10 FAQs About Granite

Elegant. Beautiful. Long lasting. These are but a few of the words used to describe granite countertops and floors. After all, with the myriad of colors available and the seemingly ever changing movement of each piece, granite has become a favorite material for home and business owners everywhere. So, if you are considering granite for you next home improvement project, it is likely that you have some questions. The following 10 FAQs will help you in your decision.

Why should I choose granite over other products such as silestone or corian? Granite is a natural stone that has been around for centuries, while the others are simply imitations. In addition, having granite will add 10% to the resale value to your home. Where is granite from? Granite can be found all over the world as well as the U.S. If possible, select granite from close to home as it will lower the cost. What type of maintenance is needed for granite? Granite needs to sealed, but this is only necessary for good quality granite every 3 to 5 years while lesser grades of granite should be sealed once every 1 to 3 years. Sealing only takes approximately 10 minutes for an average sized kitchen. What type of resistance to wear and tear does granite have? Granite is scratch, stain, mildew and mold resistant. In fact, granite is so scratch resistant that it can be used as a cutting board; however, this is not highly recommended as the granite will dull your knives more quickly. I have heard that acidic liquid can damage the granite, is this true? Only if the liquid is left for a long time. Should there be a spill, the quicker it is wiped up the better. For those spills that have been overlooked and have left a stain, make a paste of bleach and water and put it on the stain. Let set a few minutes and wash off with soap and water. What type of daily care does granite require? Simply wash with soap and water. A good rule of thumb is to never clean granite with something you wouldn't wash your hands with. Will granite chip or crack? Typically any flaws are caused during the transportation process. In most cases, a professional granite installer can correct or repair any damage. Will my granite look like the sample? The pieces seen in the show room are samples of what is available, so sometimes color or patterns vary. Ask the salesperson if there is a quarry or showroom where you can pick out the exact slab(s) if you are concerned about a variation in the color. What is the best thickness for granite? Professional granite installers recommend slabs that are at least 3/4 of inch thick. What is the best type of edging for granite countertops? While there are many edges available, the most recommended, especially in homes with young children, is the double bullnose. This is Why Mosaic Tiles Are the Best Tile Around   The Importance of Exterior Walls   Build a Stone Wall on Your Property   Best Natural Stone Tiles Under a Roof!   Chimney Brick Repair - Do It Yourself!   

10 Tips That Will Help You Find the Best General Contractor

If you know how to find the best general contractor, you can be assured that you will always get the best service from them. This article was written with the intention of helping you find the best contractor that you can hire for the construction project that you have. Below are 10 of the most important tips that you can use to find the best general contractor.

Before you interview a contractor, make sure that they are licensed to do business in the area. You need to make sure that their subcontractors also have their license to operate. Keep in mind that there several subcontractors who will be working on your project, and you need to make sure that they all have their licenses. Check www(dot)nari(dot)org to search for its members in your area. A contractor who is a member of NARI follows the high quality standards of remodeling that is set by the organization. Check other associations and see whether they have members in your area. Same as NARI, associations of contractors will allow you to find its members which are bounded by their rules of regulations. Never take an agreement verbally. You need to make sure that all the agreements are written, because this will give you a testament of the agreement that occurred between you and the contractor. Although the price can a huge role in your decision, you should never settle yourself in hiring the cheapest general contractor. In some cases, those that are bidding lower prices are the ones that give you cheap service and support. Aside from phone interviews, you also need to make sure that you will be meeting two or three contractors personally. Doing this will allow you to know more about the contractor that you are planning to hire and will also help you determine whether they are really capable of handling the project. Since the workers are the ones who are working hands-on the project, you also need to make sure that they are covered with insurance and proper compensations to ensure their safety and professionalism. Keep all the transactions and documents until the project is finished to avoid confusions with the record. This will also serve as your protection whenever you have had problems with the general contractor. Finally, you should neither pay in advance nor pay large amount of deposit to the contractor. It would be better to let them finish the project before you settle your account. Things to Consider When Planning a Custom Wine Cellar for Your Home   Loft Conversions the Family Will Love   Build Your Shed the Smart Way - 12 Guidelines for a Smooth Start-Up   Options in Construction Site Lighting   Cherry Picker Rental: Fun Jobs That Require A Quick Lift   Building on Narrow Lots Made Easy   

When You Should Use Patio Furniture Covers

Because quality outdoor furniture is made to withstand the elements, you may wonder whether protective covers are really necessary. Patio furniture covers provide an extra layer of protection to help keep your outdoor furniture in good shape, to prolonging its life. You should consider using them anytime your furniture won't be in use for long periods of time or if you expect severely inclement weather.

Outdoor Furniture covers protect your outdoor pieces from a number of elements, including mildew and mold build-up, rain, high temperatures, cold weather, UV rays, and unwanted wildlife. They are made of weather and moisture resistant materials with UV protection, making it simple to maintain your patio chairs, lounges, patio tables, or any other piece you have in your backyard.. There are many types and qualities, so make sure to pick the ones that best fit your climate and geographic conditions. Once the right cover is found for your conditions and furniture, they will be ready to use.

Clean Your Furniture First

Protecting your outdoor furniture is always a good idea. But before you protect your patio furniture, take a few easy steps to make sure you've cleaned each piece. Here are some guidelines for how to clean your furniture before you put patio furniture covers on:

Acrylic cushions: Clean acrylic cushions with a mixture of soap and water. The best method is spot cleaning with a sponge. Don't use anything abrasive. It's best to follow the directions from the manufacturer. Metal furniture: You can clean metal furniture such as steel or wrought iron with water and a gentle soap. For pieces that aren't rust resistant, use a paste wax or a cleaner found at your local patio store. Wicker: For wicker furniture, hose down with water. Be careful to use a lower pressure so as not to damage the individual pieces. You can use mild soap and water with a sponge for more stubborn spots. Wood: You can clean any varnished wood furniture with soap and water. Just remember to rinse. non-varnished wood (such as Patina Teak) should be cleaned with water and gentle soap, so not to discolor the wood.

Putting On Your Patio Furniture Covers

Now that your patio furniture has been cleaned, it is time to put on your covers. Most will have stitching and ribbing that will make the front and backs of the cover obvious. Start with one side of the furniture and lift the cover over the furniture. Once atop of your patio furniture, pull it downwards, until the entire piece of furniture is dressed by the cover. If your patio furniture cover is equipped with drawstrings, Velcro or ties, then secure to the furniture, as directed by the manufacturer.

Cleaning Your Patio Furniture Covers

The easiest way to clean your Covers is while they are covering your furniture.

Your patio furniture cover will get dirty, if it is dirty then the cover is doing it's job in protecting your patio furniture from the elements.

Your Patio Furniture Covers may be spot washed by using a soapy solution of a mild detergent and lukewarm water. Rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove the soap and allow to air dry. For heavier stains, prepare a solution of one (1) cup of bleach plus half (1/2) cup of mild detergent per gallon of water. Spray on the entire area and allow soaking. Rinse with clean water and allow to air dry.

Be sure your Patio Furniture Covers are completely dry before folding away for storage.

Unless directed by the manufacturer, we never recommend putting your cover in a machine washer. The agitation and and inner components of the washer may be too much for the cover to withstand.

There are covers for just about every type of outdoor furniture or accessory, such as for:

Patio Seating

Patio Chairs Chaise Lounge Sofas, Gliders & Love Seats Ottomans

Patio Tables

Patio Tables Side Tables Patio Tables Outdoor Coffee Tables

Patio Accessories

Patio Umbrellaa Patio Heaters Fire Pit, Chimineas BBQ Grills Cushion Storages Fountains Log Racks Air Conditionings The New Look of Tents Will Blow You Away   Different Designs for Patio Cover   Great Outdoor Furniture: Fun in the Sun   10 Tricks To Make Entertaining a Breeze   How to Install a Window Sunshade   Get Your Patio Ready for Cold Weather