Archives

September 3, 2010

Granite and Radioactive Kitchen Countertops

Now, we aren’t judging radioactive materials.  If not for them we wouldn’t have x-rays, carbon dating or Spider-Man.  We are merely suggesting that you limit their presence in your kitchen.  One of the most interesting aspects of granite is that it is pulled directly from the earth.  Unfortunately, uranium is often found in granite.  As uranium decays it releases radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer.

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September 1, 2010

Kitchen Cabinets: Where to Begin?

If you haven’t noticed, we have been focusing on kitchen remodeling topics in our last few posts. I found an article on choosing perfect kitchen cabinets I thought was particularly useful. Many homeowners don’t know where to start when thinking about a kitchen remodeling project. One aspect that really ties a kitchen together is the scheme of your cabinets. This article covers: setting a budget, choosing a cabinet style, selecting a material and much more.

August 30, 2010

The Beauty of Hardwood Floors in the Kitchen

Are you at a loss for flooring ideas in your kitchen remodeling project?  Picking a commonly used material like tile or laminate is a good idea, but it won’t make your kitchen stand out.  Hardwood flooring is becoming an increasingly popular remodeling trend.  Various wood types provide a great selection of shades, colors and patterns to help enhance your kitchen for your family and friends.

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August 27, 2010

Quartz or Granite? Which Is Right For Your Kitchen?

You probably didn’t come to a decision to replace your kitchen countertops easily.  It is always a big project and will significantly change the appearance of your kitchen.  Now that you’ve decided to make a change, the pressing question is what type of material you should install?  There are several types to choose from, but currently two options are dominating the market – quartz and granite.  Which material is right for your kitchen?  The answer will vary depending on your preferences on appearance, pricing and maintenance.

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August 20, 2010

Friday Twitter Round Up

There was a lot of news to cover this week in the world of remodeling and home improvement.  Everything from the return on investment of certain projects like replacement windows and replacement doors, to Vanilla Ice getting his own home improvement show – seriously.  Twitter is a great way to stay up to date with interesting subjects and people, locally and around the world.  You can find us here, tweeting away great information from the world of energy efficiency and home improvement.  Here are a few “tweets” that caught our interest.

AARP Maryland (@AARPMaryland)

How does your state compare when it comes to average price of electricity per kilowatt hour for residential customers (AARP)

Green Maryland (@GreenMaryland)

Maryland DNR’s 2010 Photo Contest ends Aug. 31. If you love outdoors & take photos, get your entries in & win prizes (Maryland DNR)

Long Fence and Home (@LFandHome)

Vanilla Ice gets a home improvement show…you read that right. #noreally (The Wrap)

Serious Materials (@GetSerious)

New study comparing energy-saving techniques shows windows give biggest bang for your buck. (Serious Materials)

Baltimore Charm (@BaltimoreCharm)

Maryland among cheapest states to close on a home.  (Baltimore Business Journal)