Maryland Home Remodeling » Bethesda Maryland

Green Materials Guide: Bethesda Maryland Remodeling

admin — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:38:00 +0000

Green Remodeling Materials Guide

Bethesda Maryland Home Remodeling Customers want Green Materials where ever possible. This is the first in a series of articles we found on the topic of remodeling your Maryland home and keeping it eco friendly. I wish I could say I wrote this but I can not, I found it on TreeHugger.com

Your Guide to Materials for Green Home Improvement, Remodeling and Renovation (Slideshow)

Image credit: Getty Images / Dieter Spannknebel

There are few simple choices when it comes to building or renovating a home. From colors to style, location to design, there’s an awful lot to consider; part of that consideration is the impact each step will have on the planet. Thankfully, you don’t have to settle for materials whose production or use has a big-time negative impact on the planet.

Enter the Green Materials Guide, a new feature over on our sister site, Planet Green. We’ve put together information and resources on the materials you might need for any home construction, renovation or remodeling job. From the building blocks of a structure, to the system you use to heat and cool it, to the decorations and decor you choose for the walls, the guide is stacked full of green info to help navigate the increasingly busy world of green home improvement; here’s a quick peek at everything the guide contains.

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors

Maryland Custom Painting Contractor serving Bethesda, Potomac and Howard County for 30 yrs. We are fully licensed and insured, with excellent references available upon request. Our team of quality-conscious professionals will address all of your home improvement concerns, treating your home and property with high regards.

We understand… the importance of completing the projects in a timely manner without interrupting your daily life.

Bethesda Maryland Kitchen Remodeling Counter Tops

admin — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:51:00 +0000

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors

7 Types Of Kitchen Counter Tops

January 21st, 2009

It is very important that you place lots of thought when choosing the surface material for your counter top. This is because the counter top has to undergo lots of punishment over time. Today, there are many materials with both beauty and practicality embedded in them.
Butcher block counter tops are made from hardwoods like maple, red oak and teak and are easy to install and repair. These counter tops get scratched, burned and stained easily and can be sanded and resealed when required. Butcher block has to be treated with mineral oil or beeswax regularly but is not suggested over dishwashers or near a sink as its wood is sensitive to humidity fluctuations.

Concrete can be tinted any color and include stone chips with varying qualities as they can be custom formed using local fabricators. As concrete cuts and chips easily, it has to be sealed. Though topical sealers can resist stains, they are prone to damage from hot pots. Comparatively, concrete counter tops are expensive too.

Ceramic tile counter tops are found in many colors, styles and patterns which can be easily installed by adept do-it-yourselfers. These glazed tiles are resistant to stains, burns and scratches, while repair to these counter tops is easy and cheap. It is possible to tint grouts to match or contrast tiles; however joints may trap crumbs and soak up stains. This is why it is difficult to clean it, even if the grout is sealed. Moreover, tiles get scratched by sharp objects and may chip if hit hard.

Laminates are popular counter top materials as they are available in hundreds of colors and patterns and are reasonable in choice. They are lightweight and easy to install; but has additional edge treatment costs to be borne.

Natural stones like granite and marble are popular counter top materials that resist all forms of physical abuse, nicks, scratches and scorching of hot pans. Of the two, granite is the tougher material while marble is softer and more prone to staining and etching from the acid in cleaners and foods. This is why they both have to be sealed with a protective sealer periodically.

Quartz resembles granite, but is more uniform in appearance. It is a combination of pigments, stone chips and resins and is resistant to heat, abrasion, stains and does not need any sealing. However it cannot withstand impacts.

There are many solid surface materials available today for use on counter tops which are durable but expensive. They are made from polyester and acrylic resins with mineral fillers and are available in various thicknesses. Scratches and nicks cannot be seen easily here while prolonged heat on it can change its color.

The latest trend in counter top materials is stainless steel and is chosen by those looking for integration of counters with pro-style and other stainless steel appliances. They are heat and stain resistant but tend to dent and scratch easily, shows fingerprints and are expensive.

Looking at all these counter top materials, it is left to you to choose the best material for your counter top, based on your budget, other kitchen appliances and the amount of wear and tear it goes through.

An article from Toronto Home Improvement

301 253-1068

Maryland Custom Painting Contractor serving Bethesda, Potomac and Howard County for 30 yrs. We are fully licensed and insured, with excellent references available upon request. Our team of quality-conscious professionals will address all of your home improvement concerns, treating your home and property with high regards.

We understand… the importance of completing the projects in a timely manner without interrupting your daily life.

Bethesda Maryland Custom Painting

admin — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:05:00 +0000

Montgomery County Maryland Home Remodeling by

BT Martin Contractors
Residential Interior and Exterior Painting for Discriminating Clients.

Realizing you have many choices when it comes to residential contractors, we thank you for considering us. We provide the highest level of commitment to ensure your satisfaction with each and every project. We use only premium products and apply them with the latest methods and highest standards.

We are fully licensed and insured, with excellent references available upon request. Our team of quality-conscious professionals will address all of your home improvement concerns, treating your home and property with high regards.

We understand… the importance of completing the projects in a timely manner without interrupting your daily life.

We understand… that the importance of maintaining a clean work environment. We make it a top priority

BT Martin Contractors
Maryland Custom Painting
7130 Rock Creek Dr Frederick, MD 21702-3646