DESIGN BLOG
FARMHOUSE SINKS: Fireclay vs Cast Iron
The Debate Between Granite or Quartz Countertops
The Debate Between Granite or Quartz Countertops
Your kitchen is the busiest room in the house with most of the action taking place in and around your kitchen sink. Because your kitchen sink is so vital, choosing the perfect piece can feel a bit overwhelming. From contemporary kitchens to rustic ones, farmhouse sinks add beauty and functionality to any kitchen, but then that begs the question: Which is a better farmhouse sink material; fireclay or cast iron?
How Fireclay and Cast Iron Sinks are Made
While fireclay and cast iron farmhouse sinks look similar, they are made in vastly different ways. Fireclay sinks are handmade from clay and heated to extremely high temperatures, which causes the clay and glaze to fuse together. Cast iron farmhouse sinks are sturdy and rigid, built from cast iron and powder coated with enamel. The difference in their creation leads to their biggest pros and cons.
Durability of Fireclay vs. Cast Iron Sinks
Both sink materials are durable, but you need to consider how your sink will perform up against other elements in your kitchen like dishes and pots and pans. Fireclay farmhouse sinks chip easier than cast iron sinks and are more likely to crack. Pots and pans are constantly getting thrown into sinks, which means farmhouse sinks need to be able to handle heavy usage. However, since the glaze and clay are fused together, if this sink does chip, the color remains white, so there isn’t much aesthetic damage. Fireclay sinks have also been known to crack when their flanges are tightened too much, so be careful. One small mistake during installation and your sink could be ruined before you even have the chance to use it.
The Debate Between Granite or Quartz Countertops
The Debate Between Granite or Quartz Countertops
The Debate Between Granite or Quartz Countertops
- SOLID STONE vs ENGINEERED STONE: Granite counters are mined from natural stone. Stone that is polished or honed for installation. Quartzite is a natural stone that presents an exquisite appearance in a variety of colors and veining, is heat resistant, doesn’t scratch or etch like some surfaces can. Quartz countertops are manufactured from crushed quartz that is mixed with pigment for coloration and resin as a binder. The quartz content is typically 92% to 94%.
- APPEARANCES: Both types have their strong point. Granite and Quartzite shows slight, natural variations in the hue of the stone. Colors ranges from earth tones to blues, greens and roses. The coloration of quartz is more consistent, and it is available in a wider array of colors since they are produced with pigments added to the quartz.
- DURABILITY & CARE: While natural granite is uniquely beautiful, but it does have its weaknesses. The stone needs to be sealed at installation and resealed on a regular basis. Quartz doesn’t require this level of care. In addition, natural stone countertops including granite, slate and sandstone stain quite easily. Granite that has been sealed with a resin-based product during manufacturing will be more resistant to trouble than standard granite, but still not as resistant as quartz. Finally, granite can crack and chip more readily than engineered stone. Both have a lifespan of 25-50 years depending on the level of care they are given and how they are used. In the area of durability, engineered stone – quartz – has the advantage over granite.
- COST: It’s really about a toss-up in either category. The cost of quartz ranges from $80-$140 per square foot installed and granite starts at about $80 and can go to $175 or slightly higher for high-end material.
- BOTTOM LINE: If you ultimately decide on natural stone, make the commitment to seal it yourself or have it sealed by a professional on a regular basis. Wipe stains immediately. Pour wine and juice into glasses while holding them over the sink or a table, not the countertop. Don’t leave wet or oily dishes sit for long. Taking the extra care required will maintain the natural beauty you want for your home.
Investment and Return for Home Renovations
The Debate Between Granite or Quartz Countertops
Investment and Return for Home Renovations
Kitchen Remodeling – The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home since is also functions a the "new living room". Whatever kitchens lack in terms of curb appeal, a remodeling project that adds function, ergonomics and beauty can make up for it tenfold. Minor kitchen remodeling, when done by a skilled kitchen renovation company can add more value than a full-blown remodel; the Cost vs Value Report lists up to 87% recoupable value in just a minor kitchen remodel. Remodeling data from the Midwest part of the country found that as a rule of thumb, $40,000 is what you might find for a basic small kitchen remodel. You can expect around $60,000 to $80,000 for the majority of kitchen remodels that are using professional design services, layout changes, solid surfaces, new lighting configuration, nice cabinets/appliances." In Southern California expect an increase of approximately 10% to 15%
Bath Remodeling - The bathroom is another prime place for renovations . Cost vary greatly depending on what the materials and features desired. A mid-range bath when done by a skilled renovation company will add great value and a recoupable return invest of approximately 78%. A small to average size bathroom renovation investment can range from 18,000 to 35,000. Why the broad range? Well, location, materials, cost of labor and project scope play into it. Master Bathrooms will typically range 45,000 - 80,000 + and upwards dependent on size, location, addition of square footage, materials, specialty features and function.
Five reasons to renovate your bathroom today-
- You spend a good amount of in the bathroom - The average person spends more than 30 minutes of time in the bathroom each day according to a survey done by American Standard.
- The "right" remodel is built to last-The restored beauty and improved functionality of a remodeled bathroom provide added enjoyment not only immediately after it's done, but well into the future.
- Added storage reduces clutter-The extra storage in a new bathroom cabinet could be the key to a cleaner, more organized and clutter-free bathroom space —and reduces your stress and extra labor.
- An updated bathroom adds value to your home-When your bathroom transforms from the room you have to use into the place you want to be, it's not just your quality of life that gets better. As a home improvement project, your bathroom remodel offers a strong return on investment, one that tends to hold its value over time while boosting your home's overall resale value in the future.
- Luxury amenities reduce stress-The features and products you choose from provide the opportunity to create a truly personalized spa experience right in the comfort of your own home.
Bath Trends
Kitchen Trends
Investment and Return for Home Renovations
- Spa Showering Systems- Body sprays, rain shower heads and hand showers. The master shower is gaining more square footage in the overall bathroom floor plan — it's a shower room, not a stall.
- Completely tiled, featuring a bench and nooks for storing soaps and towels
- Double vanities gain storage
- Outlets installed inside drawers and doors so appliances can be plugged in and ready to use, but concealed to avoid cluttering the countertop.
- Radiant heat for tiled floors
- Cabinets with furniture appeal
- Splashing a wall with subtle color
- Jazzed up bathroom lighting
Kitchen Trends
Kitchen Trends
Kitchen Trends
- Entering in 2024, wood stained kitchen cabinets will still be popular in more traditional kitchens, but white, gray, two-toned and even blue cabinets are holding their place. Cool-toned cabinets are dominating the trends this year and people are becoming bolder when adding pops of color to their kitchens.
- Darker Floors - If you choose a light paint for walls or cabinetry, select a dark floor stain
- Open Shelving- The open shelving trend isn't going anywhere and in a kitchen void of upper cabinetry, the hood is inevitably the centerpiece.
- Matte Black appliances- stainless steel has its merits, but in a small kitchen, a giant swath of silvery metal can quickly dominate the room. Many appliance company's are embracing sophisticated shades of black and slate.
- Herringbone floors- Herringbone is continuing to trend because it adds an instant air of European refinement and history.
- Darker countertops
- Go beyond "Greige" -deeper shades of grey with blue or purple undertones.
- Cabinet Colors- White Stays, Gray gets elegant and dark paint colors are the new thing
- Smart Kitchens- you can have a kitchen with technology integrated into every function and appliance–from the faucets to the fridge to the lighting .
- Effective storage solution cabinetry
- Pet friendly spaces
Tile Trends
Kitchen Trends
Kitchen Trends
- Rise in Herringbone-perfect for wall or floors
- Blue is back-Indigo is set to be the big hue to watch but azures and turquoise will also be making a resurgence.
- Statement flooring- an excellent complement to plain white or neutral tiles.
- Natural elements design looks fabricated in tile
- Gold and warm metallics
- Contrasting grout
- Black tile- black tiles with matching black grout is the perfect combination
- Brickwork tiles
- Matte finishes
- Geometric tiles
- 3D dimensional tiles