Today, the global supply of hardwood is limited. Bamboo has been found to be a naturally beautiful and durable alternative. Actually bamboo is not a wood; it is a variety of grass. Having a bamboo counter top lends a tropical and exotic touch to your kitchen. It looks not only attractive, but is a very hard, strong and dimensionally stable material.
Strength of Bamboo
The main reason behind a bamboo's strength is that each strand of the grain is perfectly straight. It is the only tree which grows absolutely straight. It has no branches, and hence there are no knots. Though it is a light material, it is very stable and contracts and expands much less than wood.
It is possible to make a green bamboo counter top in the kitchen with bamboo structural planks or unfinished bamboo flooring planks. It is good fun making it and quite an accomplishable job.
An Easy Task
Make the bamboo counter top two inches thick. It gives a modern and long-lasting look in comparison to the bamboo planks with nosing edges which were used earlier. The colors available are natural and caramel. Make the bamboo counter top on site and then do the sanding and finishing, which are easy jobs. This can be done with regular urethane or epoxy resin, whatever you prefer.
Bamboo is clearly the best choice for durable countertop surfaces, because it is harder than maple. The thick stable sheets of bamboo are really beautiful and a green alternative to traditional wood counter tops. Do not use the bamboo counter top as a cutting surface. Bamboo cutting boards can be put on the countertops, which use special food-grade glues.
Various Styles
There are various styles available of the bamboo counter top. The sheets generally have a thickness of two inches. The sheets are constructed with cross-band laminates and several companies find that this is the best way to glue bamboo. Through this method the sheet is kept both flat and true and it reduces the tendency to twist or warp.
A bamboo counter top could then be constructed from vertical solid amber bamboo plywood, which is doubled up on the edges to make it one-and-a-half inch thick. For the top you can use a water based acrylic to coat the top. The vertical solid bamboo plywood is used here because it resembles solid wood and is an environment friendly choice for countertops.
The grain of the bamboo is important, and it can be traditional or parquet. The unfinished sheets are spliced together with non-toxic glue. The finishing could be done with mineral or walnut oil and the sealing is done with bee's wax in order to maintain the bamboo counter top. Both the flat grain and the vertical grain are available in the smaller sizes, whereas the caramelized parquet end grain is available in larger sizes.
Laminate For Counter Tops
Silestone counter tops offer some of the same perks as granite, but many believe they are more beautiful and durable. Silestone counter tops are made out of natural quartz. With the ranking as the fourth hardest mineral in nature being held by quartz, these counter tops are known and loved for their durability. Beyond that, however, silestone counter tops are also quite beautiful.
With quartz as the main ingredient in these counter tops, the end result is a surface that's simply breathtaking to behold. Master craftsman have managed to make these countertops work into a rainbow of colors, too, ensuring that homeowners can pick the style and design they choose. The properties of quartz enable the creators of these counter tops to make them as shiny or flat as a buyer might desire, putting choice squarely in the hands of the consumer.
Silestone countertops are some of the best choices on the market for stain and scratch resistance, as well. With only a few minerals tougher than quartz, doing damage to these counter tops is almost impossible.
The advantages of silestone counter tops over other similar natural stone surfaces include:
* Strength. It's incredibly hard to damage a silestone counter. Since quartz is so durable, the end product doesn't require maintenance beyond cleaning. There is no need to worry about sealing the countertop.
* Luster. Silestone is all natural by design. This means there are no plastics involved in their creation to cause problems with scratches or scorches. With this in mind, the silestone surface can be as shiny or matte as a buyer might want.
* Durability. It's a simple fact that silestone tends to resist scratches and burns better than just about anything under the sun. This can be great for those who want a beautiful kitchen that will stay that way. The sad reality is those who buy synthetic counters tend to regret it down the road when scratch and score marks become permanent fixtures.
* Decorating choices. Silestone counter tops are made by a company that specializes in quartz working. This means it's possible to get counter tops of quartz that will go well with similarly designed floors and even bathroom counters. In addition, the color palette provided in Silestone is pretty impressive. Just about any hue imaginable can be found in these countertops.
Granite might be the choice for some, but others opt for Silestone counter tops for a whole host of reasons. Coming from one of the world's hardest stones, these countertops are not only beautiful, they are durable. Offering choices for not only kitchen counters, the designs found in silestone transfer to floors and other counter surfaces, as well. This makes silestone a great choice for uniform decorating. The counter tops might be more expensive that other options, but when it comes to providing lasting beauty, they are hard to beat.
Both Charlie Reese & M. Xavier are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Charlie Reese has sinced written about articles on various topics from Psychic Readings, Wedding Gowns and Wedding Bells. Charlie Reese likes fixing counter tops and constructing home furnishings. He also likes getting and. Charlie Reese's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.
M. Xavier has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cure Anxiety, Entertainment Guide and Finances. Still looking for the perfect counter tops? Try visiting http://www.typesofcountertops.com - a website that specializes in providing counter top advice, tips and resources including information on. M. Xavier's top article generates over 110000 views. to your Favourites.
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