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Archive for July, 2013

Top 10 Modern Kitchen Design Trends

 :: Posted by MelW on 07-30-2013

1. White cabinetry and darker natural woods such as mahogany and walnut are in.

2. Cabinets with too much detail are out, being replaced by full overlay slab panel door and drawer fronts.

3. Calcutta Gold marble and lighter colored Quartz and marble countertops are becoming more popular. Granite is used less and less.

4. Today, you’ll find less hardware with decorative pulls and more finger pulls. These are usually cut into the lip of the panel or small finger grabs that are found on top of the door, giving cabinetry a cleaner look.

5. Name brand stainless steel appliances are still hot! The quality is superior and functional, adding long-term value to your home.Up and coming are stainless steel kitchens with steel dishwashers and under-counter refrigerators.

6. Extra-large kitchen islands that accommodate cooking, prep work, and dining are continuing to be popular.

7. Another popular trend that’s on the rise is the desire for easy-to-clean industrial materials meaning more stainless steel backsplash tiles and countertops; more manufacturers are offering stainless as an option now.

8. Custom fabricating integral sinks into the counter provides a number of options design options.

9. Horizontal oriented grain is popular, as the grain visually extends the space.

10. Decorative pendant lighting used to serve to separate areas in the kitchen: today, the multi-purpose space is the kitchen of the future.

Starland Metals has offered top-quality metal manufacturing and parts fabrication since 1988.

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Has the Stainless Steel Kitchen Run Its Course?

 :: Posted by MelW on 07-25-2013

Has stainless steel run its course in kitchen design? After 25 years, some manufacturers are wagering bets on various materials that could upstage the shiny, upscale appliance finish. Is the industry signaling that stainless steel kitchens are losing appeal as the dominate design? Other “looks” have surfaced before, like “oiled bronze,” “antique copper,” and “meteorite.” None of which have even come close to the beautiful and rare properties of stainless steel.

The world’s largest home-appliance maker, Whirlpool, recently rolled out its “Ice Collection” of appliances. “White is the new stainless,” Whirlpool touts. Not long after, General Electric introduces its line of appliances in a muted gray called “slate.” Many materials and colors are designed to blend in with their surroundings, while the unique characteristics of stainless steel stand out. The durability and versatility of a stainless steel kitchen make it difficult to completely write off. Even with the launch of its new line of products, Whirlpool introduced a stainless steel option in the Ice Collection line. The manufacturer is well aware of the kind of devotion the timeless metal inspires in consumers. With the kitchen’s role slowly changing, people are choosing a design that combines an open floor plan with function and entertainment — the center of family life. The sophistication of stainless steel, along with its long-lasting, unbeatable properties, make it a metal that’s difficult to replace.

Starland Metals offers top-quality stainless steel sheets and stainless steel metals for the best prices today. Give us a call.

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Stainless Perhaps The World’s Most Practical Metal

 :: Posted by MelW on 07-23-2013

As alloy steels began to develop years ago, a new variety of metals surfaced. A unique combination of chromium and carbon uncovered one of the industry’s most superior grades of steel- – stainless. During early experimentation, different amounts of chromium were added to steel, strengthening it, but at levels higher or lower than what was needed to make stainless steel. Levels of Chromium at 10-27 percent, in addition to a carbon content less than 0.2 percent, led to carbon reacting with oxygen in the air, creating a film on the surface of steel. It’s this film that acts as a protective layer, resisting oxidation and heat, that gives stainless steel its non-corrosive, rust-resistant properties.

While others have made great contributions to the alloying of steel, Britain’s Harry Brearley, an expert in steel analysis, recognized that stainless steel had more practical uses. He was the first to develop a grade of stainless that contained 12.8 percent chromium. It was when Brearley began testing other chemicals against stainless that he noticed this particular metal was also corrosion resistant. He introduced the high-strength, rustless metal to England’s cutlery industry. Sheffield, England was the first to mass-produce a stainless steel product. Stainless has become popular in the food, medicine, and transportation industries, and its unique properties make it beneficial in the preparation, delivery, and storage of food, in addition to modern stainless steel kitchen design. Since 1912, stainless steel has become a metal that influences our lives every day.

Starland Metals has been in the business of top-quality metal manufacturing and parts fabrication since 1988.

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The Versatility of Stainless Steel Backsplash Tiles

 :: Posted by MelW on 07-18-2013

Stainless steel backsplash tiles complement any kitchen as a unique feature wall. Replacing traditional mosaic tile materials with stainless steel mosaic tiles adds a contemporary elegance to your kitchen or bathroom. Because stainless steel is a high-quality material with very distinct properties, it’s widely used in modern architecture. Today, stainless steel tile designs are not limited to the kitchen and bathroom; they also make a beautiful addition to floors, ceilings and walls. If you’re looking for creative uses for stainless steel mosaic tile, try placing them around the pool or garden area outdoors.

The beauty of stainless steel mosaic is that it can be made to create different patterns and designs, while also being fabricated to suit your particular style and taste. You can personally design your tile. Professional interior designers choose stainless steel mosaic tiles because they create a very modern look to whatever space they’re added. These particular tiles are known to be very hygienic, because of the properties of steel. One of the best characteristics of Stainless steel backsplash tiles is that they are low maintenance and don’t require regular cleanings, as some other tile materials do.

Starland metals provides high quality stainless steel fabrication and forming. Check us out today.

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Stainless Steel Kitchens Add Inspiration And Function

 :: Posted by MelW on 07-16-2013

Stainless steel kitchens can be inspirational, as well as functional.  They can also provide uncanny flexibility. Smooth surfaces of stainless steel are designed for easy maintenance, corrosion resistance, and no drip edges. Depending upon your tastes, stainless steel kitchens come in a variety of designs, with a number of different options to create the countertop or island of your dreams. You have the ability to choose from many different combinations of internal cabinet space. Drawers can also be separated to take advantage of the efficiency of your stainless steel kitchen. In addition to flexibility, you get ease of organization, simple DIY assembly, and the chance to expand and experiment with vivid surfaces. Even better, these surfaces are treated to hide finger prints, scratches, and marks.

Many companies offer different layouts and designs. The construct of a long, single table top surface made of stainless steel provides lots of space to move about, in addition to a super clean finish. If you’re looking for a cozier atmosphere, try hanging lights directly above the kitchen space. Infuse wood and steel to add a sense of suppleness to the design, or a stainless steel table situated in the center of the kitchen to allow more space for pre-cooking and washing foods. The possibilities of creating the stainless steel kitchen you desire are endless. It’s all in the design.

Shop Starland Metals for the best deals on stainless steel backsplash sheets, tiles, and other metal products.

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The Differences Between Metal and Steel

 :: Posted by MelW on 07-11-2013

Many times we use the terms metal and steel in the same breath. Are they really the same thing? Steel is a widely-used material for construction and consumer products — it looks a lot like hard metal, but the difference is often overlooked. Even in a professional capacity, the terms are used interchangeably. Steel in various grades can be made into stainless steel and used to build stainless steel backsplashes, stainless steel kitchens, and appliances. Metal buildings are often made of steel. But there is a difference. Consider the two definitions: metal is a chemical element of various opaque, fusible, ductile, and lustrous substances. Other common elements are titanium, copper, and nickel.

Steel is an alloy of iron with varying amounts of carbon content. Steel is not a pure element or metal. It is, however, a variation of one. Just as stainless steel, from which stainless steel tile and cookware is made, is a variation of steel. It is partially composed of a metal and iron, and has a non-metal carbon in its chemical make-up. Steel is created when impurities like silica, phosphorus, and sulfur are removed from the iron ore before adding carbon. It has the advantage over iron because it’s much stronger. While closely related, metal and steel do indeed have their differences. But it’s likely that they will continue to be used interchangeably, by even those that handle the material on a daily basis.

Starland Metals combines old-fashioned craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology.

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Removing Scratches From Your Stainless Steel

 :: Posted by MelW on 07-09-2013

Many modern homes today include at least one or two stainless steel appliances. Stainless steel is a popular material — from the stainless steel kitchen sink and oven, to the stainless steel refrigerator and dishwasher: it’s simply stunning. It’s an alloy with a mixture of specific materials. Stainless steel scrap is melted and blended with metals such as chromium or nickel, heated, pressurized and treated to give it the defining characteristics that make it stainless steel. Manufacturers use it for things like silverware and large industrial projects. It doesn’t rust easily and is heat-resistant and completely soluble. While it has some great properties, be careful not to scratch the metal. There are products you can use to wash your stainless steel backsplash or appliances. Its surface can be wiped down with plain water, a vinegar and water blend, or a special cleanser to keep the metal’s luster.

What happens when your appliance’s supple sheen gets a scratch? Depending upon the grade of steel and finish, cleansers like Comet and Revere Stainless Steel and Copper Cleaner are non-abrasive and gently buff steel. For deeper scratches, sanding with wet sandpaper is useful. Check with the manufacturer to see which kind works best in your steel. For heavily scratched surfaces, try a scratch removal kit like Scratch-B-Gone. To get the best results in removing your scratches, remember to rub or buff the scratch with the grain of the metal.

Starland Metals have been in the business of top-quality metal manufacturing and parts fabrication since 1988.

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