Bevella Countertop Designs is finding new and interesting ways to use Formica, a product that gained popularity in the 1940s. With the look of a natural stone countertop, this laminate has been in use since the early 1900s
Read more: Laminate Countertops - Using an Old Favorite
If you want countertops with the look of jeweled granite or precious gemstones, but you can’t afford granite, Wilsonart has added two new laminate series that just may do the trick. Inspired by the vibrant colors and textures of precious materials, the two collections feature gem hues with large-cut inserts and embedded multi-color cameos.
Read more: A great look for less - Laminate countertops
CounterTop Business is a free digital magazine that focuses on laminate countertops, solid surface countertops, cultured stone countertops, granite countertops, concrete countertops, tile countertops, and other countertop materials.
CounterTop Business also provides an extensive database of articles related to the tools and products used to design and fabricate countertops.
This digital magazine is for anyone involved in the specification, sale, fabrication and installation of countertops. It is delivered to readers via e-mail, in an advanced format that does not require extra software to read.
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Laminate Countertops
Well known by trade names such as Formica®, these countertops have stood the test of time. New innovations make for a broad range of colors and patterns and more recently, the addition of textures.
Solid Surface Countertops
Solid surface is basically a plastic but that's where the blandness ends. Many styles and colors are available and the seamless characteristics work well for expansive countertops and integral sinks.
Natural Stone Countertops
Granite, slate, soapstone, quartz, marble, gemstone... . Natural stone has an inherent beauty but there is some maintenance involved in keeping them 'healthy'.
Engineered Stone Countertops
Predominantly a quartz material that's been crushed and combined with resins to form a hard surface like stone, but without the maintenance requirements like periodic sealing. Some of the colors and patterns do a pretty good job of mimicking natural stone.
Wood Countertops
Wood countertops no longer mean just butcher block. Large full-expanse wood kitchen countertops are available and offer a beautiful warm look. There is some maintenance involved to keep them looking good however.
Metal Countertops
Stainless steel is probably more widely known but if that's too clinical for you, picture your kitchen countertops in the rich color of copper, which gain a unique patina over time. Or consider the interesting gray pallet of pewter countertops.
Concrete Countertops
Concrete offers endless design options since they're fabricated to your specifications, either right in your home or in a design studio and then shipped to your kitchen. Concrete offers a smooth surface in just about any color along with a stoutness that embodies solidity.
Composite and Recycled Materials Countertops
Composite and recycled materials deliver some interesting alternatives for kitchen countertops. Some are made from recycled paper and combined with resins to form a surface that's hard yet warmer than stone. The eco-friendly nature of these choices may also give you the satisfaction of having helped the environment.
Lavastone Countertops
Lavastone is volcanic lava that's hardened into a stone-like consistency. Most Lavastone countertop material is covered with a hard enamel that makes the surface similar to tile, except you don't have to deal with grout lines like you do with a tile countertop. It can be expensive but you have a virtually unlimited supply of colors.
Tile Countertops
Tile's another choice that's been available for years but you're not limited to just the basic 4-inch squares anymore. Natural stone tiles like granite are available and come in large sizes which means you could have a granite countertop with just a few grout lines for less cost than a granite slab.
Glass Countertops
Glass offers a sleek, modern style that doesn't have to look like a bland glass tabletop. You can find various colors and different textures to give it some distinction. Glass countertops are sturdy enough to stand up to their role however you'll still want to be sure you avoid dropping something large and heavy on them.
Need more kitchen remodeling ideas? Looking for great bathroom remodeling ideas? Read our countertop magazine.
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CounterTop Business is a digital magazine that focuses exclusively and entirely on the $7 billion countertop industry. Our digital magazine and new companion Web site, CounterTopBusiness.com, is for anyone involved in the specification, sale, fabrication, and installation of countertops.
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Our target market includes architects, designers, builders, specifiers, and fabricators. The digital publication is currently delivered via e-mail to over 25,000 readers each month. CounterTop Business is an excellent source of information and is the premiere resource for what's hot in the countertop industry: laminate countertops, solid surface countertops, cultured stone countertops, granite countertops, concrete countertops, tile countertops, marble countertops, paper countertops, glass countertops, green countertops, and other materials.
On our new companion website, CounterTopBusiness.com, you will find material information, fabrication tips, and the latest business intelligence for the growing countertop industry. Join the CounterTopBusiness.com community and meet other professionals in our discussion forum. View industry related videos and download free white papers.
Twelve patterns of Formica brand laminates have been introduced with the new Radiance finish. High gloss and punctuated with texture, the finish features holographic facets that refract and reflect light in a natural veined pattern.
"Radiance provides dimension and authentically reflects the natural beauty of quartz, granite and mica patterns," said Renee Hytry, senior vice president, global design for Formica Corp. Radiance also has the ProFormance treatment, designed to give it greater wear-, mar- and scratch-resistance over traditional laminates.
The new Mineral series with the Radiance finish finds inspiration in the earth’s naturally occurring quartz and mica compositions and recreates them in six organic colors with a “crystalline” structure. The six colors are Mineral Ochre, Mineral Sepia, Mineral Olivine, Mineral Umber, Mineral Jet and Mineral Sienna.
The Granite series with the Radiance finish features small crystals and large, sweeping veining to mirror the random variation found in natural granite. Styled to coordinate with today’s popular wood cabinetry stains, the nature-inspired patterns are American Rose Granite, Brazilian Brown Granite and Venetian Gold Granite.
The Quarstone collection with the Radiance finish features monocolored, small-scale crystals with the depth and character of natural quartz that is complemented by the added dimension of the finish. Ideal for contemporary interiors, the new patterns are Crème Quarstone, Walnut Quarstone and Smoke Quarstone.
The Mission Series from Wilsonart in the Wilsonart Contract Laminate line is designed to glow with the warmth of nature. The series visually resembles the look of handcrafted surfaces that contain both organic and man-made qualities. Whether it is stucco, concrete or gesso, this texture translates an architectural feel to interiors. Wilsonart announces two new designs being added to the collection for 2007 - Mission Stone and Mission Glaze.
Our Mission Series is inspired by the structural characteristics of sandstone, adobe, stone slab and masonry," says Ron Gagnon, vice president of design and marketing for Wilsonart. "The series mixes textures drawn from natural materials that beg to be touched and vibrant colors that characterize the classic Southwest appeal."
The new 2007 Mission Series designs include Mission Glaze,
a kiln-glazed red and Mission Stone, an aged look inspired by the natural colors of the Southwest.
Funky Memphis patterns, faux metals with corrugated-like finishes and green products are helping laminates go from drab to fab. Abet Laminati has released several new designs, textures and laminate colors.
Its new Vintage Memphis line features 14 funky designs in 37 colors based on Memphis patterns from the 1980s. The laminate is produced using silk-screening techniques in an updated range of colors.
Read more: Not Your Father's Laminate Countertop
These postformed fine laminate countertops may help you breathe a little easier indoors. VT Industries’ VT standard products and VT EQ postformed countertops including, its Barcelona, Caprice, Classic, Futura, Nova, Regal, Tempo and Valencia profiles now meet the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute indoor air criteria.
Read more . . . Green Laminate Countertops
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