DIY Home Improvement Guide

Which Chrome Ceiling Light is Right For Your Home?

When shopping for a new chrome ceiling light it can be hard to figure out what is really going to work in your home the best.  It’s easy to get sidetracked by what looks good, but to find that blend of function and fashion is the key to a successful lighting purchase.  In this post I want to share some different qualities that are important in each of the different types of chrome ceiling lights so you can figure out the one that is going to make a big difference in your home.

The common types of ceiling lights that come in a chrome finish are pendant, flush mounted, semi flush mounted, and track.  Each has their own specific benefits, but before you try and figure out which you need you have to figure out what you need the light for.  The obvious answer is to light up a room, but what else do you need to get out of it?  Are there dark corners in the room?  Art on the wall that should be showcased?  A specific area that should be lit more than the rest?  In determining the answers to these questions you’re going to get a clear picture of which light style you need.

Pendant lights are great at lighting one specific area of the room.  They don’t do a great job of providing even light across a large space, so you may need a few of them to get a lot of light.  If you want to illuminate a specific area of one room, there aren’t many styles of lights that will do a better job.

Flush and semi-flush mounted chrome ceiling lights are the standard ceiling light.  They will provide the most even light out of all of the different styles.  If you want one centrally located fixture to light up the whole room, this is the one to go with.  To get light in specific areas you may have to compliment this style with a pendant light or a lamp.

Track lighting works best for showcasing things on the wall or shining light to specific points of the room.  If the track is long enough and has enough bulbs you can light an entire room, but it’s not a very efficient way to do so.

Now that you’ve seen the pros and cons of each lighting style you are much closer to figuring out what you actually need.  Take the designs of lights that you really like and pair that with the style that you actually need to get the perfect chrome ceiling light for your home.

Chrome Ceiling Lights

When shopping for chrome ceiling lights it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the huge amount of options and styles.  The good news is that only a few of those lights are going to fit the theme and decor of your home, and I want to show you how to figure out which light is right for you.

The first step in choosing a chrome ceiling light is determining the style of your home, or at least the room that the lights are going to be installed in.  You may already have a good idea of what it is, or what it’s going to be, but you may still want to go through this process to help refine your search.  If chrome is what you’re shopping for, look at all of the other chrome things that are in the room.  These will become accents to your lights, or your lights will accent those.  If there aren’t any chrome things in this room, you may want to consider adding some.  The overall style of this room will be determined by the rest of the furniture, wall art, and appliances that reside there, so take note of common themes that all of these things have.  Note the colors, shapes, trims, and textures.  If the stuff in this room matches, you’re going to have a lot of things in common.  Your list of common elements is now your shopping guide for your new chrome ceiling lighting.

There are essentially three different styles of chrome ceiling lights; flush and semi-flush mount, pendant, and track.  Let’s take a look at the benefits of each.

Flush and Semi-Flush Mount Chrome Ceiling Lights

Flush mount ceiling lights are the ones that sit directly on the ceiling, these are the most common in the ceiling lighting family.  Semi-flush mount lights hand off of the ceiling by a few inches, but not enough to be considered a pendant light.  The biggest advantage of this style of light is that it can be used anywhere, without any consideration for ceiling height.  They are easy to install, easy to maintain, and take little work to change out light bulbs.

If you’re looking for a style of light that will compliment the other things in your room, but not be distracting or a focal point of its own, choose this style of light.  Or if you’re working with standard height or lower ceilings, this tends be the only logical option.

Chrome Pendant Ceiling Lights

Pendant lights tend to fall into two different camps.  They are either simple and designed for lighting a specific area, or they are luxurious and elegant, and designed to stand out.  As chandeliers are becoming less popular among the younger homeowner, pendant lights are quickly filling in that segment.

If you’re looking for something that is simple to light up a corner, or art on your walls, your shopping experience should be very easy.  There are a few designs in different shapes that work great for this job.

If you’re looking for something to stand out on your ceiling, you’re going to have a much longer shopping experience.  There are hundreds of different designs in prices that range from less than a hundred bucks, to well over a thousand.  At this point it’s important that you followed the steps discussed above for figuring out your home’s style so you have a guide to shop from.  This is the kind of thing that you want to get right the first time, or it can be a very costly mistake!

Chrome Track Ceiling Lighting

If you’re looking for something that’s highly functional, yet sophisticated, while shopping for chrome ceiling lighting, go with track lighting.  You can choose from hundreds of different styles with tracks that can go anywhere along your ceiling.  They also take up an incredible small amount of space, you can get light wherever you need it without having to worry about ceiling height.

A secondary benefit to chrome track lighting is that it’s incredibly energy efficient.  Many of the newest models will use LED light that allows you to have a lot of lights along your track without putting a dent into your utility bill.

These are just the beginning of the benefits of the different styles of chrome ceiling light fixtures.  You can also use them in very creative ways because of their versatility.  Chrome ceiling lights work in every room of the house, it’s just a matter of matching the light to the style of your room!

What To Look For In A Corner Sink

Whether your corner sink is for the kitchen or bathroom, there are some qualities that are important to look for to make sure that you get the most from your purchase.  It might seem like a simple replacement, or new installation, but not all sinks are created equally!  This post will show you these details, some of them might seem minor but can be the difference between a sink lasting a few years, or lasting a lifetime.

The key to a quality corner sink is the materials that it’s made from.  If you’re replacing an existing sink, I’d venture a guess that it’s made from ceramic and has become dingy and stained over the years.  To get the most from your next sink, it might be a good idea to use a material other than ceramic (or at least a higher quality ceramic).  These sinks are going to cost more, but will prevent you from having to replace it any time soon.

A great ceramic alternative is just another type of ceramic that is becoming more common. Fireclay is its name, and it is much more durable and less porous than your traditional sink.  It’s also made using much more environmentally friendly practices, if that’s important to you.

Stainless steel is always a good choice for a corner sink that will last a very long time, with little maintenance, at a great price.  These won’t cost too much more than a ceramic one will, and will outlive you and your home.

Another quality to look for is the shape of the sink.  If you’ve read other posts here on ematerials.net you may already know this, but it’s important enough to state again.  Most sinks have round basins for a reason, it prevents water from splashing out and forces water towards the drain.  A new trend in corner sinks is to have them rectangle shaped with ramps that lead the water towards the drain.  This looks great, but when water hits a flat surface, it’s going to splash out.

There are a handful of solutions to this problem.  One, if rectangle and square shaped sinks are your thing, get one that’s deep, like four or five inches deep, to give the walls enough height to catch the water before it goes overboard.  The second solution is to reduce the water pressure to the faucet, turn the hot/cold knobs tighter that are located where your water comes from the wall to do this.  Or the third solution is to have a mop on hand to clean up every time someone brushed their teeth.

Shopping for corner sinks isn’t tough at all, but be sure to weigh in the things discussed above into your decision.  You want a sink that is going to last a long time, without causing any unnecessary headaches along the way!

Corner Sinks

For those that are tight on space corner sinks are just about the setup you can imagine.  They do their job, do it well, and hardly take up any space at all.  There are quite a few different styles and designs of these sinks, so in this post I want to break it all down for you so that you know what to expect when it’s time to go shopping.  This post is geared both towards those who are replacing an existing sink, as well as those who are doing a brand new installation.

Let’s hop to it!

Corner Kitchen Sinks

Kitchens that are painfully small usually benefit the most from a well designed corner sink.  This is because most of the other appliances in there are so small and under performing that having something that is small, yet does its job well, is extremely gratifying.

Elkay makes a double basin sink that is designed for corners.  This thing is absolutely sweet (see pic)!  It is designed to give you the most sink space with the smallest footprint possible.  I was able to help with an installation of this sink a little while back, and it looks fantastic and works great.  The only thing that you have to watch out for is swinging a long spouted faucet from one basin to the other while the water is running, it might spray water all over the floor as it passes the apex of the corner.  A smaller faucet, or even better, a bar faucet, would be perfect for this application.

There are other corner kitchen sinks available, but none that I’ve seen can match the looks and function of this Elkay model.

Corner Bathroom Sinks

Corner sinks for bathrooms are pretty standard fair.  They are almost always porcelain and wall mounted, but the do work well and save a ton of space in cramped bathrooms.

We wrote a post on cloakroom sinks a while back, and I think that some of the tips there should be rehashed here.  You can get some very modern and fashionable designs in  bathroom corner sinks, and one of the hottest trends right now is the long rectangle look.  These are stunning looking sinks, but will have problems when there is too much water pressure.  When you look at a regular style sink it has a rounded basin for a reason, it splashed water back towards the drain.  These rectangular sinks don’t have that quality, so they will shoot water all over the walls and floor.  You can either be ready with a mop every time someone washes their hands, or you can reduce the water pressure to the faucet.  You can do this by tightening the water valves on the hot and cold sides of the plumbing, look to where the pipes meet the wall to find these.

Corner Pedestal Sinks

If you’re looking for something different than the regular corner bathroom sink, pedestal sinks are a great choice.  Their design alone is more stylish than a wall mounted sink, so most any of them you choose will be an improvement.  There are hundreds of different styles and price ranges for these sinks, you can get a stylish one for less than $200, or go all out and spend $500 or $600 for a designer brand.

When shopping for a pedestal sink you want to make sure that it matches with your style of plumbing.  If the sink that you currently have drains into the wall, that’s the style of sink you want.  If it drains into the floor (rare), you can find pedestal sinks that match as well.

Corner sinks are one of the biggest space savers in the home.  With some planning and shopping around you can get a sink that works just as well as their larger brethren.  Be smart, be patient, and do your research.  You’re going to find the perfect one for your home and your budget.

Choosing A Garden Utility Sink

Finding a garden utility sink among all of the sinks that are designed for laundry rooms can be a challenge.  It’s hard to find utility sinks that can withstand the abuse of cleaning tools, but be affordable enough that you have no problem putting it in your shed or garage.  This post will offer up some ideas for figuring out which one is right for you and your home.

The key to a garden utility sink is durability.  It has to be able to stand up to heavy duty cleaning, yet be extremely low maintenance.  No one wants to spend their weekends cleaning out their garden sink!  For this reason, stainless steel and hardened plastic are the popular choices for this type of utility sink.

The word “affordable” is a relative term, and what’s affordable to you is probably way out of my league, so we’ll speak in generalities here.  Stainless steel utility sinks cost way more than the plastic type.  There really isn’t much longevity or strength difference between the two, just appearance.  If you want to save as much money as possible on garden utility sinks, plastic is the way to go.  Freestanding sinks cost more than wall mounted sinks, but require less work (money) to set up.  All you need to get a free standing sink up and running is to hook up the water and the drain and you’re ready to go.  Wall mounted ones need to be hung, which can be a pain with limited space in your shed or garage.

So to save the most money, while still getting quality, get a plastic free standing utility sink.

The choices are certainly limited, but once you know what you need the choice is obvious.  Figure out what your budget and space are like, and the perfect garden utility sink will be evident.

The Benefits Of A Wall Mounted Utility Sink

A wall mounted utility sink is an excellent way to get water for all of your dirty chores without taking up a ton of space.  They are easy to find, and usually very affordable, so they work great in almost any home.  If you’re shopping for utility sinks, this post will help you figure out whether or not wall mounted sinks are right for your garage or laundry room.

In general, a utility sink a bare bones fixture that should require no maintenance at all.  It’s there to do a job, and nothing else.  Dirty hands, muddy boots, and grass stains shouldn’t phase a utility sink.  With that in mind, this post is geared toward the functional-type sinks, rather than anything fancy.  If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, see our post on laundry utility sinks.

The biggest benefit that you’ll get from a wall mounted, as opposed to a freestanding, utility sink is space.  That space can be interpreted two ways; get the most from a small space or create extra space.  If you’re looking at installing a utility sink in a small room or in the corner of a room, a wall mounted one is perfect.  It’s up and off of the floor, so you’re not losing anything there, and are versatile enough to install anywhere that you can run water and plumbing to.

There’s a bit of debate here at Ematerials about whether or not wall mounted sinks actually create more space, but I think the consensus is that they do.  Free standing sinks have plenty of space underneath them, but with the feet you lose the ability to put cabinets, boxes, or whatever under there.  Sure, a wall mounted sink has the drain pipe and P-trap hanging from the bottom and into the wall, but that’s not much when compared to legs.  Another huge benefit, like we said above, is that everything is off of the floor, so there is less to trip on, clean, and get in the way.

The biggest downside of wall mounted utility sinks is that they aren’t as durable as their free standing brethren.  If you’re not planning on hand washing all of your laundry for the next decade or so, this won’t be a big deal.  Wall mounted sinks can withstand most daily abuse, as long as their properly hung on the wall.

Stainless Steel Utility Sink – Freestanding or Wall Mounted?

When shopping for a stainless steel utility sink the hardest choice may be which type of sink you need.  Most stainless sinks look nearly the same and only you know how big it should be, so that leaves the style for us to work out together!  There are some important things about utility sinks to consider when figuring out whether you need a wall mounted or free standing sink, which we’ll work out over the next few hundred words.

The biggest difference between these two styles of sinks is the amount of abuse they can withstand.  Even the most secure wall mounted utility sinks won’t be able to put up with what a free standing stainless steel utility sink will.  Most people aren’t going to put enough weight on a sink to rip it off of the wall, but over time it might become loose or even bend.  If you want strength, go with a free standing unit.

A freestanding unit will take up more space than a wall mounted sink will.  It has a bigger footprint, but it’s not tough to figure out a storage system beneath the tub.  If you’re looking for something that’s up and off of the floor and allows more space, go with a wall mounted unit.

Wall mounted sinks cost significantly less than a full unit will.  There are a lot less materials that go into the construction, and because they’re smaller they cost a fraction to ship of what a free standing one does.  If you’re looking to get a stainless utility sink as cheap as possible, go with a wall mounted one.  To spend even less, go with a plastic utility sink.

If you plan on bringing your sink with you when you move, a wall mounted on will be tough to remove and fix up its holes.

The differences between the two different types of stainless steel utility sinks are pretty significant, so be sure of what you need before you figure out which sink you want.  These sinks last forever, so be ready to live with it for a really long time!

I should have set that post up like a 20 questions exam to determine the exact sink, oh well. :)

How To Find An Affordable Laundry Utility Sink

There are two camps when it comes to a laundry utility sink, those that want fashion and those that want function.  It doesn’t matter which side you’re on, you still should save as much money as possible on yours when you buy it!  In this post I want to offer some tips for finding both kinds of utility sinks so you can get exactly what you want at the price you want to pay.

I may be a little stereotypical when it comes to my judgment of your laundry sink needs, but it really helps me divide this post up so it makes sense!

Functional Laundry Utility Sink

When shopping for a sinks that’s designed to take a beating without leaking it’s actually pretty easy to get a smokin’ deal.  By design there isn’t a whole lot that goes into making this style of sink, so they start out more affordable than the fashionable type do.  Plastic sinks can be found for under $75 without much effort at all at your local hardware store.  They are usually much cheaper online, but unless you find a deal on shipping you’re going to end up spending just as much.

If you’re particularly resourceful, or just want to spend as little as possible, you can find these sinks used all over the place.  Whenever restaurants go out of business their sinks are usually sold at fire sale prices.  Stainless steel sinks last forever, but when inspecting a used sink like this be sure to check all of the welds.  The welds are the area that are prone to rust, and if it’s bad it will take serious repairs or it will break over time.

Fashionable Laundry Utility Sinks

For those on the other side of the fence, or just have their utility sink in a visible area, saving money on your sink takes a little bit more work.  The same principles that you would use to save money on your bathroom sink are used for these.

It’s important to note that there isn’t a lot of difference between quality of brands, if you’re looking at two sinks by different manufacturers with very different prices, odds are that the cheaper one will perform just as well as the expensive one.  Sinks are very low maintenance fixtures!

I always recommend that when people are looking for deals on sinks they shop online.  Your local Home Depot will have good prices on a few sinks, but online you can find any sink you want at a great price.  The trick to saving money online is shipping costs.  If you can get free shipping on your sink, you’re going to save a lot of cash!  It’s that simple, go find the sink you want and then keep searching until you find a retailer with shipping deals.

Upgrading or installing a new laundry room utility sink shouldn’t cost a fortune.  Save that money for your bathroom, kitchen, or bar sink – don’t waste on the laundry room!

What To Look For In A Utility Sink

When shopping for a utility sink there are some basic qualities to look for, as well as some that you might not have thought of yet.  Utility sinks are workhorses, but there are some important details that many skip over when shopping for them.  This post aims to help you see all of the things that you need to while evaluating your sink purchase.

The obvious quality when shopping for a utility sink is durability.  You want something that is going to last a long time without showing its age.  That’s why the most common materials are stainless steel and hardened plastic resins.  Materials like these can withstand whatever your family or employees can throw at them, without denting or breaking.  Another good thing about plastic and steel is that they are all one piece so you never have to worry about leaks.

One of the most important, yet overlooked, qualities is mold and mildew resistance.  This is why I never recommend ceramic as a utility sink.  It certainly looks better than steel or plastic, but will start growing mold almost the instant it’s installed in a damp basement or garage.  For those that want style in their utility sink, look into some of the fancier stainless designs to keep it clean!

Another thing to consider is whether you need a wall mounted, drop in, or free standing utility sink.  Each have their own benefits, like free standing sinks are more durable and easier to clean, but the other types are more aesthetically pleasing.  The amount of punishment your sink has to endure should determine what you choose.  Drop in utility sinks will, obviously, need a counter for them to be installed in.  Wall mounted sinks need strong studs for them to mount to or it will just fall right off of the wall.

Each type of utility sink will have models that will fit into your budget.  Plastic will always be the most affordable, but with some smart shopping you can probably find stainless ones at a great price.

Utility Sinks

Utility sinks are the tanks of your home’s fleet of sinks.  They take care of all of the projects that the other sinks are too dainty and frilly to do.

Would you wash off muddy work boots in the bathroom sink?  Don’t answer that.

These sinks will usually reside in the laundry room or in the garage, so they can keep a utilitarian style while fitting in with the rest of the decor.  Most are made from a hard plastic like polypropylene or stainless steel, which is ideal because you need a sink that won’t rust or mold and be able to withstand abuse.

This post is the first in a series that will look at different uses for utility sinks and their different styles.  Here we’ll give an overhead view of the different types and why they are built like they are.  You’ll find more posts in the series at the end of this post.

Stainless Steel Utility Sinks

Stainless steel sinks are the kings of the utility family.  They can take every sort of abuse that you can throw at them without flinching.  The unfortunate part is that you pay for that construction.  Most stainless utility sinks are full units that come with the legs and faucet, but base models will start at around $500.

These are the sinks that you need when you do serious work in the home and need something that can keep up with you.  If the worst their going to see is rinsing out paint brushes or washing muddy hands it may be overkill to buy a stainless sink, unless of course that’s the style you want!

Plastic Utility Sinks

I’m not sure if “plastic” is the right title for these types of utility sinks, but it’s essentially what they’re constructed of.  Not Tupperware plastic, but hardened compounds that are going to last as long as your home does.  They usually are in some shade of gray, and sometimes have a different colored gray speck in them.  Make no mistake, these aren’t “designer” sinks, they have a job to do and are dressed to go to work!

The plastic compound that are used are generally mildew and mold resistant, so they can work out in basements and damp garages.  When dirty, they’re extremely easy to clean.  It usually only takes a quick scrub with Comet or Ajax and they look brand new.

If you’re looking for a utility sink that is going to do the job that you can get at a great price, the plastic variety are for you.  Freestanding utility sinks start as low as $80 with the plumbing included, but not the faucet.

Freestanding or Wall Mounted Utility Sink?

Many people have a hard time figuring out which type of sink is right for their home.  The area that you’re installing it in is going to determine which you choose.  I usually will recommend a freestanding one whenever possible simply because they can withstand more abuse because they support themselves, rather than your walls.  With limited space, a wall mounted utility sink works best but may not be as secure.

Surprisingly, the price isn’t that different between the two types so you can find whichever you need with your budget.

Utility sinks are built to work, whichever type you choose, and are going to see years of dirty hands, paint brushes, boots, and everything else you can throw at them.  Buy the one that’s right for your home the first time, and never worry about it again.

Choosing A Cloakroom Basin Sink

Choosing a cloakroom basin sink is much more difficult than it should be.  There are thousands of different choices out there, and most of them look nearly the same!  How do you know if the cloakroom sink that you’re looking at is right for your loo?  This post will help you figure that out!

The first step is to take a look at what you already have.  If you have a wall mounted or corner cloakroom sink, that’s probably what you’re going to get.  Pedestal sinks can use another one of those or any number of cloakroom sink units.  Replacing what you have with a similar style makes installation incredibly easier.

The second thing to look at is how much space you have.  Many people will buy a small cloakroom sink, that is just too small and ends up splashing water all over the place every time someone uses it to wash their hands.  If you have a lot of space, use it!  Get a vanity that goes with the sink that allows you to have extra storage.  If you’re very limited on space, choose one that’s deeper than the norm so that the water doesn’t splash out so much.

Why do so many of the sink choices look the same?  Because they are.  That means that you can save money by choosing the generic brand instead of the designer one and get the same quality.  A sink is there to catch and drain water, and if it looks decent no one but you will know that it isn’t a designer brand!

Utilize your space, big or small, and buy the one that fits your budget, not your ego, to get the best cloakroom basin sink!

Which Cloakroom Corner Sink Is Right For You?

Cloakroom corner sinks are hot right now, and with some simple planning and smart shopping you can have the perfect one for your home or flat.  Not only do they look great, they have such a small footprint that they will fit into the smallest of bathrooms.  This post will show you how to figure out how big of a cloakroom sink you need as well as some great options that are currently on the market.

Cloakroom sinks are traditionally very small, and this is even more true with corner sinks.  How big does it really need to be?  The size of your bathroom will determine the appearance, but the sink has to be big enough to be able to wash your hands without flinging water all over the floor.  You can get away with a smaller sink if it’s deeper than normal, but the cutesy sinks that you see in the magazines just don’t make practical sense in the home.  Luckily with a corner sink, the wall is going to block half of the splash, so with a small sink you only have half the mess to clean up!

The hot designs right now are rectangle corner sinks that extend along the edge of the wall with the tap on the short side.  These aren’t the most functional sinks (see above) but they certainly look great.  Jones and Quadro are both two common manufacturers of this style of sink.

It doesn’t cost a lot of money to install a corner sink in the loo, these sinks are less expensive than their larger counterparts and take up a lot less space since they are out of the way.

Cloakroom Sink Units

Using a cloakroom sink unit, rather than trying to piece it together yourself, is a great way to save a lot of money.  The best thing is that it takes the worry about styling the pieces together yourself, instead you buy a cloakroom unit and you’re ready to go.  In this post I want to share a few details about these so you can make a better shopping decision when it’s time for your cloakroom sink.

The key to cloakroom sink units is their simplicity.  There is no fuss and pomp with most of these units, it’s the stand or cabinet and the sink (keep in mind that the tap rarely comes with the unit).  Space is limited in your cloakroom, so it’s important that these are as lean as possible.  Most will have a spot for a few towels and a wastebasket.  They won’t take up much space on the floor, so your small space isn’t compromised.

Be sure to watch for some plumbing differences if you’re upgrading to a sink unit from a pedestal sink.  Most pedestal sinks drain straight out of the bottom, but cloakroom sink units will usually drain into the wall behind it.

Cloakroom sink units take all of the thinking out of planning your room.  You get the unit, hook it up, and it’s ready for your next guest!  It really doesn’t get much simpler than that!

What’s The Best Small Cloakroom Sink?

Finding the best small cloakroom sink for your home can be tough with the thousands of different options that are out there.   In this post I want to help you understand how small of a sink you really need, as well as share some different options for small cloakroom sinks that will look great in nearly every home.

When outfitting your bathroom you have to think about what a sink is really going to be used for.  Overnight guests are going to need more than just a box on the wall so they can brush teeth and take care of morning business.  If you don’t plan on having overnight guests you can get away with a tiny sink because people are only going to wash their hands in it.  The biggest problem that you’re going to run into with very small cloakroom sink is that water is going to splash all over the floor when people wash their hands.  If that’s something that you’re okay with, the smaller the better!

I have a soft spot in my heart for wall mounted cloakroom sinks, it’s not that I don’t like pedestals but the wall mounted variety just seem to fit better.  There’s a new trend that has rectangular sinks stuck in the corner of the cloakroom.  This is a great choice because it makes use of your limited space while looking fantastic.  The best of these sinks are made by Amelie, Cheri, and Coco.  All of these brands pair both style and affordability in one compact cloakroom sink.

Small cloakroom sinks are perfect for flats and small houses, but first figure out how small you can get away with before going shopping!  It’s not hard to find the perfect one for you, but be sure to know what perfect looks like first!

How To Find Affordable Cloakroom Sinks

When making big improvements to your cloakroom, the sink is usually one of the first things that gets changed.  Unfortunately, cloakroom sinks can be very expensive, which can be hard to swallow when you think about how little use it gets compared to all of your other sinks.  This post will show you how to find a great deal on your next cloakroom sink so that you can make the improvements you need without spending a fortune.

Whether you’re looking at a wall mounted or pedestal sink, it’s important that you shop around.  There are tons of different options, that all look strikingly similar.  Here’s the thing that the big companies don’t want you to know; they’re really all the same!  The difference in price from one sink to the next doesn’t equal a major increase in quality, what you’re paying for is a brand name.  If you see two sinks that look exactly the same from different brands, but cost much different, you’re almost always going to be just as well off with the no-name brand.

If you’re shopping for these sinks online you have to find a shipping deal to save money.  Sometimes you’re going to pay just as much for shipping as you did the sink, so shop around until you find free shipping.  Another alternative is to shop with one of the big companies that allows you to get their online deals and then pick it up in store.  These are less common than flat out free shipping, but they do exist.

Save money by buying the generic brands and getting free shipping.  Do this and you’ll be upset that you never did it before!

Purple Ferret Sweaters And Society

There aren’t many things that carry the societal weight as purple ferret sweaters do.  I personally can’t think of a single thing that has changed as many lives, and the face of the world, that a ferret in a beautiful knit sweater has.  This is an examination of why this happened, and where these ferret sweaters will take us in the future.

Before recorded time, ferrets ruled the mountains of Easter Europe with their brethren, the pole cat.  They were a formidable force in the wild, and a resourceful countryman had the wherewithal to bring a ferret indoors and put it to work.  From there, a long and rich history of gnawing the buttons off of remote controls and hiding in the refrigerator began.

Ferrets eventually migrated to the United States where they would continue their legendary history.  The pastime of ferret-legging began (see video below) and their fame skyrocketed.  Can you stuff a dog or cat down your pants and have as much fun?  I think not!  Dogs chew up shoes, not leave you special prizes inside!

Then the day came when the first purple sweater was knit for these fabulous creatures.  This can be likened to the day the Michael Jordan dawned his first Bulls jersey, the world would never be the same.  Since then, they’ve been to the moon, ran for president, and even found the remains of Jimmy Hoffa.

What does the future have in store for ferrets and their purple sweaters?  I foresee a colony of warm ferrets on Mars, them curing cancer, and being the sole cause of world peace.  They’ll probably end up doing much more than that, but only time will tell.

Cloakroom Sink

On the surface, choosing a cloakroom sink seems like an easy job, until you realize that there are thousands of different choices online and in your city!  This post is aimed to show you the different common types of cloakroom sinks and how to save money on them.

Saving money on a cloak room sink is fairly simple, especially when you shop online.  The easiest way to do this is to understand that there isn’t a whole lot of difference between the designer and discount brands of sinks.  They are all made of ceramic and porcelain, white, and drain water from the faucet.  You’re not going to get much advantage from spending the extra money on a name brand, except for an ego boost (but you’re the only one that will know it’s a designer brand!).  In short, save money by shopping the no name brands!

Online you can save a lot of cash by finding the shipping deals.  Sinks are extremely heavy, and if you can get free shipping or be able to pick it up locally you’re going to save serious money.  Many online retailers will have a minimum amount that you have to spend before qualifying for free shipping, but most sinks will meet that minimum.  Be patient and shop around, you’re bound to find a great deal.

Pedestal Cloakroom Sink

The most common sinks for cloakrooms are the pedestal sink.  They are their own unit that doesn’t have a cabinet or mount to the wall.  Instead, the ceramic extends all the way to the ground, and the water drains through there.  Most times you’ll install these if you already have a pedestal sink because the plumbing has to run up through the ground, rather than the wall for most sinks.

A warning with pedestal sinks, have a drain that will catch things like rings and contact lenses!  If not, it’s nearly impossible to fish those out from that style of plumbing.

Wall Mounted Cloakroom Sinks

Another common style of small cloakroom sinks are the wall mounted variety.  These are what you’re used to seeing in the common cloak room, and easy to install and maintain.  They are mounted to the wall and have the traditional style of plumbing.  This makes it extremely easy to upgrade from the old sink to the new one.

Outfitting your cloakroom with the proper fixtures is important for your home and your guests.  Spend time browsing the different models, but keep in mind that the generic brands work just as well as the designer ones!

How To Choose The Right Wall Clock

Wall clocks may be one of only a few accent pieces that can make a huge impact on any room in your home. The right wall clock on a bare wall can be just as stunning as a beautiful painting and probably costs a whole lot less too. The wall clock is a simple time piece, however manufacturers have in many cases designed much more than a clock, some wall clocks can only be described as works of art.

When choosing a wall clock for home decor,focus on a theme you’d like to create. Ask yourself questions on your likes and dislikes. Really get into it and use your imagination. This is a great way to infuse your personality into the design process. Before you get too carried away though, remember that a wall clock is first and foremost a time piece and therefore you should always look for a clock that is easy to read. Design over function is not a good thing.

Having said that,there are tons of clocks to choose from. You will not find yourself with a clock that you don’t like. There are varying styles and designs to choose from and the prices are just as diverse. If you are on a tight budget, it is easy to find very inexpensive clocks. On the flip side, if money is no object you can find ridiculously expensive wall clocks as well.

A few examples of wall clocks are modern clocks, antique clocks, retro clocks, wood clocks, metal clocks, pendulum clocks, digital clocks, LED wall clocks, etc. As mentioned above, a great way to whittle down your choices is to figure out what you like and don’t like. Do you like modern or traditional? This simple question pares down your choices in half. Taking it a step further, do you like digital or analog (ones with hands). If you go through this process you’ll easily be able to find the right clock. The one you choose should really reflect you sense of style and taste. After all it is you who will see it the most.

Triple Basin Sink

A triple basin sink that’s designed for home use can be hard to find.  In the restaurant industry these are called three compartment sinks and one basin is filled with soapy water, the middle compartment is for rinsing, and the third has a sanitizer mixture.  That’s probably not your intention at home, but these sinks tend to get in the way every time you’re searching for triple basin sinks for the home.  In this post I want to show you some cool features that many of these have, as well as where to find them at great prices.

Most of these sinks don’t have basins of equal size.  The most popular Kohler model, and many of the other high-end sinks, have two equal sized basins on each side, then a smaller one in the center that houses the garbage disposal.  This is a really cool and functional design because it keeps your dishwater clean by separating the food scraps while you’re trying to do the dishes.  This function is truly helpful for the serious cook!  The sinks that do have equal sized basins will have the garbage disposal in the center.

Like bar faucets, these seem like they’re more expensive than they should be.  You’re essentially getting a stainless steel sink with an extra divider in it, but it costs much more than a two basin sink.  For this reason it’s important to shop around.  If you’ve read any other posts on this site you’ll know the incredible amount of money you can save when you score free shipping on sinks (hundreds of dollars).  Sinks are big, heavy, and cost a ton to get to your door.

Installing a triple basin sink in your home is the ultimate gourmet addition.  Be smart and shop around a lot before you make a purchase so you know that you’re getting the best deal possible.

Glass Basin Sinks

Glass basin sinks are the epitome of bathroom coolness.  There aren’t many things that you can do a bathroom to make an impact quite like you can with a glass basin sink.  In this post I want to show you how to get gallery quality glass sinks without spending gallery prices.

Many of the larger sink companies (like Kohler) have started making glass basin sinks (also called vessel sinks) once the trend began to catch on.  The thing is, when you get a designer name you get designer prices!  What do you do instead?  Find a local glass artist.

Handmade glass basin sinks are going to be much higher quality than a store bought one will, and you can have it custom made just for you.  Each of these are going to be one of a kind and handmade through a process called fused glass that melts glass into a mold in a kiln.  Different colors and shapes can be melted into the glass.  This creates a true work of art in your bathroom.

Local artists are usually more willing to work with you and your budget than a big name artist will.  Which means that you can get the exact sink that you want (created just for you) at a price that you can afford.

You might be thinking that a glass sink will break easily, but they are very strong.  These sinks are much thicker than your windows or drinking glasses and can withstand normal use.  You have to be very careful not to drop anything large into them, but for the most part they will last a very long time without any issues.  Ordering online from most artists will get you a shipping and workmanship defect warranty.

Glass basin sinks are the most striking addition you can make to your bathroom.  Spend some time cruising the local art scene or online to find the perfect glass sink for you!

How To Maintain Your Bathroom Sink Basin

Sinks in general are very low maintenance, but are expensive, so it’s important that you take the proper steps to make sure that yours last as long as possible.  With proper care a bathroom sink basin will last longer than your house does!  But with poor treatment they can break, stain, and clog.  Read on to learn how to care for your basin sinks.

Routine cleaning is the key to making a sink last a long time.  This will prevent it from staining and growing mold.  The type of cleanser that you use is irrelevant as long as it gets a good scrub every couple of weeks.  Many companies claim that their cleaners work better than the others, but when it comes to sinks any of them will work fine.  If you’re looking to remove stains after not cleaning for a long time, try a cleaner like Ajax or Comet that is a mild abrasive to work the stains out.

If your sink is made of glass, all you need is a non-ammonia cleaner and a paper towel to keep it shiny and beautiful.

Copper sink basins require a special cleaner to prevent the finish from fading and it starting to tarnish.

Keeping a sink from clogging is an ongoing job as well.  Sinks that see lots of shaving and other hair are going to clog much faster than those that don’t so depending on your situation you may be doing this monthly or yearly.  Most people will jump straight into the chemical plumbers, like Drain-O, but these are nasty chemicals that you don’t want in your home or into the sewer.  All you need to do is get the plunger out and push all of the crap in the pipe out.  If it’s so bad that the plunger doesn’t do anything, try the chemicals but don’t make them your first choice.  After you get the pipes clear, plunge them whenever you notice the water beginning to drain slowly.

These simple steps will save you thousands of dollars in plumbing and sink replacements.  It’s not hard, it’s just a matter of doing it.

Which Sink Basins Are Right For Your Bathroom?

Finding the right sink basins that suit your bathroom can be a tough job.  There are literally thousands of choices, and many of them look the same!  How do you pick one?  In this post we’ll take a look at the different styles of basin sinks so you can figure out which is right for you and your bathroom.

The traditional sink basin is a top mounted ceramic bowl that is extremely easy to find an affordable replacement for.  It’s important that your replacement sink is the same size, or a little bit bigger, than the original.  A sink that is smaller will need a makeover on the counter to get it to fit, which is a pretty big project.  You can find these anywhere that sell sinks, like your local hardware store.

If you’re looking for something a bit fancier, look to under mounted basin sinks.  These mount underneath the counter and have a very clean look.  If you’re replacing a sink that was originally mounted on the top of the counter, there may be a little bit of work that is needed to the counter to get its appearance back in shape.

An even fancier choice is the vessel sink.  These require a major counter redo if you are keeping the existing one because these bowls rest directly on top of the counter and have a small hole to drain.  Vessel sinks are the ultimate in elegance and quality, but aren’t recommended for a bathroom that has heavy kid traffic because they break much easier than sinks mounted into the cabinet.

There are a few other types of sink basins, like farm sinks, but are less common in the bathroom.  The first step in any sink makeover is to decide which style you want, from there the color and manufacturer are easy to determine.

How To Find A Cheap Basin Sink

Replacing or installing a new basin sink is big expense, but one that you can greatly reduce with some smart tips.  Home improvement doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and with the tips that we’ll discuss below can be applied to almost anything in your home, especially basin sinks.

The first step to getting a great price on your sink is to know what style you want.  Have a clear vision of what it should look like, not the brand, and this will be your guide as you shop.  If you have a vision of a green glass basin sink, use that to help you find it.  There are thousands of different choices, and without a vision you’re just going to tread water while shopping!

Saving money online is the easiest way to go.  Basin sinks are available on big sites like Amazon, as well as individual retailers.  It takes a lot of browsing for you to get an idea of what your new sink is going to cost.  Once you get a feel for what it’s going to cost, it’s time to start figuring out how to save money.  The easiest way to save a lot of money is on shipping deals.  You’ll see lots of offers for free shipping but be sure to read them closely because most of them have a specific dollar amount that you have to spend before you qualify, which might not be a big deal if you’re buying a sink since they’re fairly expensive.  Basin sinks are very heavy, so if you can score free shipping you’ve effectively saved hundreds of dollars!

If you’re looking to shop locally finding a great deal on a used sink isn’t that difficult.  Look for salvage sales, or browse the newspaper, or use craigslist.  You might not be able to get the exact sink that you want, but it will be extremely cheap.

Another way to save money on high-end sinks is to find a local artisan to craft it for you.  This is most common with glass and copper basin sinks.  The trick is to find a new artist that is looking to build their business.  Many times they will make the exact sink that you want and only charge you a little more than the cost of the materials.

Use these simple tips to find a basin sink that matches your budget.  Be patient though, great deals will surface with some persistence and shopping around.

Basin Sinks

If you’re looking upgrade the basin sinks in your home the sheer number of options can be exhausting.  This is where ematerials.net comes into play!  Our job here is to help you wade through static and help you find the exact basin sink that you want.  This post will break it up into two sections – bathroom and kitchen – and from there we’ll show you the different options that are available so you can narrow down your choices to find the one that you want.  Shopping for a sink shouldn’t be as difficult as it is, but that’s the unfortunate side of high competition!  So read on and feel free to leave any comments at the end if you have a question that needs answered.

Bathroom Basin Sinks

Bathroom sinks have gone from plain white ceramic to a multitude of colors and materials.  The most basic basin sink is the white ceramic that mounts into the top of the counter.  This is the common choice when style isn’t important, like for rental properties or the kid’s bathroom.  If you’re looking for something more special than plain white, get ready for tons of options.

The common materials in bathroom basin sinks are ceramic, copper, glass, stainless steel, and granite.  The style that you choose depends on what you like, but you’re going to run into a chicken and egg situation.  Do you get the sink and design the bathroom around it?  Or do you design the bathroom and get the sink to match?  That’s an impossible question to answer, but the amount of work you want to do will help guide you.  If you want to remodel the entire bathroom, get the sink later.  If you’re looking for something simpler, get the sink first.

Bathroom basin sinks have a few different styles as well.  Vessel sinks are the ones that sit on the top of the counter, and are commonly made from high-end materials like copper or glass.  Traditional sinks are mounted to the top of the counter, and are what you’re used to seeing, undermounted sinks hide their top beneath the counter, and farm or apron sinks extend to the front of the counter.

That might have confused you even more with, but again the level of work you want to do will determine which you choose.  Farm and vessel sinks need custom vanities to use them.  Under and top mounted counters will probably work with the counter that you already have.  Deciding your counter or vanity’s future is the first step in choosing a basin sink.  Keeping it will reduce your choices, and installing a new one will open you up for whatever choice you want.

Kitchen Basin Sinks

Kitchen sink materials are the same as they are for bathrooms, but now you have the choice between single and double basin sinks.  Double basin sinks have the “wall” in the middle that is supposed to separate the water between soapy and clean for washing dishes (who does dishes by hand?).    Using a double basin sink requires that you have two drains, and only one of them gets the garbage disposal.  In my own opinion, I don’t see much advantage to a double basin sink and you lose a lot of space do to the basin divider.

The installation styles are the same as bathroom basin sinks, except for vessel sinks which are bathroom only.  You have a ton more choices when if comes to farm sinks in the kitchen.  But again, you need custom cabinets and counters to install these.

Before you go shopping for your new basin sink you have to figure out how big of a project this is going to be.  If you’re remodeling the entire kitchen or bathroom, your choices are only limited by your budget.  If you only want to install a new sink, your options are limited by the sink that you’re replacing.

Wichita Painters | Choosing the Right Paint

We are Wichita painters, so we pick out paint for our customers every day. But I know the process can be hard. It would be like me trying to pick out the right kind of driver for a golfer. There are a ton of selections out there and there are a bunch of different price points. But unless you are an expert you probably have no idea if you are getting what you are paying for. Same goes with paint.

So, today, I’m going to give you some information on picking out exterior paint for your Wichita home. Now, this advice is going to be pretty general, and it’s going to be general on purpose. I don’t want you running out there buying some paint for your house because I recommended it and if you aren’t happy with it cussing me. These are just some things to think about when picking out paint for your house.

First things first, and this is a universal rule. If you go out and buy the cheapest stuff you can find you are going to get what you pay for. There is a reason it’s cheaper than all the others, and there’s a reason there’s a lot of it on the shelf. No self-respecting Wichita painter I know would ever go out and buy the cheapest thing he could find. It simply isn’t going to be a good product.

Second, if you don’t know what you’re doing, don’t just guess. Ask someone. And don’t just ask Google (thought that’s a decent place to start to find out generally about exterior house paint). Go to the hardware store in your neighborhood and ask the people working there what they recommend. They’ll be able to suggest products that fit your house style, your geographical area, and your price point.

In the end, picking a paint color for your exterior paint job isn’t terribly difficult. But it can go bad if you go cheap and you don’t do a little bit of research. So, take a little extra time and get out there and find the right paint for your Wichita home!

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