Search results for: “style”

  • The Man Cave for the Wine Enthusiast

    The Man Cave for the Wine Enthusiast

    A man cave in your home doesn’t mean a dark space tucked off in a remote part of the house, perhaps even a somewhat converted garage. Rather, in this day and age, a considerable number of males are creating stylish man caves that serve multiple purposes. By this it is mean that the man cave is becoming something more than a place for a man to retreat to be alone or with his buddies.

    If you are a wine enthusiast, and have at least some desire for your very own man cave, you can bring the two concepts together for a very unique space. There are some interesting steps you can and should take to create the perfect man cave for the wine enthusiast. The interplay between a man cave and a wine caller can be interesting and entertaining.

    Wed Man Cave and Wine Cellar

    If you are a wine enthusiast and also have your sites on your very own man cave, consider adding a wine cellar as well. Ideally, the wine cellar is designed in such a way that it is accessible from the man care and from another portal into the residence as well. In other words, the man cave doesn’t want to be seen as having occupied the wine cellar.

    If multiple entrances into the wine cellar proves problematic, the next idea would be to situate the cellar and the cave in close proximity to one another. A good deal of the decisions associated with these issues are driven by cost and the need to construct a wine cellar that maintains a proper environment.

    Wine Tasting is for Everyone

    Once the man cave for the wine enthusiast comes into being, the space can be used in a number of different ways. The cave can be utilized in the more traditional activities one oftentimes associated with this type of space. This can include watching sporting events, movies, and so forth.

    On the other hand, a wine enthusiast is able to engage in other activities in his man cave. For example, a wine enthusiast can have his friends over and have a wine tasting. Some men might be a bit skeptical about coming to a man cave for wine tasting.

    There are tactics that can be used to ease people of both genders into enjoying the idea of wine tasting. In the case of wine tasting in a man cave. the activity can be “paired” with something else. For example, the wine tasting could be associated with a meal of some sort.

    Another idea is to consider a take off on a stock investment club. Rather than coming together once a month to talk about investing in stock, the group can come together to hash out investing in wine. This is a markedly different type of investing than is the case with stocks. On the other hand, it can be truly enjoyable. The returns may be loner in coming, but if a particular vintage doesn’t financially pan out, it can be enjoyed in another way.

    Upscale Features that Fit a More Wine Focused Man Cave

    When considering the décor of a man cave associated with a wine enthusiast, the furnishings certainly can be something a bit more upscale than what is stereotypically thought to be standard decorative fare of a man cave.

    An example of what you might want to consider is outfitting the room like a home theatre. Entertainment and wine pair up nicely. In addition, this type of setup is also ideal when it comes to watching sports events, which is a common activity in a man cave.

    A more upscale man cave can up the property value of your home. The space may prove to be a strong selling point if you ever decide to put your home on the market for sale. The same holds true if you also add a wine cellar to your residence as well. The combination of the two spaces can make your home a unique property.

    Wine Collecting and Your Man Cave

    Reference has already been made to hosting a wine investors club in your man cave. A related way in which you can use your man cave is as a bade for wine collecting. This particularly is a solid idea when a wine cellar is also present in the residence.

    There are different ways you can go about wine collecting. You can collect select bottles. In the alternative, if there is a type of wine you particularly enjoy, you can by it in quantity.

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    Jessica Kane is a writer for The Pinball Company, the best online source for new, used, and refurbished pinball machines, arcade cabinets, and more!

  • Features to Make a Enhance Property Features Through Proper Staging Show Better with Potential Renters

    Features to Make a Enhance Property Features Through Proper Staging Show Better with Potential Renters

    There are specific strategies you need to employ to make best presentation of a home for potential renters. This includes specific steps you need to take a features you will want include in the property that will enhance its appeal to prospective e tenants.

    Curb Appeal Matters

    Curb appeal may not mean quite as much to a tenant as it does to a prospective homebuyer, but it is nonetheless important. Thus, a feature that will of at least some importance to a prospective tenant is the exterior of the residence.

    When it comes to the exterior of rental property, and the condition it is in, you need to appreciate the impact curb appeal has on different types of prospective tenants. If the exterior of your rental property is in sharp condition and is attractive, you will attract potential tenants that are more likely to take pride in the look and appearance of their homes.

    On the other hand, if the exterior of your rental property is not up to speed, you will turn off what very well may be more responsible tenants who are concerned about how all aspects of their residence appear, rented or not. You may also unwittingly attract a cohort of prospective tenants who view an unkempt exterior as being indicative of a landlord who doesn’t much care what goes on in the property once a lease is signed. It’s doubtful that you want to considered that type of landlord.

    A general comment on the features in your rental property that may have appeal to a prospective tenant is important. You never know for certain which of the features found in your residence will be of most important to a potential tenant. Thus, you need to embark on a staging plan that permits a prospective tenant the ability to appreciate what the property will look like if he or she moves in.

    Want this really means is that you need to eliminate distracting items and clutter in the residence that will distract from the tenant. Simplicity matters when it comes to staging in a manner that will highlight different features that very well may matter to prospective tenants.

    The Kitchen

    One room that you can count on a prospective tenant focusing on is the kitchen. You should make sure that the kitchen features basic appliances that are of good quality and are attractive. These appliances to not need to be the absolutely latest and greatest, but they must not be worn and outdated either. When thinking of appliances that should be fairly up to date, a landlord should focus on the stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher.

    The sink and associated faucet and hardware should also be nice looking and of fairly recent origin. In the end, a tenant simply will not respond well to kitchen features that seem like they are on their last legs.

    The Bathroom

    The bathroom is another space that contains features that will matter to a prospective tenant. A potential tenant will want a bathroom to look attractive and not appear to be something of an afterthought.

    As with the kitchen, you will want to consider the state of the faucet and other hardware associated with the sink, shower, and bathtub. You can undertake a simple, and relatively affordable, facelift to bathroom features by replacing these items if they are not particularly of recent vintage.

    Count on a prospective tenant out the water pressure in the shower. Shower water pressure simply is one feature that is of considerable importance virtually any tenant.

    Security

    Security is important for most renters in this day and age. One way you can enhance the appeal of a rental residence for a prospective tenant is to ensure the premises have some basic security features. These begin with appropriate doors and windows that come complete with suitable locks.

    If the rental unit is located in a multi-family structure, you definitely want to make sure that the exterior door that leads into the structure is properly secured. This can include the installation of a camera from which a tenant can identify who might be calling while in his or her apartment and before letting a person in to the building.

    Pet Friendly

    Many people have pets, animals that truly are considered members of the family. If an apartment is open to pets, that point needs to be made clear in a number of different ways. This includes features contained in a rental agreement. A pet deposit, and an additional rental charge, added for a pet needs to be reasonable.

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    Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Scaffold Store, the favorite and trusted scaffold supplier of the largest contractors.

  • Planning a Funeral Buffet at Your Home

    Planning a Funeral Buffet at Your Home

    When a loved one passes on, grieving the loss is a part of the process. On the other hand, a funeral or memorial service is also designed to celebrate the life of a family member or friend who has passed on.

    One way in which that individual’s life can be celebrated is through a gathering in your home. An idyllic course to take in this regard is to host a funeral buffer at your home. There are some thoughts to keep in mind when it comes to planning a funeral buffer at your home.

    You Don’t Need to do the Work

    Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

    Upon first blush, you may understandably balk at the idea of having some sort of post-funeral or post-memorial service gathering at your home. How in the world can you possibly prepare a gathering at your home, let alone one that includes a buffet, with everything else going on.

    The key thing to bear in mind is that when it comes to a funeral buffet at your home, you don’t need to do the work. In the aftermath of a death, friends of the family of the deceased desire to assist. They want something to do. They want to feel needed and helpful.

    All you need to do to get a funeral buffet planned, organized, and presented is to reach out to a few friends with some aptitude in regard to events like this. You’ll end up thoroughly impressed with how effective they are at getting the whole event organized.

    Incorporate Silver into the Celebration

    Image by Ulrike Leone from Pixabay

    Even though you readily will find others to “do the work,” you will want to leave your imprint on the gathering. You might even want to make a written list to provide guidance for those who will be organizing the funeral buffet.

    One element that you will want to include in the funeral buffet is silver. Silver can be included in the tablescape for the buffet service burlap table runner bulk . This can include items life silver candleholders, silver vases containing flowers, and other silver pieces.

    Why silver at a funeral buffet? If you are a religious person, of either the Jewish or Christian faiths, there are references to silver in the Old Testament that can be associated with funerals.

    In many instances, a person who passes away has lived a long life. In those instances, the tie between death, the Old Testament, and silver is quite direct. There are references in Genesis and Proverbs equating silver with the beauty of age. Throughout the Bible, there is also reference to silver as being symbolic of mourning.

    Potluck Buffet is a Traditional Post-Funeral Practice

    Image by MonikaP from Pixabay

    You can make the task of organizing a funeral buffet at your home even easier for the group of friends who are overseeing organizing the event. You can have a potluck funeral buffet.

    The idea of bringing casseroles, desserts, and other good items to a person’s home following a death is something of a cliché. Cliché or not, it’s a lovely tradition.

    Food items brought to the home can be made a part of the funeral buffet. In addition, those organizing the meal can request others to bring particular food items to the home for the buffet.

    Beverages for a Funeral Buffet

    Image by congerdesign from Pixabay

    You certainly don’t want to turn a funeral buffet into an opportunity for extensive drinking. The risk for people imbibing a bit too much following a funeral or memorial service exists.

    You need to decide whether or not adult libations will be made available at a funeral buffet in your home. You might want to limit selections to wine, perhaps some beer. You may want to forgo having a complete bar stocked with a myriad of spirits.

    Make sure you have plenty of non-alcoholic options available. Make certain that there are beverage choices that are ideally suited for kids.

    Toasts at a Funeral Buffet

    Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay

    An aspect that you might want to include in a funeral buffet at your home is toasts to the deceased loved one. You might want to have someone make a more formal toast. You might want to open it up wider and allow any guest who desires to make a toast in honor of the person who passed.

    Timing of the Buffet

    Image by Couleur from Pixabay

    There is something cathartic to having an informal gathering on the same day as the funeral or memorial service. Indeed, this is a common practice. Therefore, provided you feel up to it, seriously consider having a buffet on the same day as the funeral of memorial service.

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    Jessica Kane is a writer for Silver Superstore, home of the internet’s best flatware.

  • How to Use Your Fence as Part of a Strategy to Keep Your Dog from Barking

    How to Use Your Fence as Part of a Strategy to Keep Your Dog from Barking

    Dogs bark for an array of different reasons. One of these reasons is what is known as barrier frustration. This stems from your dog seeing and smelling things in a neighbor’s yard but not being able to go beyond your own yard. In this type of situation, your dog becomes frustrated and barks. There are some steps that you can — and need to — take in order to lessen your dog’s vocal reaction to this type of situation. Though there are aggressive alternatives like ultrasonic bark deterrent collars you can get on KarmaPets, there are many simple ways to prevent them from excessive barking. Follow the steps below and observe if they help alleviate your issue.

    Avoid an Open Fence

    A basic strategy you need to employ when it comes to your dog behaving loudly is to avoid any type of open fence around your properly. For example, a chain link fence will promote and enhance loud behavior on the part of your dog, and not eliminate it.

    Add a True Privacy Fence at Your Home

    In order to keep your dog quieter and better under control, you need to install a true privacy fence. This is a fence that truly blocks your canine’s view into surrounding yards. It also tamps down on the amount of what your dog will be able to smell.

    A privacy fence works both ways. If your neighbors have dogs, a privacy fence will also lessen their barrier frustration. This will lower the level of stress experienced by your own dog as well.

    Fence Height Matters

    You also need to pay attention to fence height when it comes to creating a better environment for your dog, and lessening the noise your pet makes. Your fence should be built high enough to discourage your dog from jumping. You also need to keep in mind that a larger dog is capable of standing on his or her hind legs to peer over the fence. In the end, that defeats the whole purpose of its installation. Be sure you check local ordinances to know limitations on fence height.

    Proper Landscaping at Bottom of Fence

    Many privacy fences, including those made from vinyl and wood, have panels that actually are installed just above the ground. This is done in order to lessen the growth of mildews and prevent insect infestation. This can leave small gaps that permit your pet to hear things from the other side of the fence. It also permits your dog the ability to smell things coming from the other side.

    You can avoid your dog seeing and smelling things through this gap by incorporating proper landscaping at the base of the fence. In this regard, you do not want to plant or place things in front of the gap (to close the gap) that will allow your canine the ability to climb, perhaps even climb over the fence.

    Make Playtime for Your Pooch

    Adding an appropriate amount of playtime into your schedule (and that of your dog) will make your pooch feel more secure and happy. You should consider playing with your dog in three different locations: inside your home, in the backyard, and on walks around the neighborhood.

    Taking your dog on walks around the neighborhood will likely satisfy his or her desire to know what is going on beyond the fence. By playing with your dog in the backyard, he or she will have a positive response to the space. This will make your canine more content with being in the backyard, and far less interested in exploring what is going on around him or her.

    You should make playing with your dog part of a daily routine. This includes playing in the backyard on a regular basis. Your dog will end up associating the backyard with time spend doing activities, and not a place where he or she ends up routinely bored.

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    Jessica Kane is a writer for Viking Fence, the number on fence rental company in Houston.

  • The Essentials of Website Design: 4 Tips to Get the Basics Covered

    The Essentials of Website Design: 4 Tips to Get the Basics Covered

    When you are building a website for a business or an organization, you are essentially building the shop window of the modern era. It does not only have to look appealing but be suitable for its target audience, functional and engaging. We take a behind-the-scenes look at the most important aspects of web design that you must keep in mind.

    1. Visual Should Be Stunning

    This is the first thing that springs to mind when we talk about web design – and perhaps the most creative and fun part. Research published on GoMedia has shown that the first impression a website makes on clients is 94% related to its design, while the visuals count for 75% of how users gauge the company’s credibility and 38% of users abandon a website if they do not find its design and layout appealing. So make sure that the visual aspect is appealing, functional and appropriate for the intended audience.

    2. Functional Is the Name of the Game

    How a website looks is what draws people in, but how it functions is what makes them stay. Even the most stunning website cannot retain visitors if they find it irritating to interact with. GoMedia reports that customer experience will surpass the fundamentals like price and product by 2020 as the single most defining brand feature. 95% of visitors identify it as the most important aspect of a website, while it increased a website’s conversion rate by at least 200% – or as high as 400%. Navigation should be easy, and the interface should be clear and intuitive. Make it smart and fun but not overwhelming – sometimes less is more.

    3. Data Protection and Online Security Are Paramount

    One of the biggest debates recently is data protection and privacy. Business websites will almost inevitably collect, store and process some types of visitor personal data – especially when there are newsletters and e-shops involved. It is prudent to invest in data security from the start and choose simple yet fundamental cybersecurity tools like a WAF, which can help protect your web applications from malicious attackers that aim to steal sensitive data. It also helps your website to comply with regulatory requirements such as PCI and HIPAA, while advertising your high cybersecurity standards on your website is a great way to increase your brand reputation.

    4. Make Sure It Works Across Devices

    In 2017, traffic on mobile devices accounted for more than 50% of all internet traffic around the globe. By the end of 2018, it is estimated mobile devices will account for 79% of all internet use. Meanwhile, 80% of clients report that they would abandon a website if it doesn’t appear well on the device they and 57% agree that they wouldn’t recommend a company if the mobile version of their website was not well-designed. Need we say more? More and more people are using their smartphones to access the website you are building – so you need to make sure that everything works well on mobiles and tablets by building in a dedicated mobile version or ensuring the site scales well.

    Of course, it is your great product or amazing services that will ultimately retain clients. However, a carefully designed website will not only lure them in but streamline the process of winning them over.

  • Understanding Your Hot Water Process – How Do Gas Water Heaters Work?

    Understanding Your Hot Water Process – How Do Gas Water Heaters Work?

    Just like most other residential conveniences, people truly appreciate the importance of running hot water only when it actually stops. The situation can be even worse – stopping while you’re all soaped up in the shower. Luckily, this is not such a common issue anymore. Water heaters these days are reliable and built with professional standards in mind. However, when unexpected situations arise, it’s good to have some background on these appliances. You’re less likely to know how to fix the issue, but knowing what the problem might be help you when the plumber arrives. So, how do gas water heaters work?

    Understanding the Water Heating Process

    Most gas water heaters consist pretty much of the same general parts, yet each product has its own special features, bells and whistles. The heat exchanger is a common part though, as it represents the main component in the heating process. A gas burner applies plenty of heat to it. When water passes through it, heat is transferred to the water. It absorbs heat from the heat exchanger walls.

    For extra efficiency, the watercourse is usually shaped like a serpentine. A straight course will expose the water to heat for just a few seconds – not enough to give you hot water. When designed like a serpentine, water spends a lot more time in the exchanger and absorbs more heat.

    Different gas water heaters come with different levels of energy efficiency. The most efficient ones may have an extra heat exchanger. It’s not as powerful as the primary one, as it usually relies on burner exhaust gases. It’s usually used to pre-heat the water in the attempt to use every bit of energy and reduce waste.

    Efficient water heaters with two different heat exchangers are often known as condensing heaters. They guarantee for a continuous flow of hot water and they add to your convenience, not to mention reducing energy bills.

    Nothing is perfect and condensing heaters make no exception either. While their energy efficiency is flawless, they do cost more than regular heaters. Fortunately, they tend to pay for themselves with the energy savings.

    Other than that, it’s worth noting that even models without a secondary exchanger are often rated maximum stars in terms of efficiency.

    Keeping the Temperature under Control

    Pretty much every gas water heater comes with a maximum temperature. This temperature is pre-set by the manufacturer in the attempt to prevent problems and overheating. Overheating the heater may also lead to scalding, not to mention damaging the item.

    While there are no general rules in terms of temperature, many manufacturers stick to 50 degrees Celsius. It’s an unwritten standards that more and more companies adopt.

    Regulating temperature is done through a burner. The computer operating the heater will decide on the optimal amount of gas needed in the burner. Incoming water often has varying temperatures, as well as a different flow rate. The amount of gas needed to heat it up varies widely.

    That’s what the computer does. It measures the water temperature and decides how much gas is needed for maximum efficiency. This kind of flexibility is the answer to a steady temperature. You’ve probably noticed that water temperature doesn’t change as you shower, but stays constant. What changes is the amount of gas needed to keep it that way. Measuring the temperature is pretty simple. Most heaters come with small sensors on the exit pipe of the exchanger.

    In the attempt to let customers gain flexibility and full control, more and more manufacturers implement temperature controls. Practically, the user can bypass the pre-set factory temperature and decide on what’s better for them.

    Temperature controls are often available through a small screen on the actual unit. They are wired to a specific location, such as the bathroom or kitchen. Smarter appliances come with wireless control. Every update in the temperature will reflect over the computer, which will then update the gas flow and burner.

    Considering the Power Supply

    Power is mandatory in running a gas water heater. Most appliances rely on a sparking igniter in order to light the gas up. They’re mostly designed for residential properties and not outdoor or camping locations. Therefore, they’re usually connected to the main power supply of the home.

    Recent years have brought in a few innovative models that can even reduce your electricity bills. They feature small water turbines which the water has to go through before coming out. They practically generate their own energy and can run for specific amounts of time without using any electricity at all.

    Battery operated water heaters are not so common though. You can find some in commerce, but at the end of the day, they’re useless unless you need them outdoors. Whether you want the heater in your backyard or on a camping trip, batteries become a viable option.

    Battery and turbine models come with one major advantage over traditional models – they work even if you have a power outage, as well as remote areas that may not have too many modern facilities.

    On a negative note, turbine water heaters also come with some drawbacks. For instance, they’re much larger than traditional models. Besides, given the savings in your energy bills, they’ll cost you more to purchase.

    How Gas Water Heaters Work – Brief Summary

    • The gas water heater has two incoming pipes – gas and cold water. It needs cold water to heat it up before releasing it, as well as gas supply to heat the exchanger and transfer the heat to water.
    • Based on features, the water heater has multiple sensors to detect the cold water temperature and figure how much gas it needs to reach the desired temperature.
    • Water goes through a heat exchanger. It absorbs heat from the walls and goes to the outgoing pipe. It’s then transferred to wherever you need hot water – kitchen tap or shower.

    Conclusion

    Simply put, knowing how a gas water heater works will help you determine whether or not this is the right model for you when changing or upgrading your previous heater. There are, indeed, more types of water heaters out there. The gas operated model is traditional.

  • How to Keep Up With Interior Trends Without Spending a Fortune  

    How to Keep Up With Interior Trends Without Spending a Fortune  

    Do you constantly look through interior design magazines or around friends’ houses, wishing you could keep your home looking so on trend as well?

    Well, thankfully, this doesn’t have to mean changing your room as often as the seasons. Rather, all it takes is some careful consideration of the basic design of your room and the accessories you bring it to life with.

    Here’s how you can make sure your home’s always one step ahead of the trend:

    Having a Blank Canvas

    Firstly, the best way to make sure your rooms are adaptable to the ever-changing interior design world is to have a neutral blank canvas. Neutral colour schemes are timeless, which means they’ll never grow old – but they will allow you to go crazy with colour elsewhere.

    From your sofa to your walls and carpets, try to keep these understated and neutral so you can enhance them in other ways. Your sofa and other bits of furniture are the most costly to replace, so you need to make sure they’re going to stand the test of time without limiting your future decorating projects. So creams, whites, beiges and every colour in between are perfect for creating your blank canvas.

    Getting Creative with Window Hangings

    To instantly inject another layer and colour to your room, use your curtains or blinds to do this. These are constantly available in new designs and offer an affordable way for you to transform the room.

    For example, roman blinds are the perfect way to introduce new patterns to your window, while creating a stylish feature. And they can even work with your existing curtains – which are neutral, of course!

    Going All Out with Your Accessories

     

    From bed linen to rugs and candles to picture frames, these finishing touches are how you transform your room from drab to fab. Use them to introduce on-trend colours to the space and create new textures and layers that finish the room off in style.

    Throws and cushions are the perfect way to transform that neutral sofa, while rugs help add a focal point to the plain carpet or floorboards you originally installed.

    Creating a Feature Wall

    If the idea of having plain walls doesn’t interest you in the slightest, you can save money by having one feature wall. This wall, whether it’s the one where your bed or sofa is, changes with the times and brings together all of the new colours you’re introducing. And because there’s only one wall it saves you decorating the entire room, which, in turn, saves you lots of money.

    As you can see, designer looks need not cost designer prices. Instead, all it takes is some clever planning and strategic accessories and your home will be able to change with the times – no matter how frequent these changes may be.

     

  • Top Tips to Maintain Your Stone Countertops

    Top Tips to Maintain Your Stone Countertops

    There’s no doubt that countertops are a crucial part of the overall aesthetics of your kitchen. Together with features such as cabinets, flooring, and even appliances, the countertops help create the overall vibe of the space. Along those same lines, choosing stone for your countertop material offers some of the best ROI of any product.

    While the thought of a stone countertop might have you thinking that the feature is “indestructible”, the truth is that granite, marble, slate, onyx, etc. all still require regular maintenance. There are two main reasons you want to follow proper recommended care for your stone countertops:

    1. The kitchen is considered the most important room in the home and you want to maintain resale value for when the time comes to list your property.
    2. New countertops and kitchen remodels in general represent a pretty significant investment. You want to keep the products in the best shape possible for as long of a life span as you can.

    Don’t worry, maintaining your countertops isn’t as thorough a project as say, pressure washing and restaining a deck. That being said, you still want to follow all the proper tips for cleaning, sealing, and general upkeep. If you don’t, you could actually be proactively causing harm to the countertops.

    Cleaning Stone Countertops

    Stone countertops providers will tell you that regular cleaning is a very important part of maintaining the integrity of these features. Depending on the type of stone, these countertops can be porous which means that red wine spills (and similar mishaps) can actually cause staining. In fact, anything high in acidity (vinegar, orange juice, salad dressing, for example) can cause visible damage to the countertop surface.

    How to clean stone countertops depends largely on what type of actual rock it is made of. Here are some basics for the most popular types of materials used in kitchen countertops:

    • Concrete – Like many stone countertops, concrete is sensitive to acidity. Therefore a mixture of 1 teaspoon dish detergent and 4 cups of water should be kept readily available in a spray bottle. You shouldn’t use vinegar or other abrasive chemicals to clean concrete. Also, get your water tested to see if you need water softener because mineral deposits in hard water can cause damage to concrete countertops over time.
    • Granite – Traditionally one of the most popular materials for stone countertops that continues to be very appealing to future home buyers. One of the biggest      appealing factors for granite is its shiny finish. To maintain this, use the same formula of dish detergent and water. You should use a microfiber cloth to wipe up and let the countertop air dry.

    • Limestone – Homeowners are opting for limestone countertops because they give the look of marble, even though marble itself isn’t really a viable option for a kitchen because of the heavy use. Obviously the lighter color of limestone is going to require a lot of care. There is actually a special limestone cleaner that should be used if you’ve had this type of stone countertop installed. Another thing is that the lighter color of limestone allows scratches to show easier so avoid scrubbers, sponges, and similar abrasive cleaning utensils.
    • Quartz – These type of countertops are actually engineered with a quartz/resin compound which gives them the durability of being A glass cleaner will actually work for daily cleaning of quartz countertops.

     

    • Other Stone Countertops – You should always check the specific manufacturer’s cleaning instructions but for the most part dish detergent and water should be safe. Avoid abrasive scrubbers and harsh chemicals to maintain  the look and style of your countertops for years to come.

    Sealing Stone Countertops

    If your stone countertops are non-porous, they will not need to be sealed. This includes quartz and soapstone and also engineered products that aren’t 100% stone. For types of stone that does need resealing, many stone countertops providers will recommend that you repeat the process bi-annually. One way to find out if your tops do need sealing is to splash a little bit of water on the surface. If the water beads up, it means the seal is intact for now. If the water spreads and seeps into the surface then it’s time to re-apply the sealer.

    To seal your countertops, simply spray an approved sealant onto the surface and let it set for 15 minutes to absorb into the stone. Before the sealant dries completely, wipe it off with a paper towel or dry cloth. The process really is that easy.

    Caring For and Maintaining Stone Countertops

    In order to get the most life out of your countertops, proper care should be learned and executed. There’s the obvious trying to avoid spills of red wine and other acidic, staining liquids. If accidents do happen, wipe up these spills as soon as possible. Beyond that, never put hot pans directly onto the countertop surface and always use a cutting board to avoid knife scratches.

    If your countertops do get stained, contact your local stone countertops providers for care. There are poultice formulas that can remove the stain depending on what the countertop material is and what the stain was caused by. Beyond that though, with regular cleaning, sealing, and maintenance you should be able to enjoy your countertops now – and also get some resale value down the line.