No digital version is available now, but you can find these groupings at the stores featuring Kohler. Ask for the Affordable Remodeling collections.
Info on incentives for HVAC and appliances for Illinois- this may be the time to upgrade.
http://www.ildceo.net/dceo/Bureaus/Energy_Recycling/Energy+Star+Rebates/
What’s the difference? The price is what you pay now, cost is what you continue to pay down the road. Typically, if you pay a higher price, the cost will be lower. A historic example would be electric vs. gas heat. Electric heat has a low price at installation, but costs more going forward. That’s why developers often would put in electric heat- low price up front, and the tenant or future owner paid the higher cost electric bills.
Paying a higher price, when that’s possible, most often will save you money in the long run. Examples:
Spray insulation is a higher price up front, but will save you money due to the higher R value and the WAY better seal.
Radiant heat, a hot water system, is a higher price but saves you money because the hot water stays warm and is more efficient than heating air (you can also set the temps lower- it just feels warmer than forced air!)
Quality wood windows have a higher price than vinyl, but can be maintained and don’t need replacing again in 10 years or less- costing less.
Appliances, water heaters, etc- the higher efficiency ratings typically have a higher price tag.
An exception is that adding storm windows to your existing wood windows, and making any needed repairs, can price less than new vinyl windows, and also save you in costs. See previous post- “your contractor doesn’t want you to see this” or http://www.remodelingconsultants.net/articles/TradeSecret.htm.
Pebbles (smooth round stones set on mesh, often called river rocks) have been around awhile now- 4-5 years ago, they were fairly hard to find, and very limited selections were available.
There are a LOT more choices now, widely visible at Coverings. Some options: stones “standing”- set in vertical orientation, irregular edged stones, different varieties of the stones- with color variations or quartz in the stones for transparency, marble pebbles, and even squarer edged stones standing, so that they look like a miniature wall. There are also pebbles that have been shaved to create flat tops.
The best selection of pebbles (and other tile) I saw at the show was by Solistone, http://solistone.com/pebbles_tiles.shtml.
Nothing beats the foot-feel (massage-like!) of the traditional rounded pebbles set in a flat format, but with all these choices, pebbles can go anywhere- think backspash, listelli, fireplace surround, etc. The look is perfect for the very popular nature-inspired look, and real stones add dimension and texture that slab marble or granite cannot give.
I loved a shiny green, semi-precious looking stone that’s glass- Tavoos is what they call it: http://solistone.com/freeform_glass.shtml
Check out the metal pebbles, too- they take the look to a fab, fun, mid-century place: http://solistone.com/metal.shtml
Slow to upload but packed with info, Schluter, the maker of tile accessories and kits for installation, provides this site for people hiring a contractor, contractors, and DIY’ers.
http://www.schluter.com/house/
Concepts and technology, designing, and installation techniques are covered. This is a great tool if you want to know more about the tile you put in your home, and how to avoid problems, even with tricky situations.
