Recycled glass countertops latest trend in "Green" home decor

(MS) -- Global warming has become a top of mind concern for most Americans over the last few years thanks to the devastating tragedies from tropical storms around the world due to climate change.

As a result, more and more people are increasingly sensitive to the environment and show a stronger desire for preserving our resources and recycling. Countless corporations are following suit by incorporating "green" philosophies to their regular product offerings.

This "green" trend has made its greatest impact in home decorating with consumers and decorators now gravitating to more eco-friendly alternatives for interior decor.

One trend that is leaving a "green" mark in homes across the country is the choice of recycled material countertops over more conventional surfaces.

Green countertops are recycled or renewable surfaces that minimize impact on the environment during their production. They are comprised of different combinations of natural and man-made materials and often include some form of recycled glass. Many are attractive and viable alternatives to conventional countertop materials.

The latest entry into this category, Elements by Durcon, is creating quite a buzz as it's a "green" countertop surface that also offers unmatched durability, cleanliness and aesthetic qualities.

Durcon, the leading U.S. manufacturer of epoxy resin quartz countertops and sinks for the last 35 years, recently launched an eco-friendly surface variation -- Elements by Durcon -- for the residential and commercial markets. Stone fabricators, dealers and architects across North America agree that the product's unique qualities and highly durable characteristics set it apart from first generation eco-friendly surface products currently available.

Molded from a proprietary blend of fine quartz, epoxy resin, and recycled glass (i.e., clear beer bottles), the material is solid, non-porous, never requires sealing, and is homogenous in consistency. Its unique manufacturing process produces an incredibly silky smooth and durable countertop surface.

"Elements is ideal for the discerning customer who desires a unique eco-friendly product for kitchen countertops, vanities, fireplace surrounds, and commercial applications," explained Mark Hanna, President of Montreal-based Leeza Distribution Inc., one of North America's leading distributors of premium countertops such as Elements by Durcon.

Elements is an incredibly safe and durable countertop surface ideal for kitchens, as it is certified by NSF, is a very low VOC emitting material and boasts the highest heat resistance rating available.

"Elements is stylishly sleek with a distinctly silky feel that works beautifully with any decor," Hanna added. "From Old World to ultra-modern, it provides a look that is very unique, timeless and clean."

Its versatility is its strongest attribute. In addition to custom colors, Elements by Durcon is available in two alternate design variations -- "Titanium" and "PUR." Titanium features a dramatic metallic flecked surface. The highlight of the PUR line is Pristine that is "already a hit with designers," said Hanna, due to its rare, deep, and absolute white quality that is in high demand in today's decors.

Elements surfaces are so durable that unused and old countertop material is recycled by Durcon for use in road construction. More information on these eco-friendly countertops is available at leezadistribution.com.

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Marble tile -- finally a great option Latest innovation poised to rock industry

(MS) -- It's been described as refined natural marble tile. It's five times stronger than regular marble and precision engineered to create the most sought after marble tile collection in the industry. It's called Accolade Premium RF and it's the next generation of marble tile.

Using the same innovative concepts that have brought engineered hardwood floors to the forefront of the flooring industry, these tiles feature a wide range of marble meticulously selected from exotic quarries bonded to high quality porcelain for significantly superior strength and precision engineered to meet the most demanding specifications with unparalleled beauty.

"The Premium RF collection embraces the enduring beauty of classic marble while using the latest technology to create an unrivalled natural marble tile," said Mark Hanna, President of Montreal-based Leeza Distribution Inc., one of North America's leading distributors of premium surfaces, including the new Accolade Premium RF Collection. "The distinct porcelain backing significantly increases performance, durability and strength, enabling these spectacular marbles to be used with confidence."

In fact, natural marble, though timeless and beautiful as a surface option, has its drawbacks:

- With many of the world's finer marbles, much of the natural beauty and character is often defined in the veining, which unfortunately also makes it more weak and fragile as a decorative surface.

- Because of its weight and fragility, marble is not always the best option for vertical installations which can lead to breakage and waste.

However, thanks to Accolade Premium RF's sophisticated, highly developed technology, a new generation marble solution has been created to deal with the main drawbacks of decorating with marble tile.

The Premium RF collection captures the inherent color variations, veining and subtle hues found only in natural and often fragile stone but offers the added durability and flexibility that regular marble lacks.

All tiles are painstakingly sorted to ensure consistent design integrity, assuring subtle veining characteristics, color hues and movement flow beautifully. A complex gauging system ensures that each tile dimension is manufactured with the same thickness so intricate multi-size tile patterns can be laid with ease.

This system also enables these marbles to be bonded to honeycomb aluminum for large wall panels. This innovative concept significantly reduces weight, breakage and costs for vertical installations.

Already being recommended by many interior designers for its timeless look and unmatched durability, these marble tiles are an ideal surface for bathroom floors, fireplaces and architectural designs.

"This collection lets you embrace the beauty of the best natural marble of the world without worrying about the inherent fragility," said Hanna. "Finally, the delicate marbles can be used without worry." More information on the latest in marble tile is available at leezadistribution.com.

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Be Safe and Sound When Stringing Holiday Lights

Few holiday traditions are as aesthetically appealing as lighting a house and Christmas tree. Neighborhood passersby often delight in a well-lit holiday home, and some neighborhoods even have contests among residents as to who can create the most festive holiday lighting display.

But as fun as stringing up and designing a holiday lighting scheme can be, it can be equally dangerous as well. Film fans are well aware of Clark Griswold's hysterical efforts to string up holiday lights in the comedy classic "Christmas Vacation." But as oddball and over-the-top as those efforts were, they've also hit home for many who have had accidents stringing up holiday lights in years past.

Consider the fact that Christmas trees account for roughly 200 fires annually -- mostly from electrical lights or open flames from candles -- causing more than $6 million in property damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. In addition, each year plays witness to thousands of visits to local emergency rooms resulting from falls that happen when stringing up holiday lights.

But for every person who visits the emergency room after a fall, there are thousands more who make it through the season safe and sound. To do just that, consider the following holiday lighting safety tips, courtesy of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

* Check that outdoor lights -- and extension cords -- are designed for outdoor use, and be sure to look for the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label on the lights. The label indicates that the product has been tested for safety hazards.

* Inspect lights for any damages, such as frayed strings, exposed wires, loose connections, or any broken or cracked sockets. Damaged sets are a fire and safety hazard, so replace any sets with any of the aforementioned problems.

* Minimize extension cord use, plugging lights directly into the electrical sockets whenever possible. Check the fuse box to determine how many amps your circuit can handle safely.

* Routinely feel electrical cords around the house and unplug any that feel too warm.

* Turn off lights when you are away from home and when you're asleep. Even if only for a midday cat nap, unplug all lights just to be safe.

* Do not strand more than three light sets together.

* Do not use electric lights with a metallic tree. Touch alone can lead to a deadly electrical shock.

* Prevent wind damage to bulbs by securely attaching all outdoor lights to the house, walls or other firm objects..

* Do not conceal cords under floor mats or rugs. This can lead to trips and falls.

* When hanging lights, always emphasize safety and have a helper on hand. The ladder should be sitting level, and when hanging lights, stand centered on the rails of the ladder. When placing the ladder, both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the CPSC recommend extending it at least three feet beyond the roofline. In addition, for every four feet the ladder extends up, space the base of the ladder one foot away from the wall.

* Keep all lighting decorations out of reach of children and pets. Children may be intrigued by the lights and be tempted to play with the wires or the bulbs, while the family pet might chew or pull on cords.

* Be especially careful with candles. Candles are an obvious fire hazard, so avoid placing them near trees, decorations and wrapping paper and do not put them in a place where they can be knocked down or blown over.

CAPTION: Holiday lighting displays are a popular and aesthetically appealing tradition, but homeowners must practice caution when stringing up lights.

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Remove Ugly Wallpaper with Ease

(MS) -- Looking for a weekend home improvement project? Removing old tired wallpaper in the hallway, bathroom, or other room of your home is a project that will give you dramatic results with little effort.

Wallpaper removal is easy if you follow a few simple steps and use products available at your local home center, paint retailer or hardware store. Here's how:

Step #1: Score the wallpaper. Most wallpaper has a washable, waterproof surface. Try peeling the top layer away by hand. If it won't peel away easily, you need to score the wallpaper first to ensure that wallpaper stripper solution is able to reach and loosen the glue underneath. PaperTiger Wallpaper Scoring Tool is designed to perforate the wallpaper without damaging the wall for fast and easy scoring. The more holes you make, the faster and easier the paper will come off the walls.

Step #2: Apply a wallpaper stripper like DIF Wallpaper Stripper. Available in a liquid concentrate, gel or fast-acting liquid, it is safe, non-toxic and easy to use. Apply to one wall at a time, starting at the top and working your way down. DIF is formulated to penetrate and breakdown wallpaper paste quickly. In 20 minutes or less, the wallpaper will be ready to be removed.

Step #3: Remove the loose wallpaper. Use a PaperScraper tool to get the wallpaper off the wall without hard work or surface damage. If any glue remains, simply reapply the stripper to the area, wait 15-20 minutes, remove it with PaperScraper or a sponge and rinse with clean water. Before you know it you'll have clear, wallpaper free walls ready for repainting and redecorating!

For more information about removing or hanging wallpaper, or for more helpful home improvement tips, visit www.zinsser.com.

CAPTION: Remove old wallpaper to give an old, tired room a new look.

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Kitchen design Transform your kitchen with new countertops

(MS) -- In these tough economic times many Americans are choosing to forego their massive kitchen remodeling plans in favor of more cost-effective solutions. Experts agree that by simply installing new countertops your kitchen can take on a whole new look and feel.

According to Mark Hanna, President of Montreal-based Leeza Distribution Inc., one of North America's leading distributors of premium countertops such as HanStone Fine Quartz Surfaces and Durcon's Elements epoxy surfaces, sometimes a facelift may be more prudent than a complete makeover.

"I've seen where just replacing the countertops in a kitchen made a major difference and gave an impression of a brand new space," he explained. "It's because your countertops are the most visible source of color in the kitchen. If your cabinets are white or wood, then what immediately catches your eye is the surface you use the most -- your countertop.

Today's latest designs in countertops can take a moderate looking kitchen and turn it into a trendy designer space. You will be amazed at the selection of countertop colors, textures and finishes available. The primary goal, Hanna recommends, is to find a durable, stain-resistant and easy-to-clean surface that will also bring style, elegance and beauty to your kitchen.

The two most popular countertop materials which meet the criteria for both practicality and elegance are quartz surfaces and the emerging epoxy surfaces by Durcon Inc.

"We offer the two hottest products in the market today but taste has a lot to do with your choice," said Hanna. "If you have an affinity for stone, which provides visual impact and dominance in a kitchen, than HanStone is for you. Whereas if a stylishly sleek, yet extraordinarily tough and functional surface is your goal, then Elements would be the ideal choice."

Both surface materials meet the highest standards for hygiene and cleanliness in the industry (certified NSF 51) thanks to their nonporous properties. Also of great importance, both are accredited with Greenguard environmental certification for low emitting products.

In fact, Elements countertops were originally created to withstand extreme conditions found in industrial and laboratory environments. Elements is a proprietary blend of epoxy resin and fine quartz formed through a unique manufacturing process that creates an incredibly smooth and durable surface. It features a contemporary stone look that is silky smooth, timeless and clean, making it an ideal countertop surface for today's ultra-modern decors, which feature clean lines, sleek appliances and a darker color palette.

With countertops it's still all about color and with Elements surfaces you can choose from seven attractive colors or customize your own countertop colors to harmonize with your decor. More information on epoxy and quartz surfaces is available at leezadistribution.com.

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From chemistry labs to kitchens Ultra-durable epoxy countertops the latest trend

(MS) -- You probably remember them from the chemistry labs in high school. You know the smooth black countertops that were indestructible. Flames, acid, solvents, and chemicals were no match for these ultra-durable surfaces. Made of flame- and stain-resistant epoxy resin, these countertops are still the top choice in today's laboratories, hotels, hospitals and now ... homes?
The latest trend to watch out for in countertops is epoxy surfaces for their unmatched durability, cleanliness and aesthetic qualities.

Durcon Inc., the leading U.S. manufacturer of epoxy resin countertops and sinks for the last 35 years, officially launched an exciting new product, Elements by Durcon to the residential market last fall. Stone fabricators, dealers and architects from across North America agree that the product's unique qualities and highly durable characteristics set it apart from other stone products currently available.

Molded from a proprietary blend of epoxy and fine quartz, the countertops are monolithic in nature, homogenous in consistency and solid through and through. There are no laminates to bubble and crack and no porosity to allow liquid penetration. Its unique manufacturing process produces a countertop that is sleek, durable and dependable.

"Elements is ideal for the discerning customer who desires a unique product for kitchen countertops, vanities, fireplace surrounds, and commercial applications," explained Mark Hanna, President of Montreal-based Leeza Distribution Inc., one of North America's leading distributors of premium countertops such as Durcon's Elements epoxy surfaces.

"Quartz is one of the hardest minerals found in nature and epoxy resin is inherently heat- and chemical-resistant. Elements provides the best of both materials in an entirely new residential surface option," he added.

Elements is an incredibly safe and durable countertop surface ideal for kitchens as it is certified NSF 51 for food preparation areas, naturally anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, a low VOC material, stain resistant, and boasts the highest heat resistance rating available.

"Elements is stylishly sleek with a distinctly silky feel that works beautifully with any decor," Hanna added. "From Old World to ultra-modern it provides a look that is very unique, timeless and clean."

As for colors, Elements surfaces come in seven attractive options or you can customize your own countertop colors to complement your decor. "This is a truly unique feature in the industry where you can actually select your own customized color," he added. More information on epoxy resin surfaces is available at leezadistribution.com.

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Bathroom Mold and Mildew Solutions

(MS) -- Want to give your bathroom a new look without dishing out loads of cash? While you're deciding on your decor and selecting a paint color, why not think about preventing one of the most common bathroom problems -- mold & mildew growth.

Cleaning can remove mold & mildew, but the trick to controlling it is to prevent it before it starts. Follow these steps from the mold & mildew prevention experts at Zinsser:

* Keep airflow constant. The combination of hot showers in small spaces creates an ideal environment for the growth of mold & mildew. Consider installing an exhaust fan or ceiling fan to improve ventilation in your bathroom. They can increase airflow and significantly slow the growth of mold & mildew. What if installing a fan isn't in your budget? Leaving your bathroom window slightly open when you shower can also help airflow.

* Eliminate moisture. Stagnant water produces moisture in the air and creates an ideal environment for the growth of mold & mildew. Limit excessive moisture by using a dehumidifier and by wiping down shower walls after each use.

* Clean infected areas. Treat bathroom surfaces with JOMAX(R) Mold Killer and Deodorizer. It's a ready-to-use cleaner and deodorizer that kills mold, while cleaning, disinfecting, and preventing the future growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. Plus, it eliminates tough odors, too!

* Use mold & mildew-proof paint. Apply two coats of Perma-White(R) Mold & Mildew-Proof* Interior Paint. This low-odor, durable, water-base paint is guaranteed to prevent the growth of mold & mildew on the paint film for 5 years. Plus, Perma-White is available in a beautiful white finish that can be tinted to any off-white, pastel or medium color you desire.

By using these steps -- and following a regular cleaning schedule -- you will enjoy a mold & mildew-free bathroom for years to come! For more prevention tips, visit www.zinsser.com.

CAPTION: Give your bathroom a fresh, clean look by keeping mold and mildew out.

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