Can Green Houses be the Next Vogue?

When remodeling for the first time, the possibilities are endless! Everything from floors, cabinets, and countertops; an overwhelming plethora of options awaits. Do not fret! These options are provided to ensure that your kitchen or bathroom is tailored to every precise detail. However, trying to stay eco-friendly is another challenge. Today, almost everyone speaks of high gasoline or global warming or green technology, so why not green remodeling as well? Products used in remodeling are not always manufactured in the most environmentally savvy manner. For example, companies like Caesarstone manufacture Counter tops and bathroom vanities in an eco-friendly environment and their products are considered “green”.

For example,

• Using recycled materials
• Proper storage of waste materials
• Vacuum industrial dust to prevent air pollution
• Non-reactive products
• Nonporous surface prevents the formation of mold and bacteria
• Maintaining VOC (volatile organic compounds) standards to minimize toxic contamination
• Installing regenerative thermal oxide to improve the air quality in the manufacturing plant and environment
• recycling systems to save 97% of the water used in production
• Complying with international standards to ensure that non-toxic products are manufactured.

In deciding the style for care-free kitchen surfacing or bathroom vanities, many interior designers say that engineered countertops are the best value for both style and function. There are several advantages of using engineered counters — made from particles of granite, marble or other stone mixed with resin and pigments. They provide a uniform surface look, are as durable as the real thing, and come in a wider range of colors.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Is Home Remodeling worthwhile in a real estate downturn?

With home prices taking a nosedive and homeowners being forced to cut prices, home remodeling is not priority for a majority of potential home sellers. But convention wisdom of complete price sensitivity when it comes to houses in a downmarket often turns out to be false.

I asked a homeowner who was considering to put her home up for sale, about what potential fears she has about her house sitting on the market. According to her, competition from the seemingly endless inventory was her primary source of worry, not the price tag! It is important for the house to be competitively priced, sure. But low prices are not enough, she argues, as potential buyers continue to predict further falls and holds off purchases.

It is only when a potential buyer really likes a home can he break out of this wait a while syndrome. My personal experience bears this out, I saw a house in Chino Hills a couple of months back – it had everything, designer kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities in the master bath, great open floor plan, a fabulous backyard, almost everything anyone can wish for in a home remodeling project.

In spite of getting floored by the countertops and the stainless steel appliances, I dithered. Against the wishes of my home high command (read my spouse) and the decision makers (read my kids) I waited. I told myself prices will go down during the summer. I made lengthy calculations about ROI – how to invest the miniscule down payment I can afford now and convert it to a 20 per cent down on a reduced price after six months. I was so sure that the house will remain on the market.

But it was not to be. 2 days after my lengthy explanation to the family, the house got sold! I asked the prospective buyer what made him pull the trigger in such a downmarket. “I liked the house”, he said simply. That’s when I realized that home remodeling pays itself many times over. It can be the difference between a statistic on unsold inventory pile to a successful sale.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Kitchen Remodeling: Choosing a Countertop Surface

If you are planning on remodeling your kitchen, or have done so recently, you know there are endless possibilities of materials, looks, surfaces, and styles to fit your custom kitchen remodeling needs.

There are several choices in kitchen countertops alone. You can choose from stone, tile, wood, natural, engineered, and even recycled materials. Choosing the right surface for your home would depend on your personal style preference as well as the functionality you would like in you kitchen. For style and care-free kitchen surfaces, many interior designers say that engineered countertops are the best value for both style and function. There are several advantages of using engineered counters — made from particles of granite, marble or other stone mixed with resin and pigments. They provide a uniform surface look, are as durable as the real thing, and come in a wider range of colors. The also are not as porous as natural stone and therefore don’t require sealing.

Engineered quartz is the latest must-have kitchen countertop as well as bathroom vanity surface, and its popularity is not surprising: It has a glorious shine and a uniform surface look. And the product, which can be very expensive, has a lot going for it in the functionality department as well. Quartz is very strong and durable. It resists scratches and doesn’t need a special finish. Quartz surfaces from Caesar Stone offer a wide variety of clean and modern-looking styles and colors which are easy to clean, stain-resistant, and are very low maintenance as well.

Sales of quartz composite surfaces, also known as engineered stone, by manufacturers like Caesar Stone, have steadily increased over the past five years, according to the companies and to kitchen designers. The product has been widely available in Italy for almost 20 years but is just now taking off in the United States. Visit www.caesarstoneus.com for more information on Caesar Stone products available in the U.S.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Remodeling the Smart Way: Pick your Projects

There is a term in real estate investing called “fix it and flip it.” The idea behind this term is basically, making a few choice remodeling projects and adding significant value to your home. The trick in this pay off is to be strategic. Part of the process includes paying attention to the other homes in the neighborhood to avoid over-improving the property. To make the most of your remodeling projects, it pays to keep four types of projects in mind: basics, curb appeal, value added, and personal preference. Basics can range from fixing leaky faucets to remodeling outdated rooms. There are several older houses in Los Angeles. Has your bathroom looked the same since the 1970s? It may be time for bathroom remodeling. Are the appliances in your kitchen from the cold-war era? It may be time for a few upgrades. Many people cringe at the thought of having to go through a full-on remodel project, but by making just a few small changes, like replacing kitchen countertops, adding energy-efficient windows, or adding durable flooring to a room in the house can be cost-effective, as well as an investment for the resale value of your home. It depends on several factors, determining whether you need a few choice additions or a full kitchen remodeling. Just make sure you don’t overdo it. Look at your neighborhood. If none of the other houses in the area have crown moldings and Caesarstone countertops, adding these amenities is unlikely to result in a significantly higher selling price for the property. Keep in mind the outside and inside of your home. First impressions mean a lot. Hiring an expert can help you pick the projects that will give you the most bang for your buck.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Countertops – A good way for a Kitchen Makeover

If you are like me, you would have vexed yourself about the dream kitchen (or bath) you always wanted, whether you want a quartz or granite countertop, whether the bathroom countertop or vanity is antique or contemporarty. If you have ever wondered about the aesthetic quartz countertops adorning a beautiful kitchen, we need to talk about Caesarstone.

CaesarStone USA is the primary distributor for CaesarStone in the United States. CaesarStone — located in Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel — manufactures the high-quality, engineered-stone slabs out of two state-of-the art facilities. In fact, CaesarStone’s plant was the first ever to use quartz as the main component in the manufacture of slabs for work surfaces and is most used for building countertops in kitchens and bathroom vanities.

With three fully automated production lines with an annual capacity that exceeds 10 million square feet — and continuous investment in upgrades and improvements, you can be sure to benefit from the latest features technology can offer.

Adjoining the plant are our Research & Development Laboratories which are dedicated to quality enhancement, product and industry innovations.

In the United States, U.S. Quartz Products Inc. (CaesarStone USA) maintains and manages a network of national distributors with a robust dealer network to ensure that any American resident looking for a high-quality countertop surface can find it easily and affordably.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Quartz Countertops, Anyone?

Countertops and Vanities, does it increase Home Resale Value?  This is especially true for a realty down market as the ongoing housing crisis, when sales of homes are especially challenging. With the market becoming Buyers Market for the conceivable futures, renovation trends indicate that houses are in the market longer, and potential buyers are more choosy. In other words, home renovations to make the house attractive is a must.

One of the key areas of the home which has the best returns on investment is (you guessed it) the kitchen. Kitchen vanities, kitchen countertops are integral part of any kichen design process. Quality countertops change the way a home looks as it is situated often at the heart of the home. 

Always get a handyman look over your house to take care of your regular work, next especially in California square feetage are important, so consider adding a sunroom, or a new bedroom or even kitchen remodel. 

Some Los Angeles Home Remodeling customers feel that Bathroom remodel (through new bathroom vanities or bathroom countertops ) come in a close second to kitchen design in terms of popularity. In today’s tight market, it may mean the difference between selling and being stuck with a home.  

So even if the home equity has dried up, don’t lose heart. Kitchen and bathroom remodeling are here to stay, and these are the two places where you spend a lot of time in when you are at home..

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

CaesarStone Quartz Surface Manufacturer Receives the Good Housekeeping Seal

Sun Valley, CA (Sept. 02, 2006) - CaesarStone, the original manufacturer of quartz surfaces, is proud to announce it has earned the Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping magazine. The prestigious Good Housekeeping Seal is a highly recognized statement of the magazine’s renowned consumer policy. The Good Housekeeping Seal guarantees a refund or replacement on any product found to be defective within two years from the date of purchase.

“CaesarStone earned the Good Housekeeping Seal, through evaluation by our Research Testing Institute, and was found to be a product that will deliver excellent results and performance,” said Sean Sullivan, associate publisher for Good Housekeeping. “Earning the Seal by passing our engineering and consumer usage evaluations, speaks volumes about the high regard Good Housekeeping holds for the CaesarStone product.”

Founded in 1885, Good Housekeeping has become an American icon by providing tips and guidance to homemakers all over the United States. In order to receive the distinguished Seal, products are evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, which is the magazine’s consumer product evaluation laboratory. The Institute’s purpose is to improve the lives of consumers and their families through education and product evaluation. No other magazine in the world offers this kind of service to its readers.

“CaesarStone is honored to be backed by the Good Housekeeping Seal,” said Arik Tendler, president of CaesarStone. “Just as Good Housekeeping is committed to recommending products that add to its reader’s quality of life, CaesarStone shares this commitment and is thrilled to represent a magazine of such distinction.”

CaesarStone, which is made of 93 percent quartz and 7 percent polyresin, is a reliable countertop choice because it provides numerous benefits over other materials such as granite, laminates, tile, marble, concrete or solid surfaces. By choosing a CaesarStone countertop, customers get a surface that is resistant to heat, cold, dangerous mold, mildew, bacteria and stains. The countertops are also ISO-certified with UKSA Environmental Management, showing its commitment to solid ecological management systems. In addition, because CaesarStone is non-porous, it is approved by the National Sanitation Federation and is Kosher-certified by Rabbi Uri Desberg of the Technological Science Team in Israel.

About CaesarStone
In 1987, Israel-based CaesarStone, the original manufacturer of quartz surfaces, began selling its products all over the world, including Israel, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. In 1999, CaesarStone opened its first U.S distributorship, based in Sun Valley, Calif. CaesarStone is now available nationwide through its 20 distributors and has become a preferred surface of lead designers, architects and homebuilders. Continuing to set new standards, the company’s Certified Fabricator Program provides customers with the assurance that each CaesarStone quartz surface exhibits the highest quality workmanship and boasts the largest color and finish selection on the market. For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s web site at www.caesarstoneus.com or call toll-free at 877.9QUARTZ (877.978.2789).

Copyright © CaesarStone USA 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

CaesarStone Shines As Premiere Countertop in “The Nanny Diaries,” Starring Scarlett Johansson & Laura Linney

CaesarStone goes Hollywood! Opening in theatres April 20, 2007, CaesarStone stars as the “premiere” kitchen countertop in MGM’s “The Nanny Diaries.” All CaesarStone approved dealers will automatically be entered to win a ticket to the New York City premiere event, including round trip airfare and hotel accommodations. In addition, a separate contest is open to the public. For “The Premiere Countertop Contest” details and easy online registration, consumers can visit CaesarStone’s website at www.caesarstoneus.com. Both winners will be announced around April 2. “The Nanny Diaries” is a Weinstein Company presentation being theatrically distributed in the U.S. by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM).

“This was a fantastic opportunity for CaesarStone to showcase its brand in a unique way and benefit from broad consumer exposure,” said Arik Tendler, president, CaesarStone. “A big part of a typical family’s life happens right in their kitchen. This is just as true in the movies. The kitchen set is the perfect backdrop to bring awareness to the CaesarStone product.”

“The Nanny Diaries” tells the story of the emotional and often humorous journey of Annie Braddock (Johansson), a young woman from a working-class neighborhood in New Jersey, struggling to understand her place in the world. Fresh out of college, she gets tremendous pressure from her nurse mother to find a respectable position in the business world although Annie would prefer to trade in her blackberry for an anthropologist’s field diary. Through a serendipitous meeting, Annie ends up in the elite and ritualistic culture of Manhattan’s Upper East Side — as remote from Annie’s suburban New Jersey upbringing as life in an Amazon tribal village. Choosing to duck out of real life, Annie accepts the position as a nanny for a wealthy family, referred to as simply “the X’s.” She quickly learns that life is not very rosy on the other side of the tax bracket, as she must cater to the every whim of Mrs. X (Linney) and her precocious son Grayer, while attempting to avoid the formidable Mr. X (Giamatti). Life becomes even more complicated when Annie falls for a gorgeous Park Avenue Hottie (Evans), and she’s forced to explore her identity as never before.

About CaesarStone
In 1987, Israel-based CaesarStone, the original manufacturer of quartz surfaces, began selling its products all over the world, including Israel, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. In 1999, CaesarStone opened its first U.S distributorship, based in Sun Valley, Calif. CaesarStone is now available nationwide through its 22 distributors and has become a preferred surface of lead designers, architects and homebuilders. Continuing to set new standards, CaesarStone has also earned the Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping magazine, which guarantees a refund or replacement on any product found to be defective within two years from the date of purchase. CaesarStone also boasts the largest color and finish selection on the market. For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s web site at www.caesarstoneus.com or call toll-free 877.9Quartz (877.978.2789).
-CAESARSTONE-

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

New Quartz Colors from Caesarstone

With an Eye Towards Nature’s Influence in Design, CaesarStone Adds Shades Like Bedrock, Mulberry Mist, Amazon Green and Pebble to its Extensive Palette of Colors.

From fashion to furnishings, paint to pillows, this year’s color trends are getting in touch with nature. According to Color Marketing Group (CMG), the leading international association of color design professionals, this year’s powerful color trends are driven by concern for the environment. CaesarStone consulted CMG’s findings and analyzed its own data from the international architect and design community to create its 2007 collection of quartz surface colors. Joining CaesarStone’s collection this year are: Sandalwood, Bedrock, Mulberry Mist, Pebble, Amazon Green, Nougat, Espresso and Raven.

“We have a definite advantage when it comes to creating surfaces in the newest color trends,” said Arik Tendler, president of CaesarStone. “We don’t have to depend strictly on nature to create our colors. We can fashion a full rainbow of colors while maintaining the durability and beauty of real stone that people desire for their kitchen countertop and other surfaces.”

CaesarStone’s new colors provide the same combination of beauty and toughness that has become the standard for its quartz surfaces. Resistant to heat, cold, mold, mildew, stains, chips and scratches it is perfect for both residential and commercial applications. The new 2007 colors include:

* Sandalwood - the warm color of mustard
* Bedrock – the brown of the Brazilian hills
* Mulberry Mist – the purple hues of eggplant
* Pebble – sun washed light grey
* Amazon Green – olive green from the rain forest
* Nougat – speckled white
* Raven – a shimmering deep grey
* Espresso – dark brown French roast

Ranging in price from $70 to $120 per square foot with installation, CaesarStone products are available through kitchen and bath showrooms, architects, designers and builders nationwide.

About CaesarStone
In 1987, Israel-based CaesarStone, the original manufacturer of quartz surfaces, began selling its products all over the world, including Israel, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. In 1999, CaesarStone opened its first U.S distributorship, based in Sun Valley, Calif. CaesarStone is now available nationwide and has become a preferred surface of lead designers, architects and homebuilders. Continuing to set new standards, Composed of 93 percent quartz and 7 percent polyresin CaesarStone has also earned the Good Housekeeping Seal from Good Housekeeping Researching Institute, which guarantees a refund or replacement on any product found to be defective within two years from the date of purchase. Additionally, CaesarStone boasts the largest color and finish selection on the market. For more information about CaesarStone and its products, please visit the company’s Web site at www.CaesarStoneUS.com or call toll-fee 877-9-QUARTZ.

-CAESARSTONE-

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.

Think Green: Countertops Goes Green

Countertops
Is granite, laminate, quartz, solid surface, or some other material the way to go?

The kitchen countertop has evolved from utilitarian work surface to stylish focal point. Despite granite’s glamour, quartz is better when it comes to resisting spills, scrapes, and heat. And a case for best kitchen countertop can be made for ceramic tile or marble, which offer a variety of color and pattern choices.

Replacing a countertop is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to update a kitchen’s look; you’ll pay as little as $550 for 55 square feet, about 18 linear feet, of laminate counter. So it isn’t surprising that countertops have outpaced cabinet shipments for the past decade, according to an industry research firm. So if are thinking of Kitchen Remodeling, Bath Remodel or Vanity, why not go CaesarStone and help make it Green?

While granite is still what you’ll see in magazines and real-estate ads, fancier faux materials are giving it serious competition for best kitchen countertop. Quartz, also known as engineered stone, is the fastest-growing countertop surface and is also at the top of our Ratings because of its better stain resistance. Plus, this non-porous blend of stone, pigment, and resin needn’t be sealed like the real stuff.

Quartz has become so popular that its look is being copied. Staron and DuPont now offer solid-surface countertops that look like quartz and are essentially an imitation of an imitation. Still other countertop materials are moving up in the world as their makers vie for a place in your kitchen.

Countertops go green
Made of shredded U.S. greenbacks, ShetkaStone’s Counterfit gives new meaning to the phrase “seeing where your remodeling dollar is going.” PaperStone and Richlite also use paper pulp to create solid-surface counters. Recycled glass is another eco-friendly counter material. IceStone is made from ground-up bottles and concrete, EnviroGlas from recycled glass and porcelain. On the downside for those looking for the best kitchen countertop material, most of those green options are available only through architects and designers. Prices range from $50 to $140 per square foot, installed.

For more info visit: www.caesarstoneus.com

Disclaimer: This blog or article is for information purpose only, and should not be treated a professional advise or price protection guarantee. This blog is mainly used for search engine optimization and other commercial purposes and it is advised that readers seek professional consultation in the field of interest for more information.