#icestone counter top

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Dining Kitchen San Francisco Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, recycled glass countertops, glass tile backsplash, an island, beige backsplash and paneled appliances

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What are some potential business models for online social entrepreneurship?

Social purpose businesses( SPBs) crop from diligence like clean technology, health, education, finance andmicro-finance, to name a many. No matter what the assiduity, innovative,non-traditional business models that subsidize on socially and/ or environmentally salutary openings have arisen.

A business model describes how the program or action will work and how it'll sustain itself. Social enterprises and social purpose businesses have the added thing of generating social value (measurable impact) in addition to the profitable value ( profit).

The crucial difference between social enterprise and traditional business models

In a SPB, the social charge is core to the business model. A feasible SPB business model consists of a easily defined social charge guiding the strategy, value proposition and stylish practices.

The business model makes the case that the SPB can achieve its intended social impact and sufficient profit contemporaneously. A strong SPB business model will be erected where these two pretensions cross successfully — where both social and profitable value creation result.

Social enterprise business model exemplifications

The crucial congruity for social enterprises is that the company’s social and/ or environmental pretensions aren't add-ons or marketing ploys — they are part of the DNA of the business. Some exemplifications include

One company may concentrate on changing an assiduity by making it more sustainable, similar as renewable powers.

One company may strive to have a targeted profitable impact and be located in depressed areas or entitlement access to products to deprived populations ( similar as drugs in the developing world).

Some companies link their charge to their own sustainable internal processes and operations.

Specific exemplifications like IceStone, a glass recovering company that produces consumer products, demonstrate endless ways social and profitable pretensions work together.

How not to make a strong business model

The top reasons businesses fail ( including social purpose businesses) are

No feasible request

You have a great idea for a service or product that you suppose will change the world, but you have to make sure that someone will pay for it. “ Make it and they will come” has proven to be a failed business model.

Lack of Marketing Moxie

Still, they can not buy from you, If your target client doesn't know about you. Determine what eventuality tactics work for your assiduity, whether they include advertising, direct marketing, trade shows, websites and blogs. Figure demand for your product.

Out of touch with guests

Be as close to your client as possible – focus on good quality products and services and try to satisfy your client (both the profitable buyer and the end stoner) with your immolation.

Ineffective ornon-existing hookups

Picking the right mates and using them effectively is crucial to successfully enforcing and spanning your business model.

Expert advice on how to produce sustainable social businesses

Your primary thing is to produce a business model with a product or service that people will want and an effective way to vend it.

“ Just because you have a social charge does n’t mean you have a right to live in their business. To earn that place, approach your social charge with the heart of a bean counter, enriching it until you have a thing you can achieve.” — Jay Coen Gilbert,co-founder of B Lab.

Frequently social entrepreneurs choose a for- profit model to give the capital to grow the business more fleetly.

“ We could have done it as anon-profit over a hundred times, but if we wanted to do it in five or 10 times, also we believed it demanded to be fueled by profit. That’s the way to grow.” — Sam Goldman,co-founder,D.Light design.

Choose a business model that fits your charge and covers your costs.

Better World Books collects handbooks bestowed by scholars and resells them online. Originally, the company gave 15 of its earnings to charities that combat ignorance.

But after a period of time, the company began recording losses and couldn't contribute to the hand profit sharing plan. Operation had to make a tough decision keep further gains by cutting to7.5 the share of earnings for itsnon-profit mates, fund the profit sharing plan and also resolve the remaining gains50/50 with those mates.

As you grow, ask yourself if the husbandry of your business work in favour of your charge or against it?

. Occasionally the bigger you get, the less precious your product may come to produce grounded on the husbandry of scale.

Target guests who value the kind of social impact you intend to produce.

A great illustration is Newman’s Own each-natural food products. The fact that all of the gains are bestowed to charity likely attracts guests who are deciding between products that are of equal quality and price.

Not all social problems respond well to the for- profit model — for illustration, nonage education.

Still, you might be suitable to raise plutocrat more snappily and grow more snappily, “ If you set it up as a business. But if you want to be profitable, you might find that you have to make choices that dwindle the quality of your program and also children wo n’t learn to read as snappily, “ — David Bornstein, author, How to Change the World

.

Like any entrepreneur, you should be willing to change your business model if necessary.

Consider which legal structure makes the utmost sense for your business.

Consider quantifying the impact of operating your social purpose business on a “ social or environmental base” rather than a “ regular base.”

For illustration, if you have redundant training or support costs for your workers or if you have to buy more precious product to meet your environmental pretensions, you can quantify the difference and use that input to manage the eventuality for lower returns when speaking with for- profit investors. You may also consider seekingnon-repayable backing like subventions from innovativenon-profit funders as backing for the social or environmental differential for your business.

For further information about developing a business model, download the MaRS workbook, Business model design. The information and exercises will help you design a business model by working through the crucial variables in executing a request strategy — competition, cooperation, distribution, pricing and positioning.

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Concrete Countertop Repair Reviews & Tips

Avonite sheets can be shaped to accommodate certain designs utilizing a thermoforming procedure to bend the item. Strong surface countertops can be found in a great selection of color and design choices. It does come in a much wider variety of colors and patterns.

Life After Concrete Countertop Repair

To get the best costs for a house improvement project, it is advisable to to have a selection of estimates from many different manufacturers and vendors. While expensive, it's a material that may increase the resale value of a house. There are an assortment of goods on the industry, including Silestone, Caesarstone, IceStone and several more.

If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Concrete Countertop Repair

After all of the planning and forming, now it feels as if you are receiving somewhere. If you're thinking of building diy concrete countertops for the very first time, you've come to the correct spot. Drying time varies but in some situations, it may take up to 12 hours. Finding an epoxy that's very fluid will both fill and seal effectively, since these forms of products wet the outside the concrete countertop, meaning that they can fill the crack more adequately. Sealing is a significant procedure during countertop restoration. Maintenance overall is extremely similar as both are durable surfaces that may resist heavy kitchen usage. Knowing the makeup of each countertop material and the maintenance which will be required after it's installed in your house will help you select the countertop material that is most suitable for you. Many are opting to use the engineered stone due to its durability and very low maintenance requirements. Just do your research, and make certain you do the maintenance. The wire is going to keep the concrete from cracking as it dries and it's also going to add strength. Very heavy, thus a strong base is necessary to support it. Apply a small sum of the epoxy, using a toothpick to push it in the crack. Problems with seams can stem from several diverse causes. Suppliers can find these stained in more or less any color you decide on, and they ought to be sealed regularly to prevent them from chipping. Concrete is another material that's currently in vogue.

Concrete Countertop Repair - Dead or Alive?

In addition, it doesn't need to be sealed. In addition to that, it's simple to incorporate fly ash that would otherwise wind up in a landfill. This is a superb product which comes in a complete kit with all you need to fix tiny holes and chips in stone. Opt for an epoxy that's crystal clear or colored to coordinate with the stone exactly. Granite, needless to say, is the most popular of organic stones. Concrete slabs are strongest when they're oriented vertically. As a result, for those who have a complicated countertop layout, limestone could be less painful to fabricate as opposed to other all-natural stone countertops. Stone like marble and granite are easily available resources, and that means you can feel good about your decision to install gorgeous countertops. Over the years, it has quickly become one of the most popular natural stone countertops.

Key Pieces of Concrete Countertop Repair

Maintenance can be challenging, especially if you'd like to prevent marble's tendency to come up with a patina with use. It comes in many colors and styles, and it is considered the most durable kitchen countertop material available. If you're on the lookout for an environmentally conscious alternative, natural stone countertops are the best way to go. Natural stone can be found in a broad selection of shades and patterns, and no 2 countertops are exactly alike. The ideal stone for a bathroom countertop largely is dependent upon your own personal taste. Granite is pricey, but it lasts forever and can majorly boost the worth of your house. When you're searching for a countertop material that won't exhaust your complete kitchen budget, laminate may be the option you're searching for. Concrete countertops are an ideal option if you love industrial or contemporary styles. When considering upgrading the countertops in a house, there are lots of possibilities for using the exact material in both rooms. As soon as it is more expensive and not as much heat resistant (again not an essential concern for bathrooms), that additional expense is largely because of the above positives of quartz. Yes, it is not as costly than the majority of other materials readily available, but there's a location for everything, and for laminate, that place is in the kitchen, especially if you've got a limited budget.

Concrete Countertop Repair - the Story

They are high use areas that need to be both durable and attractive. They are made from a wide range of materials, but fortunately, they can be broken down into certain categories. Concrete countertops are incredibly customizable. Also, you may use our Kitchen Countertops Cost Calculator to estimate the purchase price of your undertaking. Tile is tough and simple to clean. It is another great choice. Plastic laminate can be found in hundreds of colours and dozens of patterns, and in a variety of textures. Aside from its consistent look, it's also simpler to wash and maintain. These materials are created with acrylic, polyester or a mix of the two, and they mimic the appearance of stone and other materials.

The Advantages of Concrete Countertop Repair

A countertop sealer may be worthwhile investment if you wish to safeguard your countertop from the typical damage it undergoes due to wear and tear, and usage. Ideally, you reseal the entire countertop, seam to seam, to be able to maintain an even sheen across the entire slab. A new countertop has the capability to transform a space. Wilsonart and Formica are a few of the top laminate manufacturers and have some stunning alternatives that can earn a very low budget countertop seem expensive. Well, anyway, it's a bit over-due, but here is what I think about our counters up to now. Wilsonart counters can readily be refinished if stained.

Concrete Countertop Repair Options

If you choose to purchase one of these concrete polishers within one day of clicking on the picture I will get a little commission. You also need to choose something that's low maintenance and something that does not need to be oiled or sealed constantly. It's merely a matter of matching each individual with the most suitable material. " " Read the full article

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Wish to Enhance Your Residence? Take A Look At These Ideas!

Enhancing the value of your residence could be done easily by doing house renovations. There are some very easy tips on remodeling your house to make best use of the value of your home or business. These suggestions will certainly assist you maintain them economical as well as do the ones that are most useful to earn your house worth the most. chicago Do your homework before beginning to knock down. It could seem very easy, even enjoyable, to hurry into a demolition and also start reducing openings or ripping down walls. Constantly inspect initially for electrical wires or components that are still connected. It could be also expensive to completely remove the structure, so it's much better to check first.Ensure you comprehend each and every single step of a project before you decide to start dealing with it. Occasionally something that seems extremely easy could really be quite challenging. The opposite is also real at times, so make sure to earn a detailed, detailed, plan before you begin really functioning.Below's a basic way of dealing with gaps at the end of poorly fitted interior doors. Sandwich an area of wood (cut to the size of the door) between 2 pieces of paneling. Leave each piece of paneling standing out beyond the top side of the two by 2 by about one inch. Slide the extension over all-time low of the door as well as screw each item of paneling into area versus each side of the door.Set up a ceiling follower. A ceiling follower is a fantastic project for any individual, as it is relatively basic and also economical. A ceiling follower is also considerably valuable to your wallet, as transforming it on can distribute cooler air as well as permit you to leave the air conditioning system off for a little bit longer.Consider making your counters out of recycled products for an eco-friendly residence improvement. You could likewise pick discolored concrete or indigenous rock for an Earth-friendly appearance. Richlite is an item made from recycled paper, as well as IceStone is a definitely magnificent counter material constructed from glass as well as concrete, and also both are environment-friendly.Put a ring on your power tool plugs! To maintain children from connecting these possibly harmful tools right into a power outlet, just slide a crucial ring via the holes on the suggestions of the plug prongs. For larger plugs you could even use s little lock to secure the tools versus possibly unsafe usage.Residence renovation costs usually increase when home owners fail to take un-livability right into factor to consider when arranging an intensive remodel. If you can't prepare in your kitchen area or bathroom in your restroom, you will end up dining in a restaurant a whole lot and also perhaps staying in a hotel for a couple of evenings. These expenses add up rapidly if you weren't anticipating them. Add another line to your budget for food and also lodging if necessary.As presented above, making use of simply a few simple ideas, you could increase the worth of your residence as well as remodel without needing to bother with losing cash. When it comes time to market, you will certainly be glad that your home stands apart above the remainder with the appropriate improvements that will certainly ensure a quick and also profitable sale.

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2019 Buyers Guide to Glass Countertops …Written by an Experienced Glass Fabricator Copy

Content

Interviewing Your Glass Fabricator

Author Qualifications

Glass Countertop Types and Terms

Textures for Glass Countertop

Glass Countertop Cutting and Polishing

Lighting Glass Countertops

Metal Support Brackets and Installation Techniques

Glass Countertops Cost

Installation and Shipping

Remodeling Trends

Conclusion

ERRATA:  The Dumbest Glass Countertop Ideas on the Internet

Thick Glass countertops are one of the hottest design trends in Kitchen and Bath remodeling today. No other material enhances the visual beauty of your space like the translucent nature of glass. It offers endless creative possibilities which high-end designers demand when their projects require a luminous focal point.

This buyers guide will help you understand the many decorative options available to make it “POP” in your home.

As a buyer, we recommend you ask lots of questions of your glass fabricator after website visits followed by On-Site tours and first-hand inspection of product quality.

Do your reputation research. Know what you are getting for your money in writing upfront.  Here are some good interview questions to start…

  Questions for your Glass Countertop Fabricator

Where are your products Made… In the USA? 

Are they responsive via phone, text and email?  Speak with Who will Measure, Design, Fabricate and Install.

Share your Vision with your Fabricator in Sketches and Photos from e.g. Houzz  

Are your Inputs taken when Designing Glass textures?

Do they Feel Passionate about their work…or are they just a slab exporter?

Are they Reputable ?

Get a written Quote with all options itemized with Installation.

Author Qualifications

This guide was written by Jeff Downing of Downing Designs, a professional design-build-install studio that has installed millions of dollars of custom Glass surfaces. He has an intimate understanding of glass countertop fabrication.

Downing Designs has a truly unique approach where human interaction and creative insight are fluidly aligned to imagine a  brighter future for your space. Great things happen (e g. Prototypes) when we cross-pollinate our ideas with others. The result is a functional piece of glass art that has an emotional connection with their clients.

If you Google  “Buy Glass Countertops” you will see many keyword-stuffed, ad-driven sites posting misleading statements and very odd glass high bar support ideas.  Please enjoy our ERRATA section at the end where we’ve called them out for their misleading statements and expensive glass countertops installed in strange, half-baked ways.  Buyer Beware!

Glass Types and Terms

Glass Countertops can be fabricated from a variety of glass. Float Glass is commonly used. Float glass is a flat sheet created by “floating” raw molten glass (a mix of raw material and recycled glass cullet) over a bath of molten tin.

Float Glass  glass pieces up to 177” x 127” x ¾” thickness are available and are well suited for flat, back painted countertops and splashbacks.

3/4″ Low iron Glass Backpainted White

Low-Iron Glass is a Float glass with low amounts of iron which render a light bluish hue. This is critical when viewing the edge, as you will see the color intensity greatly magnified. Low-iron glass is well suited for countertops and backsplashes.

“Clear” Glass is a Float glass with higher iron content that renders it a greenish hue. The thicker the glass, the deeper the hue. Dont use “Clear” glass if you are back painting the glass as it will tint your final result.

Tempered Glass is created from Float Glass by heating in an oven and then quickly cooling. Tempered glass is about 4x stronger than annealed glass, allowing it to be used for thin glass applications e.g. shower doors, sneeze guards. Tempered glass must have all cuts completed before tempering. Usually, glass that is ¾” or thicker need NOT be tempered for use in bathrooms vanity tops, or kitchen glass counters.

Designer Note:  Lighting flat glass with LEDs is generally a waste of money because it has no texture depth to deflect the light.

Slumped Glass is made by placing glass over a mold then thermoforming at ~1300 degrees F in Kilns until the glass “slumps” and to the shape of the mould.  Slumping glass over large textured ceramic sand beds creates textured glass Sinks and Glass Backsplashes.  

Fused Textured Glass is a process where sheets of float glass are thermoformed over a large ceramic sand bed or mould and fused at ~1450 degrees F,  then annealed. The annealing process “heat-strengthens” the fused glass product to almost 2x annealed glass strength. Fused textured glass at 1.5” thick is very strong and is an extremely durable material that can be cantilevered  to a much greater degree than most surfacing materials.

Glass Countertop Cantilevered 37″ from left Support

Designer note:  1” thick countertops do not have the visual depth on edge vs 1.5” glass but cost only fractionally less.

Textured glass hides the appearance of fingerprints and minor scratches.

Fused Glass with Colors is created using an inter-layer “paint” of glass frit and enamels and then fired. Vibrant colors are possible.

Glass With Colored Frit Fused in between Layers

Hot glass is the process of gathering and molten glass and twirling it into the artists final vision. Beautiful small artistic glass sinks and pieces can be formed this way. Examples include Dale Chihuly and “Big Wave” Dave Wight.  

White Glass countertops (aka Nano glass, Crystallized glass) are a fusion of recycled glass and minerals created at 3000 degrees. It is poured, cooled then polished to a very high gloss shine. White glass countertops share a non-porous nature with Glass.

Pure White Glass countertops change the spatial relationship of every room they reside. In fact, they make kitchens and baths appear ~25% larger.

White Glass Countertops in Kitchen

From a 2019 survey on Houzz:  White countertops continue to grow in popularity. Nearly one in three counters are done in white (22%, 27% and 31% in 2017, 2018 and 2019 studies, respectively) making them the #1 countertop choice for homes.

White glass is much harder on the Mohs hardness scale (7) vs glass (5.5)  or granite (6.2) or engineered quartz (6.7). It is a superior countertop material for outdoors as it reflects much of the solar energy, is UV-proof, non-porous, stain-proof, requires zero maintenance or sealing, acid-proof and does not burn from cigarettes. White glass comes in slabs 120” x 60” x 1.2”

Black Glass countertops are similar to White glass…but a deep, pure opaque high gloss black. These will get hot in direct sunlight.

Recycled Glass Countertops is a matrix made up of small chips of colorful recycled glass chips in a binder and sold in slabs. A concrete based binder for your recycled glass countertops will require a sealant application. A resin-based binder will stand up to stains better, but can’t be used outdoors…UV light will degrade it. Many choices for colors and binders are available. Vetrazzo, IceStone, Geos are notable brands.

  Textures for Glass Countertops

Texturing Glass Upon selection of the glass countertop to be used, fabrication can begin after measuring, templating, and texture design. A like a bespoke tailor, a full-service glass countertop designer-fabricator will demonstrate ALL of your options to accessorize your glass countertop to achieve the utmost in “wow” factor. These critical points include:

Stamped Textures provide a consistent textured look that is omni-directional. These can be interesting when selected for the right environment.

Hand Sculpted Textures are artistically carved into the kiln bed to create the texture you desire. Deep textures create drama and are spectacular when lit with LEDs and downlights. See our Fox News video showing some of this sculpting process.

Designer Tip: Communicate and review pattern suggestions, and refine these until happy. Select a glass texture that enhances the personality of your room “flow”. Don’t settle for a stamped textured piece of glass when for the same amount of money you can have a custom designed statement piece that flows elegantly with the lines in your home. Make sure your texture flows from one piece of glass to another across the seam in multi-sectional countertops. See Video below for a glass counter that flows well with the room.

    Hand Texturing Kiln Bed for Glass Countertops

Smooth texture transition at corner

Air Bubbles trapped between layers of glass are part of their endearing “flaws” since glass is not formed under a vacuum.

They enhance the visual interest and depth of thick glass countertops. More Bubbles can be creatively added to glass countertops (with chemicals) if that is your desire.

  Glass Cutting and Polishing

Kiln-formed glass must be cut to size and have holes drilled. Waterjets, wet saws and polishing tools with plenty of water are used. Make sure your glass fabricator has these in his shop to efficiently move your glass from kiln to cutting to polishing.

Designer Note:  Make sure you inspect the quality of the edge polish of your glass countertop upon arrival. If it has lines from a worn out CNC bit, reject it!  Your glass edge should offer a perfectly polished lens into your glass.

Also, 45 degree bevels present (2) sharp edges where the top meets the face. Gently rounded over edges are much more comfortable, and much less prone to chipping. See below picture illustrating those points.

Lines on Face due to Worn Out CNC bit…”Shiney but Liney”

Lighting Glass

Make sure you have a thorough Lighting plan for LED Edge Lighting, Down lighting and Ambient Lighting so they can all contribute to the WOW factor of your glass countertop.

LED Edge and Down lighted Glass Countertop…Note Dramatic Shadows on Floor

LED Edge Lighting is typically this is the best way to light textured glass countertops. Narrow LED strip lights on the edge of the countertop allow for high levels of striking high-contrast color. Done right, your glass countertop will “POP”…especially at night. Color and brightness are achieved with a controller, usually a smart phone app. This produces millions of stunning colors that can even dance to your music. You will need to run wires from the LED strips to a controller and transformer to a 110v power outlet. Use quality LEDs…this is not a place to save money as they can be tricky to replace once installed.

Designer Tip: Your LED cover and wiring should be minimalist and allow viewing into glass as well as reduce the pixel appearance from the front. Get a plan to conceal the LED wires through the supports and lower surface.

Minimalist LED Cover…no Visible Wires.

On A Lighter Side Note:  Our “proprietary” research shows that properly lit Glass High Bars are in fact “Time Machines”. Apparently, a huge benefit of the upward angling and soft mood lighting from our glass high bars is that it “turns back the clock a few years”. (It makes my vintage 1959 wrinkles almost go away…we are not sure how to price that benefit just yet).

Down lighting from the ceiling will create a powerful mimic shadow upon the floor and lower surface. It is a perfect lighting technique for High bars to complement LED edge lighting.

Designer Tip: Modern LED downlights are available that create a tight, well-defined X-Ray shadow upon the floor. They are powerful, dimmable and consume very little electricity. Aim the light to project the shadows where you desire…preferably at an angle to make the shadows look bigger.

Ambient lighting allows the glass to pop naturally during the day in a sunny location. Low iron glass is naturally beautiful when lit with sunlight. See the pictures and video below.

Glass Countertop without LED in Daylight

Same Countertop Down lit at Night

  Under lighting Glass requires a tall structure on the underside of the textured glass to allow for even distribution of light…which may be unsuitably high for your countertop.

Designer Note: It also creates a very “flat” lighting effect that minimizes the contrast of shadow vs light and robs textures of their visual depth. It “highlights” the rib structure of the underlying panels…and is not pretty. (see below). This technique does however work well with onyx slabs.

Underlit Glass Countertop…Looks like an XRay!

  Metal Support Brackets and Installation Techniques

Supports Metal support brackets of all shapes and sizes are available. Custom metal supports must often be fabricated to suit unusual installs e.g floor-mounted supports.   Your metal fabricator should be able to offer you any custom design you wish…not just some one-size-fits-all support.  Make sure your plan for your high bar is sturdy and elegant.  Methods of attachment of the glass to the support include:

Silicone. Best used to attach textured glass to flat supports.

Metal Caps. Low Profile caps are best if caps are used.

UV glue. Fastest bond for flat glass to flat metal supports.

High Bar with (3) Low Profile Caps, No supports

High Bar with Low Profile Caps, Stainless Supports in Ground.

High Bar with Custom Supports…attached by Silicone

  Designer tip: Many designs are lazy and use ill-conceived support techniques. They often prevent you from freely rotating in your high bars stools because your knee hits the support. Or, they use “hockey puck caps” on top of the glass to prevent you from having an uninterrupted smooth flow across your high bar surface. Look for these “beauties” in the “Errata” section at the end of this article. Make sure your supports do not interact with your knees at your glass high bar. Look closely at the  pictures above and below. They have a clean look owing to thoughtfully designed custom cantilevering brackets . They are concave on the high bar chairs side, thus making it very hard to hit your knee as you rotate your high bar chair.

Custom Bracket designed to Not Hit Your Knee

Back painting glass maximizes the visual depth of the textured glass countertop, backsplash or sink basin, while hiding the ability to see under or behind the glass.

Designer Tip: Back painting is preferred to laminating or painting your underlayment because gnats can find their way between the bottom of textured glass and the top of the laminate where their little carcasses will pepper the background forever. Not Pretty. Silver metallic and white back paint add depth. Back paint can be tinted to match your decor.

Textured 1/2″ Glass Backsplash Backpainted with LEDs

Installation and Shipping.

Expensive Glass requires skillful planning and experienced manpower to install.

Designer Note: We have been on a few time critical installations where cabinets, plumbing, electrical work, ceiling plastering were all being dome in the same kitchen at the same time!  This is not good.

Please have a schedule that allows the glass counter to be one of the last installations...just like a valuable piece of wall art. Having too many tradesman in the room after installation increases the risk of damage to your artistic piece.

Crating for Shipping. Crates are specially fabricated for glass countertops with plenty of sturdy foam to cushion it during shipping.  Make sure you purchase insurance t cover the cost of both the glass as well as the shipping costs.

Solid Crate for Shipping Glass Counters

Glass Countertops Cost:

As you can see, there is a wide range of options for glass countertops. It is impossible to conclude a precise cost but these numbers below can give you a start.

$100+/sq. ft. for ¾” flat low-iron glass. Backpaint, thermoforming, waterjetting custom shapes, holes, etc. adds to cost.

$350+/sq. ft. for 1.5” textured low-iron glass. LEDs, backpaint, custom shapes, size of piece, supports, installation, etc. add to cost.

White Glass and Recycled Glass are $125-175+/sq. Ft.

Installation and delivery costs add to the above.

Remodeling Trends

In an interesting article on Houzz, they show that homeowners are increasing their spending more on High-End countertops vs other kitchen elements.

Houzz Survey…Buyers are Splurging on Countertops

Conclusion

You are going to have to place your trust and money in someone to faithfully execute your glass countertop project. If your vendor cannot confidently lead you through each step in the design, template, custom textural sculpting, fabrication, lighting, back-painting, supporting, securing, shipping as well as installing, then find one who can …or…risk a poor outcome. Glass counters cost too much to risk a poor outcome in the hands of amateurs.

Find a passionate glass fabricator that can listen to you and bring out the best in your ideas, create a plan and lead you through the process. The result will be an unbelievable artistic “wow” piece in your home for many years.

Jeff Downing is the founder of Downing Designs in Downtown Tampa, FL. He has represented Hewlett-Packard and Philips Medical amongst others before quitting to open his custom design studio. His teachings and blogs help architects, designers, etc. to embrace creative new ways to use glass in their projects. He previously represented ThinkGlass for several years before purchasing his own kilns to bring his unique artistic glass visions to life.

  ERRATA  

STRANGE Glass statements we have scraped from the Internet…”Fake News”

“On average, the minimum cost for glass countertops per square foot is $75, while the maximum cost per square foot is around $105.”

Clearly they have never made a thick textured glass countertop.

“Annealed Glass—Similar to tempered glass, annealed glass has chemicals added to the resin mixture to increase its strength.”  

A chemical added to the resin??? This is glass, NOT plastic.

“Nonetheless, there are many other factors that can increase or decrease the total cost of glass counters. Supplies such as sealants and adhesives add an average of $2.45 per finished square foot of surface area.”

Sealants????   Why do you need to seal glass? Its non-porous.

“Contact with acidic foods, drinks, and certain cleaners can affect the surface and require fixing”  

Not unless you are serving hydrofluoric acid to your guests! Nonsense!

  Odd Designs Ideas for High Bars

  Underlit Glass Countertop…Looks like an XRay!

This ugly under lighting completely ruins an otherwise nice glass countertop. Very Odd looking.

  Glass Countertop with Hockey Pucks and Archaic supports. Where am I supposed to sit ?   Knee and Shin bashing will occur.  Careful of those Hockey Pucks!  Thanks, but I think I’ll stand…

Again, where am I supposed to sit?  Knee bashing will occur. Shins are safe here. Robs the ability to seat people normally.

Posts to Floor Reduce Usable Bar Space

Glass Countertop with fat supports and LED covers

 Where does my glass of wine and dinner plate sit? Look out for those hockey pucks!  You cannot see the edge of  the glass while cooking!   Glass Counters should look great from all sides.

What is the Point? No Cantilever, Lots of Hockey Pucks,No room to clean under.

  This client went with a slab vendor  (Thinkglass) that merely took their money with no thoughtful advice (e.g. backpaint) to prevent this half-baked result. The result is a glass countertop that shows everything inside the cabinet. Thinking about themselves and not about getting this piece right!

Glass Countertop without BackPaint…NOT Pretty to see insides of cabinets

Thanks for making it this far. If you care to speak further, please call or text my cell phone at (813) 784 5211.

Jeff Downing

The post 2019 Buyers Guide to Glass Countertops …Written by an Experienced Glass Fabricator Copy appeared first on Downing Designs.

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Mean to Improve Your Home? Think about These Ideas! (2 ).

. Intend to Improve Your Home? Take into account These Ideas!

Raising the well worth of your framework might potentially be done without delay by doing residence renovations. There are some actually easy concepts on recouping your house of maximize the truly worth of your residence. These concepts will definitely most definitely aid you maintain them inexpensive together with do the ones that are necessary making your house well worth amongst among one of the most.

Do your research study prior to beginning to troubles. It may appear regular, furthermore intriguing, to hurry right into a demolition and also begin tearing or lowering openings down wall surface area community.

Make certain you comprehend each task of a job before you choose to begin managing it. Consistently something that turns up really incredibly very easy could in fact be instead tough. The reverse stays in improvement real generally, so ensure making a complete, substantial, strategy prior to you begin absolutely running.

Sandwich a community of lumber (cut to the measurement of the door) in between 2 points of paneling. Move the advancement over the base of the door together with screw each item of paneling right into place versus each side of the door.

Mount a ceiling follower. A ceiling follower is a great aid any person, as it is rather easy in addition to cost effective. A ceiling follower stays in improvement considerably useful to your budget, as transforming it on might perhaps spread cooler air in addition to enable you to leave the air conditioning tool system off a long period of time a large amount a lot longer.

Take into consideration making your counters from recycled things for an eco-friendly structure enhancement. You could moreover choose detrimentally impacted concrete or aboriginal rock for an Earth-friendly appearance. Richlite is an item developed from recycled paper, along with IceStone is a definitely unbelievable counter attribute produced from glass along with concrete, and also both are environmentally friendly.

Area a ring on your power technique web links! To maintain youngsters from connecting these possibly unsafe gizmos right into a power electrical outlet, just transfer a necessary ring with the openings on the tips of the plug prongs. For larger plugs you could in a comparable means take advantage of s little screw to secure the tools versus possibly risky usage.

When capacity owners fail to keep in mind to take un-livability right into aspect making note of when producing up a considerable remodel, House redesigning prices generally boost. If you can not prepared in your cooking area or shower room bath tub in your restroom, you will definitely most definitely wind up absorbing out an offer in addition to potentially continuouslying remain in a resort for a variety of evenings.

As given over, using merely a couple of relatively standard pointers, you could raise the truly worth of your home and recondition without ought to stress in addition to anxiety over going down cash loan. You will definitely be kindlied that your house crosses the remainder with the optimal renovations that will definitely ensure a satisfying together with fast sale when it comes time to supply.

There are some straightforward suggestions on revamping your the house of make the many of the well worth of your home home. When residents go down quick to take un-livability right into component to believe associating to when prepping a needing remodel, House enhancement prices consistently improve.

There are some truly essential pointers on upgrading your our house of take total perk of the definitely worth of your home. Take right into aspect to think about making your counters from recycled characteristics for an eco-friendly residence renovation. Richlite is a point produced from recycled paper, in addition to in addition IceStone is a most certainly impressive counter thing produced from glass along with in addition concrete, along with furthermore both are environmentally friendly.

There are some fundamental ideas on refurbishing your house of make the countless of the well worth of your home house. When people go down quick to take un-livability right into aspect to take right into component to take right into factor to consider when prepping a calling for remodel, Home enhancement prices usually elevate.

Mean to Improve Your Home? Raising the well worth of your framework might potentially be done conveniently by doing home renovations. These suggestions will definitely aid you maintain them develop you back reliable along with do the ones that are crucial making your residence well worth amongst among one of the most.

There are some actually common referrals on upgrading your the property of take substantial advantage of the definitely worth of your residence. Take right into top quality to think about making your counters from recycled factors for an eco favorable residence redesign.

The reverse remains in improvement real normally, so ensure making a comprehensive, detailed, approach before you begin in fact running.

Take right into element to take into consideration making your counters from recycled products for an eco-friendly house enhancement. Take right into aspect to think worrying making your counters from recycled factors for an eco-friendly house enhancement.

Take right into account making your counters from recycled products for an ecologically pleasant structure enhancement. Take right into aspect to take into consideration making your counters from recycled attributes for an eco-friendly residence renovation. Take right into variable to take into consideration making your counters from recycled products for an eco-friendly residence enhancement. There are some actually basic guidelines on upgrading your our home of take full perk of the definitely worth of your house. Take right into element to presume worrying making your counters from recycled factors for an eco-friendly house enhancement.

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Want To Improve Your Residence? Take A Look At These Concepts!

Enhancing the value of your residence can be done conveniently by doing residence enhancements. There are some easy ideas on redesigning your the home of maximize the worth of your home. These ideas will certainly assist you keep them economical as well as do the ones that are most useful to make your home worth the most.Do your homework before beginning to destroy. It might appear very easy, even enjoyable, to hurry right into a demolition and also begin cutting holes or ripping down walls. Always check initially for electric cables or parts that are still attached. It may be as well costly to completely get rid of the structure, so it's much better to double check first. fayetteville ar homes for sale See to it you comprehend each action of a job prior to you make a decision to start servicing it. In some cases something that appears really basic may in fact be fairly tough. The reverse is additionally true sometimes, so make certain to earn an in-depth, detailed, blueprint before you begin actually functioning.Below's a basic way of repairing spaces at the end of badly fitted interior doors. Sandwich a section of hardwood (cut to the size of the door) between 2 pieces of paneling. Leave each piece of paneling protruding beyond the top side of both by 2 by concerning one inch. Slip the expansion over the bottom of the door and also screw each item of paneling right into location against each side of the door.Mount a ceiling follower. A ceiling fan is a terrific project for any individual, as it is rather straightforward and also inexpensive. A ceiling follower is additionally considerably valuable to your purse, as transforming it on can circulate cooler air and also allow you to leave the a/c off for a little bit longer.Consider making your counters from recycled materials for an environmentally friendly home enhancement. You could likewise choose discolored concrete or native rock for an Earth-friendly appearance. Richlite is a product made from recycled paper, as well as IceStone is a definitely sensational counter material made from glass and concrete, and both are environment-friendly.Put a ring on your power tool plugs! To keep children from connecting these possibly dangerous devices right into a power electrical outlet, just slip a key ring via the holes on the tips of the plug prongs. For bigger plugs you could also make use of s small padlock to protect the devices against possibly dangerous use.Residence enhancement expenses usually escalate when property owners fail to take un-livability into consideration when arranging an intensive remodel. If you can't cook in your kitchen or bath in your bathroom, you will wind up eating out a great deal as well as possibly staying in a resort for a few evenings. These expenses accumulate rapidly if you just weren't anticipating them. Add one more line to your budget for food and accommodations if needed.As presented above, making use of simply a few simple ideas, you could increase the worth of your residence and also remodel without needing to worry about losing loan. When it comes time to offer, you will certainly be glad that your house stands out over the remainder with the right enhancements that will certainly guarantee a fast and also lucrative sale.

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Wish to Boost Your Home? Have a look At These Ideas!

Increasing the worth of your home could be done conveniently by doing house renovations. There are some very easy suggestions on remodeling your the home of optimize the value of your house. These suggestions will certainly aid you keep them affordable and do the ones that are most useful to make your home worth one of the most.Do your homework prior to starting to knock down. It could seem very easy, also fun, to rush right into a demolition and begin cutting openings or tearing down wall surfaces. Always examine initially for electrical cables or parts that are still affixed. It might be too pricey to entirely remove the structure, so it's much better to double check first. fayetteville ar homes for sale Make certain you understand each and every single action of a task prior to you decide to begin dealing with it. Sometimes something that appears really basic might actually be quite difficult. The opposite is also real at times, so make certain making a detailed, detailed, plan before you start really functioning.Right here's a straightforward method of fixing voids at the end of improperly fitted indoor doors. Sandwich an area of timber (cut to the size of the door) between 2 items of paneling. Leave each item of paneling sticking out past the top side of the two by 2 by regarding one inch. Slip the expansion over the bottom of the door as well as screw each piece of paneling into place versus each side of the door.Install a ceiling follower. A ceiling fan is a great project for anyone, as it is rather straightforward and also economical. A ceiling fan is also significantly useful to your budget, as transforming it on could flow cooler air as well as permit you to leave the air conditioner off for a little longer.Think about making your counters from recycled products for an environmentally friendly home renovation. You can additionally pick tarnished concrete or aboriginal rock for an Earth-friendly look. Richlite is a product constructed from recycled paper, and also IceStone is an absolutely spectacular counter material made of glass and also concrete, as well as both are environment-friendly.Place a ring on your power device connects! To keep children from connecting these potentially harmful tools into a power outlet, simply slip a vital ring via the holes on the pointers of the plug prongs. For larger plugs you can also utilize s small lock to secure the tools versus possibly harmful usage.House enhancement costs usually skyrocket when property owners fail to take un-livability right into factor to consider when setting up an intensive remodel. If you can't prepare in your cooking area or bathroom in your washroom, you will certainly wind up dining in a restaurant a lot and potentially remaining in a hotel for a couple of nights. These prices accumulate quickly if you weren't expecting them. Add an additional line to your budget for food as well as lodging if essential.As provided above, making use of just a few straightforward tips, you can boost the worth of your residence as well as remodel without needing to worry about losing loan. When it comes time to sell, you will certainly rejoice that your home sticks out above the remainder with the appropriate enhancements that will make certain a quick as well as successful sale.

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Want To Enhance Your Home? Take A Look At These Suggestions!

Raising the value of your residence could be done easily by doing house renovations. There are some simple ideas on renovating your home to make best use of the worth of your home or business. These concepts will assist you maintain them cost-effective and also do the ones that are most important to make your house worth the most. chicago Do your research before beginning to demolish. It could seem easy, also fun, to rush into a demolition as well as begin cutting holes or ripping down wall surfaces. Always check first for electric cords or parts that are still attached. It could be also expensive to completely remove the structure, so it's much better to check initially.Ensure you understand each action of a project prior to you make a decision to start working on it. Sometimes something that seems very simple might in fact be quite tough. The opposite is also real sometimes, so be sure to make a thorough, step by step, blueprint prior to you begin really functioning.Here's an easy means of taking care of voids at the bottom of badly fitted indoor doors. Sandwich an area of lumber (cut to the size of the door) in between 2 items of paneling. Leave each piece of paneling standing out beyond the top side of both by two by about one inch. Slide the extension over all-time low of the door and also screw each item of paneling right into location against each side of the door.Mount a ceiling fan. A ceiling follower is a fantastic project for anyone, as it is fairly easy as well as low-cost. A ceiling fan is additionally significantly helpful to your pocketbook, as turning it on could distribute cooler air as well as enable you to leave the air conditioning unit off for a bit much longer.Consider making your counters from recycled materials for an eco-friendly residence improvement. You can also choose tarnished concrete or native stone for an Earth-friendly appearance. Richlite is an item made from recycled paper, as well as IceStone is an absolutely spectacular counter material made of glass and also concrete, and both are environment-friendly.Put a ring on your power device plugs! To maintain small children from plugging these potentially unsafe tools into a power outlet, just slide a key ring with the openings on the suggestions of the plug prongs. For bigger plugs you can also use s tiny lock to protect the devices versus possibly unsafe usage.Residence renovation prices commonly increase when property owners cannot take un-livability into factor to consider when arranging an extensive remodel. If you can not prepare in your cooking area or bathroom in your washroom, you will end up eating in restaurants a great deal as well as possibly staying in a resort for a couple of evenings. These expenses build up promptly if you weren't expecting them. Include an additional line to your budget for food as well as accommodations if essential.As provided above, utilizing simply a couple of simple ideas, you could boost the worth of your residence and also remodel without needing to worry about shedding money. When it comes time to market, you will rejoice that your residence sticks out over the remainder with the appropriate improvements that will make certain a quick and also rewarding sale.

[skuds-blog]

Intend to Enhance Your Residence? Take A Look At These Concepts!

Enhancing the value of your house can be done conveniently by doing house enhancements. There are some simple suggestions on remodeling your the home of maximize the worth of your home. These suggestions will assist you maintain them economical and also do the ones that are most valuable making your home worth one of the most. chicago Do your homework before beginning to knock down. It could seem simple, even fun, to hurry into a demolition as well as start cutting openings or tearing down walls. Always examine first for electric cords or components that are still attached. It may be also expensive to totally get rid of the framework, so it's much better to double check initially.Ensure you comprehend each action of a task prior to you determine to begin working with it. Sometimes something that seems very simple could really be rather tough. The reverse is likewise true at times, so make sure making a detailed, detailed, blueprint prior to you start actually working.Below's a simple means of fixing voids at the end of improperly fitted indoor doors. Sandwich a section of lumber (cut to the size of the door) between 2 pieces of paneling. Leave each piece of paneling sticking out past the top side of both by 2 by about one inch. Slide the expansion over the bottom of the door and also screw each piece of paneling right into area against each side of the door.Set up a ceiling fan. A ceiling fan is an excellent project for anyone, as it is relatively basic and also inexpensive. A ceiling follower is also greatly advantageous to your pocketbook, as turning it on could circulate cooler air as well as enable you to leave the ac unit off for a bit much longer.Take into consideration making your counters out of recycled materials for an eco-friendly home renovation. You can likewise choose discolored concrete or native rock for an Earth-friendly appearance. Richlite is an item made from recycled paper, as well as IceStone is an absolutely sensational counter material constructed from glass and also concrete, and also both are environment-friendly.Place a ring on your power tool connects! To keep toddlers from connecting these possibly hazardous tools into a power electrical outlet, simply slip an essential ring with the openings on the ideas of the plug prongs. For bigger plugs you could even make use of s small lock to safeguard the devices versus potentially harmful use.Home improvement costs typically skyrocket when property owners fail to take un-livability right into consideration when setting up an intensive remodel. If you cannot prepare in your kitchen or bathroom in your washroom, you will wind up eating in restaurants a great deal as well as perhaps staying in a resort for a couple of nights. These costs accumulate swiftly if you just weren't anticipating them. Include another line to your allocate food as well as lodging if required.As offered over, making use of simply a few easy tips, you can increase the worth of your house and also remodel without having to bother with losing loan. When it comes time to sell, you will certainly rejoice that your house stands out above the remainder with the right renovations that will certainly ensure a fast and lucrative sale.

[vicostoness]

Concrete Countertop Repair Reviews & Tips

Avonite sheets can be shaped to accommodate certain designs utilizing a thermoforming procedure to bend the item. Strong surface countertops can be found in a great selection of color and design choices. It does come in a much wider variety of colors and patterns.

Life After Concrete Countertop Repair

To get the best costs for a house improvement project, it is advisable to to have a selection of estimates from many different manufacturers and vendors. While expensive, it's a material that may increase the resale value of a house. There are an assortment of goods on the industry, including Silestone, Caesarstone, IceStone and several more.

If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Concrete Countertop Repair

After all of the planning and forming, now it feels as if you are receiving somewhere. If you're thinking of building diy concrete countertops for the very first time, you've come to the correct spot. Drying time varies but in some situations, it may take up to 12 hours. Finding an epoxy that's very fluid will both fill and seal effectively, since these forms of products wet the outside the concrete countertop, meaning that they can fill the crack more adequately. Sealing is a significant procedure during countertop restoration. Maintenance overall is extremely similar as both are durable surfaces that may resist heavy kitchen usage. Knowing the makeup of each countertop material and the maintenance which will be required after it's installed in your house will help you select the countertop material that is most suitable for you. Many are opting to use the engineered stone due to its durability and very low maintenance requirements. Just do your research, and make certain you do the maintenance. The wire is going to keep the concrete from cracking as it dries and it's also going to add strength. Very heavy, thus a strong base is necessary to support it. Apply a small sum of the epoxy, using a toothpick to push it in the crack. Problems with seams can stem from several diverse causes. Suppliers can find these stained in more or less any color you decide on, and they ought to be sealed regularly to prevent them from chipping. Concrete is another material that's currently in vogue.

Concrete Countertop Repair - Dead or Alive?

In addition, it doesn't need to be sealed. In addition to that, it's simple to incorporate fly ash that would otherwise wind up in a landfill. This is a superb product which comes in a complete kit with all you need to fix tiny holes and chips in stone. Opt for an epoxy that's crystal clear or colored to coordinate with the stone exactly. Granite, needless to say, is the most popular of organic stones. Concrete slabs are strongest when they're oriented vertically. As a result, for those who have a complicated countertop layout, limestone could be less painful to fabricate as opposed to other all-natural stone countertops. Stone like marble and granite are easily available resources, and that means you can feel good about your decision to install gorgeous countertops. Over the years, it has quickly become one of the most popular natural stone countertops.

Key Pieces of Concrete Countertop Repair

Maintenance can be challenging, especially if you'd like to prevent marble's tendency to come up with a patina with use. It comes in many colors and styles, and it is considered the most durable kitchen countertop material available. If you're on the lookout for an environmentally conscious alternative, natural stone countertops are the best way to go. Natural stone can be found in a broad selection of shades and patterns, and no 2 countertops are exactly alike. The ideal stone for a bathroom countertop largely is dependent upon your own personal taste. Granite is pricey, but it lasts forever and can majorly boost the worth of your house. When you're searching for a countertop material that won't exhaust your complete kitchen budget, laminate may be the option you're searching for. Concrete countertops are an ideal option if you love industrial or contemporary styles. When considering upgrading the countertops in a house, there are lots of possibilities for using the exact material in both rooms. As soon as it is more expensive and not as much heat resistant (again not an essential concern for bathrooms), that additional expense is largely because of the above positives of quartz. Yes, it is not as costly than the majority of other materials readily available, but there's a location for everything, and for laminate, that place is in the kitchen, especially if you've got a limited budget.

Concrete Countertop Repair - the Story

They are high use areas that need to be both durable and attractive. They are made from a wide range of materials, but fortunately, they can be broken down into certain categories. Concrete countertops are incredibly customizable. Also, you may use our Kitchen Countertops Cost Calculator to estimate the purchase price of your undertaking. Tile is tough and simple to clean. It is another great choice. Plastic laminate can be found in hundreds of colours and dozens of patterns, and in a variety of textures. Aside from its consistent look, it's also simpler to wash and maintain. These materials are created with acrylic, polyester or a mix of the two, and they mimic the appearance of stone and other materials.

The Advantages of Concrete Countertop Repair

A countertop sealer may be worthwhile investment if you wish to safeguard your countertop from the typical damage it undergoes due to wear and tear, and usage. Ideally, you reseal the entire countertop, seam to seam, to be able to maintain an even sheen across the entire slab. A new countertop has the capability to transform a space. Wilsonart and Formica are a few of the top laminate manufacturers and have some stunning alternatives that can earn a very low budget countertop seem expensive. Well, anyway, it's a bit over-due, but here is what I think about our counters up to now. Wilsonart counters can readily be refinished if stained.

Concrete Countertop Repair Options

If you choose to purchase one of these concrete polishers within one day of clicking on the picture I will get a little commission. You also need to choose something that's low maintenance and something that does not need to be oiled or sealed constantly. It's merely a matter of matching each individual with the most suitable material. " " Read the full article

[vicostoness]

The Insider Secrets of Concrete Countertop Repair Exposed

But if you're able to make peace with how the look of your countertop will change slightly over time, marble may be stunning alternative. Get in touch with us to see exactly how elegant a Corian counter could look in your house. It is one of today's most popular types of countertop, but it may not work in every situation or appeal to every person. Let's look at a few of the options which will perform double duty in both rooms. A wrap creates an intriguing look that draws the eye across other sections of the room. If you're careful with cleaning and cutting, this may be a good choice for your kitchen.

The 15 brands above offer you thousands of potential styles to select from when looking at a quartz countertop. Some brands provide lifetime warranties, which you might find suitable. There are an assortment of goods on the industry, including Silestone, Caesarstone, IceStone and several more. When searching for suppliers, it is better that you perform some research on the organization and learn about the standard of work they provide. As a consequence, solid state is getting a popular alternative for homeowners as it offers them a wide variety of looks and styles, is simple to maintain, and is stain resistant. The manufacturer also supplies a 120-day money-back guarantee in the event of a defect. On the flip side, it can be a challenge narrowing down each of the options and selecting the correct countertop for your kitchen. It's a distinctive look that really can make your kitchen surfaces pop'. If you don't think you will be in a position to keep on top of the maintenance, wood countertops may not qualify as the ideal option for your dwelling. Below you'll get a succinct description of the 15 most frequent varieties of countertops and their typical cost per square foot. While the price of kitchen countertops widely is based on the counter of choice, believe it or not, there are strategies to lower your overall countertop price. Below we cover the most well-known materials for bathroom vanities together with some pros and cons of each sort.

Concrete Countertop Repair and Concrete Countertop Repair - The Perfect Combination

Fire glazing supplies a robust barrier that guards the material from heat, moisture and stain. Concrete, in its raw form, releases dust, and as a consequence, all cabinets will want to get covered with plastic to safeguard the surface. It is another material that is currently in vogue.

The 5-Minute Rule for Concrete Countertop Repair

Even when quarried from the exact same source, an actual marble shower may seem different from the actual marble vanity right next to it. Presently, porcelain hasn't been such a popular selection of material for countertops in Australia. Additionally, it is designed stone (such as Cambria), not sliced straight from the earth. Since one of the chief minerals in the majority of marble varieties is Calcite, it's reactive as it pertains in touch with something acidic. Marble Countertops Many householders want to know more about the luxurious look of marble countertops. Not all cultured marble is the exact same.

The One Thing to Do for Concrete Countertop Repair

Granite does come in a far wider assortment of shades and patterns. Plastic laminate can be found in hundreds of colours and dozens of patterns, and in numerous textures. Your countertop is going to have a distinct design and pattern.

Most Noticeable Concrete Countertop Repair

The mold might need to be custom-produced, and then the concrete needs to be mixed. Concrete countertops are based in a mold, and the mold may have to be built specially for your undertaking. Concrete, like every countertop material, has its advantages and disadvantages. If you don't do this, a little section of MDF is going to be exposed to concrete. If you're precasting your diy concrete countertop, then troweling the cap of the concrete or polishing the base of the concrete in the mold is the perfect way to complete the countertop. The base of the mold is going to be the peak of your countertop.

Ruthless Concrete Countertop Repair Strategies Exploited

Granite has quite plenty of pros which make it an extremely valuable resource for countertops generally, but specifically bathrooms. They are often used in kitchens and bathrooms because of their beauty and durability. Recycled glass countertops may also benefit from regular waxing for extra protection. Also, you may use our Kitchen Countertops Cost Calculator to estimate the purchase price of your undertaking. There is quite a bit more to deciding upon a countertop, as you'll soon see. Installing a countertop made from aggregate is growing more and more popular.

What Is So Fascinating About Concrete Countertop Repair?

Nevertheless, it's well worth noting that stains on such surfaces should be wiped up as fast as possible so they don't dry on the surface. You will need to regularly reapply sealer and wax to safeguard the surface of your counters and steer clear of stains. It's a fact that you should clean up spills quickly and care for the surface every 2 years with a distinctive sealer.

Top Choices of Concrete Countertop Repair

The following two bags were lighter whenever the contractors mixed them up. If cuts continue to be a concern, consider it a chance to put in a little amount of a stronger counter surface in heavy-duty locations. Begin by learning more concerning the installation or repair process so that you'll know how much time it should take and how much it typically costs.

The New Fuss About Concrete Countertop Repair

Sealing may be something which someone doesn't wish to do on a standard basis. Wood countertops are good for developing a traditional appearance, and you are able to maintain that look by taking the most suitable actions to defend the material. Read the full article

[vicostoness]

Concrete Countertop Repair Reviews & Tips

Avonite sheets can be shaped to accommodate certain designs utilizing a thermoforming procedure to bend the item. Strong surface countertops can be found in a great selection of color and design choices. It does come in a much wider variety of colors and patterns.

Life After Concrete Countertop Repair

To get the best costs for a house improvement project, it is advisable to to have a selection of estimates from many different manufacturers and vendors. While expensive, it's a material that may increase the resale value of a house. There are an assortment of goods on the industry, including Silestone, Caesarstone, IceStone and several more.

If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Concrete Countertop Repair

After all of the planning and forming, now it feels as if you are receiving somewhere. If you're thinking of building diy concrete countertops for the very first time, you've come to the correct spot. Drying time varies but in some situations, it may take up to 12 hours. Finding an epoxy that's very fluid will both fill and seal effectively, since these forms of products wet the outside the concrete countertop, meaning that they can fill the crack more adequately. Sealing is a significant procedure during countertop restoration. Maintenance overall is extremely similar as both are durable surfaces that may resist heavy kitchen usage. Knowing the makeup of each countertop material and the maintenance which will be required after it's installed in your house will help you select the countertop material that is most suitable for you. Many are opting to use the engineered stone due to its durability and very low maintenance requirements. Just do your research, and make certain you do the maintenance. The wire is going to keep the concrete from cracking as it dries and it's also going to add strength. Very heavy, thus a strong base is necessary to support it. Apply a small sum of the epoxy, using a toothpick to push it in the crack. Problems with seams can stem from several diverse causes. Suppliers can find these stained in more or less any color you decide on, and they ought to be sealed regularly to prevent them from chipping. Concrete is another material that's currently in vogue.

Concrete Countertop Repair - Dead or Alive?

In addition, it doesn't need to be sealed. In addition to that, it's simple to incorporate fly ash that would otherwise wind up in a landfill. This is a superb product which comes in a complete kit with all you need to fix tiny holes and chips in stone. Opt for an epoxy that's crystal clear or colored to coordinate with the stone exactly. Granite, needless to say, is the most popular of organic stones. Concrete slabs are strongest when they're oriented vertically. As a result, for those who have a complicated countertop layout, limestone could be less painful to fabricate as opposed to other all-natural stone countertops. Stone like marble and granite are easily available resources, and that means you can feel good about your decision to install gorgeous countertops. Over the years, it has quickly become one of the most popular natural stone countertops.

Key Pieces of Concrete Countertop Repair

Maintenance can be challenging, especially if you'd like to prevent marble's tendency to come up with a patina with use. It comes in many colors and styles, and it is considered the most durable kitchen countertop material available. If you're on the lookout for an environmentally conscious alternative, natural stone countertops are the best way to go. Natural stone can be found in a broad selection of shades and patterns, and no 2 countertops are exactly alike. The ideal stone for a bathroom countertop largely is dependent upon your own personal taste. Granite is pricey, but it lasts forever and can majorly boost the worth of your house. When you're searching for a countertop material that won't exhaust your complete kitchen budget, laminate may be the option you're searching for. Concrete countertops are an ideal option if you love industrial or contemporary styles. When considering upgrading the countertops in a house, there are lots of possibilities for using the exact material in both rooms. As soon as it is more expensive and not as much heat resistant (again not an essential concern for bathrooms), that additional expense is largely because of the above positives of quartz. Yes, it is not as costly than the majority of other materials readily available, but there's a location for everything, and for laminate, that place is in the kitchen, especially if you've got a limited budget.

Concrete Countertop Repair - the Story

They are high use areas that need to be both durable and attractive. They are made from a wide range of materials, but fortunately, they can be broken down into certain categories. Concrete countertops are incredibly customizable. Also, you may use our Kitchen Countertops Cost Calculator to estimate the purchase price of your undertaking. Tile is tough and simple to clean. It is another great choice. Plastic laminate can be found in hundreds of colours and dozens of patterns, and in a variety of textures. Aside from its consistent look, it's also simpler to wash and maintain. These materials are created with acrylic, polyester or a mix of the two, and they mimic the appearance of stone and other materials.

The Advantages of Concrete Countertop Repair

A countertop sealer may be worthwhile investment if you wish to safeguard your countertop from the typical damage it undergoes due to wear and tear, and usage. Ideally, you reseal the entire countertop, seam to seam, to be able to maintain an even sheen across the entire slab. A new countertop has the capability to transform a space. Wilsonart and Formica are a few of the top laminate manufacturers and have some stunning alternatives that can earn a very low budget countertop seem expensive. Well, anyway, it's a bit over-due, but here is what I think about our counters up to now. Wilsonart counters can readily be refinished if stained.

Concrete Countertop Repair Options

If you choose to purchase one of these concrete polishers within one day of clicking on the picture I will get a little commission. You also need to choose something that's low maintenance and something that does not need to be oiled or sealed constantly. It's merely a matter of matching each individual with the most suitable material. " " Read the full article

[downingdesigns]

2019 Buyers Guide to Glass Countertops …Written by an Experienced Glass Fabricator

Content

Interviewing Your Glass Fabricator

Author Qualifications

Glass Countertop Types and Terms

Textures for Glass Countertop

Glass Countertop Cutting and Polishing

Lighting Glass Countertops

Metal Support Brackets and Installation Techniques

Glass Countertops Cost

Installation and Shipping

Remodeling Trends

Conclusion

ERRATA:  The Dumbest Glass Countertop Ideas on the Internet

Thick Glass countertops are one of the hottest design trends in Kitchen and Bath remodeling today. No other material enhances the visual beauty of your space like the translucent nature of glass. It offers endless creative possibilities which high-end designers demand when their projects require a luminous focal point.

This buyers guide will help you understand the many decorative options available to make it “POP” in your home.

As a buyer, we recommend you ask lots of questions of your glass fabricator after website visits followed by On-Site tours and first-hand inspection of product quality.

Do your reputation research. Know what you are getting for your money in writing upfront.  Here are some good interview questions to start…

Questions for your Glass Countertop Fabricator

Where are your products Made… In the USA? 

Are they responsive via phone, text and email?  Speak with Who will Measure, Design, Fabricate and Install.

Share your Vision with your Fabricator in Sketches and Photos from e.g. Houzz  

Are your Inputs taken when Designing Glass textures?

Do they Feel Passionate about their work…or are they just a slab exporter?

Are they Reputable ?

Get a written Quote with all options itemized with Installation.

Author Qualifications

This guide was written by Jeff Downing of Downing Designs, a professional design-build-install studio that has installed millions of dollars of custom Glass surfaces. He has an intimate understanding of glass countertop fabrication.

Downing Designs has a truly unique approach where human interaction and creative insight are fluidly aligned to imagine a  brighter future for your space. Great things happen (e g. Prototypes) when we cross-pollinate our ideas with others. The result is a functional piece of glass art that has an emotional connection with their clients.

If you Google  “Buy Glass Countertops” you will see many keyword-stuffed, ad-driven sites posting misleading statements and very odd glass high bar support ideas.  Please enjoy our ERRATA section at the end where we’ve called them out for their misleading statements and expensive glass countertops installed in strange, half-baked ways.  Buyer Beware!

Glass Types and Terms

Glass Countertops can be fabricated from a variety of glass. Float Glass is commonly used. Float glass is a flat sheet created by “floating” raw molten glass (a mix of raw material and recycled glass cullet) over a bath of molten tin.

Float Glass  glass pieces up to 177” x 127” x ¾” thickness are available and are well suited for flat, back painted countertops and splashbacks.

3/4″ Low iron Glass Backpainted White

Low-Iron Glass is a Float glass with low amounts of iron which render a light bluish hue. This is critical when viewing the edge, as you will see the color intensity greatly magnified. Low-iron glass is well suited for countertops and backsplashes.

“Clear” Glass is a Float glass with higher iron content that renders it a greenish hue. The thicker the glass, the deeper the hue. Dont use “Clear” glass if you are back painting the glass as it will tint your final result.

Tempered Glass is created from Float Glass by heating in an oven and then quickly cooling. Tempered glass is about 4x stronger than annealed glass, allowing it to be used for thin glass applications e.g. shower doors, sneeze guards. Tempered glass must have all cuts completed before tempering. Usually, glass that is ¾” or thicker need NOT be tempered for use in bathrooms vanity tops, or kitchen glass counters.

Designer Note: Lighting flat glass with LEDs is a waste of money because it has no texture to create depth.

Slumped Glass is made by placing glass over a mold then thermoforming at ~1300 degrees F in Kilns until the glass “slumps” and to the shape of the mould.  Slumping glass over large textured ceramic sand beds creates textured glass Sinks and Glass Backsplashes.  

Fused Textured Glass is a process where sheets of float glass are thermoformed over a large ceramic sand bed and fused together ~1450 degrees F and then annealed. The annealing process “heat-strengthens” the fused glass product to almost 2x annealed glass strength. Fused textured glass at 1.5” thick is very strong and is an extremely durable material.

Designer note:  1” thick countertops do not have the visual depth on edge vs 1.5” glass but cost only fractionally less.

Textured glass hides the appearance of fingerprints and minor scratches.

Fused Glass with Colors is created using an inter-layer “paint” of glass frit and enamels and then fired. Vibrant colors are possible.

Glass With Colored Frit Fused in between Layers

Hot glass is the process of gathering and molten glass and twirling it into the artists final vision. Beautiful small artistic glass sinks and pieces can be formed this way. Examples include Dale Chihuly and “Big Wave” Dave Wight.  

White Glass countertops (aka Nano glass, Crystallized glass) are a fusion of recycled glass and minerals created at 3000 degrees. It is poured, cooled then polished to a very high gloss shine. White glass countertops share a non-porous nature with Glass.

Pure White Glass countertops change the spatial relationship of every room they reside. In fact, they make kitchens and baths appear ~25% larger.

White Glass Countertops in Kitchen

From a 2019 survey on Houzz:  White countertops continue to grow in popularity. Nearly one in three counters are done in white (22%, 27% and 31% in 2017, 2018 and 2019 studies, respectively) making them the #1 countertop choice for homes.

White glass is much harder on the Mohs hardness scale (7) vs glass (5.5)  or granite (6.2) or engineered quartz (6.7). It is a superior countertop material for outdoors as it reflects much of the solar energy, is UV-proof, non-porous, stain-proof, requires zero maintenance or sealing, and does not burn from cigarettes. White glass comes in slabs 120” x 60” x 1.2”

Black Glass countertops are similar to White glass…but a deep, pure opaque high gloss black. These will get hot in direct sunlight.

Recycled Glass Countertops is a matrix made up of small chips of colorful recycled glass chips in a binder and sold in slabs. A concrete based binder for your recycled glass countertops will require a sealant application. A resin-based binder will stand up to stains better, but can’t be used outdoors…UV light will degrade it. Many choices for colors and binders are available. Vetrazzo, IceStone, Geos are notable brands.

  Textures for Glass Countertops

Texturing Glass Upon selection of the glass countertop to be used, fabrication can begin after measuring, templating, and texture design. A like a bespoke tailor, a full-service glass countertop designer-fabricator will demonstrate ALL of your options to accessorize your glass countertop to achieve the utmost in “wow” factor. These critical points include:

Stamped Textures provide a consistent textured look that is omni-directional. These can be interesting when selected for the right environment.

Hand Sculpted Textures are artistically carved into the kiln bed to create the texture you desire. Deep textures create drama and are spectacular when lit with LEDs and downlights.

Hand Texturing Kiln Bed fro Glass Countertops

  Designer Tip: Communicate and review pattern suggestions, and refine these until happy. Select a glass texture that enhances the personality of your room “flow”. Don’t settle for a stamped textured piece of glass when for the same amount of money you can have a custom designed statement piece that flows elegantly with the lines in your home. Make sure your texture flows from one piece of glass to another across the seam in multi-sectional countertops.

Air Bubbles trapped between layers of glass are part of their endearing “flaws” since glass is not formed under a vacuum.

They enhance the visual interest and depth of thick glass countertops. More Bubbles can be creatively added to glass countertops (with chemicals) if that is your desire.

Cresting Wave with Bubbles Included

Glass Cutting and Polishing

Kiln-formed glass must be cut to size and have holes drilled. Waterjets, wet saws and polishing tools with plenty of water are used. Make sure your glass fabricator has these in his shop to efficiently move your glass from kiln to cutting to polishing.

Designer Note:  Make sure you inspect the quality of the edge polish of your glass countertop upon arrival. If it has lines from a worn out CNC bit, reject it!  Your glass edge should offer a perfectly polished lens into your glass.

Lines on Face due to Worn Out CNC bit…”Shiney but Liney”

Lighting Glass

Make sure you have a thorough Lighting plan for LED Edge Lighting, Down lighting and  Ambient Lighting so they can all contribute to the WOW factor of your glass countertop.

LED Edge and Down lighted Glass Countertop…Note Dramatic Shadows on Floor

LED Edge Lighting is typically this is the best way to light textured glass countertops. Narrow LED strip lights on the edge of the countertop allow for high levels of striking high-contrast color. Done right, your glass countertop will “POP”…especially at night. Color and brightness are achieved with a controller, usually a smart phone app. This produces millions of stunning colors that can even dance to your music. You will need to run wires from the LED strips to a controller and transformer to a 110v power outlet. Use quality LEDs…this is not a place to save money as they can be tricky to replace once installed.

Designer Tip: Your LED cover and wiring should be minimalist and allow viewing into glass as well as reduce the pixel appearance from the front. Get a plan to conceal the LED wires through the supports and lower surface.

Minimalist LED Cover…no Visible Wires.

On A Lighter Side Note:  Our “proprietary” research shows that properly lit Glass High Bars are in fact “Time Machines”. Apparently, a huge benefit of the upward angling and soft mood lighting from our glass high bars is that it “turns back the clock a few years”. (It makes my vintage 1959 wrinkles almost go away…we are not sure how to price that benefit just yet).

Down lighting from the ceiling will create a powerful mimic shadow upon the floor and lower surface. It is a perfect lighting technique for High bars to complement LED edge lighting.

Designer Tip: Modern LED downlights are available that create a tight, well-defined X-Ray shadow upon the floor. They are powerful, dimmable and consume very little electricity. Aim the light to project the shadows where you desire…preferably at an angle to make the shadows look bigger.

Ambient lighting allows the glass to pop naturally during the day in a sunny location. Low iron glass is naturally beautiful when lit with sunlight.

Glass Countertop without LED in Daylight

Same Countertop Down lit at Night

  Under lighting Glass requires a tall structure on the underside of the textured glass to allow for even distribution of light…which may be unsuitably high for your countertop.

Designer Note: It also creates a very “flat” lighting effect that minimizes the contrast of shadow vs light and robs textures of their visual depth. It “highlights” the rib structure of the underlying panels…and is not pretty. (see below). This technique does however work well with onyx slabs.

Underlit Glass Countertop…Looks like an XRay!

  Metal Support Brackets and Installation Techniques

Supports Metal support brackets of all shapes and sizes are available.Custom metal supports must often be fabricated to suit unusual installs e.g floor-mounted supports.   Your metal fabricator should be able to offer you any design you wish. Make sure your plan for your high bar is sturdy and elegant.  Methods of attachment of the glass to the support include:

Silicone. Best used to attach textured glass to flat supports.

Metal Caps. Low Profile caps are best if caps are used.

UV glue. Fastest bond for flat glass to flat metal supports.

High Bar with (3) Low Profile Caps, No supports

High Bar with Low Profile Caps, Stainless Supports in Ground.

High Bar with Custom Supports…attached by Silicone

    Designer tip: Many designs are lazy and use ill-conceived support techniques. They often prevent you from freely rotating in your high bars stools because your knee hits the support. Or, they use “hockey puck caps” on top of the glass to prevent you from having an uninterrupted smooth flow across your high bar surface. Look for these “beauties” in the “Errata” section at the end of this article. Make sure your supports do not interact with your knees at your glass high bar.

Back painting glass maximizes the visual depth of the textured glass countertop, backsplash or sink basin, while hiding the ability to see under or behind the glass.

Designer Tip: Back painting is preferred to laminating or painting your underlayment because gnats can find their way between the bottom of textured glass and the top of the laminate where their little carcasses will pepper the background forever. Not Pretty. Silver metallic and white back paint add depth. Back paint can be tinted to match your decor.

Textured 1/2″ Glass Backsplash Backpainted with LEDs

Installation and Shipping.

Expensive Glass requires skillful planning and experienced manpower to install.

Designer Note: We have been on a few time critical installations where cabinets, plumbing, electrical work, ceiling plastering were all being dome in the same kitchen at the same time!  This is not good.

Please have a schedule that allows the glass counter to be one of the last installations...just like a valuable piece of wall art. Having too many tradesman in the room after installation increases the risk of damage to your artistic piece.

Crating for Shipping. Crates are specially fabricated for glass countertops with plenty of sturdy foam to cushion it during shipping.  Make sure you purchase insurance t cover the cost of both the glass as well as the shipping costs.

Solid Crate for Shipping Glass Counters

Glass Countertops Cost:

As you can see, there is a wide range of options for glass countertops. It is impossible to conclude a precise cost but these numbers below can give you a start.

$100+/sq. ft. for ¾” flat low-iron glass. Backpaint, thermoforming, waterjetting custom shapes, holes, etc. adds to cost.

$350+/sq. ft. for 1.5” textured low-iron glass. LEDs, backpaint, custom shapes, size of piece, supports, installation, etc. add to cost.

White Glass and Recycled Glass are $125-175+/sq. Ft.

Installation and delivery costs add to the above.

Remodeling Trends

In an interesting article on Houzz, they show that homeowners are increasing their spending more on High-End countertops vs other kitchen elements.

Houzz Survey…Buyers are Splurging on Countertops

Conclusion

You are going to have to place your trust and money in someone to faithfully execute your glass countertop project. If your vendor cannot confidently lead you through each step in the design, template, custom textural sculpting, fabrication, lighting, back-painting, supporting, securing, shipping as well as installing, then find one who can …or…risk a poor outcome. Glass counters cost too much to risk a poor outcome.

Find a passionate glass fabricator that can listen to you and bring out the best in your ideas, create a plan and lead you through the process. The result will be an unbelievable artistic “wow” piece in your home.

Jeff Downing is the founder of Downing Designs in Downtown Tampa, FL. He has represented Hewlett-Packard and Philips Medical amongst others before quitting to open his custom design studio. His teachings and blogs help architects, designers, etc. to embrace creative new ways to use glass in their projects. He previously represented ThinkGlass for several years before purchasing his owns kilns to bring his unique artistic glass visions to life.

  ERRATA  

STRANGE Glass statements we have scraped from the Internet…”Fake News”

“On average, the minimum cost for glass countertops per square foot is $75, while the maximum cost per square foot is around $105.”

Clearly they have never made a thick textured glass countertop.

“Annealed Glass—Similar to tempered glass, annealed glass has chemicals added to the resin mixture to increase its strength.”  

A chemical added to the resin??? This is glass, NOT plastic.

“Nonetheless, there are many other factors that can increase or decrease the total cost of glass counters. Supplies such as sealants and adhesives add an average of $2.45 per finished square foot of surface area.”

Sealants????   Why do you need to seal glass? Its non-porous.

“Contact with acidic foods, drinks, and certain cleaners can affect the surface and require fixing”  

Not unless you are serving hydrofluoric acid to your guests! Nonsense!

  Odd Designs Ideas for High Bars

  Underlit Glass Countertop…Looks like an XRay!

This ugly underlighting completely ruins an otherwise nice glass countertop. Very Odd looking.

  Glass Countertop with Hockey Pucks and Archaic supportsWhere am I supposed to sit ?   Knee and Shin bashing will occur.  Careful of those Hockey Pucks!  I think Ill stand.

  Glass Countertop with Hockey Pucks and Intrusive supports

Again, where am I supposed to sit?  Knee bashing will occur. Shins are safe here. Robs the ability to seat people normally.

  Glass Countertop with fat supports and LED covers

 Where does my glass of wine and dinner plate sit? Look out for those hockey pucks!  Would the Chef like to see the edge of  the glass on the backside while cooking?  No Chance!   Glass Counters should look great from all sides.

What is the Point? No Cantilever, Lots of Hockey Pucks,No room to clean under.

Lots of hockey pucks, and fat under side supports in an otherwise beautiful glass piece.

    The post 2019 Buyers Guide to Glass Countertops …Written by an Experienced Glass Fabricator appeared first on Downing Designs.

from Downing Designs https://downingdesigns.com/glass-countertops-buyers-guide/