How Safe Are Wood Countertops?

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

It’s a common myth out there that wood can harbor bacteria more so than say a plastic cutting board. It’s been shown that many woods are actually hostile environments for bacteria and can be naturally antibacterial. But let’s use a commercial butchers shop as a real world example. They have to pass frequent and strict tests to maintain operations and they almost exclusively use butcher block as their surface of choice. It doesn’t dull their knives and is easy to clean. As an extra precaution clean cutting boards or butcher blocks with a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water. It will kill anything left on or in the wood, it’s safe and it’s cheap.

Another question we get is how safe are the wood sealers. The bottom line is they are all safe for food contact but the sealers designed for food prep like mineral oil or butchers wax are certified food safe wood finishes. The other sealers we like to use at J. Aaron are tung-oil, conversion varnish and marine varnish. All of these sealers use solvents like mineral spirits and lacquer thinners as carriers for the solids. The solvents evaporate leaving the solids on the wood to act as the protective coating. Once the solvents are gone, usually 36 hours, there’s nothing left to contaminate food that may come in contact with the top. The only reason these finishes are not certified food safe is the cost of certification for the manufactures.

We hope this clears up some of the questions out there about how safe wood countertops are for use in the kitchen. Please write us and let us know if you have any other questions we can help with.

Written by Joshua Johnson

Custom Walnut Kitchen Island and Countertop

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This beautiful kitchen island and countertop combo are part of a basement remodel in the Atlanta area. Lots of great room for seating, serving and playing games.

The wood has been sealed with a marine oil varnish that protects it from water and other liquids. The sealer is used, as it suggests, in the marine industry to seal wood boat decks, railings, etc. from water and UV damage making it an ideal finish for wood countertops.

The Pros and Cons of Using Reclaimed Wood

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

Using reclaimed wood in the home has been popular since the 1980s, but only in the last few years have we seen such a surge in this green remodeling design idea. Reclaimed wood is wood that finds a second life as your new kitchen countertops (or a variety of other uses) after being reclaimed from a barn, factory, warehouse or other old structure. There are many benefits of installing reclaimed wood countertops in your kitchen, but there are also aspects of this material that make it less suitable for certain kitchens, lifestyles and designs. Here are the pros and cons of using reclaimed wood kitchen countertops to help you make the right decision for your home.

Pros:

Reclaimed wood is sustainable: It’s well known that using wood, unlike natural stones such as marble and granite, is an environmentally sustainable resource because wood is renewable. Reclaimed wood is even more sustainable because it’s essentially recycling a renewable resource for double the use. Rather than demolishing an old barn or other structure, the boards are carefully taken down, refinished, and resold for an entirely new purpose. Using reclaimed wood is arguably the most sustainable method of getting new kitchen countertops and contributes significantly towards the green building industry. In fact, using reclaimed wood can make your project LEED Certified and FSC Certified, depending on the species, qualifying your home for special benefits.
Reclaimed wood has a unique appearance: Unlike newly sourced wood, reclaimed wood has been weathered for many decades which gives it a different look. Reclaimed wood will have a unique character to it and look aged and charming, offering a traditional or historical style to your kitchen.
Reclaimed wood is strong, stable and durable: Thanks to the several decades reclaimed wood has spent in the elements, it has expanded and contracted due to changes in humidity countless times and settled into its final state for a more stable, durable and strong wood plank that can easily stand up to the hardships of kitchen life.
Many different wood species are included: Because old structures used a number of different wood species based on the area there are several different woods available among reclaimed wood species. Plus, many woods are only available through reclaimed wood and cannot be purchased new, providing a more unique look for your kitchen countertops. Species such as American chestnut and longleaf pine, which once were abundant but are no longer, can be found by sourcing from reclaimed wood. Many of these older species are especially strong, making them suitable for a second life in your kitchen.

Cons:

Scarcity: Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how it’s perceived), reclaimed wood has become so popular for use in homes in recent years that it has become less available. While reclaimed wood is a recycled material, it is in finite supply because there are only so many old barns and warehouses with usable materials in the country, and eventually the supply will run out. This is great for the environment because it means that all of that wood has been reused and saved from the landfill, but not so great for homeowners hoping to get some of that for their kitchens.
Cost: Reclaimed wood has actually become more expensive than newly sourced wood because of the additional costs of sorting the wood species and preparing them for use inside homes. There’s also the additional cost of dismantling the old structures to preserve their wood rather than a quick demolition, which gets passed along to consumers. Not to mention, reclaimed wood’s popularity is making it scarcer, which makes existing supplies more valuable.
Legitimacy: Consumers sometimes have to make certain that the reclaimed wood they purchase actually is reclaimed wood, not a blend of old and new woods passed off by less than reputable retailers looking to fill a void in the market and make a quick buck.
Previous wood treatments: Wood that has been reclaimed from old barns and warehouses might have been treated with chemicals that are now recognized as being toxic, and there’s almost no way of knowing which pieces have been treated and with what. Substances such as lead paint and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be present in the reclaimed wood, so ask your supplier about the risks associated with reclaimed wood origins.

Lindsay Mineo writes for Palatin Remodeling, Inc., a Southern California based home remodeling company. Her topics include kitchen and bathroom remodeling, additions and expansions, painting and more. Visit Palatin Remodeling, Inc. for more on Los
Angeles kitchen remodeling tips and advice.

The Do’s and Don’ts for Remodeling Your Bathroom

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

Remodeling your bathroom is a sure way to increase the value of your home. However, your bathroom is not a simple room to renovate, because there are several factors to consider. Plumbing, space, and lighting needs can greatly influence what you’re able to do to update your space, and your budget factors in heavily. It’s easy to spend thousands above what you intended on a bathroom remodel, but if you keep in mind some basic do’s and don’ts when planning, you can successfully remodel your bathroom and stay within your budget.

Do –Plan.
By researching your options and planning your bathroom remodel before you begin, you’ll face fewer problems and save money in the end. Keep a file of pictures of styles and items you like. Make notes about price, availability, and installation costs of each item so that when you are ready to buy, you know what will work for your budget and your design before you shop.

Image Credit: Affinity Mortgage

Do–Stick to a Budget.
If you set a limit on what you’re willing to spend and stick to it, you won’t face any expensive surprises down the road. Part of budgeting will also include factoring in labor from professionals such as plumbers and carpenters. Installation of cabinets, for example, is often more than half the cost of the cabinet itself. If you budget accordingly, you won’t be tempted to try to do difficult installs yourself.
Don’t–Let Trends Blind You.
Keep things simple. Avoid buying into the latest trends for bathroom design when looking at tiles or fixtures that aren’t easily or inexpensively replaced. Neutral colors and classic designs provide you with the versatility to change it up later on. To add a personal touch, use towels, bathmats, art, and other accessories.
Don’t–Change It Up. Once you decide on a design for your new bathroom, don’t change your mind. If you change your plans after the remodel has started, you risk significant increases in expense and time. Once you’ve made your plan, stick to it unless safety, space issues, or building codes require a change.
Do–Use Space Wisely.
There should be a minimum of 30 inches of space between any bathroom fixture and the opposite fixture or wall. This allows you space to move around. You can add functional space by installing double bathroom vanities instead of a standard single vanity. This gives you storage space, as well as more surface area around your sink.
Don’t–Forget the Lighting.
Good lighting is a necessity in your bathroom. By adding lights around the mirror over your vanity, you can eliminate shadows. Frosted fixtures remove glare as well. In the shower, remember that lighting must be sealed against moisture. You can find lights specifically made for use in the shower at most bathroom supply stores.
Do–Consider the Resale Value. When designing your new bathroom, consider the impact your choices will have on resale value. Take care of the basics first. Paint, lighting, and fixtures should be replaced first. Consider replacing an old, cramped shower or a space-eating bathtub with a walk in bathtub. Walk-in bathtubs take up little space but give you the added value of a place to soak, as well as a shower.

Image Credit: BHouseDesain

Do–Go Modern, but Classic.
Colored fixtures such as toilets and sinks don’t stand the test of time very well. If you go outside the neutral color pallet, your new bathroom may become dated, which is not what you want. Opt for frameless shower doors, or a stone countertop to add a dash of modern, while maintaining a timeless, classic appeal with neutral fixtures.

Image Credit: Downey Plumbing Tips

Do–Ventilate Properly. If your bathroom does not have a bath fan, make it a priority to install one in your remodel. If you already have a fan, make sure it is adequate. Bath fans should supply at least one cubic foot per minute of air for every square foot of space. Most bathrooms use a single 50-cubic-foot-per-meter fan, and this is often enough. However, two fans are better for bathrooms larger than 100 square feet. Install one for the shower area and one near the toilet.
Do–Keep Safety in Mind. Wet surfaces are slippery, so remember this when installing flooring, fixtures, and accessories. Floors around your shower or tub should have slip-resistant finishes. If this isn’t possible, add rubber mats or self-adhesive strips to prevent falls. Install grab bars in the tub and shower area as well.

Miguel Salcido is an avid blogger, father of 2 and a recent proud home owner. He loves studying home design and decor and has his eyes on purchasing some walk in bathtubs for his home.

A Great Design Site To Check Out

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

Home Designing is a site I found somehow. I would elaborate on that if I could remember. I think they’ve got some interesting things and wanted to share.

This is a table I would never had guessed was in existence. Great idea though not sure if it’ll ever make it in the retail world.

Here’s a look at a new Starbucks in Amsterdam. Why do Europeans always get the really cool places to sit around and drink coffee. America did create Starbucks so there is that. There should be a bar like this in Atlanta. The Brick Store Pub in Decatur is similar but not as cool as this. The Brick Store wins though because of the beer aspect.

New Starbucks in Amsterdam

Check out the ceiling

There are some truly amazing designs out there. Let me know what you find.

Custom Kitchen Islands Inspired by Scandinavian Furniture

Posted on March 10, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

This is a custom kitchen island line that I just love. It uses solid wood construction and old world jointing techniques along side modern lines to make a piece of furniture that’s perfect for a so many different kitchen decors. It works well in contemporary spaces by bringing in a natural warmth many contemporary product designs lack because they are often made of plastic, painted/coated metal or high gloss wood veneer. They look cold for the most part but they also look impossible to maintain without a full time maid. These kitchen island designs also work well in cross over spaces where there is a mix of more that one style. I love the combination of clean lines with rustic or ornate styles. The two juxtapose so well and really add character to a room.

Bornholm Kitchen Island in Walnut

As of this writing they are only offering the furniture pieces in two woods, walnut and rift cut oak. Tinted options of those two are available if a modification from the wood’s natural color is required. As a wood sealer they use natural plant based oils which really give wood a beautiful hand rubbed look, mostly because it’s all done by hand. J. Aaron use tung-oil all the time in our wood countertops too. Tung-oil comes from the tung nut, which I’m sure most people have never even heard of. I’m not sure if that’s the oil they’re using but it’s probably similar. It’s safe for food contact and 100% VOC free making it an environmentally friendly product. So take a look at this company. I think you’ll like them too. Here’s a link to their contact page.

How to Plan a Stress-free Kitchen Remodel

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

Planning and executing a kitchen remodel can be stressful. From floor plans, to color schemes, designers and contractors, there is always a lot on the homeowner’s mind. Check out these planning tips for a stress-free kitchen remodel.

Why remodel your kitchen in the first place?

The first thing you should ask yourself is why you’d like to remodel your kitchen. Is it hard to work in? Is it outdated? Or maybe it doesn’t fit with the design of the rest of the house? Whatever the reason (or reasons) write it down and then think of what you can do to remedy the situation. For example, you have a hard time cooking in your kitchen because there isn’t enough room to work. A simple solution would be to increase the functionality of the room by expanding the counter space. Make a list of functional changes that you can make. Later you can assess the cosmetic aspects of the project you’d like to tackle.

Establish your budget for the kitchen remodel

Is this a good time for you to start a remodel? It’s important that you’ve saved up a substantial amount if you’re planning a renovation. Remodels are not cheap. It’s also important that you do have the budget to work with quality materials. It’s foolish to tackle a project like this using materials that will fall apart in a year’s time. Spring for the higher quality materials, it will be worth the wait.

Choosing a kitchen layout and design

After you work out the functional changes you need to make for your kitchen, then you can start picking colors, materials, and other cosmetic details. It’s a good idea to look through magazines for inspiration.Clip out ideas you like and then out of all of your clippings, look for common elements or themes. Those are characteristics you should work into your new kitchen.

Hiring a GC for your kitchen remodel

If you have never experienced working with a general contractor before, there are a number of things to keep in mind when you begin your search.

1. Ask your friends and family!
They’re the best people to ask for GC recommendations. They’ll be honest with you about the quality of work, the materials, the hours, and the price. If you don’t get any recommendations from family and friends, try your local hardware or home supply store for tips. Use internet resources as a last resort. You never know who’s writing on the web.
2. Make a list and make some calls
Check out the background on the GCs. Make sure each is licensed and insured. This will save you loads of trouble if anything were to go wrong in the remodeling process. Ask them for references and call them too!
3. Get to know your possible GC
This is the time to familiarize yourself with your general contractor. This individual is going to be spending a significant amount of time in your home and around your family. They’re also responsible for getting the job done on time and within the budget. Do your choices seem like a good fit for your needs?
4. Get a bid and hire your new GC
Request a formal bid from your potential contractors. However, you shouldn’t be tempted to go with the lowest bid. If an offer seems too good to be true, it most likely is.

Once it’s all over

When your project has wrapped up and you’re cooking in in what hopefully is your dream kitchen, there are still a few extra things to do. If you’re happy with your contractor, call them up and let them know that you’re willing to be a reference for his next job. If you weren’t so happy, let the licensing board know about it or talk with the BBB in your area.

This article was written by Erie Construction. Follow Erie Construction on Twitter for real-time updates on home improvement.

Protected: Using Wood Countertops To Grow Your Bottom Line

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

Sustainable Countertops

Posted on February 19, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

Brazilian Cherry Wood Kitchen Island Top

We’ve all heard the alarming statistics and horrifying scenarios surrounding the timber industry around the world. So when I walk into a showroom or pull up a website that makes me salivate over the stunning wood countertops available for my new kitchen do I have to avert my eyes and hurry past? Are wood countertops sustainable countertops? Will I be driving a nail in the coffin of a rainforest community of wildlife and indigenous people if I just have to have a Brazilian Cherry island top? Even if I think domestic and settle on a lovely length of walnut I may be guilty of damaging our native forests. Or am I simply stuck in a dated mindset and due for some updating education?

Hardwoods have always been a favorite for countertops since the advent of modern kitchens. Irresponsible harvesting of these woods has led to countless nightmare situations and an ongoing struggle to preserve forest ecosystems and their rich diversity of plant and animal life against the relentless press of the loggers. So what’s the situation now? How are the timber companies faring and what if anything have they learned from the past?

Sustainability and sound reforestation programs are key to any and all successful timber operations. The reality of economics rules all industry and the loggers are no different. The harvesting of hardwoods all over the world has undergone a sea change in the past couple of decades. As in nearly all forms of agriculture, the timber business has shifted from lots of small operators to fewer but larger companies with the educated outlook that demands long term management of resources. Technology and information gained over the history of logging as well as borrowed from other industries has changed the face of logging from the destructive, opportunistic image it long held to one of the planet’s most carefully planned and orchestrated agribusinesses. After all, this is a crop that takes not a few weeks or months to mature but many, many years.

Land that was previously harvested using the clear cut method where all the trees are taken has often been left to erode and/or lay unused. Reforesting this land has been a task taken on by modern timber companies. Much of the land used for this sort of plantation growth isn’t well suited to other crops. Use by the timber companies brings jobs to areas where subsistence farming was the primary way of life causing its own form of destruction to the forest. In many areas the reforesting of these lands has changed to dynamics of land use to the point that more virgin territory is being taken for industry and housing than is being timbered. Using the latest equipment designed especially for plantation growth and harvesting means as little damage as possible to the surrounding area including watersheds. Trees farmed in this way are given optimum growing conditions such as light and water which leads to much higher yields per acre than naturally growing forests can produce. Obviously, if more wood can be produced on less land its a win for the timber companies and the environment. Subsidiary industries of growing and planting seedlings to reestablish the clear-cut areas add another element to the economic well-being of the region.

In areas where trees are being selectively harvested, cut out from among others in a standing forest, high-tech equipment is being used to minimize the damage the area.

Careful maintenance of, “seed trees,” left to repopulate the species guarantees a new crop of young trees to take the place of the harvest. Added light and air circulation allows for better overall health of the forest and many forms of wildlife.

All these factors along with the stringent national export and import regulations have created a business atmosphere that no longer favors the hit and run, slash and burn operators of the past. That’s not to say that there aren’t offenders. 100 % compliance is too much to hope for in nearly any industry, but the old ways just aren’t paying off in the global timber industry. As in so many areas of business those who don’t adapt don’t survive. This knowledge isn’t the sole property of upper management. The populations of the areas effected are being educated in ecological issues and are coming to realize that planning and care regarding their natural resources have to used if they’re to enjoy a better quality of life. In countries where the timbered land is held primarily by individuals education for land owners has resulted in much more responsible harvesting of trees. In the US it’s estimated that only 65 to 70% of the hardwood is harvested annually, leaving at least 30% as a standing inventory.

After researching this question I went on to check out other countertop choices. Wood and stone are the options I’m considering. Stone is a natural substance and there is plenty of it but the process required to quarry and transport many of the varieties makes it an ecological concern. Trees do take a long time to grow and harvesting and transport aren’t without a cost. Still, I’m satisfied that I can have the warm, glowing wood I love in my kitchen without feeling guilty. I hope that the caring management of this wonderful material will go a long way to righting some of the wrongs its early exploitation caused. I’m doing my sustainable countertops walnut.

The Five Coolest Offices In The World

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Johnson Joshua

Nowadays, it takes a lot for an office to be classed as truly cool. Pool tables, pianos, puppies and slides are all pretty passé. But here are five places where going to work feels like a treat.

1) White Mountain Office

Deep underneath Stockholm in a former nuclear shelter hewn from the rocks lurks … no, not some kind of monster or supervillain, but the office of Bahnhof, a Swedish Internet Service Provider. Architect Albert France-Lanord happily admitted that his main influences in designing White Mountain Office came from science fiction films, and it really shows.

2) Inventionland Design Factory

Really, this is lots of different cool offices in one: 70,000 square feet of pirate ships, racetracks, caves, treehouses, castles. Even a giant shoe! It’s like working inside the mind of a particularly inventive child. No wonder employees there manage to come up with so many interesting new ideas.

3) McLaren Technology Centre

Based in the heart of the Surrey countryside, this is where Formula One racing cars get designed, built and tested. Based around a 475 foot long wind tunnel used for testing, everything about the offices is sleek and stylish, with cool glass walkways and great views of the enormous lake that is also used to help cool the building, and down onto the garages where some of the cars are displayed.

4) Selgas Cano office

Perhaps surprisingly, Selgas Cano are the only architectural firm to have made it onto this list. The Selgas Cano office makes the most of its brilliant woodland location, and then some. Glass walls and ceilings look out on the forest floor and up at the leafy canopy, the clean modern lines in glass and sparkling white contrasting beautifully with the wild and natural surroundings.

5) Pallotta Teamworks

The ‘Apostrophe’ in California where fundraising company Pallotta Teamworks has its headquarters deserves huge amounts of kudos for turning one of the most hated features of modern office life, the cubicle, into something fun, quirky and innovative. How did they do that? Simple. Instead of placing the cubicles beside one another, they stacked them on top of one another. The warehouse is divided into ‘work neighbourhoods’ using white tent tops fastened to shipping containers, in which the executive offices are located. And while most of the other offices on this list required big money, the Apostrophe’s innovative design comes from the fact that they had a budget of only 2 million USD to turn an old and empty warehouse into inspiring headquarters. That’s only about 40 USD per square foot, about half the going rate.

This article was written in association with Office Angels. Office Angels filling PA Jobs in offices like these since 1986.