Archives for March 2017

March 26, 2017 By Webmaster

Project Report: Tim Hortons

We’ve just finished a major renovation project, and we’re excited to share the results with you!

Would a morning be complete without a trip to Tim Hortons? Coffee and doughnuts are the perfect way to start the day, and we know we’re not alone in that – everyone needs their double doubles in the morning, right?

Recently, some older Tim Horton stores have begun to be upgraded. As part of the renovations, they’re being renovated to look more like a coffee house; a more upscale, modern look. That’s great, and a boost for business – but it’s difficult to serve customers when your building is being renovated!

This was a problem for the Tim Hortons on Front Street in downtown Toronto. A closed store means a huge loss of daily revenue, especially for a store in a prime location just outside the Rogers Centre. They wanted to have their renovations done well, but quickly, so they could open as soon as possible. That’s where we come in.

They wanted the entire renovation done in two weeks, and we were more than happy to undertake that project.

We removed some displays and old storefront pieces, and replaced them with new cabinets and countertops, made with fine Maple Meadow LG Hi-Macs solid surface. To speed up the process, we kept the exsiccating countertop in place. We took an exact template from the exsiccating counter, and created a new countertop as a cap, using LG Hi-Macs solid surface for the main surface and stainless steel for the hot grilling areas.

All of the sinks, pipes and holes all ended up in the same locations, making conversions a snap. And, just as promised, the store was open for business after just 14 days, in time to make sure the Entertainment District got its helping of Timbits, donuts and muffins. We’re proud of the work we’ve done, and we think it looks fantastic!

Filed Under: blog, Projects Tagged With: photos, renovation, Tim Hortons

March 13, 2017 By Webmaster

Rangetops Vs Cooktops

Redesigning your kitchen isn’t just a matter of form – function must be taken into account as well. And one of the primary functions of your kitchen is for cooking! The choice of primary cooking element in your kitchen is a very important one. Many homes choose an oven with a built in stovetop, but this is far from the only choice out there – stand-along rangetops and cooktops are solid options as well, and will impact how you choose to have your countertops installed.

Rangetops and cooktops allow you to have a more flexible kitchen layout. Because they don’t have to be in the same place as your oven, you get more customization on how your kitchen will end up working – you might place the oven relatively out of the way in the corner, with the cooktop closer to prep areas and the pantry, for example. But cooktops and rangetops are not synonymous – there are several key differences between the two, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Rangetops slide in, interrupting the flow of your countertop entirely. The countertop ends, the rangetop is slid into place, and the countertop will continue on the other side. Cooktops, though, are set in. It requires you to cut out a section of a countertop and place the cooktop inside – so it will be surrounded, on three or four sides, by countertop.

This generally means cooktops are a bit easier to install – your countertops are installed normally, and then a precision cut is made for the cooktop. Rangetops require countertops to be finished on either side, which can be a bit more work.

It also alters where the controls go. Rangetops generally have their controls on the front of the appliance, like you’ll see on your standard stovetop. Since they take up a whole unit of “countertop” space, it makes sense for the controls to be in the front – there’s no need to reach over a hot burner to make an adjustment to temperature, for example.

Cooktops, on the other hand, are surrounded by countertop. Generally speaking, that means they place their controls at the top of the unit. The idea is to continue the sleek, minimalist approach, rather than interrupting the flow of your countertops with cooking equipment. The tradeoff, of course, is that the controls can be harder to reach. Which type of control you choose will depend on what you’re comfortable with in your cooking style.

No matter if you choose a cooktop, a rangetop or a traditional stovetop, the expert craftsmen at Solid Surface.ca can ensure a perfect fit with your countertop choice. Call us today!

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: cooktops, kitchen remodeling, rangetops

March 13, 2017 By Webmaster

3 Ways to Add Detail to Your Kitchen

For understandable reasons, the majority of time planning a kitchen renovation or remodel is spent on the major aspects of the remodel – the cabinetry, the countertops, the appliances and so forth. That makes sense – they’re the big-ticket items and the most important to get right.

Once those are set, however, you want to add your own finishing touches – you want to add details that makes your kitchen unique, and help it to stand out from the rest. There are plenty of ways to add this extra oomph factor with minor changes and adjustments, giving your kitchen more personality and adding to the value of your home. Here are 3 quick and simple ways to add detail to your kitchen.

Crown Molding

The molding provides a transition from your cabinets to the ceiling – a little visual flourish with touches of elegance. It draws the eye up to the ceiling, giving the impression that your home is well-crafted and solid. If you’re installing new cabinets anyway, it’s a relatively simple addition to add crown molding – it doesn’t even need to touch the wall to create an elegant look. Whether you use it to add space between the cabinet and ceiling by placing the molding at a different depth than your cabinets, or custom-design it so the cabinets appear flush with the ceiling, crown molding is a classic touch of detail.

Splash of Color

Most kitchens will be neutral in hue – your basic whites and earth tones. Picking too garish of a color for your central theme can give you eyestrain when you have to spend time in your kitchen! However, for the less-permanent, movable kitchen accents—think chairs, dishes on open shelving and lighting fixtures – a splash of bright color can really liven up the room. Picking, say, lime green for your countertops may not be ideal, because you’re stuck with it until you remodel your kitchen again. But a bright color for detail here and there can add a little bit of extra zest to your kitchen.

Glass Doors

One way to get that splash of color is with brightly-colored dishes and decorative pieces, and one way to display them is in cabinets with glass doors. Replacing traditional solid-panel fronts with glass allows your choices in dishware to play a part in the overall look of your kitchen. There’s a wide variety of types of glass to choose from, as well – fully transparent, frosted, stained, and so forth. Glass also gives your kitchen the appearance of more space, which is great for smaller kitchens.

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: color, countertops, glass doors, kitchen design, molding