Trend 3: Warm Up
Once upon a time, in-floor radiant heating was a luxury that only the rich could afford. Installation was labor-intensive and, not surprisingly, high-priced. While radiant-heated floors still seem like a luxury, thanks to new products they are much easier to install. Manufacturers have spread the word that easier radiant floor systems are available and tile dealers/contractors now offer the option as an upgrade item, says Sean Boyle, director of business development for Bethany, Conn.–based Laticrete International. “Many consumers discover that the cost to install the floor and operate it is now very affordable, thus further contributing to the rise in popularity,” he adds. Flooring experts also say that the proliferation of ceramic and stone tile flooring is contributing to the increased interest in radiant-heated floors.
HOT THING: This manufacturer of ceramic tile and stone installation products has now launched FahrenHEAT, a floor warming system with a self-adhesive mesh and wire backing that makes installation faster and easier. Unlike traditional mats, which require extensive stapling and are hard to install tile over, this product allows for much easier thin-set installation.
Lati-crete International.
800-243-4788.
www.laticrete.com.
FLOOR SHOW: Targeting the growing market for electric floor warming in new homes, manufacturers Honeywell and Warmly Yours have launched a new line of products. The system includes four prepackaged, easy-to-install floor warming kits designed for bathrooms with open areas up to 40 square feet. It will also include a complementary line of thermostats to give home buyers control over their floors.
Honeywell.
866-891-9276.
www.honeyfloorheating.com.
Trend 4: Hard Surfaces“The most popular countertops are granite and quartz types,” says New York designer Roderick Shade. Granite is still the go-to surface for high-end kitchens, but a growing number of consumers are opting for quartz-based surfacing for kitchens and baths. Manufacturers and pros who like quartz say it offers the best of both worlds: a durable, low-maintenance countertop that can look like natural stone but also comes in bolder colors that are not available with real stone.
LEATHER 'N LACE: Silestone Leather with Microban antimicrobial coating is a new textured version of the quartz surfacing product. The new line is easy to clean and stays cleaner for longer periods. The product is available in a wide variety of colors, bringing Silestone's total to almost 50. Like the manufacturer's other quartz products, Leather is naturally scratch-resistant, non-porous, and stain-resistant.
Silestone by Cosentino.
800-291-1311.
www.silestone.com.
EARTH TONES: The manufacturer says it has added warm, earthy tones to its collection of quartz surfacing to capture an organic essence. Made mostly from quartz, the material is non-porous and does not promote the growth of mold, mildew, or bacteria. It is also scratch-resistant, highly resistant to heat, and—unlike granite—does not need to be sealed.
Zodiaq by DuPont.
877-229-3935.
www.zodiaq.com.
Trend 5: Mix 'N MatchStrangely enough, one of the biggest trends in kitchens and baths is not as much a trend as it is an attitude. Consumers today are more interested in expressing themselves in their homes, which is resulting in an eclectic mix of surfaces, finishes, and cabinet types. Jennifer Gilmer, of Jennifer Gilmer Kitchens in Chevy Chase, Md., is using all types of materials in her kitchens and baths, from back-painted glass backsplashes and granite sinks to exotic veneers for cabinets and exotic wood countertops. Moreover, it is not unusual to see two or three types of countertops or two types of cabinets in one space. Home buyers may choose a granite or quartz countertop for the hardworking areas of the kitchen, but opt for marble in an island. “I rarely use black polished granite anymore,” Chicago-area designer Jean Stoffer says. “Wood countertops are beautiful, and with the advanced satin finishes available they can be waterproof and look completely natural—not like a plastic finish. There are so many wood species to pick from, each has unique features; this is an exciting option now.”
DOOR STORE: Who says all of your cabinets have to match? Trust us, they don't. The maker has made a name for itself with its aluminum-frame glass cabinet doors, which come in a selection of glass options. All doors are made to order of tempered safety glass and come in natural aluminum and brushed finishes.
Element Designs.
704-332-3114.
www.element-designs.com.
JUNGLE LIFE: It's not unusual to see wood tops commingling with stone or marble in a kitchen. And the manufacturer's wide selection of species makes picking a butcher block countertop fun. Tops can be built from a selection of more than 20 different wood species and are available in plank or edge-grain style using full-length boards, which creates a checkerboard-type pattern. Species include iroko, African paduak, and wenge.
Craft-Art Wood Countertops.
404-352-5625.
www.craft-art.com.
For more product information, visit ebuild, Hanley Wood's interactive product catalog, at www.builderonline.com or www.ebuild.com.