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Craft-Art

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Over the years the kitchen has evolved from a nook tucked in the back of the house to a gathering place for family and friends. With this evolution it has become much more important for the kitchen to be a reflection of the owner's style and taste; a place they can show off and be proud of. Countertops are one of the main focal points of any kitchen. Quite often people want that timeless classic look of wood countertops but don't believe the material can hold up well in a busy household. It was for this main reason that Craft-Art was founded in 1998. Craft-Art countertops are not the butcher block countertops of the past. Besides looking absolutely beautiful; they're durable, waterproof, stain resistant and heat resistant. Craft-Art countertops can add elegance, richness and warmth to any room.

Oldcastle Surfaces has partnered with Craft-Art to provide you with a full template and installation service. First you will sit down with one of our sales people to design your tops and pick out all of your options. Then we'll send a templater to your home to get accurate measurements. All of this information is sent to the Craft-Art facility, which is right down the street, and your custom top is created. Finally we'll install your beautiful one of a kind countertop that will absolutely stun anyone that visits your home.

There are a few questions that are almost always asked when picking out a countertop surface.

Is it durable?
Yes, it is. The hardness of the wood depends on the species. Obviously wood is not as hard stone. When you drop a heavy object on a natural stone, like granite, it will more than likely chip. When you drop a heavy object on wood it can dent. However, even if this happens it doesn't take away from the beauty of the top. A lot of people feel that the dents and dings give their top character and actually purchase distressed tops to get this look right away.

Does it scratch?
It is difficult to scratch a Craft-Art top but it can happen. You just have to be careful sliding rough or sharp objects across it. If you want to cut directly on your countertops it is recommended that you use an end grain or checkerboard construction. These styles minimize the visibility of scratches. If your countertop does get scratches in it, they can easily be sanded out.

Does it stain?
Not easily. Craft-Art countertops are waterproof so water rings and stains are not an issue. Food based items will not stain your countertops. It also resists stains from most cleaning products. Alcohol and mineral spirits will not damage your countertops. It is recommended that you DO NOT use ammonia based products (e.g. Windex) on your tops. Solvents such as acetone and lacquer thinners will also discolor the countertops and soften the finish.

How easy is it to take care of?
Maintaining a Craft-Art wood countertop involves two things: Daily washing and disinfecting and periodic re-oiling.
Craft-Art tops should be washed with a mild soap and water, allowed to dry, and then disinfected with a 15 percent vinegar/water solution. Vinegar is a well know disinfectant that kills virtually all bacteria.
The Tung-oil varnish used to finish Craft-Art countertops is also used to finish wood floors. It is a tough, hard finish that is designed to take some abuse. Eventually, through the course of washing the top, some of the finish will be rubbed off. This can take anywhere from one year to several years, depending on how much you use the countertop. Re-oiling a Craft-Art top is simple. First clean the top. Then, using our maintenance kit, pour some oil on the top, spread it around with the applicator, and let it dry.

Each Craft-Art top is custom built making every top unique and different. Craft-Art offers many different wood species so that you can find the color and look that suit your personality. You can choose between plank style, edge grain style and end-grain style (checkerboard) construction. There are also many edge styles to choose from as well as a range of thicknesses.

You can mix and match Craft-Art with other surfaces. A Craft-Art top makes a beautiful center island and can provide a striking contrast to the surface used on the rest of your tops. Or you may want to use Craft-Art as your primary counter top and use a different material for your island. Both ways look absolutely stunning. Some people prefer to add a portion as an accent piece instead.

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