Granite has long been a popular countertop material for homeowners looking to combine functionality with aesthetic appeal in their kitchens.

But granite is no small investment, and homeowners looking to refurbish their kitchens should know there are a multitude of countertop materials available to those working on a budget, or those who simply want to give their kitchens a different look.

Solid wood: Wood countertops create a warm, homey interior. Butcher-block counters are less expensive than granite and do not necessarily need to be ordered from a specialty retailer.

But wood can stain and dent and can even burn when hot kitchenware is placed atop it. Regular application of oil can help homeowners maintain the appearance of their wood counters for years to come.

Marble: Marble tends to be less expensive than granite without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. However, marble is softer and more porous than granite, so it can stain and be etched.

Diligence in wiping away spills, routine sealing and a gentle touch is necessary for those who choose marble countertops.

Soapstone: This is a natural stone composed mainly of mineral talc that gives the stone its smooth feel. Soapstone ranges from black to gray but can sometimes have a green shade to it. Other materials in the stone can produce veining.

Although softer than granite, soapstone is still high-density and will hold up well. It's impervious to stains and bacteria, and exposure to chemicals will not damage it.

Quartz: Quartz is a manufactured product made of stone aggregate and

polymers compressed under high pressure. It has the look of natural stone but requires less work to maintain. Quartz has consistent colours and patterns, and is a nonporous material, so it will not need routine sealing and resealing.

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Many countertop options available

California Crafted Marble - 619-562-2605 Granite Quartz Countertops Santee
http://www.calcraftedmarble.com (619) 562-2605 California Crafted Marble, a granite, marble quartz supplier in Santee. I just finished a complete bathroom remodel including a double sink...

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Bianco Antico Granite Kitchen Countertops
Bianco Antico is a fashionable white stone with grey quartz deposits, hints of burgundy garnet, and black mica. The elegance of this stone is ideal for kitch...

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Bianco Antico Granite Kitchen Countertops - Video

Black Granite Kitchen Countertops
Granite Kitchen Countertops made well so that your home is a treasure forever. http://artisticmarble.net.

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NF Granite Countertops
NF Granite is one the largest granite / countertops fabricators in the South / Mid South area. Serving 8 states, NF Granite produces over 5000 square feet of...

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A hodgepodge of stationery, envelopes, labels and staplers cluttered the cabinets and countertops at First United Methodist Church of Orlando last week.

Amid the sea of supplies stood professional organizer Jane Cole and director of youth ministry Justin Cox, who were trying to create order out of the chaos.

"These are 2014 pledge cards," Cox, 32, said as he leafed through an outdated stack. "So I think they go in the trash."

Cole, 51, stays especially busy this time of year as people seek help keeping New Year's resolutions to get organized.

She is one of 15 certified professional organizers in Florida. Some specialize in people with attention-deficit disorder, who tend to have chronic problems with organization. Others work with seniors planning to downsize, people about to relocate or bereaved families culling loved ones' belongings. A few confine themselves to digital organizing.

"The more responsibilities people have that pull them in different directions, the more difficult it is to stay organized," said Emily Green of the National Association of Professional Organizers.

Helping others get organized is a relatively young profession. The Board of Certification for Professional Organizers was created in 2007, but certification isn't required and Florida doesn't regulate practitioners.

Cole's path to the profession began when her widowed father died shortly after she graduated from the University of Central Florida. Then 22, she was distressed to find that her dad had left a jumble of documents for her to handle. She vowed to get her own paperwork in order so her heirs would have an easier time.

That led her to found Happy Home Organizing Solutions. She has spent the past 16 years paring piles of paperwork, combing through closets and culling kitchen clutter.

Typically, potential clients contact her after repeated failed attempts to get their homes or offices under control. Her largest demographic is women between 40 and 65, she said.

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Professional organizers take stress out of decluttering

Custom Countertops in HD Pro 2015
Several ways to do similar things with countertops.

By: David Jefferson Potter

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Custom Countertops in HD Pro 2015 - Video

Contemporary kitchen countertops combine materials.

image credit: Contributed

Im of the opinion that every space needs some sparkle, something jazzy and intriguing to give it depth, dimension, and polish.

Considering its one of the most important rooms in a home and a space buyers are looking to for that extra oomph, the kitchen is no exceptionand neither are the countertops.

Im talking some major pizzazz here, but sometimes, investing more on amazing finishes just makes so much more sense.

So heres a quick piece of advice: save on inexpensive cabinetry if it helps the budget, and seriously consider splurging on these chic and yummy finishes to boost the value of your home and for all the wow factor and pop your kitchen can handle

STAINLESS

Not just for commercial kitchens anymore, stainless steel can take abuse from just about any kitchen utensil, even the heat from hot pots and pans. Overtime, hairline scratches and blemishes instill it with a worn, lived-in patina.

Like their counterpart appliance friends, stainless steel countertops are popular because they work well in both traditional and contemporary kitchens. They can dent occasionally however, so care must be taken with heavy objects... but overall, theyre a durable and easily maintainable option.

WOOD

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Butterfield: Going straight to the (counter) top

kitchen countertops in brooklyn ny
1800-634-2315 http://www.countertopsny.net/kitchen-countertops-in-brooklyn-ny/ Countertop Brooklyn NY specializes in supplying and installing quality marble and granite worktops, custom-made...

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Albany, NY (PRWEB) February 09, 2015

Transparency Market Research has released a new market report titled Ceramic Tiles Market (Floor Tiles, Wall Tiles and Other Tiles) for Residential Replacement, Commercial, New Residential and Other (Countertops, Facades, etc.) Applications - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2013 2019.

According to the report, the ceramic tiles market was valued at USD 60.74 billion in 2012 and is anticipated to reach USD 112.32 billion by 2019, expanding at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2013 to 2019. In terms of volume, demand for ceramic tiles stood at 11,199.6 million square meters in 2012.

Browse the full Ceramic Tiles Market report at http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/ceramic-tiles-market.html

Ceramic tiles are used in myriad applications. Usually, ceramic tiles are brittle, strong and hard; They are weak in tension and shearing. These properties help ceramic tiles offer resistance to harsh environments, high temperatures and acidic or caustic materials. Globally, the demand for ceramic tiles is primarily driven by an increase in construction activities, especially in new residential applications. Also, the technological innovations have led to better production processes and enhancement in the aesthetic appeal of ceramic tiles. These are likely to be the major driving factors for the ceramic tiles market.

Volatility in energy prices and strict government regulations are expected to offer key challenges to market players.

Floor tiles was the predominant ceramic tiles product segment, accounting for over 52% of total demand in 2012. Demand for floor tiles is estimated to rise significantly in the next few years due to increasing urbanization in emerging economies of Asia Pacific. Demand for new residential houses coupled with increasing disposable incomes in these economies is expected to boost the ceramic tiles market in the region.

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Asia Pacific accounted for about 66% of the total ceramic tiles market in 2012, followed by Europe and Latin America. Asia Pacific is also anticipated to be the fastest growing regional market in terms of consumption and production of ceramic tiles. This can be ascribed to growing economies in the region. Asia Pacific has emerged as a key destination for producers of ceramic tiles owing to the economic development and increase in investments in construction projects. This has encouraged various manufacturers to focus on capacity expansions in Asia Pacific. Europe is the other major region with strong consumption of ceramic tiles. In terms of revenue, the market for ceramic tiles in the region is estimated to expand at a CAGR of about 7.6% from 2013 and 2019.

Other Report : Bisphenol A Market : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/bisphenol-a-market.html

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Global Ceramic Tiles Market is Expected to Reach USD 112.32 Billion by 2019 : Transparency Market Research