Archive for Living Green
For Inspirational Cambria Style, look no further than Ramsin Khachi
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Toronto-based Designer Ramsin Khachi in the Cambria Design Home Kitchen
Cambria quartz countertops are proud to announce their featured designer for Winter 2012, celebrated interior designer Ramsin Khachi. Khachi spearheads the Toronto-based Khachi Design Group, which he grew from a one-man construction company into a full service Design/Build firm. Khachi often appears on CTV’s Marilyn Denis Show and has also served as an expert for Benjamin Moore paints.
Khachi used Cambria as the unifying force in a recent design job that resurrected a 23-year-old split level in Oakville, a suburb west of Toronto. He chose Cambria because, in his own words, “I’m not interested in following trends. I like to use classical details with a contemporary twist, and materials like Cambria that will stand the test of time.” The home is fully upgraded for each room to function ideally as possible. Every room is also upgraded with state-of-the-art technology like biometric locks, sensors to automatically Read More→
A Green Countertop Alternative With Saratoga Soapstone
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Do you love the look of granite, but wish there was a greener alternative?
Saratoga Soapstone is an all-natural surface, quarried naturally with no synthetics and composed primarily of talc, chlorite, dolomite and magnetite. The surface doesn’t need to be sealed with harsh chemicals, and can be waxed instead. Waxing the soapstone deepens the color and protects the surface for years to come.
Saratoga Soapstone is not only beautiful – it is durable. It is heat resistant, avoiding damage when hot pans are placed on the surface; it is stain resistant, or acids or alkalies will not hurt the surface; and it is nonporous. Read More→
When Redesigning Your Kitchen, Think Nicole Kidman
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If you don’t already receive each issue of Cambria Style magazine, be sure to sign up. The magazine is packed with home design and lifestyle tips as well as celebrity interviews. In the latest issue, Summer 2011, Cambria urges homeowners to think more Nicole Kidman (classic) and less Lady Gaga (extremely trendy) when designing their ideal kitchens.
What are some of the kitchen trends you are noticing? Cambria has noticed an emphasis on dark wood and steamlined design, more open spaces where family and friends can congregate, distinctive materials and a desire for environmentally sustainable products.
With 100 colors offered, some even mimicking other surfaces like marble or granite, Cambria quartz offers a terrific surface solution for any kitchen remodel. Not only is the product eco-friendly, it is 100 percent manufactured in the United States – the only quartz company that can boast that fact. Read More→
Vetrazzo Countertops are Eco-Friendly and Locally Produced
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When you toss all of your glass recyclables together and leave them at the curb, do you ever wonder what that bottle of wine or salad dressing jar will become? Do you ever buy recycled items and wonder what their previous lives were?
If you are remodeling your kitchen or bathrooms, Vetrazzo offers unique countertops that each tell their own story. Vetrazzo is a unique surface comprised of glass and concrete. All glass is recycled and makes up about 83 percent of the final material by weight. Each shard of glass in the countertops tells a story. The largest proportion of glass comes from curbside recycling programs, but glass also comes from post industrial usage, dinnerware, stemware, automotive windshields, stained glass, laboratory glass and other unusual sources such as decommissioned traffic lights. Read More→
Cambria Plant Tour: My Golden Ticket
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Today’s tour of the Cambria Plant reminded me of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It was like winning a golden ticket to tour the plant. However, because the company’s “recipe” for quartz countertops is a closely guarded family secret, we weren’t allowed to take cameras into the plant. (The photos I’ve attached to this post are from the company’s equally amazing distribution center.) Construction Resources may have Georgia’s largest indoor slab gallery, but the Cambria distribution center certainly has us beat!
What I learned:
Made in America
Cambria is the only quartz surface made in America. This has huge positive implications for buyers and sellers in terms of distribution. Cambria provides super quick order fulfillment, and best of all it is a family owned company.
The Secret Mix
Cambria consists of 93% quartz. Only clear quartz is used and the quartz undergoes strict laboratory testing to ensure that it meets color, size and consistency standards. Resin and color pigment are added to the quartz and the formula is mixed in special proprietary mixers thus creating the beautiful colors and movement that Cambria has become famous for.
Strength in Numbers
Cambria is twice as strong as granite. This is because of the resin in the secret formula. Some other fun numbers from the plant tour that are impressive. Hundreds of Cambria slabs are manufactured a week, two production lines run 24/7, and with all of the plant’s automation only eight people are required to run each line. The favorite Read More→
Construction Resources Promotes Eco-Friendly Options and Initiatives
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There are many advantages to companies going “green”. Not only do they help the environment by using fewer resources, but if they offer eco-friendly products, then their customers can reap the benefits as well. That’s why Construction Resources, Atlanta’s leading supplier of kitchen and bath products for homeowners, remodelers and builders, is helping everyone with their earth-friendly initiatives:
- 100 percent of the water used in the fabrication plant is recycled
- Construction Resources uses clean-burning, natural gas fork lifts
- Over 85 percent of the company’s scrap granite and quartz is recycled
- Computer equipment, batteries and general office waste are recycled
- Diamond-metal tooling is retooled and reused
For the consumer, Construction Resources offer several eco-friendly products so that customers can go green as well. These products include: Read More→
Amazing Eco Countertop Options
Posted by: | CommentsEnvironmental sustainability is a huge deciding factor when it comes to materials in any remodel or build. Luckily, Construction Resources offers several eco-friendly countertop options that are beautiful as well.
ECO by Consentino is available in 10 colors and two finishes. The non-porous material is not only beautiful, but high performance, as it resists staining, scratching and scorching. Homeowners or builders striving for LEED Certification can gain points by utilizing this material for countertops. The post-consumer or post-industrial materials dictate the colors. For example, Black Forest is composed of mainly recycled glass and quarried stone, while White Diamond is mostly recycled glass.
The IceStone line is another eco-friendly option, and versatile as well. The surface can be used for countertops, walls and floors alike. IceStone comes in 24 standard colors, but due to the ability to tint the background mix and select from different sizes and colors of glass, the palette is unbound. Combining the strength of granite and heat resistance of stone, the material is very durable. Also, due to the high recycled content, the material can be used for LEED points.
Keeping with the recycled glass theme, Construction Resources offer Vetrazzo glass surfaces. Made of 85 percent glass (all recycled). The colors continually evolve as difference sources of recycled glass are discovered. The surface is durable and easy to maintain on top of being heat and scratch resistant.
For more information on these eco-friendly options, visit the Construction Resources website, or stop by one of the three Atlanta-area showrooms.
Construction Resources Offers Homebuyers Safe and Environmentally Friendly Cambria
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Natural quartz kitchen and bath surfaces by Cambria are a favorite of homebuyers who make their new home selections at Construction Resources’ three Atlanta-area showrooms. Cambria natural quartz surfaces are not only stain resistant and non-porous, but they are also harder, stronger and easier to care for than other stone surfaces. Plus, they’re certifiably safe for families and the environment.
Cambria countertops do not require sealing with chemical-based conditioners, polishes or wax. Certified by NSF International as safe for use as a food preparation surface, Cambria countertops are free of any formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Cambria surfaces have been tested for radon emissions by Air Quality Sciences, Inc., an International Organization for Standard (ISO) 9001:2000 registered and ISO 17025 accredited Indoor Air Quality Company. The testing confirms that Cambria countertops have no harmful emissions of any type. Read More→
Heritage Wood Adds Warmth to the Kitchen
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Bring the warmth of wood to your kitchen with Heritage Wood from Construction Resources. As a leader in Atlanta kitchen and bath needs, Construction Resources exclusively offers a wide range of beautiful wood species to craft the perfect custom countertops for your kitchen.
From Cherry, to Maple, Hickory, Walnut and Oak, the domestic wood species will give your kitchen an all-American feel. Exotic wood species are also available, which include Teak, Zebrawood, Bamboo, Beech and even beautiful checkerboard patterns incorporating two different exotic species. Construction Resources also offers Heritage Wood countertops crafted from reclaimed wood species, such as Douglas Fir, Old Growth Cypress, Heart Pine and much more. The reclaimed wood meets LEED certifications, making this a perfect choice when you want style coupled with environmental sustainability. Read More→
New Flooring Division at Construction Resources
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Construction Resources is already known as the destination for quality countertops, sinks, faucets, tubs and more, but now they will set the bar even higher with a new division dedicated to flooring. Construction Resources is expanding its showroom selection to become the ultimate one-stop shop for building and remodeling needs.
Glass, porcelain tile and natural stone tile will come from Daltile and Interceramic among other manufacturers who have proven their commitment to quality. Popular carpet brands such as Mohawk, Beaulieu and Shaw will be available in the most popular colors and styles, including the stylish frieze. Bamboo flooring will also be available, improved in construction and environmentally sustainable, as will other hardwoods from Mohawk and Shaw. Read More→