Tag: kitchen remodeling

How to Protect a Stone Backsplash

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How to protect a stone backsplash

We put a lot of time, effort, and money into making a house into a home. The kitchen is arguably the most difficult challenge. As a room, it has a highly practical function. But is also one of the key spaces where we tend to interact socially with friends and family. Unfortunately, the grease and splatter that happens whenever we’re cooking can make your kitchen look dirty and aged must faster than you would like. This is especially true for your backsplash, which often gets overlooked during routine cleaning. Let’s look at how to protect a stone backsplash.

Whether you want a backsplash or full bodied stone countertops, Neolith is here for you. We provide the highest-quality sintered stone slabs for various applications.

How to Protect a Stone Backsplash

To keep your kitchen looking top-notch. You have to do three things.

  • Make Smart Design Choices
  • Use Protective Coatings Where Appropriate
  • Don’t Just Focus on Visible Dirt
    Of course, all of this is easier said than done, so let’s look at a few practical ways to protect all of the hard work you put into making your kitchen look fantastic.

Choosing Your Design Materials

For many designers, it just makes sense to match the backsplash with the countertops. It makes it easier to tie the walls in with your larger color scheme and protects your kitchen walls from getting hit with all that splatter the next time you make pasta. Given the dual function, it makes sense to want to use a material that is just as sturdy as your countertop. For many families, stone is a clear choice.

With the ultra-thin options available, stone is one of the most versatile and practical materials you can use in your kitchen. Unlike natural stone, these purposefully created composites can replicate most other materials while offering a superior selection of colors, textures, and finishes. The resin used to seal this sintered stone is made to last and allows the stone to be cut so thin that excessive weight is no longer a problem.

Under normal conditions, you don’t even have to worry about re-sealing Neolith stone. However, you should pick a texture that is easy to clean. Rougher surfaces have more cracks and grooves for dirt and grease to hide. When you’re picking out your backsplash, do yourself a favor and choose a material you can easily wipe off. There’s no reason to spend all your time scrubbing for an almost unnoticeable texture difference.

Know Your Protective Coatings

Sintered stone doesn’t generally require sealing because it is made to be non-porous. The lack of porosity means that nothing that touches the counter’s surface will penetrate, making it far less likely to stain or develop mildew. If you do opt for natural stone countertops with a matching backsplash, then both the counter and backsplash should be resealed at least once a year.
You also have to be more careful with your cleaning products to avoid damaging the stone. Sintered stone is generally more resistant to strong chemicals, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Opting for a cleanser that is designed for stone means that you’ll get all the cleaning power you need without the risk of damaging the stone’s surface.

Clean it All: Top Tip for How to Protect a Stone Backsplash

A lot of us get into the habit of just cleaning up spills and crumbs as we go. It’s an effective short term solution but allows microscopic layers of grease and dust to build up over time. Vertical surfaces like your cabinets, backsplash, and even your oven hood are usually the most neglected. Within weeks you may notice a film starting to form. You may not see it on a darker surface, but it is obvious when you touch it. Avoid all of this by simply wiping all of your kitchen surfaces clean when you go through your regular cleaning routine. It just takes a few minutes, and it will save you hours of scrubbing down the line.

How to Select Cabinet Knobs and Pulls

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Select kitchen cabinet knobs and pulls

There are so many big decisions that come with remodeling a new kitchen. Choosing the layout, cabinets, countertops, and appliances all have a significant impact on the final look of your kitchen. But those little decisions – like final trim colors, drawer knobs, and backsplashes – can also make a huge difference. In fact, selecting cabinet knobs and pulls is a vital part of any remodeling.

Homeowners often ignore those little things until it’s too late. When trying to decide what kind of knobs and pulls to put on your cabinet, take inspiration from our modular kitchens New York specialists who can help you find the perfect pullers for your drawers.

How to Select Cabinet Knobs and Pulls: Knob Vs. Pull

The first decision you can make when deciding on the best types of cabinets and pulls is choosing knobs or pulls. Some drawers and cabinets look better with a handle, while others might make a bigger impact with a knob.

So, how do you know which one to choose? A large part of it depends on what exactly you are attaching the handle to. For example, drawers and cabinets that must be pulled out would benefit more from a pull. A knob may be too difficult to grab onto and pull open multiple times throughout the day.

On the other end of the scale, a knob is good for smaller doors. Think about what you really need to pull open, versus what you can just open like a door. This will help you decide what size and shape of the handle is most convenient for your kitchen cabinets.

You should also consider whether the cabinets will be mounted horizontally or vertically. If you are designing a modern kitchen, you can mount a horizontal cabinet handle that goes well with a minimalist look while providing plenty of function.

Colors and Finishes

Now that you know the general shape and size of your new handles, you must also consider the material and color. This can make a huge difference and can make or break the entire aesthetic look of your kitchen.

Some of the most popular finishes include brushed nickel, brass, and bronze. You can choose from an endless pool of options, although you want to think about what best complements the color palette you already have.

If you have chrome appliances in your kitchen, you might want to go for a solid handle color such as white or black. On the contrary, stainless steel pairs well with satin brass, pewter, and bronze.

Cost and Functionality

Planning is just part of the process. Selecting the right shape and color of handles is important, but you must also keep your budget in mind. What are you willing to spend on a new set of kitchen handles, and what can you afford?

Understanding winter camping materials is a big aspect of knowing what you’re paying for. Some options may seem surprisingly affordable, but you’ll end up with cheap products and flaky finishes. Research exactly what you are investing in so that you can find the perfect set of knobs and pulls that will last a good amount of time.

Last, but certainly not least, put functionality above everything. Handles and pulls are often referred to as the “jewelry of the kitchen,” and it is used to adorn and decorate the room. Handles can really add that final pop of color that brings the whole kitchen together. But don’t sacrifice utility for style! You can have handles that are both gorgeous and functional.

Get Your Favorite Cabinets Installed ASAP

At LEICHT, we offer specialty consultations as the premier kitchen brand in Europe. You can find the perfect cabinets and high-quality hardware to make your kitchen remodeling dream come to life.

Visit our selection of high end cabinets New York to take a look at what your new kitchen could look like. Our specialists are just a phone call away!

How to Go Green in the Kitchen

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How to go green in the kitchen tips

Are you remodeling your kitchen? Building one from scratch? Do you have plans to change some things around to make the most important room of the home more functional and beautiful? At Neolith, we understand the power a brand-new kitchen can have, especially when it is stocked full of the latest and greatest smart devices and kitchen-ready tech. But what about sustainability? How can you go green in the kitchen?

Going green (and staying green) is one of the most important values we have at Neolith Sintered Stone. We are committed to the environment and every one of our customers by providing green and sustainable surfaces and resources to help homeowners be kinder to the Earth. That is why we created this guide for the best and easiest ways to going green in your own kitchen. 

Stick With Gas Appliances

What is more energy-efficient? Gas or electric? It largely depends on the type of appliance you are using to cook and how often you cook. However, for the average homeowner, it can be safe to say that gas-powered appliances are greener than electric stovetops. This is because gas heats up instantly, rather than having to stay on for longer periods of time while it heats up. And once it’s heated, it wastes no heat after cooking. The lower the BTUs of the stove, the less energy you will put out. 

Buy in Bulk 

Your kitchen appliances aren’t the only thing that can help you go green. The food you store and prepare in your kitchen can also make a huge difference. If you love to cook and you have a few mouths to feed, consider buying in bulk. 

According to Supermarket Guru, buying in bulk helps the environment because there is less packaging that ends up in landfills, not to mention fewer auto emissions due to decreased trips to the store. Buying in bulk is a smart plan for the benefit of your family and your home – but make sure that you don’t let all of that good food go to waste! 

Invest in Lasting Materials

You want kitchen utensils that are going to last you quite a long time. For example, if you like to make use of pots and pans often, you’ll want some cookware made with stainless steel or cast iron. These materials are built to last, and they can stand the test of time no matter how often you use them. This means that you will produce less waste, and you will have fewer things to fill up those landfills year after will. That’s what sustainability is all about – making things last without creating waste. 

That is another good reason to invest in our Neolith sintered stone countertops. Sintered stone is 100% environmentally friendly as it is recyclable, functional, and long-lasting. You can trust in the structural integrity of your sintered stone countertop for a lifetime, and you don’t have to use abrasive chemical products to clean it.

Properly Dispose of Old Appliances

If you are looking to replace your old stove or dishwasher with a new and improved, eco-friendly appliance, don’t just throw your old appliance away without doing some proper research. Did you know that there are many different organizations and communities who will take your old appliance and give it to a family in need? That way, it doesn’t sit out on your curb and then waste space in a junkyard with all of its non-biodegradable parts. You are helping both your planet and your community with this one! 

Go Green in Your New Kitchen!

Our Neolith experts are excited to witness the future of kitchen appliances and cooking habits. Going green is an important initiative and an excellent reason to invest in an overall kitchen upgrade. Neolith sintered stone is one of the leading kitchen countertops products in South Africa. Get into your kitchen remodeling plans and invest in a greener living situation today.