How to Clean a Granite Countertop in Kelowna


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Monday, February 9, 2009

Kelowna Granite Countertops


Kelowna Granite Countertops - Granite is an excellent choice for countertops. Granite is available in polished and matte finishes. While granite may be more expensive than some other materials, its longevity adds immeasurable value.

The fact that Corian tries to make their product look like granite speaks volumes as to which product is the most beautiful.

For pure aesthetic beauty, Corian does not come close to the richness, the depth, the polish, the power and the naturally organic quality that is granite. The beauty of granite will always sell itself.
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Kootenay Granite Stoneworks
David Plummer
kootenaygranite@gmail.com
http://davidplummer.blogspot.com/
(250) 765-7655

Kelowna Countertops Tile- Advantages - Disadvantages

Kelowna Countertops Tile - Tile countertops are typically made with ceramic tile ranging in size from one square inch to as large as six square inches. There are also other shapes, such as octagonal, rectangular, etc. Tile countertops are popular in country-style kitchens and are durable materials. However, all tile has grout lines, which can cause problems. Grout soils very easily and will require frequent cleaning. I would suggest that epoxy grout be used when installing any tile countertop. Epoxy grouts are a bit more expensive, but the expense will far outweigh the aggravation of clean up.

Advantages
-Durable-Non-staining and will not scratch
-Endless colors, shapes and designs
-Heat resistant

Disadvantages
-Chips easily
-Grout can be a problem
-Slightly more expensive than laminates.
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Kootenay Granite Stoneworks
David Plummer
kootenaygranite@gmail.com
http://davidplummer.blogspot.com/
(250) 765-7655

Kelowna Countertops - Acrylic and/or Polyester Plastics (Corian, Etc.)

Acrylic and/or Polyester Plastics (Corian, Etc.)Unlike laminates, acrylic and/or polyester plastics are homogenous throughout the material. Available in thickness of 1/2" and 3/4", these materials come in numerous colors. They can be polished but are often seen with a matte finish. They can be expensive and in many cases, more expensive than granite (hint!)

Advantages
-Non-porous and stain resistant-Abrasive cleaners can be used on unpolished finishes
-Easy to clean and refinish-Many colors available-Seamless-Scratches can be repaired

Disadvantages
-Scratches easily
-Hot Pots will melt finish
-Expensive
-Plastic unnatural appearance
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Kootenay Granite Stoneworks
David Plummer
kootenaygranite@gmail.com
http://davidplummer.blogspot.com/
(250) 765-7655

Kelowna Laminates - Advantages - Disadvantages

Kelowna Laminates - The typical laminate countertop material is known as Formica. It is made of a thin layer of plastic (1/32" or 1/16") that is glued to particleboard or wood and can simulate many different materials, including granite. The edge of the countertop can be square or rolled. Wood, brass and other inserts can also be added

Advantages:
-Inexpensive and fairly durable
-Available in endless patterns and colors
-Resists staining-Easy to clean

Disadvantages:
-Abrasive cleaners can scratch and dull the finish
-Sharp knives will produce scratches and hot pots will melt the finish
-Warping of the surface can occur with prolonged wetting or flooding-Laminates usually cannot be repaired once damaged
-Seams are easy to seeSome materials will fade with time
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Kootenay Granite Stoneworks
David Plummer
kootenaygranite@gmail.com
http://davidplummer.blogspot.com/
(250) 765-7655

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Get up to $1350 to renovate your Kitchen in Kelowna with the Home Renovation Tax Credit


Canadians and home owners in Kelowna, BC who want to sod their lawns or renovate their bathrooms will get a tax break worth up to $1,350 as a key plank of the government's effort to inspire spending.

For a certain sector of consumers, 2009 could become the year of the reno, following the announcement Tuesday of a Home Renovation Tax Credit Tax Credit that lets taxpayers claim 15% of their fixups until Feb. 1, 2010.

"The HRTC will provide a temporary incentive for Canadians to undertake new renovation projects or accelerate planned future projects," the budget documents said, "thus providing timely stimulus to the Canadian economy while boosting energy efficiency and the value of Canada's housing stock."

The government said the incentive is expected to provide about $3-billion in tax relief to some 4.6 million families.

The credit, which is available for homes and cottages effective immediately, is designed to boost construction, forestry and other industries.

Taxpayers can claim renovations on their 2009 tax returns on costs over $1,000, but not exceeding $10,000.

To see full article click here
Kootenay Granite Stoneworks
David Plummer
(250) 765-7655

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Custom granite works for your Kitchen Countertops - Kelowna


I recently read a great article on the advantages of granite countertops that I would like to share with you. David Plummer - Kootenay Granite Stoneworks
Custom granite works and kitchen granite countertops are created by nature and fashioned by man are a beautiful, durable and cost effective choice for kitchens and baths. The term granite comes from the Latin root word granum, which means "grain."

Granite is often imported from Europe, Africa, Brazil and other regions of the world rich in natural stone. Granite is an attractive natural stone that will add color and warmth to your kitchen. Granite is an extremely hard material that will not blister, scratch or crack.The hardness of granite is rivaled only be the hardness of diamonds. In fact diamonds are used to cut and polish granite.

Over the last 10 years kitchen granite countertops have become popular with homeowners, after first being popular with designers for decades. Granite is available in hundreds of colors, from various shades of white to browns, reds, greens, blues, and black. The most popular tones are brown and beige.

As well as being hard kitchen granite countertops can take hot items, like pots and pans, and is very stain resistant to hot grease and oil if it is sealed with a silicone-based impregnator. It can easily be cleaned and cut for a basin. Granite has a cool polished surface that makes it an excellent surface for rolling out pastry dough. The polished finish of granite will not wear off.

Kitchen granite countertops are unique because no two pieces of granite are exactly the same, therefore granite provides an interesting design element and adds certain richness and texture to your kitchen not found in other surfaces. Kitchen granite countertops can create a brilliance and elegance that is only found in nature. Granite adds a personality and character to kitchen countertops that is unsurpassed.

Kitchen granite countertops have a natural beauty that is capable of complementing any tone of wood or style of cabinets.It doesn't matter if you are planning a new home or remodeling an existing kitchen, with granite kitchen countertops you can be sure that you will add to value of your home.Kitchen remodelers and home builders have experienced a boom in the demand for kitchen granite countertops.

Although it can be more expensive to put in granite countertops, they remain the odds on favorite choice for more upscale homes, since they keep their value better than most home improvementsThe investment you make in kitchen granite countertops should pay you back at least three times what you invested.

If you are selling your home you will find that home buyers wanting kitchen granite countertops will be willing to pay more for your home than if you have ceramic tile or plastic laminate.

Planning out your kitchen granite countertop first involves selecting the right granite color. You should concentrate on the most popular colors. Even though granite tones are usually neutral, you may find that a certain color goes well for your kitchen design.

If you are replacing the old countertop material in your kitchen with granite, carefully diagram all the measurements for the granite installer. If installing new cabinets is part of your kitchen remodel ask the granite fabricator what they recommend for cabinetry.Since you are using such a superior product as granite, you should think about the right type of sink to go with your new kitchen granite countertop.

You should definitely consider going with an undermount stainless steel sink, as opposed to an overmount sink that would be difficult to clean around.In addition to getting the right kind of sink installed, it is also important to select the just the right faucet to go with the sink. A stainless steel faucet would go well with the looks of a rich kitchen granite countertop.

The next important area is upgrading your cabinet hardware. The handles and knobs should also be of high quality in order to provide good accent to the overall look of the kitchen. Even if you are not replacing the cabinetry having high quality hardware with make those cabinets and the whole kitchenstand out.

So in planning your kitchen remodeling, just remember that kitchen granite countertops will make a provide a world-class addition and increase the re-sale value of your home.

To read full article Click Here
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Kootenay Granite Stoneworks
David Plummer
kootenaygranite@gmail.com
http://davidplummer.blogspot.com/
(250) 765-7655

Thursday, September 4, 2008

About Us

Kootenay Granite Stoneworks of Kelowna, BC Canada is a leading edge granite fabricator in the granite stone work industry specializing in Granite Counter Tops, Memorials and Custom Fabrication installs.

We do custom granite work focusing on our clients’ needs and we deliver a professional finished product using the best quality granite available to accomplish our clients’ goals.

Our Vision

The vision for Kootenay Granite Stoneworks is to be a leading edge granite fabricator in the granite stone work industry, with locations in Kelowna and the District of Sicamous. We specialize in Granite Counter Tops , Memorials and Custom Fabrication installs.

Our Mission

The Mission of Kootenay Granite Stoneworks is to meet all obligations with integrity and honesty delivering to our clients a quality finished product in a professional manor using the best product available to accomplish our clients goals.