Granite is Tough; Taking Correct Care of It Isn't by Edward Green

Granite is Tough; Taking Correct Care of It Isn't by Edward Green

Granite is Tough; Taking Correct Care of It Isn't

Crystal like granite countertops and spa type bathrooms built with natural stone are all the rage in home interiors, but not surprisingly it will lose its investment value fast if not properly maintained.

Up to now, only ammonia based cleaners were the granite cleaning choice outside of soap and water for homeowners, regardless of the fact that these products in reality damage natural stone.

Marble Masters stone cleaning product line safely cleans and conditions countertops, floors and wall surrounds made of granite, marble, travertine and other natural stone. For more information, visit www.marblemasteruk.com

"Ammonia-based products remove the seal of natural stone, allowing stains to penetrate the surface and set more easily," said Edward Green, Technical Director of Marble Master. "The damage caused by these products increases the chance that the stone will have to be refurbished or replaced, which is a costly undertaking."

Natural stone is hard-wearing, but still needs appropriate care to continue its inherent beauty. When treated correctly, it is a low maintenance surface that will hold its gleam longer than any other surface known to man, and can enhance the value of your home.

Marble Master's set of non ammoniated, inexpensive products features its Daily Cleaner, Daily Cleaner Wipes, Polish/Protector, Stone Soap and Penetrating Sealers. The line protects and extends the life of stone countertops and gives customers high quality cleaning power. The line is non toxic, safe on all food preparation surfaces, features a streak-free formula and is easy to use.

Marble Master Products are also effective when used on natural quartz surfaces and engineered stone and can be safely used on ceramics or porcelain tile and grout. This exclusive product line, which contains the highest grade of quality ingredients, is user friendly, non toxic and safe for the environment.

The Marble Master Stone Care System is specially formulated and developed by stone care professionals with more than 40 years of experience in the natural stone industry. For more information or to purchase the products, visit www.marblemasteruk.com or call 020 8807 8889.

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About the Author
Edward Green owns and operates the highly successful Marble Master Ltd company. Marble Master specializes in Restoration and Refinishing of all types of natural stone and consultancy services to Architects, Restoration Companies and Interior Designers.

Concrete Cutting: Shedding Light On Your Basement Remodel by Robert Short

Concrete Cutting: Shedding Light On Your Basement Remodel by Robert Short

Basements or cellars (depending on which part of the country you are from) are primarily seen as dark and dingy parts of a home. In most cases they are considered a useless area or are used as a catch all for family discards that havent quite made it to the curbside for trash pick up yet. Well, with the skyrocketing prices of real estate these days and the lack of any substantial property to use for an addition to our homes, the basement, after years of being ignored and neglected, is finally being recognized as a useful, cost effective resource for adding more living space to our beloved homes.

Several factors that have to be considered before any serious basement renovations take place include ceiling height, stair pitch or steepness and emergency egress. All three of these requirements can differ considerably depending on where you live. You can call your local building department and they can tell you these requirements. As for what emergency egress is, it is basically an emergency escape. A door of at least 30 wide in most areas is considered a very safe egress but a window has to be a certain size and a minimum distance from the floor in order to be considered safe. Believe it or not, the way the safe size and height of a basement window is calculated is by determining how easily an overweight elderly person (considered worst case scenario) can open and climb out of in case of a fire or another emergency. In reality, these building codes were put in place because no one is going to get out of one of those old metal framed 18 X 30 pull in basement windows very easily (especially an overweight elderly person) and they would probably die trying in the unfortunate event of a fire.

Most local building codes require both a door and a window egress in order for the basement to be considered safe enough for a living area. In many cases building codes require an emergency egress be placed in every bedroom in a basement as well. If you are in the habit of doing home remodeling or repairs without the proper building permits, it is very important for you and your familys safety that you find out what the code is in your area and adhere to it.

By adding all of the necessary emergency egress you are essentially killing two birds with one stone. As I already stated, you are adding safety to an otherwise unsafe area but you are also adding the benefits of natural sunlight. Adding natural sunlight to your basement really gives the area a desirable look and a warm feeling you generally cant get without it. Now, you may be wondering how people get a perfectly smooth, plumb and square openings in their foundations. You may have never heard of such a thing or dont realize the process even exists. Fortunately, there are companies in almost every part of the country that actually specialize in the process of cutting doorways and windows in concrete walls. These companies are called concrete cutting services and / or sawcutting outfits. Either way, they are listed in your local or online yellow pages under the heading of concrete breaking, cutting, sawing, core drilling etc.. A professional concrete cutter will make the process look exceptionally easy and help make short work of your basement-remodeling project.

If you are going to take the time to renovate your basement you might as well do it right. By following or exceeding your local building codes you will ensure your familys safety. Also, be sure that you cut as many window openings in your basement walls as your budget and the structural integrity of your home can handle. This in itself will make your basement the most cherished area of your home. Youll be glad you did it. Good luck.

To find some ideas and to familiarize yourself with the concrete cutting industry just do a search online for concrete cutting and check out some of the sites and, of course, be sure to check out our website at www.affordableconcretecutting.com.

Copyright 2005 Affordable Concrete Cutting, Inc. All Rights Reserved


About the Author
Affordable Concrete Cutting Massachusetts services the contractor and homeowner in and around Boston and Eastern Massachusetts. We specialize in cutting doorways in concrete foundations. Visit our website at www.affordableconcretecutting.com

French Country Style Decorating Ideas by Jill Kane

French Country Style Decorating Ideas by Jill Kane

What constitutes the French country style of dcor? Rustic, of course, is country in any language. But French country gives you the opportunity to add a little flair to your dcor.

Natural materials such as wood for tables, chairs and armoires, scrolled iron plant stands, plaster walls and stone or brick floors are an integral part of the French country look. The look of plaster or stucco walls can be easily obtained by the use of a product called Venetian plaster, or you can make your own by mixing drywall compound with a little latex paint in a neutral color. This is spread over a painted wall in varying degrees of thickness, and then when dry can be glazed or sealed with a latex sealer. Details on this technique can be found online or in your local home improvement store. The floor may be a little more difficult for the do-it-yourselfer, however, the new laminates very much resemble stone flooring. It just wont be as rough as real stone or brick but that could be a good thing!

Furniture with romantic curves, such as a pedestal table and chairs with turned legs and rush seats, perhaps with a distressed whitewash finish speak fluent French. Any respectable French boudoir or sitting room would not be complete without a chaise lounge (fainting couch) upholstered in a lovely toile fabric. Replacing one or two panels in your kitchen cabinet doors with chicken wire will give an authentic French country look. Accent colors for a French country theme are black, wine (of course), russet, gold, green and the very popular combination of blue and yellow.

Some other accents you may want to usebaskets of fruit and/or bread, the classic topiary for a centerpiece, garlands of wildflowers to surround windows or drape anywhere for that country meadow look, blue and white china, lace curtains and hand hooked rugs to soften those hard stone floors. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, which is the heart of a French country home, decorate it by hanging some copper pots or perhaps a few sprigs of dried herbs or wildflowers. Also, roosters, cats, geese and other barnyard animal likenesses are popular themes for artwork to establish that cozy, rural ambience.

Whether you live in a farmhouse or a grand chateau (or somewhere in between) a French country style can be incorporated into your home.

Visit www.1st-Home-Decorating-Ideas.com for more information.
About the Author
Jill Kane is the owner of www.1st-Home-Decorating-Ideas.com.
A site with tips and resources related to home decorating.