Use them for kitchen or for bathroom remodeling, as they are  good for both spaces, as they are  used and exposed more as well. It’s definitely a better option than other delicate ones. They are sturdy, with less wear and tear. Background hues and shape of the room are the leading reason behind the best look. It’s a super deal to have them in your Long Island house, as they are very strong for easy maintenance.

They can be nicely cut into different sizes and surface. It’s easy to fit them in the wanted places. There are a huge number of choices for colors, you can use for your work. Your creativity will start flying with the designs and colors. Place bath tiles, instead of wall colors, because the paint can never show the same appearance as tiles. Get it installed fast and you will see the appreciable result. It’s really expense worthy! Tiles change your world, with elegance and royal touch up.

Now, seriously, you have to rack your brain hard while selecting shades for these tiles, as they come in plenty shades, and with masterful mix and match you can play, a lot with them while decorating your office with these tiles. For example, if the color of your wall is off-white, what you can select are vibrant and dashing colors of ceramic tiles which are in deep contrast with the light-colored wall. It would be simply magical. Now that would also depend on the likes and dislikes of persons using them.

You can give a beautiful feel to the children’s room, while the reception could be serious and more formal with regular semi-white tones. The point is that there is ample scope you just need to be a little experimental. The patterns you can go for are diamond, rectangular, octagons, square, hexagons and any design, or even photos and sketches on the tile of your own choice. You can actually customize it as per your style. Frankly, the ceramic tiles which are made by hand do add a dash of extra zing to the look of the area.

There is a wide array of these tiles to opt from. They come in numerous shapes, including diamond, rectangles, octagons, squares, and hexagons. Some tiles are also available with varieties of graphics or images engraved on them. These tiles also come in hand crafted designs that can provide a unique appearance to your home.

Few designs of these tiles that contain hand paintings enable the customers to act like a bath remodeling pro, so they can go with the tiles that can easily decorate and refresh the composition and polishing of their long Island homes. You can also get tiles that have models of your own desire. It means your own model can be printed on the tiles by tile experts. A few numbers of widely-used patterns are landscapes, aquatic life, coral reef, trees, flowers, fruits, vegetables, etc. Ceramic tile is exclusively accepted for it comes with exceptional characteristics that no other embellishing building products can match up to.

Ceramic tiles are generally flexible in nature, as they need minimum maintenance due to having a rigid and fragile feature. Though most of the beautifying products’ color gets converted by extended exposure to light, but the colors in ceramic tiles remain unaffected and do not change or fade from exposure, which is their biggest advantage. Another striking thing is their striking capability to restrain hygiene, since the good quality ceramic tiles do not restrain liquids or absorb fumes, odors and smoke which makes ideally suitable for the residential and industrial purposes.

One of the greatest qualities of custom cabinetry is that it is built to your exact specifications – finish, door style and wood species, with no detail overlooked. Using time-honored construction techniques such as mortise and tenon, each cabinet is handmade, allowing you to maximize storage space so that every square inch of your kitchen is utilized properly and beautifully.

With custom cabinetry, the possibilities are truly endless – take, for example, the different style options: traditional, transitional, contemporary, country, colorful, small and everything in between. When choosing a custom cabinetry line, it is important to work with a professional Long Island kitchen remodeling contractor who will be sure no detail is forgotten.

Kitchen cabinets are available in three configurations – stock, semi-custom and custom. Stock cabinetry is referred to as “off the rack;” the cabinets are mass-produced and many components are pre-assembled. The advantages of stock cabinetry are the low costs and low lead time requirements. The disadvantage of stock cabinetry is the limited number of style and design offerings, making it the least flexible option.

Semi-custom cabinets are manufacturer-built to fit your kitchen’s specifications. There are more options such as finishes and door styles compared to stock cabinetry; however, it is slightly more costly and the lead time is a bit longer. Custom cabinetry is “made to order” and is meant for you and you alone. Custom cabinetry offers superior quality and many finishes are applied by hand, ensuring consistency. Dovetailed drawers and hardwood components that are screwed and glued make for a sturdy, reliable cabinet. Custom cabinetry can also accommodate unusual spaces and floor plans.

In comparison to stock and semi-custom, custom cabinetry is generally more expensive; however, often the price difference can be negligible. “Some consumers are not aware that they can achieve their dream kitchen, using custom cabinetry, for only 5 to 10 percent more than semi-custom,” says George (Butch) Achey, president of Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry. “We recommend that consumers work with an authorized custom cabinetry dealer in order to maximize their budget and get fully-functional cabinetry with exceptional design.”

Usually a major kitchen remodel is a once in a lifetime project, so making the best choice is key. Since cabinetry is one of the most critical components of a kitchen remodel project, custom cabinets that will last a lifetime might be the best option. To learn more about the benefits of custom cabinetry and to find a dealer nearest you, visit www.plainfancycabinetry.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – Want to wake up your tired bathroom, but think the price tag might be out of your budget? Don’t be so sure. Bathroom remodeling activity may be down, but it’s not out, especially in the bathroom. In fact, the bathroom topped the list of rooms for renovations, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey. Fortunately, there are many simple updates and unique and affordable products that can give your bath a custom-designed look on a bare minimum budget.

Mirror, mirror on the wall
With 30 percent of homes having at least one plate glass bathroom mirror, why not create a focal point in the bath by adding a mirror frame? For approximately $250, products such as Mirrorscapes Mirror Frames from Moen offer a variety of five styles of customizable frames ranging from classic elegance to modern sophistication and come in a wide variety of metallic and wood finishes. The innovative system is available for purchase online (www.buymirrorscapes.com) to help even a novice do-it-yourselfer order the correct pieces with the mirror’s dimensions. In just 30 minutes your bath can have a striking, picture-perfect look.

Freshen up
Don’t underestimate the power of a good coat of paint for your bathroom. A gallon of quality paint costs approximately $20 and is a great way to add some color, freshen up the walls or help pull the room together. And today, most paint manufacturers offer non-toxic paints with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), like Glidden’s Evermore interior paint, to reduce gaseous pollutants in your home. These paints are not only healthier for you, your family and the environment, but they are vibrant and durable as well.

Eco-fabulous faucets
Until now, eco-friendly options have been less than trendy. Fortunately for environmentally-conscious homeowners, you can inexpensively swap your faucet to save water and update the look of your bathroom with the latest designs.

Installing a new lavatory faucet with a water-saving aerator, such as one from the Banbury bathroom collection from Moen, allows water to flow at 1.5 gallons per minute and reduces water usage by up to 32 percent. This traditionally styled collection, available at The Home Depot, also offers matching bath accessories including a tank lever, robe hook, 18- and 24-inch towel bars, paper holder and towel ring for a completely coordinated and beautiful look.

Maximize shower space
Most Long Island homeowners want to make their bathroom larger and enhance their shower. By installing a curved shower rod you can accomplish both goals and feel like you have an oversized, lavish shower without adding any square footage. Plus, it’s an affordable solution that provides up to seven and a half inches of elbow room while adding terrific style and visual appeal.

Curved shower rods are available in both fixed and adjustable lengths that offer easy installation and adjust to fit enclosures from 54- to 72-inches wide. To help complete the look, add shower curtain roller rings that are corrosion-resistant. Most are offered in today’s most popular finishes to complement any bathroom decor.

Quick fixes
Wish you could replace your bathroom cabinets but don’t have the extra funds? One budget-friendly, quick fix is to replace the hardware on your cabinets and doors. Not only is it a simple, yet effective, bathroom remodeling update, but it will make a huge difference in giving your space a new look. You can find the latest styles and finishes at home improvement stores such as The Home Depot, but be sure you update to a style that will match your other new accessories and paint color.

Final finishes
To help complete your budget-friendly bathroom renovation, bring in the finishing touches that make all the difference in a small space. Adorn your new accessories and curved shower rod with high-quality linens, such as a new shower curtain and towel sets. Add fresh flowers; framed, personal pictures; candles; or a lamp for a decorative touch.

You can get a new look for less. These simple projects can be accomplished with very little time or expense so you can start enjoying your renovated bath. For more information on the Banbury collection, Mirrorscapes Mirror Frames or other accessory products available from Moen, visit moen.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

If you are looking for a Bathroom Remodeling Contractor in Long Island, please call us today at 800.474.3464, or complete our online request form!

The aging population in the country is growing by the minute. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030 the number of individuals ages 65 and up is expected to be twice as large as in 2000 — growing to 71.5 million — and representing nearly 20 percent of the population.

With these burgeoning numbers, it’s becoming increasingly important to create a safe home to accommodate everyone’s wants and needs, and baby boomers are taking notice. According to a major home improvement center study, 60 percent of boomers plan to stay in their existing homes for some time. Remodeling and home improvement rank high on their to-do lists. Following are projects they can tackle themselves to ensure they are home to stay:

Safe, secure and stylish in the bath
As one of the most often used rooms in the home, the bathroom is a great place to undertake “home to stay” tasks. From projects such as custom closet configurations and adjusting mirror and toilet heights to installing roll-under sinks and angled mirrors, many product options exist for baby boomers to make their bathrooms safe yet stylish.

To help prevent slipping, tub grips are essential in lending a stable, helping hand getting in and out of the tub. The latest tub grip product designs feature an easy-locking lever to ensure a tight fit to most tubs without harming the tub surface. They offer easy, no-tool installation and removal in seconds. Shower chairs are another safe showering option for bathers that can be easily installed or removed as needed.

Today’s consumer not only needs secure safety products for the home, but wants ones that blend and complement a variety of decors. Grab bars are a great addition to help assist with movement. SecureMount Grab Bars from Home Care by Moen are an ideal choice since they feature a unique anchor installation system that allows homeowners the ability to install quickly and easily anywhere on the wall — without the need for a stud — for the ultimate in safety and peace of mind. Plus, they are available in a variety of styles and finishes to beautifully coordinate with the rest of the bathroom.

New home standards
In addition to the bath, other areas of the home — such as the kitchen — rank high on the list for projects and safety updates that are quickly becoming new home standards for baby boomers. Ranging in cost, improvements such as expanding doorways and lowering countertops/sink areas help not only wheelchair-bound individuals, but also parents carrying groceries or pushing strollers. Installing a pulldown kitchen faucet helps access hard-to-reach areas of the sink and also aids in everyday tasks such as watering plants or filling large pots and pans.

Consolidating essential appliances and living areas in one space in the home is another trend for boomers. Adding a first floor bathroom, installing a first floor water turnoff and washer or dryer allow easy access for any family member.

By making these improvements, you’ll create a safe and stylish home — one you’ll want to stay in and enjoy for years to come.

For additional tips and home improvement projects for baby boomers, visit ageinplace.com. For more information about stylish bath safety products from Home Care by Moen, visit homecare.moen.com or call (800) 882-0116.

Kitchen Remodeling project completed by Built Right Renovations

A critical part of planning a kitchen remodel is creating your kitchen remodeling design. It is really important to spend whatever amount of time you need to develop the exact design you want in your kitchen remodel. In fact, it is very important in controlling the cost of your remodel to decide on the exact design before work begins. Getting the design right first is one of the most effective ways to keep the cost of the project within your budget.

Browse magazines and books on home design. Surf the internet for ideas and pictures of kitchen designs. Visit new homes and model homes for ideas. Visit home improvement stores, kitchen design stores and other types of stores for ideas and trends. Be sure to ask sales associates in the stores about the new trends and the trends on their way out. This research will help you in creating your kitchen remodeling design.

You might be designing a professional kitchen or you might be designing a room that is convenient and efficient as a kitchen but also a place that will be the center of family life. You might be designing a kitchen that will be the place people gather when you entertain. Creating your kitchen remodeling design should begin with a clear understanding of the function of the room. Who will use the kitchen? How will it be used? What are the important features you want in your kitchen? What is most important of all of your ideas? Function should be your guiding principle when you are creating your kitchen remodeling design.

Here are some kitchen design points to keep in mind as you design your kitchen remodel:
It is expensive to move plumbing

With these points in mind, you should have no difficulty creating your kitchen remodel design. Think first and always about function and priorities, and you will make kitchen remodel decisions that will stand the test of time.

A backsplash is a covering placed over the wall behind a sink, a stove or cook top, or any other area of a kitchen where there is a potential for splashing of water or food on the wall. Backsplashes can be a simple piece of plastic attached to the wall to protect the paint or wallpaper. Backsplashes can also be highly decorative and create a focal point in a remodeled kitchen.

The size of a backsplash might be determined by the size of the fixture or appliance it will be placed behind. Alternately, you might choose to install a backsplash behind an entire counter or workspace. The backsplash might be a pre-fabricated item that you decide to hang on the wall, or it might be made of decorative ceramic tile.

Ceramic tile is available is a huge variety of colors, finishes, sizes and shapes. These can be installed in a simple solid color or installed in geometric or decorative designs. You can create a mosaic or you can install hand-painted tile.

Visiting a tile store will help you make choices of finish, tile size, tile shape, and combinations of colors, shapes and designs. Many tile stores have displays of tile styles and colors with complimentary pieces and shapes to help you create the design you want. For example, you can easily go to a tile store, choose the basic tile for your floor and for your backsplash. Then by looking at matching pieces suggested by the manufacturer, you can easily select the trim and design components you want to use to create an attractive backsplash.

If your kitchen design is “rustic,” you might choose a ceramic tile with a matte or dull finish in a brick or stone design. A more traditional kitchen might need only simple single-color tile and edging. A modern kitchen might be right for something more creative and elaborate.

The size of the backsplash area will also determine how far you can go in being creative or in adding decorative interest. A small backsplash will need smaller design elements. A large backsplash area, on the other hand, might be made into the focal point of your kitchen design with a mosaic or with hand-painted tiles.

If you decide to incorporate a backsplash into your kitchen remodel design, you will have almost complete freedom in choosing the material – tile, metal, wallpaper – for your backsplash and in deciding how elaborate the design of the finished area will be. The primary purpose of the backsplash is to provide a surface that is easy to clean and that will not be stained easily. Beyond that functionality, your creativity and imagination is the only limit on what you can do.

If you are looking for a kitchen remodeling contractor in Long Island, please call us today at 800.474.3464 or complete our online request form.

Every Long Island homeowner wants to feel confident about the safety of his/her family. Homeowners know the bathroom can be the most dangerous room in the house. In addition to the risk of personal accidents and injuries, electrical receptacles and plumbing could pose a risk of damage to the home itself.

If your bathrooms have not been updated in ten to fifteen years (or more), a safety update in your bathrooms might be a wise and timely investment. Do you have the same electrical outlets beside your bathroom sink that has been there since the house was built thirty years ago? Have your plumbing fixtures, pipes and fittings been upgraded or updated since the house was built? If not, it might be time for a safety upgrade.

Here are some of the basic updates and upgrades you might want to make in your bathrooms:

Change electrical outlets and switches to moisture-proof models, especially if they are near sources of water (sink, toilet, tub or shower)

Install GFCI (Ground-fault circuit interrupters) on all electrical outlets in bathrooms, especially if they are near sources of water. These will prevent short circuiting if water is splashed on them.

Change all faucets to anti-scald models. This will protect you and your children from unexpected harm.

Install showers and tubs with non-slip tray surfaces or install other non-slip materials to make these fixtures safer.

Be sure any steps or platforms leading to tubs or showers have non-slip surfaces and that these areas are brightly lit.

Use safety glass in any windows or doors that are near a tub or shower to prevent further injury if someone slips.

Either don’t put a separate light in the shower, or be sure to use lighting fixtures designed to be used in high-moisture areas. These are designed to protect the lighting and the electrical connections.

Install bright lights around the tub and shower so water on the floor will be easier to see and falls can be prevented.

Check the stability and likelihood of tipping of any stepstool or bench used by children to reach a bathroom sink.

Install safety latches on any bathroom cabinets used for storing medicine, dietary supplements or any potentially hazardous chemicals or cleaning products (even if it is not the bathroom the children customarily use).

If you plan to replace faucets as part of your upgrade, choose faucets with lever handles. These are much easier to use, particularly for people with disabilities and the aging.

Install grab bars beside shower, tub and toilet. Not only are these accessories helpful for the disabled, they can prevent falls for people of all ages.

These tips will help you take the most important steps in making your bathroom safer for your family.

If you are looking for a bathroom remodeling contractor in Long Island, please call us today at 800.474.3464 or complete our online request form.

Going green with a bathroom remodel is a major consideration today for many homeowners. A green bathroom remodel is good for the environment, but it is also good for you because it will save you money on utility bills for years to come. It also might qualify for some rebates and tax credits. The main opportunities to make your bathroom remodel environmentally friendly are in water conservation and in use of energy for heating/cooling and lighting.

Here are some tips for green bathroom remodeling:

1. Choose non-toxic building materials. These materials are better for your family and good for the environment.

2. Choose non-toxic insulation derived from materials like soybean or cotton. These are safer to handle and install, safer for your family, and good for the environment.

3. Choose tropical hardwoods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. These are rapidly renewable and protect the environment.

4. Wood-based features should come from rapidly renewable sources like cork and bamboo.

5. Choose VOC free (volatile organic compound) paints and sealants. These materials are safer to install, safer for your family (especially if there are children in the home) and better for the environment.

6. Purchase and install low-flow faucets and shower heads to reduce the amount of water used. Install an aerator in all faucets. This is a very significant water conservation step.

7. Choose and install low-flow or dual-flush toilets. These toilets can function with as little as half the water used by older toilets. Dual-flush toilets offer the choice for a lighter flush or a more thorough flush as needed.

8. Choose energy efficient light fixtures and use compact fluorescent bulbs in all light fixtures. You will not need to replace light bulbs as often, and you will use only a fraction of the energy for your lighting needs.

9. Use a window and skylight to provide natural light and natural ventilation. This will make your remodeled bathroom lighter and brighter and save energy.

10. If the bathroom is some distance from the hot water heater, consider installing a tankless water heater. If you are installing a whirlpool or soaker tub, install an in-line water heater. This allows you to re-heat the water in the tub, saving both power and water.

If you want to make your bathroom remodel environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, these ten tips will accomplish a great deal. Your new bathroom will be safer, more comfortable, and environmentally responsible.

If you are looking for a bathroom remodeling contractor in Long Island, please call us today at 800.474.3464 or complete our online request form.