There are massive options in the market today than just marble and granite natural stone for countertops is the subject. If you love the sophisticated beauty of granite and the light dapple of marble, why not consider soapstone. Soapstone is hard wearing, almost low-maintenance, and has a lovely, antiquated feel. Here’s what you need to know about soapstone.

Cost of Soapstone

Soapstone has like the same price to a high-end granite but cheaper than marble. You’ll need around $75 and $150 per square foot for installed soapstone countertop.

Maintenance Issue

Although soapstone will darken naturally upon and it doesn’t stain.  Soapstone doesn’t need to be sealed since it is inert and non-porous. To achieve a dark, even actualization, it’s sometimes treated with mineral oil.

Daily Protection

Soapstone is impenetrable to acids like lemon juice and red wine, unlike marble. You can place pots directly onto the countertop without worry because it’s also heat resistant. It needs easy cleaning with simple soap and water.

Durability

Soapstone is susceptible to scratches and nicks, although these can be buffed out with sandpaper and its downside is its softness.

Color Availability

Soapstone can be purchased in a range of gray, greenish to black tones. You can also opt for more veining or less veining design. For a darker, smoother look, occasional oiling the countertop will do the works.

Installation

Having a stone fabricator is the best option to install the stone in your home if you have no idea or no proper training on installation. Some homeowners, experts in this kind of installation project can probably do it as DIY since soapstone is softer than marble or granite.

Additional Note: If the size of your countertop is longer than seven feet, you will see some kind of seam since it is quarried in smaller slabs than granite or marble.

There are so many options it can be a bit overwhelming when it comes to window treatments and to pick between them is hard. Curtains or Drapes? Which one is better? Whatever material you pick, each has distinct characteristics of its own.

If you’ve been wondering what exactly differentiates a curtain from a drape, here’s what you need to know:

Curtains

Curtains are fabric panels mostly sold in pairs. Curtains are versatile and a popular choice for every room of the home from the bedroom to living room, even bathrooms and kitchens, you’ll find a wide range of options for its lengths, width, type of fabrics, color (either plain or color combination) and designs.

Because curtains are made of lightweight fabrics and are not lined, it is the ideal material for the bedroom window treatment. Using curtains won’t filter out light, and won’t make the bedroom darker especially during weekend mornings when you would rather stay late on your bed and get some sleep but at the same time curtains will do filter out some light.

There are many ways you can place the curtain. Hang from a rod, depending on how the curtains are hung. It can either be plain simply hidden or on display decoratively. For hanging options, curtain accessories like metal or fabric rings, metal grommets, or a fabric sleeve on the top or the back of the curtain panels are the most common.

For color options: sheer curtains are ideal for a soft tone and bring out a feminine touch to the room. It adds a strike of contrast to your bedroom for colorful curtains or if you prefer patterns, it makes the space more alive.

Drapes

Drapes are fabric panels just like curtains are usually sold in pairs. Drapes are lined, unlike curtains. Sometimes, the material with fabric is heavy enough to totally bar outside light, which makes it perfect for bedroom window treatment. Drapes sometimes even puddling a bit beneath the window, long enough to reach from the top of the window to the floor. The heavy and stiff fabrics, luxury materials like velvet, damask or silk are the typical for drapes.

Drapes are mostly solid, rather than heavily patterned which comes in different styles and colors. There are different styles of pleats available as the top of a drapery panel is often pleated. These pleats contribute to the formal appearance of this popular window treatment along with the heavy fabric. Similar to curtains, drapes hang from a rod.

For anyone who needs to sleep during the day, especially night shift workers, drapes is a good choice.

You can also check Impact Windows in West Palm Beach if you have time.

Wood has many uses, from furniture to hoboken floors, but that’s not where it ends. Wood fencing has become the typical material on many American homes for a variety of reasons.

Depending on what you are looking for in fence, wood has a lot to recommend it over other fencing materials like or vinyl but using wood may not be the best choice.

It is a helpful necessity to seriously consider the pros and cons of different materials before purchasing and installing any fence.

You have to consider that the fence you may have installed around your house and yard will stay for a very long time thus, aside from the beauty it will provide and accentuate your home, it will be sturdy enough to stand the test of time.

Let’s tackle the advantages and disadvantages of wood fence. These factors can be different depending on the weather condition and other factors of the area where you reside.

Advantages of wood fencing

• The versatility of wood material is incomparable. There are so many choices for various woods that comes in different shades (light to dark) that can be used in the construction of fences. If you prefer to change the color of your fence once in a while, boards can easily be painted any color. You can easily handle wood fences as it can be formed into different designs and heights.
• Wood is very attractive when utilized to build fences although it is not the most notable building material.
• For the DIY project, wood fencing is the best option as it is easy to manage over materials like heavy  wrought iron and you need a partner when moving and installing it around.
• Compared to other materials, wood fencing is cheaper.  Fencing material like vinyl or aluminum is pricey compared to high-quality cedar boards.

Disadvantages of wood fencing

• Maintenance of wood fences may be complex. Rot is the usual problem especially in areas where the weather condition is humid or prone to rain and snow. It is essential to check wood fence yearly and application of water-resistant sealant on a regular basis to counteract this scenario.
• Wood fences can invite termites in a worst-case scenario. The termites may spread to your home or other structures on your area as these destructive insects will not only harm or ruin the fence itself.
• The boards may descend into the ground over time, distorting the fence but this will depend on the type of soil your fence is erected on. Installation of an underground concrete base for the fence will prevent the problem in areas where this is a problem.

For centuries, the fireplace has been the most distinguished architectural component found at home. Using earthy materials, it can be designed in just about any appearance.

The most exclusive detail remains what we select to cover the fireplace with — from the shape of the hearth to the height of the opening of the firebox to the inclusion of mantels and lighting.

Here are some of the most popular materials used for a fireplace.

Wood

The fireplace surrounded by a wood material is a classic one. It breaks up all the vertical and horizontal lines of the wood moldings by placing a decorative layer of stone around the firebox opening as well as on the hearth.

Steel

For those who opt for a minimal look, the industrial vibe goes hand in hand with steel material. There is a sort of commanding presence if an entire fireplace wall covered in steel. It ensures a unique visual depth by applying a texture to this common material during fabrication.

Concrete

Raw concrete is durable and unique, favored for its diverse and industrial styles. When you opt for an edgy, one of a kind design, aim for this sturdy solution. An addition of a small detail will make a big difference when using exposed hardware to bond the concrete panels to the fireplace.

Brick

A timeless look when the brick is exposed and is a modern way to update an older brick fireplace. Watch room transformation from good to great by painting the fireplace surround using a bold color.

Tile

A serene looking fireplace is what tile material offers. It can transport a fireplace to a transitional style by working on a modern design like using glass tile.

Metal

A firebox surrounded by metal is an edgy yet old school like putting an old-world material in a more modern form. Mixing and matching finishes feel comprehensive and off-the-cuff like using metal fireplace the raw wood plank and highly lacquered furniture.

Slab material

It will create a liminal center fireplace by using a fully carved up wall pattern in wood. To complete your project without spending too much, pick for slabs from a stone yard’s leftovers as these material are remainder from other projects.

Marble

A marble fireplace provides a quintessential modern living room vibe. Place all the veins of the marble to form a design if you like a touch of flair.

Type of curtain. If you have not yet purchased your curtains and curtain rods, you’ll want to decide what style of curtain is right for you. Curtains and curtain rods have different styles and you may have to choose the color, design and the material that will match the curtain rod that will provide the room a different effect and function.

Decide where you want the bottom of your curtain to fall. Keep in mind that their length should cover the entire window (unless they are cafe curtains) when purchasing curtains. Make sure the curtain length doesn’t include the length of the tabs if you choose tab top curtains.

Decide on the type and length of a curtain rod. It’s safe to purchase a longer rod or a rod that has a return if you’d like to pull them completely away from the window. It should depend on the type and width of the curtain for the length of the return.

Installing the rod on the casing or outside the casing? Installing outside the casing allows you to pull the curtains back completely while if you preferred installing in the casing, this will constantly leave at least part of the window concealed. Whichever you choose, will partly be determined by the style and look you want, but you may also have to consider the material of the wall or casing. The curtain rods will need to be installed on the wall if you have plastic window casing. The casing may be easier if you have plaster, cob, or stone walls type of material.

Whether or not you have a return, and the style of the curtain will determine how much they can be compressed, be aware that the curtain will only drawback as far as the brackets holding the curtain rod. The stack back is termed as the amount you can compress a curtain.

Even when the curtains are open, you may consider on keeping part of the window covered, or to let as much light into the room as possible, you may prefer to completely expose the window.

Attics have generally consisted of the extra space. In determining on how you can utilize the room, it is dependent on the floor area which varies according to shape, size, and design. To match the architectural and functional needs of the environment is how flooring should be chosen. Bear in mind that you have to be careful to shun damaging the structure of your home with the installation of an attic floor surface covering.

Prefabricated Trusses

This indicates to the triangular roofing frames. The pre-designed materials are then delivered to a job site to be used immediately, affordable covering elements which can be simply installed onto the structure of a home and then affixed in place.

The materials are specifically designed to handle the weight of the wind, rain, and the elements coming down on the roof as these are strong, tough pieces. These are evenly distributed down the walls. As a result of this, they are not produced to carry downward pressure from within, and the inclusion of heavy objects like storage or flooring to the bottom beam of attics produced from prefabricated trusses can have an undesirable outcome for the structure of the house.

Standard Lumber Frames

The floor of an attic should be stronger and able to handle much heavier loads if the structure of the roof is constructed together with the core of the home using a lumber frame.

You may need to consult a professional to be sure of safety if you are considering using your attic as a living area, or for the stock room of heavy objects.

Weight Importance

Remember, it is primary to eliminate the usage of heavy flooring materials. Once installed they will be a sustained weight, bearing down and slowly but surely wear out the integrity of your home, not to mention it is not only hard to get heavy pieces all of the ways up to the top of the house.

The Energy Efficient Attic Flooring

The effectiveness of the insulating material at the structure will have a noticeable effect on your utility bills each month as heat rises, and the floor of your attic is like the headgear of your home. It can also help to avert heat loss in the structure by using a floor surface covering the subfloor which has insulating properties with materials like carpet, cork, or resilient materials over padded foam.

Natural stone can be a remarkably hard wearing material as an outcome of the geological processes, the thousands of years of compression.

The unique images that natural stone can generate are notable, bringing a strong identity to interior spaces of all description. The key step is to ensure that the representation of natural stone provides a true sample of what the final product will look like.

By looking at range/control representation is one key factor in this. It will provide the variety of earthly features typically originated within the bed of stone as opposed to the small snapshot you would find in a single indicative sample piece.

This aids in avoiding confusion on to what will be the final look of whether for flooring, wall design or as a countertop. However, it is important to be mindful of that this is a natural product, and each stone will have its own identity: an individual unique feature.

Pros of Using Natural Stone Flooring

Why can natural stone flooring be a good choice? There are many aesthetic and practical reasons:

• Making every flooring application one of a kind since each piece of stone is a unique creation of the earth. Every floor is absolutely one of a kind.
• The tiles themselves are natural, nonpolluting, Eco-friendly pieces even if there are a few debates about the ecological impact of quarrying and transporting stone materials. It can cut down on the environmental impact of transport if buying stones were obtained locally.
• It can provide living spaces a direct and eternal connection to the natural world, compared to any other building material for the mountain-essential qualities of the stone.

Cons of Using Natural Stone Flooring

There is also some downside to use of natural stone:

• Natural stone is quite permeable and requires treatment with a sealing agent from time to time in order to protect its surface but with the exception of granite and some slate.
• A number of polished materials like marble can abrade easily.
• There are stones that are very brittle and will easily chip.

It is essential to do your research and understand the characteristics of the material you are buying when purchasing natural stone flooring materials. Better check whether it is suitable for your specific application and how much maintenance it will need. Before you make a purchase, inquire your retailer several questions, and get to know the material as much as you can.

Under-cabinet lighting is not just a modern design but is a great tool to keep your kitchen well lighted and helpful for those with no 20/20 vision. Aside from offering great functionality and style, installing lighting will brighten any kitchen or workspace and illuminating countertops. Depending on your needs and cabinet or room layout, there are various designs for you to choose from. Best of all, installation of most under cabinet lights is an easy do it yourself task.

Useful tips and ideas for getting the prescribed lights for your home:

Plug-In vs. Permanent Lighting

To begin with, consider whether you want a permanent or plug-ins lighting. Plug-in designs and kits are easy to do it yourself task and plug directly into any standard wall outlet. Permanent or direct or hardwired under cabinet lighting gives the convenience of a wall switch but  needs some electrical work to get them in place.

Cost Savvy

It requires low voltage for most under cabinet lighting. This means that it uses a transformer to step down the line voltage coming from your home’s wiring. Either integrated into the light’s design or can be hidden from view for transformers.

There are number lighting sources and bulb types to select.

LEDs. Energy savers, can last for years and are cool when getting in contact with for the advanced LEDs. There are more and more LED under cabinet lighting designs on the market for these many advantages. LED lighting comes in white light, colors, or color changing strips.

Xenon Bulbs. Combination of warm tones of incandescent bulbs and a boost from xenon gas for lighting with xenon bulbs, which boosting the light and aids prolong the bulb’s life.  

Halogen. Another option to cast warm, attractive light is by halogen under cabinet lighting. Halogen comes in several sizes, that includes versatile puck lighting that can be set inside cabinets as well as under them. They create pools of light on a countertop when used underneath. Mostly used either on surface or recess mounted.

CFL and Fluorescent. Fluorescent lights may have a higher profile than other types but are energy efficient.

Dimmers. Consider using dimmers to control your new under cabinet lighting no matter what you’ve chosen. Don’t forget to consult the lighting expert for the right specifications of the under cabinet lights you want to use with dimmer.