If you have cabinets built 20 to 30 years ago, chances are they are higher quality than what you can buy today. If your cabinets fit into this age bracket, they are square and plumb, it makes more sense for you to refinish and improve what you already have rather than spending big bucks starting from scratch. On the other hand, if you have rusty metal cabinets, cheap particle board cabinets, or have structural issues like unlevel floors causing your cabinets to warp, refinishing isn't a good idea and replacing might be your best option.

Refinishing your cabinets can have great return on your investment if you are planning to sell your house. You can make or break someone’s buying decision with your kitchen interior, and if you have a nice layout chances are they will be more interested in buying. Even if you aren’t about to sell your home, refinishing your cabinets is a great return on the aesthetics. Giving your home a new look makes it more clean and positive feeling. Refinishing cabinets isn't rocket science but it is tiring and dirty work. A lot of time and energy is spent on refinishing if you don’t know what you’re doing, so let the professionals at Kenneth C. Lewis take care of your cabinets. We can give you that fresh new look and save you money in the process.

Granite countertops are naturally resistant because of their naturally smooth and shiny surface. However, despite the tough exterior of granite countertops, they are sensitive to stains and scratches after prolong use. Here are some ways on how to care for your granite countertop and maintain its shiny and polished surface.

Clean granite countertops regularly. Your granite countertop has to be wiped down after each use. This is done not only for sanitation and hygienic purposes, but also to remove any leftover particles or substances that can scratch or stain it. The best cleaner that you can use is a simple solution of mild soap and water. Remember to rinse it with water to remove excess soap. Never use detergents, abrasive soaps, and rough sponges or scrubs to clean your granite countertop because they can cause scratches.

Seal granite countertops periodically. Sealing is a process of closing the granite pores to make them resistant to any type of absorption that can lead to moisture buildup and stains. Sealing also gives granite countertops their noticeable shine. We at Kenneth C. Lewis recommend having your granite countertop sealed once or twice a year, depending on how frequent you use it. However, if it is exposed to acidic or oily substances often, consider sealing it more than twice a year.

Use a chopping board or other alternative surfaces during food preparation. Using a chopping board to prepare food can protect your granite countertop from the cuts and scratches. Also, there are protective pads that you can stick under the blender, food processors, or other appliances. These pads do not only help you move around your appliances effortlessly they also protect your granite countertop from scratches and abrasions.

New to the countertop market and put into the same category of natural stone is engineered quartz. Quartz is great by combining 93 percent of natural quartz with 7 percent resin to create a highly durable material that is twice as strong as granite. Just recently quartz has been marketed in North America but it has been in Europe for 15 years. Engineered quartz offers a countertop that is nonporous and stain resistant. The slabs being manufactured have uniform colors and patterns, making it easier for consumers to know that they will get what they want. Unlike granite, engineered quartz doesn't require a sealant, just a cleaning on a regular basis.
 
The only drawback with this type of countertop is that a hot pad is required when placing a hot pan on it, and it is as expensive as granite. However, the money invested is worth the quality, value, and the durability these countertops will have to offer. An option that some consumers take to save money is having the natural stone cut into pieces and placing them like tiles. Another affordable option is placing a slab over an existing countertop. Both natural stone and engineered quartz require the proper maintenance to avoid any discoloration, scratches, or other costly damages. Natural stone requires special sealants about every six months to a year. And always avoid acidic cleaners or solutions to prevent severe damage to the countertop

Antique furniture pieces may deteriorate over time, just like any other kind of material in the world. When this happens to your furniture, you are faced with the question of whether you should refinish or restore the antique piece. In choosing which process should be undertaken, it is vital for you to have a complete understanding of the difference between the two before you run hastily into the decision. And here at Kenneth C. Lewis  we can cover both of the needs for you.

But what is the difference between Antique Restoration and Antique Refinishing?  Well as the name implies, antique restoration process refers to the step by step procedures to restore the antique piece. Basically, the process ensures that the antique object will not lose its value or worth as time goes on. Antique restoration may refer to light cleaning, antique refinishing, or conservation.

Now, antique refinishing is a method of antique restoration. And in this restoration technique, the restorer usually prioritizes the upholding of the functionality of the antique furniture. So for example, if the antique furniture is a table, the restorer would have to make sure that the legs of the table are in good shape and condition to hold some weight on the flat surface where food can be displayed. As such, aside from light cleaning or the process of removing dirt and stain from the product, reassembling and repainting should also be a key factor. However, the restorer should make sure that regardless of whatever he does, the antique furniture should be able to retain, if not totally increase its value.

Corian? What kind of countertop is that? Well at Kenneth C Lewis we only use the finest quality materials for our countertops, and corian is one of them. A brief history lesson entails; DuPont developed Corian, seeking to provide a solid, non-porous surface. It was introduced into the market in 1967 and it boomed instantly, because of its diverse use and easy maintenance.  Corian is a blend of natural materials and pure acrylic polymers. Some of the newer Corian countertops may offer a blend of polyester materials. Polyester is a more popular component for design, because it offers richer color options, however the durability compared to acrylic is far less. Because they are non-porous, Corian countertops are highly resilient to stains and high heat and are easy to clean.

The design and durability of Corian countertops make maintaining them easy. Just soapy water and ammonia-based products are the best to keep your Corian looking clean and new. Even scratches can be easily repaired with light sanding. Since it is made out of 100 percent acrylic-based material, it has a long-lasting beauty and superior strength. And it won't fade in the sunlight. The material's long history of use attests to its durability and help to sustain its positive characteristics and benefits.

A material this good has to be expensive right? Wrong. Corian is more affordable and provides greater beauty than laminate countertops, with less maintenance and repairs over the life of your kitchen design. Another benefit of Corian countertops is that they can be used outdoors and they do not pit, weather or lose their polished finish as stone does. So let Kenneth C. Lewis install your new Corian countertop today!