Stone Tile: The Pros and Cons

Natural stone tile is one of the most beautiful tile materials around. They give warmth and beauty to a home and go with virtually any type of decor. Natural stones tiles are also eco-friendly, which makes them perfect for those who are concerned about the environment.

There are many types of natural stone, including marble, slate, granite, travertine, limestone and sandstone.

Each stone has its own unique properties, so make sure to research the specific material you choose to make the best decision.

Natural stone is very sturdy and durable, are well insulated and can be a great option for homeowners with kids or pets.

However, there are several things you need to consider before deciding on stone tile for your home. Just because you love the beauty and eco-friendly properties, doesn’t always make it the best fit for you or your family.

With any remodeling choice, it’s important to weigh the pros, cons, installation and maintenance requirements before you can make an informed choice that will make you happy long term.

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Cons of Stone Tile

There are several cons of stone tile, which many people are unaware of. The high cost of purchase is one of them. .

Some of the other issues with stone tile is the material itself. Some of them can be easily scratched or chipped, can flake off or can be brittle.

If or when damage does occur, it can often be difficult to fix.

Stone tile is also a porous material, which means that it can easily be stained if not regularly sealed. This means that it’s more high maintenance than other tile materials.

Stone Tile Installation

Installation of stone tile can also be tricky. It’s one of the heaviest stones, meaning that if your subfloor is not completely level, you can find that you tile may snap or break.

There are some other installation issues to consider when deciding on stone tile. Be aware that there’s a big difference between installing stone tile and ceramic tile specifically over wood framing.

Unfortunately, most people think stone tile products can be installed over a wood-framed floor in the same way as is ceramic and porcelain tile. This is completely untrue and will many times lead to a very costly replacement.

This is because tiles made from natural stone don’t have the same strength as ceramic tiles and they require a floor system that’s twice as stiff as what is required for ceramic floor tile.

The 2015 TCNA Handbook has only one approved method for the installation of natural stone tile over wood framing with backer board. Make sure you look into the requirements before you get started on stone tile installation.

Stone tile floor structures must be twice as stiff as ceramic tile.

Factors to Consider in Stone Tile Purchases

Here are a few of the factors you should consider in the purchase of an individual style of stone tile.

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Stone Tile Grade:

Some retailers use a grading system to rate the quality of materials. This can refer to the size, shape, and thickness of the tile, as well as it’s surface condition. Here are the three grade levels and what they mean:

Grade 1 – high quality, uniform materials.
Grade 2 – materials with minor defects, such as chips, scratches, or irregular surfaces.
Grade 3 – major flaws in size, shape, surface, or chipping, making them appropriate only as accent pieces, or in certain rustic decorative applications.

Absorption Rating:

This refers to how porous a material is. The more absorbent it is, the more easily it can be stained or cracked under freezing temperatures. Sandstone being the most porous and granite being the least, which is basically waterproof as long as it’s sealed. Here are the absorption ratings:

Non-vitreous: highest absorption level. Not great for damp environments.
Semi-vitreous: Less absorbent, but the more liquid they’re exposed to, the more maintenance they need.
Vitreous: Standard absorption level. Appropriate for low to mid traffic indoor and outdoor areas.
Impervious: Resistant to the absorption and easy to maintain. Great for high traffic areas.
Polished materials also absorb less water than honed or matte surfaces.

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Coefficient of Friction

This measures how slippery various materials are. The higher the coefficient, the more traction a tile will have. This is really important in potentially wet areas like kitchens or bathrooms.

Indoor vs. Outdoor Rating

Some stone tile options are better for outdoor areas than others.

Non-vitreous materials can be stained through dirt and acid rain, or cracked if they freeze and expand. Chose something with a higher coefficient to avoid slipping in weather conditions.

Oxidation

Natural stone materials are formed beneath the earth. Sometimes iron is present in these materials, which can show up as bright red and amber specs in the surface of the stone. The problem in an outdoor environment is that those traces of iron can oxidize, or rust.

Now that you know everything to consider before purchasing stone tile for your home, I hope you feel confident enough to make the best decision for you and your home!

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August 28, 2018

Countertop Trends: The looks of the moment

2017 was a great year for kitchen design, with many beautiful countertop trends. Today, we’ll be covering all of them! Some new, and some we’ve been seeing for a while, but all stunning in their own way.

Any great kitchen needs a great countertop, and we’ll show you several options to take your kitchen to the next level!

Want to get started on your own kitchen remodel or countertop replacement? Click here to schedule a free design consultation!

Countertop Trends from 2017 and Beyond

1. Quarz is {Still} in!

Quartz has been making a statement in countertop trends for the last several years, and it’s here to stay.

Quartz has so many incredible qualities, that it’s no wonder. Silestone quartz is completely antibacterial, so it’s great for restaurants and kitchens alike. Quartz is the strongest of all countertop materials, so it’s not going to scratch or chip easily. It’s heat and stain resistant and very low maintenance and easy to clean!

We’re seeing a lot of solid whites, grays, and some looks with sparkle and movement!

Want to Explore New Cambria Quartz Colors? Click Here!

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2. Marble and Marble Looks

Marble has been hot in the world of countertop trends, with it’s bright white base and light veining. While some people love marble, some find it a little too high maintenance. That’s why many opt for quartz colors that imitate marble. There are so many colors of quartz, due to the fact that it’s man made, so you can find many variations of quartz that looks like marble so that you can find the perfect fit for your home!

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3. Light, Neutral Colors

Clean looks are in right now, but not everyone wants a sterile kitchen environment. While solid whites may not be the most popular, light and neutral colors are definitly center stage. Grey’s are one of my favorite neutrals of the moment. You’ll find many light granite options but the options are endless with quartz. Bright, bold colors are fading away at the moment.

4. Clean lines

Clean lines are important to discuss when talking about countertop trends. We’re seeing lots of eased edges as well as double radius, which is a soft curve on the top and bottom of the edge of the countertop. For modern homes, waterfall countertops can give clean lines while providing a big impact. Opting for an undermount sink as opposed to a drop in also gives more of a seamless look.

5. Laminate Countertops

Laminate has come leaps and bounds in the last few years in terms of style options and quality. Some prices may have gone up a bit because of it, but it’s still going to be your most affordable countertop option. You can get marble looks, wood looks, granite looks and more. You don’t have to sacrifice style due to price when you choose laminate countertops.

6. Butcherblock Countertops

Butcherblock is one of my favorite countertop trends! I’m a lover of all things wood. It gives you a gorgeous rustic, farmhouse or cottage feel. It can be your main countertop or an accent piece on an island. It’s a bit more high maintenance than other materials due to keeping it sealed, but it’s definitely worth the small bit of time and effort you’ll put into it.

7. No countertop style backsplash

In the past it has been very common to have a short backsplash made of your countertop material. This is not nearly as popular, as people are opting to tile their entire backsplash area.

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Conclusion

Countertops will always be a huge part of a kitchen design. While you don’t want to go too ‘trendy’, it’s great to know what we’re seeing in terms of design trends. We hope this list of the hottest countertop trends will inspire you for your own kitchen remodel!

Don’t forget, our kitchen and bathroom design services are always FREE! Let a professional designer help you select the perfect countertop for your home. Click here to schedule a free design consultation!

Schedule Your FREE Kitchen & Bath Design Appointment!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation! Written by: Allie Bloyd

December 1, 2017

Countertop Materials Compared

Hello, everyone! So, today I’d like to talk a little bit about countertop materials. There’s the always-cool Quartz, the greatness that is Granite, the lovely-though-inexpensive Laminate, and the beautiful Butcher Block. Each are lovely, but they definitely have different characteristics about them that set them apart. In this blog post, we’ll sort through those subtle differences and compare them!

Countertop Materials: Quartz

Ah, Quartz. This man-made engineered stone is formed by a combination of ground quartz, which is a natural hard mineral, and polymers and pigments. This mixture performs a very tough, very hard surface, and the visuals are beautiful:
Durability: EXTRA. DURABLE. Some of us are pretty tough in the kitchen, like yours truly, and accidents tend to happen more of than not. Quartz is very forgiving in that short of beating a blender to it a couple hundred times, you’ll be free of cracks, scratches or dents. It’s also extremely heat resistant. This is the most durable of all countertop materials. It’s also antibacterial which is a huge bonus.

Tritium Click for more details!

Looks: Quartz sports a very glossy sheen to its surface in most cases, which you’ll find extremely attractive. It can also be found in a matte finish. It’s rich, luxurious, and compliments any setting that it’s in.

Toffee Click for more details!

Colors: Because it’s manmade, there is every color under the sun available. Nearly every color that this countertop has to offer will amaze you. We carry some awesome colors like Cool Naranja (Bright Orange) or natural colors like Pacific, featured below.

Pacific Click for more details!

Price: At Builders Surplus, we carry the finest brands of countertops, including Silestone, Cambria and VICOSTONE. Right now, you can get this gorgeous countertop material for as low as $50-$120 per square foot, depending on the brand and color you choose.

Kalahari Click for more details!

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Countertop Materials: Granite

Granite may possibly be my favorite countertop material, and one of the reasons is that you can use this surface like it IS an actual rock. It’s very durable and very beautiful. However, it does require a little extra maintenance as far as sealing goes. It’s a porous stone, so it can be stained if it’s not sealed properly.
Durability: Seriously, rock solid. It’s Superman strong. However, it’s not quite as durable as quartz. It’s pretty heat and scratch resistant, so that’s a huge plus.

Verde Butterfly Click for more details!

Looks: Granite shows the grains in the stone. They appear as specks or veins that blend in with the consistency of the entire slab, and because of this, there can be a variety of colors displayed in one countertop. I personally love this trait.

Juparana Click for more details!

Colors: Like I just mentioned, each slab is a little different with the grain and consistency. Granite is formed by igneous rock, so it also gives you that feel, that texture that’s really sought after in kitchen designs. In store, we carry the likes of Verde Butterfly or Black Crystal. However, we carry many more custom granite colors so that you can find exactly what you’re looking for!

Diamond Flower Click for more details!

Price: We have a plethora of beautiful pieces, all at a very nice price. For example, at Builders Surplus, you can get this countertop material FULLY INSTALLED starting at just $39.99 per square foot! Prices will vary depending on the color you choose.

Black Crystal Click for more details!

Countertop Materials: Laminate

Now, there are some that won’t bother with laminate because they deem it “too cheap,” but I can assure you that the material we carry is everything but. The attractiveness of Laminate is definitly there, but at an affordable price. But, what’s wrong for a paying little and receiving a lot, right? It’s like we said, “it is the perfect balance between budget and style.”
Durability: It goes without saying that Laminate isn’t nearly as durable as Quartz or Granite, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to crack if you set a soda can on top of it. They’re made from layers and layers of particleboard to create a complete, solid surface. It’s not very heat resistant, though, so beware.

Lapidus-Brown Click for more details!

Looks: The cool thing about Laminate is that they can be made to imitate other, more elaborate countertop materials, specifically granite, wood or even stainless steel. Pretty neat if you ask me. They won’t have the glossy finish that most of the natural stone will have, but it will still have a nice gleam to it.

Jamocha Click for more details!

Colors: Once again, we have a variety of colors. We carry several options in stock and then we also have a plethora of colors available for custom order. You can definitly get any look you’re searching for in one way or another. I’ll say this, though, this countertop material definitely tends to have a more of a solid color base than other materials, simply because of its genetic makeup.

Constantine Click for more details!

Price: Definitely an affordable piece of countertop. Perfect for fitting in to any type of budget, the price point tends to be a defining feature. Especially when it comes to full remodels. This countertop material typically ranges from $10-$20 per square foot.

Countertop Materials: Butcher Block

Of the list, this is my second favorite. This countertop material is available as a custom order option, and boy let me tell ya, it’s awesome. Ever watch those cooking shows where a chef is just slicing-and-dicing on what looks like the biggest cutting board you’ve ever seen in your life? Welcome to the Butcher Block, a cook’s pride and joy.

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Durability: Now, it is wood, so keep that in mind. Unless you like the look of a used cutting board, and some do, you should still consider using a cutting board to prepare your meals. But still, it’s tough and the longevity is pretty impressive, but you have to take care of it.
Looks: It’s wood, you know what I mean? It’s that classic, timeless appearance that literally fits with any style. But it definitely compliments the traditional, rustic, and country-village looks, giving off that warm, soothing feeling.

countertop materials

Colors: Wood is porous, so if you order this countertop material in an unfinished style, you can always stain it to the color of your liking before applying a sealer. However, most butcher block countertops will already come with a stain and sealer on them. They may required to be resealed over the years. Note: You’re going to want apply a sealer on this. You don’t want Tuesday’s spaghetti sauce to be a defining feature.
Price: Like I mentioned before, this is available as a custom order product, but typically these countertops tend to range from $50-100 per square foot. It’s definitely worth the price in my opinion.
Well, there you have it! A comparison of the top countertop materials and their pros and cons. However, if you have any other questions related to countertop materials, don’t hesitate to let us know. As a leading countertop material provider in Louisville and Cincinnati, we’re always here to help!

July 7, 2017

Most Affordable and Stylish Bathroom Tile

What’s going on, pros? I hope business is well and thriving underneath the warm weather we’ve been having. It’s about time, right? So, if you have a bathroom remodel coming up then you’ll really appreciate this blog post. We’re going to go over a few of the most affordable and stylish bathroom tiles that we have to offer at Builders Surplus. You can legitimately get everything, without spending everything!

Golden Honey Ledger Stone Bathroom Tile

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus

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Ledger Stone has made a major impact in the tile industry, in my opinion. If you’ve noticed, “look-alike” products continue to gain popularity, and Ledger Stone gained its varsity letters before any of them. The one featured below is a fan-favorite, for sure. It’s gorgeous in any setting, but especially bathrooms and, oddly enough, fireplaces, too. Simply stunning. While it does LOOK amazing in the shower, do let your customers know that it is difficult to clean. It needs to be completely waterproof behind the tile or you will get mold.

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus
So, you can get this stylish, trendy bathroom tile for only $5.99/piece, right here at Builders Surplus. Now, this is one of the priciest product to make this list, but for good reason. If you’re a fan of texture in aesthetics, then this product is for you.

Black Penny Round Mosaic Bathroom Tile

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I’m a huge fan of contract in a bathroom, and the Black Penny Round Mosaic bathroom tile is perfect for setting up that kind of style. I’ve always imagined a white floor tile with this product used as a backsplash. It’s timeless. It’s classic. And so eye-appealing. Plus, I’m a huge fan of curvature during any kind of design, so this pattern hits me right in the feels.
bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus

Right now, you can get this contrast-maker for only $4.99/sq. ft. One more thing about this, though, is its versatility. Where I’m more inclined to install this bathroom tile as a backsplash, it’s fine for a shower floor, too!

Legend Blanco Large Format Tile

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I enjoy the movement in this tile. And it’s a subtle gray, too, ya know? Not too deep, not too light. Just right. Now, this is a Large Format Tile, so the possibilities are pretty much endless, in terms of install. Personally, I think this color belongs on the floor, maybe with a dark vanity top or something of that nature.

bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus
As we proceed, you’ll see that these prices really are unmatched, y’all, starting with this one. You can get this Legend Blanco bathroom tile for ONLY $1.99/sq. ft. Heckuva deal, right? Stylish, moderately-neutral, and all for a good price. Come in and seriously get everything without spending everything.

Portland Beige 18×18 Bathroom Tile

Another large format tile, Portland Beige is another one of my favorites due to its tone and color. But, what’s really attractive about this piece is its price. Right now, you can get this tile for only $0.69/sq. ft! That’s less than three quarters, everyone.

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Whisper White 3×6 Subway Bathroom Tile

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This classic, tried-and-true still does wonders in establishing that a traditional look. Honestly, folks, what’s not to like about it. Remember me talking about contrast earlier with the Black Penny — well — this is its counterpart.
bathroom tile Louisville Cincinnati Builders Surplus subway tile

But once again, the most attractive trait here is the price, everyone. Only $0.22/piece. Yeah, you read that right. LESS THAN A QUARTER. That’s exceptional. Come scoop this up.

These are just a few choices from our vast collection of bathroom tile, everyone. If I’ve piqued your interest, and you’d like to poke around a little bit more, please feel free to head right here! It’ll break our selection down by category, and you can see for yourselves how great these deals are. Hope to see you in one of our stores sometime soon! Until then, stay safe and be blessed!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets.
In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

May 5, 2017

Home Value: 5 Easy Ways to Increase It

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What’s going on, everyone? I do hope you’re well and enjoying the much-anticipated warm weather. Where it seemed like it was a rather mild winter, it felt like ages to me. If you’re a summer baby like yours truly, then you literally countdown the days until April or May, where you can enjoy a nice drive with the windows down and music up. Plus, now that it’s warm, we can all start working on the most important asset we have — our home. In this blog post, I’ll discuss five ways to easily increase home value. May the warmth inspire and spark creativity, y’all. Let’s begin!

The Best Ways To Increase Home Value

Focus on the Entry Door

So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that curb appeal is a monstrous factor when it comes to home value. The front door simply further emphasizes this incredibly significant factor. Essentially, it pulls the eye in and acts as a main focal point to the entire house. Think about it, when you have guests over, what is the first course of action? Walking through the front door. So, naturally, that’s what the eye is going to be attracted to. home value

Don’t be afraid to get a little quirky when it comes to your front door, either. Want to make it a crazy-cool color? Do it. Want to splash some sort of design on it? Go ahead. I encourage you to make it your own and let it standout. Because, honestly, it’s going to anyway.

Upgrade the Kitchen

Now, listen, I know those three words can seem a bit vague, and even once it’s broken down, it can still be a bit overwhelming. So for all intensive purposes, I’ll just name two components of a kitchen. Also note that your kitchen is arguably (but who would argue) the most important room in the entire house. Because of this, simply renovating a few things will no doubt increase home value. For sure. Cabinets: You may be surprised to know that simply switching out the cabinets in your kitchen will do wonders as far as aesthetics. Maybe you’re tired of the type of cabinet and color, or you’re like me and get antsy when you’ve staring at the same scenery for far too long. I encourage you to take a good, hard look at your cabinets and see if you’d like to make some changes. Remix it up. home value

Countertops: In my opinion, countertops can make or break a kitchen’s overall look. With this in mind, if you’ve been preparing your meals over, say, formica countertops then I think you’d really enjoy a granite or quartz countertops. They’re both sleek, modern-looking, and the characteristics for both are far more superior — in strength, durability, accident-resistance, and maintenance. home value

Beautify your Bathroom

Kitchens and baths, y’all, that’s where it’s at for value’s sake. These rooms allow a person to express themselves artistically and make a style their own. Like I mentioned before, don’t be afraid to go above and beyond. After all, IT IS your home. Do what you will. However, if you’re going to be selling in the near future, keep the style one that will appeal to a broad range of buyers. Vanities: A bathroom doesn’t call for as much space as a kitchen does, sure, but I’d be lying if I said that these pieces aren’t essential to your bathroom design. Take the same advice I gave you about your kitchen cabinetry and recreate a different design — use interesting colors, textures, and styles and make things harmoniously blend. home value

Vanity tops: Much like your kitchen countertops, a vanity top can make or break the design. Now, if it were me, I’d take a look at our cultured marble tops, in addition to our large selection of vanity tops. We truly have some beautiful colors that will blend nicely with any design. I promise you.

Watch your Windows

Windows may seem like a small aspect in home design, but I’m telling you, replacing the old with the new will greatly increase your home value. At Builders Surplus, we carry Silverline by Andersen windows, and they’re true beauties. Available in different designs and styles, these babies will quite literally make each room brighter.

Another thing I kinda like about windows is that they’re two sides of the same coin. We talked about the importance of curb appeal before, and windows sort of add to that enhanced focus, but they’re also very endearing on the inside, as well.

Plus, if you’re kinda crafty, you can enrich the look and put a beautiful set of moulding around each window, achieving that ‘craftsmen’ style perfectly. Just a little food for thought if you want to really increase home value.

Spruce Up the Outside

This probably goes without saying, but a well-maintained, neat, and even colorful yard is going to get some looks. If you want to increase home value, this is definitely an area I’d focus on. Curb appeal, remember? If your grass is as green as a golf course, there’s a nice blend of trees, flowers, and bushes — all neatly clipped — and everything looks proper and perfect, don’t be surprised to see a car come to a slow crawl, peeking in. home value

Having a yard that’s pleasing to the eye is going to get you those seriously-this-just-went-on-the-market kind of offers, and who doesn’t want to be in that driver’s seat, no pun intended. Just don’t make it TOO busy, you know what I mean. Keep it nice. Keep it neat. Keep it complete.

I hope these five things gave you a bit of insight and, hopefully, some inspiration to make some renovations to increase home value. Change isn’t all bad, people! Remember that, and keep on enjoying this weather! Hope to see y’all in here soon, but until then be safe and stay blessed!

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May 2, 2017

Trendiest Tile Flooring Options For Your Home

Tile flooring has and always will be an excellent flooring option for a number of reasons. You’ve got like Wood Look, Ledge Stone, Polished Porcelain and Decorative. And those are just to name a few. Today, I’d like to discuss some of the hottest trends out there right now, explain their uniqueness, and dive into some really cool designs that up-and-coming in the industry. Let’s get it!

Wood-Look Tile Flooring

tile flooring
Wood-Look tile has seriously been all the rage for the past couple of years, and I’ll be honest, folks, it’s not going anywhere. It’s incredibly durable, easy to clean, much cheaper than regular hardwood flooring, and it’s extremely versatile. When you use this material with an interesting, unique pattern, such as the herringbone (pictures above), it just sets it off. Also, wood-look tile can go just about anywhere in the household, a feature that regular hardwood flooring merely wishes it had.
tile flooring
Also, it’s pretty environmental. According to our friends at Daltile, nearly 20 million trees are cut down each year. Wood-look tile certainly doesn’t contribute to that number, and in its usage, as a whole we can decrease that number drastically. Just a little food for thought in that regard.

Cement-Look Tile Flooring

tile flooring
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Cement? Seriously? Isn’t that used in, like, garages and industrial factories, stuff like that? The answer is…yes, sure….and sort of. But you’d be surprised by how incredibly nice this material looks when there’s a unique design attached to it. Also, large format tiles works best for this material, specifically 32×32.
tile flooring

They also come in a variety of colors, like you’ll see above. I just think it’s insane how what was once purely used for industrial/commercial reasons is now an extremely hot commodity in the residential area, as well. Excellent stuff.

Brick-Look Tile Flooring

Easily my favorite of three hottest trends rights now, hands down. It has the look and feel of actually brick. Plus, we know that porcelain is an excellent tile flooring option, so this is almost a tried and true material of sorts.

I guess what really wows me about this particular material as a flooring option is the historical vibes I get from it. It’s like I’m in 18th century England, and quite honestly, it makes me want to write for days. It’s unique, it’s durable, and pretty quirky. Also, it’s to be noted that there’s a particular material, aged brick, that has seemed to rise in popularity.

So, there you have it! Three extremely popular, extra unique tile flooring options that have continued to drop jaws across the nation. Another side note, one of the main reasons for the fame is because you’re getting the look and feel of the material it mimics without the high price of labor difficulty. It’s a win/win all around.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of granite countertops, quartz countertops and laminate countertops in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Chris Chamberlain

December 12, 2016

5 Best DIY Granite Countertop Cleaners

Granite countertop cleaners can be tricky. If you’ve ever been interested in granite countertops, or own granite countertops yourself, you have most likely heard about the “tedious” granite countertop maintenance. Most people believe that it is very difficult to keep granite countertops clean without damaging the stone, but that is simply not the case. However, there are some things you should and should not do to maintain the integrity of the stone.

What NOT to use for granite countertop cleaners:

Some people think that the proper granite countertop cleaners will be expensive. Because of that, they try and save money by using certain chemicals. This is not only untrue, but will have the opposite effect. It will cost you a lot more time and money in the long run. Do not attempt to use generic cleaners like bleach, degreasers, glass cleaners, or any other household cleaners on your granite countertops. These are acid based cleaners, or contain alkalis or other chemicals that will destroy the sealer that is protecting your granite countertops. Granite countertop cleaners should not contain these ingredients. It will leave your granite, marble or other stone more vulnerable to staining.
Because these typical cleansers are not going to work for you, we’ve come up with the 5 best DIY granite countertop cleaners that you can make at home to protect those surfaces you love so much!

Do It Yourself Granite Countertop Cleaners:

1.Jillee’s Home made Granite Countertop Cleaner: Onegoodthingbyjillee.com

Her Recipe:

1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol (or cheap vodka)
3 drops of Dawn or other dish soap (Castile soap would also be a good alternative if you prefer)
Water
5-10 drops essential oil (optional – to help mask the alcohol smell)

Put the rubbing alcohol or vodka into a 16 oz spray bottle. Add the dish soap, essential oil and fill up the rest of the bottle with water.
Now give it a few shakes….THEN give it a try! It should give your countertops a nice, clean shine. Works on appliances too! All at a FRACTION of the price of the store-bought stuff.

2. Cambria Bold’s Granite Countert Cleaning Solution: thekitchn.com

Cambria’s contribution to our granite countertop cleaners is a little less of a formula, and a little more of a process. Here is what she has found works best:

What You Need

Materials
Warm water
Mild or gentle dish soap
Dish cloth
Clean microfiber cloth or terrycloth towel
Isopropyl alcohol (optional)

Instructions

Wet your dish cloth with warm, soapy water. Fill the sink with warm water and a mild dish soap, then thoroughly wet a clean dish cloth.
Wipe down the granite countertops. You don’t need us to tell you how to do this part. Just wipe away any spills or crumbs on your countertop!
Dry with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaking. Dry and buff your granite countertop thoroughly with a microfiber cloth or soft terry cloth towel to avoid streaking.
Shine and disinfect with a water and isopropyl alcohol solution. To periodically disinfect your granite countertops, remove soap residue, and restore shine, mix together a 50:50 solution of water and 91% isopropyl alcohol. Spray onto the granite, allow to sit for 3-5 minutes, then rinse with water and dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
Enjoy your nice, shiny, clean granite countertops!

3. Clean Mama’s Granite Cleaner: Cleanmama.net

Clean mama’s recipe is pretty simple, but super effective! It’s one of our favorite, easy DIY granite countertop cleaners.
INGREDIENTS:

3 Tablespoons rubbing alcohol
2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon castile soap (citrus orange is my favorite)

TOOLS:

measuring cup
measuring spoon
microfiber or a cleaning cloth
funnel
clean and empty spray bottle

Combine ingredients, close spray bottle, shake, and clean!

4. Nature Hack’s Easy Granite Cleaner: naturehacks.com

Nature Hack’s idea for granite countertop cleaners doesn’t get much easier than this:

1/2 cup baking soda
2 cups water

Mix in a spray bottle and wipe off with a cloth!

5. Sherry’s heavy duty granite countertop cleaners: overthrowmartha.com

3 oz Parts Distilled Water (or soft water)
1 oz Part Alcohol
1 oz Baking Soda
Essential Oils

AND

1 part 100% Acetone (dark granite)

1 part Hydrogen Peroxide (light granite)
3 parts Distilled water

Mix the distilled water, the alcohol and the baking soda in a 3:1:1 mixture in a jar. Shake it up.

In spray bottle, mix the distilled water and the alcohol OR hydrogen peroxide, depending on the color of your granite. Make this 3 parts water to 1 part acetone or hydrogen peroxide.

On a clean granite surface, pour some of the baking soda/alcohol/water liquid directly onto the counter. Use a microfiber cloth to push the liquid around to deep clean the countertop. If you have any old caked on food stains, you can pour a little extra baking soda onto the site directly, wet it with the mixture and lightly scrub.

After you have cleaned the granite, you will need to wipe it down with a wet microfiber cloth.

Now spray the acetone/hydrogen peroxide cleaner on the granite and wipe down with a microfiber cloth. Wipe away the excess with a microfiber cloth.

The NON-DIY Solution:

For our last cleaner, it’s not exactly DIY, but it does work wonders! We sell it here at Builders Surplus and our customers have had wonderful results. It’s called Rock Doctor and it’s a natural way to clean without harming your granite countertops. We also offer the sealer and polish along with the granite countertop cleaners.

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!
Written By: Allie Bloyd

November 7, 2016

Granite Countertop Obsession: How it Started & Why

As a granite countertop provider, we’ve seen first hand the granite countertop obsession. While we’re in no way complaining, it is interesting to know how this obsession came to be, and why. Home remodeling trends don’t often happen overnight, but they do feel like they pop out of nowhere. We can all attest to the fact that on HGTV, the only REAL resource for home renovation information (did you catch my sarcastic tone?), every one of their house hunters in any of their top TV shows, give or take a few, will ALWAYS beg for granite countertops in their new purchase.

Why is this? There are so many great materials for kitchen countertops, like quartz, marble, laminate, stainless steel, butcher block, concrete, and the once hugely popular tile. Granite isn’t the cheapest. It isn’t the easiest to maintain. It isn’t always the prettiest if you ask me. And it’s also not the most durable. So how did this American Granite Countertop Obsession happen, and why?

The Beginning of the Granite Countertop Obsession

Granite Countertops really made their debut in the mid 1980’s. The color options were very limited, it was still widely unknown, and it was extremely expensive. It was not considered a top of the line countertop material at the time. Yet here we are, 30+ years later, and the granite countertop obsession is still in full force. How did it grow so fast to be such a luxury standard in home renovation and construction?

New Kitchen

Granite Globalization

When granite first started to rear it’s head, it was a very local or regional business. You would need to find a local source, within a few states of you, to source this product. It was extremely heavy and there were only a few craftsman that had experience cutting it well for residential and commercial applications. Extracting granite from the earth was hard and risky work. Quarries could be terrible conditions to work in. But where there is demand for a product or service, there are people who want to make a living providing it.
Quarrying granite in the United States was difficult, time consuming, and not the best perfected craft at the time. However, there was a demand beginning to rise in the United States due to articles in the Los Angeles Times among other things. Wherever you have demand, you have other countries who want to get in on the action. And in this case, they could offer it for a much better price. They also had a larger labor force willing to dig out and refine the granite.
Granite is found all over the world. Italy started off as a big player, but eventually, Brazil and India and China became the leaders in the industry. There was, and still is, an excess of granite found in these countries, so they were trying to get rid of as much of it as they could for the best prices possible. New colors from different areas of the world began to emerge and the trend continued to develop.
Granite countertop obsession - Granite Mining

Shipping Advances Advance The Granite Countertop Obsession

Granite countertops jumped on the container shipping train. Container shipping was able to lower the cost greatly for builders and consumers, making it a much more attainable material for your regular home owner, instead of just for the upper echelon of society. Before it began being shipped in containers, the prices of transport were much higher because they were being shipped individually and the costs were more in line with local prices.
Granite countertop obsession - granite cutting

Skilled Cutters Come From Computers

In the past when a shop received a slab of granite, it needed to be cut by hand to the perfect dimensions and shaven perfectly to give the best finish and edge. In the wonderful world of technology, we have computers that cut your granite slabs precisely, and CAD programs that help the cutting equipment conquer even the most intricate designs. This helps out greatly when you’re talking about holes for your sink and faucet, that could take a lot of time by hand. The increased efficiency in cutting has also lowered the costs of granite compared to when it was first interdicted into the market.
Computerized granite cutting

The Housing Boom Blows Up Granite Countertop Obsession

When the housing boom of the early 2000’s was taking place, granite was just along for the ride. New construction was at a high, and with the new developments in color, technology and the more affordable costs of granite, it became a material that every builder was putting into their new buildings. This made the public think that a “new” building needed granite, that this was the material of the future. While the public often looks to new construction trends as the best new trends in home renovation and building materials, those who were renovating older homes also thought that granite is what they should choose.

Granite is a great material for countertops, but few people understand the reasons that started the granite countertop obsession in the united states. Hopefully this has been enlightening for you! Do you love granite or do you prefer other materials in your home? Let us know in the comments below!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of granite countertops, quartz countertops and laminate countertops in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

October 18, 2016

Prefab Granite Countertops: Affordable Elegance

Today, we’ll be discussing the benefits of prefab granite countertops. When most people dream up their perfect home, granite countertops are a key part of that equation. Granite countertops have long been sought after as a high end necessity, melting form and function, to give your kitchen or bathroom the luxurious look you’ve been dreaming of. However, granite countertops can sometimes come with more than just style – sticker shock. But it doesn’t have to be that way! There is a much more affordable option to getting the granite countertops of you’re dreams, and it’s called Prefabricated, or Prefab Granite Countertops. Prefab granite countertops area already cut and the slabs are in stock, available for you to see before purchasing.

Will Prefab Granite Countertops Work For Me?

Prefab granite countertops will only work for some kitchen layouts, so you first need to identify if you are a candidate for these affordable granite countertops. There are only a few things that would disqualify you from prefabricated granite countertops. Those would be kitchens that have corner sinks or that have kitchen islands greater than 74″ in length. We offer full size slabs, which are 25.5″ in width and 109″ in length. We offer kitchen island slabs that are 36″ wide and 74″ in length. If your island is greater in length, you would not be a candidate for prefab granite countertops, on your island at least. Contrasting kitchen islands are popular, so if this is your only concern in purchasing this style of granite countertop, I would look at all the options first. Because of the angle of the corner sink, the pre-cut slabs will not be able to connect appropriately. They will form an L in the corner, instead of the angle that the sink creates.

Cant-Do-Prefabricated-Granite-Countertops

What are the benefits of Prefab Granite Countertops?

Prefab granite has a number of benefits. First of all, it is our most affordable option. Prefab granite countertops start at $39.99 per square foot, which includes all installation and fabrication. Typical countertop installation costs include several hundred dollars for any sink cutouts, and an additional cost for installation.
Another benefit of these granite countertops is the color choices at such a great price. You are able to get group A and sometimes group B granite for a much lower price than you would find elsewhere. The groups are not necessarily determined by quality of the granite, but of the color and the demand for that color. We have some beautiful colors available in our prefab granite selection.

The premium edge is FREE! Another uncharge when getting granite countertops installed is the additional cost for the edge. There are many different edge choices and it really depends on your preference, but they are typically always an additional charge. You will pay more for what is considered a “premium” edge. All of our prefab granite countertops come equipped with premium edges already on them for no additional cost. If you’re not sure which edge you like the best, see our blog on granite edges.

What colors are available?

We have eight colors of prefab granite available. You’ll see them shown below!

Black Crystal
Spray White
Verde Butterfly
Santa Cecilia
New Caledonia
Diamond Flower
Canelle
Butterfly Yellow

Prefab-Granite-Colors Builders Surplus Louisville Newport Cincinnati

Prefab-Granite-Countertops-Kitchens

Above are the looks you can achieve by using prefab granite! They look stunning, are extremely affordable, and can save time in the installation process. What are your favorite colors?
Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

May 6, 2016

Express Yourself with Espresso Cabinets

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I love minimalism and subtlety — espresso cabinets are the epitome of just that. Right now, the trend for kitchen cabinets is white, white, white, and as much as I appreciate white cabinetry, the upkeep can be an absolute nightmare. For people like me (with three pets) and my friends (with young kids), the maintenance of light cabinets sounds like more work than I am willing to put in with my limited time.

The argument from several designers is that espresso is out, it is overdone, it can be too bold of a statement in a centrally focused room of a home. However, I think it is all how you style a cabinet. Take the Ginger Creek American Shaker in mocha. At first glance, it is just a simple, dark cabinet, but upon closer inspection, I think the tones are rich and warm. Those qualities coupled with unique design can turn these cabinets from simple to simply elegant, charming, sophisticated, subtle–whatever your style may be. Here are some design ideas when shopping for espresso cabinets!

Modern Mocha

Keeping this palette as neutral as possible, I am letting Cambria’s Praa Sands custom quartz countertop do all the talking for this kitchen design. There is a lot of movement in the quartz, a beautiful variation of color, and strands of neutral tones complement the espresso cabinets. Pairing it with the sleek geometry of the Elements Stanton pull and the clean lines of our metallic gray subway tile, this kitchen design is both refined and understated.

Textured Tones

If the espresso cabinets in this design were an outfit, the California gold legder panel backsplash would be its jewelry. There is so much warmth and it is dense with a wild, outdoorsy character. I wanted that to be the focal point and draw the eye up from the cabinetry to the natural beauty of the Colosseum Quartz countertop. These countertops are extremely durable, resisting scratches, stains, and heat to remain looking beautiful for years. Top the cabinets off with the Madison pull in the brushed oil rubbed bronze finish and you end up with a provincial kitchen with a posh twist.

Compromising Coupling

A lot of the times, couples that are renovating houses cannot decide between their own two styles. Nine times out of ten, a room’s design is going to eventually be based on one person’s idea. Since a kitchen is one of the few gathering places in a home, it should be a destination for compromise. This design idea is all about mixing elements. From the urbane espresso cabinets to the rustic vibe of our custom built butcher block countertops, we can see there is a lot of masculine hints to the room. I like the idea of blending that with dainty white penny backsplash and the rounder, softer Madison knob by Elements. This makes for a beautiful half-and-half composition.

March 2, 2016

How To Install a Quartz Vanity Top & Undermount Sink

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Hi! I’m Allie and I’m here at Builders Surplus. Today, I’m going to show you how to install your own under-mount sink and vanity top on a bathroom vanity. The products that we’re going to be using are:

Rectangular Under Mount Sink (Comes included with our Artisan Quartz Vanity Top)
Artisan Quartz Vanity Top
Kitchen & Bath Silicon
Caulking Gun
Your Choice of Faucet (We used the Prestige Single Handle)
Your Choice of Vanity (We used the American Shaker Grey From Ginger Creek Cabinets)

Click picture for more INFO!

Step 1: Add Silicon to Vanity Top

Flip over vanity top so that it lays face down. Be careful, as it can be heavy. You will then fill the caulking gun with the kitchen & bath silicon (can be purchased in either of our locations). You will then apply a bead of silicon to the outer edge of the sink opening. You don’t want to put too much, but do apply a generous amount.
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Step 2: Apply Under Mount Sink

The next step will be to take your under mount sink and lay it face down on the opening that you have just covered in silicon. Do your best to make sure it lines up as evenly as possible. We are going to give it some pressure for just a couple of minutes. This is to let it adhere better to the silicon. *Optional: You may use 2 of the included clamps on opposite ends of the sink for additional support if you do not have 24 hours to let it dry face down. You will need to screw them in the pre-drilled holes securely. If you let it dry for 24 hours, using these clamps are not required.*

Step 3: Secure Faucet to Vanity

Now that you sink is secured to your vanity top, you are ready to attach your faucet. First, you will take the washer and screw off of your faucet. Take bottom of the faucet through the center, pre-drilled hole in your vanity top. You will then take your washer and slide it over top of the brass pole on the bottom of the faucet. Then, take your screw and screw it on to the brass pole as well. You can hand tighten this, or use a wrench, whatever you feel most comfortable with. Now that we have your vanity top and sink fully put together, we will now apply it to the vanity.

Step 4: Apply Vanity Top to Bathroom Vanity

Now that we are ready to adhere the completed vanity top to vanity, you will need to pull out your caulking gun and kitchen & bath silicon. Apply a thick bead of silicon to all 4 sides of the bathroom vanity. Now that we are done preparing the vanity, you will most likely need to find someone to help you get the vanity top on. They can be heavy, and you need to make sure you can lift it high enough that the faucet pipes will clear the back of the bathroom vanity. You will align it as best you can. Let it adhere for 24 hours before moving it again.

There you have it! A perfectly functional bathroom vanity with a new vanity top and under mount sink. Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done and run that water with pride! You’re now a DIY Dominator! Check back weekly for more great articles, DIY’s and How-To’s from the Builders Surplus team!

Builders Surplus is a full service remodeling company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, which comes as a free service to our clients. We sell building supplies ranging from unused surplus, to first quality in stock, to high end custom order and everything in between. We also provide measurement and full installation services. Our core products consist of kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities (single vanities and double vanities), interior doors, exterior doors, sinks, faucets, granite countertops, quartz countertops, laminate countertops, windows, and more! If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. Happy Remodeling! Written By: Allie Bloyd

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October 14, 2015

Granite Edges: The Finishing Touch

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There are many things that go into purchasing a new granite countertop, such as deciding on the color and choosing between the different granite edges.

When you first sit down with one of our kitchen designers, the first step will be to take measurements of your kitchen, or work off of the measurements that you provide.

If you are completely gutting the kitchen, you will have the flexibility to virtually choose exactly what you want for your space.

After layout, the next step is to decide on the granite color. This is definitely one of the most fun decisions to make. We offer 20 colors in our custom granite line, and 8 colors in our prefabricated granite.

Lastly, you will choose the finishing touch for your countertops; your granite edge profile. The edge is the shape created and the end of the slab that you will come into contact with on a daily basis.

There are a wide variety of edges to choose from, but our Louisville and Newport, Kentucky stores offer a total of 9 different edges. We will discuss the Basic Edge Profiles, Premium Granite Edges, and Unique Granite Edge Profiles.

Basic Granite Edges:

The four edges shown above & below are some of the most common & are virtually always included at no additional cost, no matter what fabricator you’re using. These are offered free with our custom granite selection.

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The straight edge is the most basic, with a hard chiseled edge.
Beveled edges tend to be more popular in kitchens with traditional décor.
The 1/4 and 1/2 bevel is a nice variation on the original bevel that highlights the thickness of the countertop. It allows you to have the decorative edge while still showing the depth of the 3cm stone.

Our granite is 3cm thick, which is the standard width. Anything smaller would be at risk of breaking, and thicker would potentially be overkill and quite costly.

STRAIGHT GRANITE EDGE

The above example is that of a straight edge, sometimes called the “pencil” edge. This is the most basic edge that you can choose, however, with the right granite, it still looks phenomenal!

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BEVELED GRANITE EDGE

The beveled granite edge is quite popular. It adds a touch of geometric flair to any countertop. It is not overly ornate, but does add some visual interest.

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1/4 and 1/2 BEVEL EDGE

The 1/2 and 1/4 bevel are very common as well. The bevel is less dramatic and is a more subtle touch to your granite edge. The profile is sleek, without being too chiseled. I see this very often in bathroom granite vanity tops. These both have a shorter pitch, which is the flat edge on the top, and a longer rise, which is the bottom edge pointing down. This is a very sophisticated profile that will work well with all styles from traditional to contemporary.

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EASED GRANITE EDGE

The eased granite edge is another popular choice. The slight curve adds movement and tames the sharp edges that some dislike. This profile can be seen in many kitchens, old and new. It is simplicity at it’s finest. With the right granite, you simply want to highlight the beauty of the stone, which the eased edge does perfectly.

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1/4 RADIUS GRANITE EDGE

The 1/4 Radius edge is a variation on the eased edge. Instead of offering the secondary curve on the bottom, it chooses to only arch at the top. It provides all of the benefits and simplicity of the eased edge. The 1/4 Radius edge is a perfect blend of the Eased edge and the Straight edge..

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HALF BULLNOSE EDGE

The half bullnose edge adds a greater curve to the room than the 1/4 Radius or the Eased Edge. Of the basic granite edges, this profile shows off the thickness and sturdiness of the slab.

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TOP & BOTTOM EDGE or 1/4 ROUND EDGE

In the 1/4 Round T&B, or Top & Bottom, the profile looks exactly as it sounds. There is a slight curve on the top and bottom of the edge, creating a slightly round, slightly pitched edge that is a favorite among many.

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Premium Granite Edges:

OGEE GRANITE EDGE

The Ogee Edge is one of the most widely known and well loved of all of the premium edges. This granite profile is elegant, decorative, and makes a statement. This granite profile looks perfect with traditional styles and adds fair to rustic decor as well. It can be used in contemporary spaces, but it is not something that you see often. Modern looks tend to opt for the sharper or more straight edges.

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This ornate profile adds drama and excitement to your space. Although this granite edge is a premium profile, it is included at no cost in our prefabricated granite, making the value that much higher for our clients.

Want to Know Exactly What Affordable "Prefabricated Granite" is? Click Here to Learn More!

FULL ROUND EDGE

The Full Round Edge, Also called the Bullnose, is a completely rounded profile. This look works best with traditional, transitional, or the rustic/farmhouse style. Again, curves and contemporary don’t always make the best pair. We offer this edge in many of our prefabricated granite as well, meaning that you are getting low price & high quality and design, which is something that you can rarely find in today’s world.

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DEEP OGEE EDGE

The Deep Ogee is a variation of the Ogee. It is not one that you see too often, but it definitely makes a statement when it does pop up. The deep swooping edge just screams elegance and high design.

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INVERTED BEVEL EDGE

The Inverted Bevel is another one of the premium granite edges you might be interested in. This edge looks very similar to the Knife edge, which we have not listed due to the fact that is is very rare and is not asked for often. However, the uniqueness of this edge can really make your countertops stand out from the rest. In this edge, the steep pitch is going upward instead of downward.

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Unique Granite Edges:

ROUGH EDGE

Rough or natural granite edges are really something special. This look will work with any style and really highlights the natural beauty and uniqueness of the stone. This is one of my favorite edges of all!

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ROPE EDGE

The rope edge is an incredible profile that you don’t see very often. This edge takes real skill to fabricate and a unique home to put it in. A nautical feel is a perfect fit for this type of edge, but it can work well in traditional or even rustic style homes.

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TRIPLE WATERFALL EDGE

The Triple Waterfall edge is slightly more common than the two listed above, but is still considered unique. The three tiers make for a stunning focal point and add interest to your countertops. This ornate style screams elegance and high end quality.

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Laminate Countertop Edge Profiles:

Laminate countertop edges are completely different in terms of name, as those that we discuss when dealing with granite or any other solid surface countertop. They names can be quite confusing, actually. The combinations that can be achieved with laminate countertops are endless. They can be just as unique and ornate as those of their solid stone counterparts.

If you have any questions regarding granite edges, laminate edges, granite or granite installation, the team at Builders Surplus is ready and willing to help. We strive for excellence in everything that we do and believe that paying attention to detail is what ultimately sets us apart from our competition. Thank you for reading!

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Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We specialize in interior design, kitchen countertops, bathroom countertops, building materials, and home improvement materials. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from laminate countertops to top of the line Quartz Countertops. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

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July 21, 2015

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Cons of Stone Tile

Stone Tile Installation

Stone Tile Grade:

Absorption Rating:

Coefficient of Friction

Indoor vs. Outdoor Rating

Oxidation

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Countertop Trends from 2017 and Beyond

1. Quarz is {Still} in!

Schedule Your FREE Kitchen & Bath Design Appointment!

2. Marble and Marble Looks

3. Light, Neutral Colors

4. Clean lines

5. Laminate Countertops

6. Butcherblock Countertops

7. No countertop style backsplash

Conclusion

Schedule Your FREE Kitchen & Bath Design Appointment!

Countertop Materials: Quartz

Countertop Materials: Granite

Countertop Materials: Laminate

Countertop Materials: Butcher Block

Golden Honey Ledger Stone Bathroom Tile

Black Penny Round Mosaic Bathroom Tile

Legend Blanco Large Format Tile

Portland Beige 18×18 Bathroom Tile

Whisper White 3×6 Subway Bathroom Tile

The Best Ways To Increase Home Value

Focus on the Entry Door

Upgrade the Kitchen

Beautify your Bathroom

Watch your Windows

Spruce Up the Outside

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Wood-Look Tile Flooring

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Brick-Look Tile Flooring

What NOT to use for granite countertop cleaners:

Do It Yourself Granite Countertop Cleaners:

1.Jillee’s Home made Granite Countertop Cleaner: Onegoodthingbyjillee.com

2. Cambria Bold’s Granite Countert Cleaning Solution: thekitchn.com

What You Need

Instructions

3. Clean Mama’s Granite Cleaner: Cleanmama.net

4. Nature Hack’s Easy Granite Cleaner: naturehacks.com

5. Sherry’s heavy duty granite countertop cleaners: overthrowmartha.com

The NON-DIY Solution:

The Beginning of the Granite Countertop Obsession

Granite Globalization

Shipping Advances Advance The Granite Countertop Obsession

Skilled Cutters Come From Computers

The Housing Boom Blows Up Granite Countertop Obsession

Will Prefab Granite Countertops Work For Me?

What are the benefits of Prefab Granite Countertops?

What colors are available?

Modern Mocha

Textured Tones

Compromising Coupling

Step 1: Add Silicon to Vanity Top

Step 2: Apply Under Mount Sink

Step 3: Secure Faucet to Vanity

Step 4: Apply Vanity Top to Bathroom Vanity

Want to learn more about kitchen & bath remodeling?

Basic Granite Edges:

STRAIGHT GRANITE EDGE

BEVELED GRANITE EDGE

1/4 and 1/2 BEVEL EDGE

EASED GRANITE EDGE

1/4 RADIUS GRANITE EDGE

HALF BULLNOSE EDGE

TOP & BOTTOM EDGE or 1/4 ROUND EDGE

Premium Granite Edges:

OGEE GRANITE EDGE

FULL ROUND EDGE

DEEP OGEE EDGE

INVERTED BEVEL EDGE

Unique Granite Edges: