OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops:
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen countertops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through its integration with your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Terrazzo Countertop Maintenance:
When dealing with terrazzo, the use of a pure surface coating (as most floor waxes are) is unnecessary and ordinarily NOT recommended. The terrazzo surface is at least 70% marble or aggregate. Applying a surface coating or wax may decrease the non-slip co-efficient of friction below the standard rating of 0.5. The marble chips and aggregates (which make up 70% of the terrazzo floor) have very low porosity and do not absorb most staining substances. The portion of the terrazzo that needs protection is the binder, especially portland cement, which is porous and will absorb stains. Terrazzo does not need protection from wear, it needs protection from absorption and this is achieved though the use of penetrating sealer which seals off the pores in the binder.
Proper protection for terrazzo is accomplished internally rather than “on the surface.” Being internal, the process of waxing and rewaxing is eliminated. Only periodic resealing are necessary using a sealer that has a non-slip rating of 0.5 or higher. It is wise to note here that purely surface protection holds dirt and adds to your cleaning and/or presents a stripping problem. There are few natural products as beautiful as marble. Shoe leather is one of the finest polishers of terrazzo and daily use allows it to develop a beautiful, natural sheen or patina.
Terrazzo should be cleaned only with neutral liquid cleaners. The cleaning cycle to be set up should be regulated by the amount of use. After mopping your cleaning solution onto the counter, allow several minutes for the grime-dissolving action to take place, then squeegee, wet vacuum, or mop up the dirt laden solution. It is important to keep the counter wet during the entire cleaning process so the dirt does not reabsorb into the counter. Also, it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY THAT YOUR RINSE WATER, MOP AND PAIL ARE CLEAN so that dirt is not reapplied to the counter.
Cleaning Materials: The liquid cleaner selected MUST be neutral with a pH factor between 7.0 and 10.0. The cleaner must also be free from any harmful alkali, acid, etc. that might damage the floor. The NTMA specifically warns that soaps containing water solubles, inorganic salts or crystallizing salts should NEVER be used in the maintenance of terrazzo; some terrazzo counters have been damages by improper selection of cleaning materials.
GREEN Considerations:
When it comes to cleaning your countertop look for products that have ingredients that are not hazardous to humans or the earth. Many cleaners are now produced without phosphates, chorine, borates, phenol, ammonia, formaldehyde and nitrates Also look for cleaners that have low or zero volatile organic compounds, the chemicals that produce noxious toxins and air-pollution. Make your home the safest place in the world without sacrificing cleanliness. Finally, help save the environment by looking for concentrated cleaners so that we collectively reduce the shipping and transportation cost of moving heavier products that are pre-hydrated (just add water!). Overall, this new generation of concentrated, toxic-free, and biodegradable cleaning agents save the environment, you family's health, and your money.
Click here to see the range of top choices for environmentally friendly cleaners.
