you have chosen for your countertop to cover up any damage to the wall. In fact, you can even ask your installer to go up a ¼’’ – ½’’ or so past what is the existing height of your current backsplash in order to cover up any old paint or grout lines.
CONCLUSION
When your tile countertops are past the point of repair, don’t let the tile removal process overwhelm you. With the right tools and equipment, removal of existing tile countertop will be as smooth as selecting the new counter.