Caesarstone has announced that it will be opening a U.S. quartz surfacing production facility in 2014. Althought a location has not been named, the $75 million facility will eventually have two production lines for Caesarstone products, according to the company. The U.S. facility will expand the company’s production by 50 percent. The … Read more
The National Remodeling Foundation (NRF) has established a starter fund to rebuild homes along the East Coast devastated by Hurricane Sandy and is currently accepting donations of money and building materials to assist in the relief effort. Individuals and organizations are already contributing to the relief fund, including Masonite Doors, … Read more
The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) has named industry veteran Chuck Sawyer to the position of Executive Director of the industry trade association for the surfacing industry. Chuck has been part of the surfacing industry since 1974, originally owning fabrication shops in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. One of the first DuPont … Read more
The National Center for Sustainability Standards (NCSS), a part of NSF International (formerly the National Sanitation Foundation) is beginning development of a Product Category Rule (PCR) for residential countertops in accordance with ISO 14025. The rule will cover natural stone, solid surface, engineered stone, high pressure laminate and recycled materials. … Read more
Beginning Nov. 1, Formica Corporation started selling its solid surface material directly to fabricators in select areas. According to a release by the company, fabricators in Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia and Kentucky, as well as to partners in parts of Pennsylvania and Illinois were among those included in this direct distribution program. Dubbed … Read more
Eos Surfaces Cupron-enhanced solid surface product has been confirmed by the EPA to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria, according to a joint release by Eos and Cupron. Cupron Enhanced EOS solid surface has received the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval to make a Public Health Claim that the copper-enhanced material … Read more
This video, by Tigpro, is a bit promotional, but it shows the process of creating a stainless steel countertop, which I’ve never seen before. It goes through the selection of material, cutting (shears), bending (press brake), welding of integral stainless steel sink (TIG welding), creation of the wooden substrate (very … Read more
In fall of 2011, first-year students selected to live in Phelan Residence Hall were welcomed by a long-awaited change. As the oldest operating hall on campus since 1955, it’s one of the most popular for young student placement, but was also one of the most unlivable. The most anticipated renovation … Read more
This video shows how one company, Rembrandt Countertops, repairs a granite slab. It actually looks like they are joining two pieces of similar granite, but they call it a repair, so it is probably safe to assume this is their repair technique. One thing of note is that this is a black … Read more
I ran across an interesting article on Kitchen & Bath Business today highlighting some apparent trends in countertops. It also has a photo slideshow to go with it. I’m not sure if I agree 100 percent on all of the points being made here, but there are some insights offered, … Read more