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Revolutionizing Countertop Measurements: Digital Laser Technology vs. Traditional Methods

Introduction

In today’s rapidly evolving world, technology continues to transform our lives in ways we never thought possible. The countertop industry is no exception, with new tools and techniques continually improving the way we measure and install these essential surfaces. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the two main methods of measuring for countertops – digital laser technology and traditional methods – comparing their advantages and disadvantages.

Traditional Methods: Tried and True, But With Limitations

traditional countertop measurement

While traditional methods of measuring countertops have been reliable for years, they come with certain drawbacks compared to digital laser technology:

  1. Human Error: Traditional methods rely on manual measurements using tools like tape measures and straight edges. This leaves room for human error, which can lead to inaccuracies and potential issues during installation.
  2. Time-Consuming: Measuring countertops using traditional methods is a labor-intensive process that requires more time and effort. This can slow down the overall project timeline and increase costs.
  3. Limited Flexibility: Traditional methods often involve creating physical templates from materials like cardboard or plywood, which can be cumbersome and difficult to transport. These templates may also be less accurate than their digital counterparts.

Digital Laser Technology: The Future of Countertop Measurements

laser countertop measurement

Digital laser technology has been a game-changer for the countertop industry, offering unmatched precision, efficiency, and accuracy. Here’s what makes it stand out:

  1. Accuracy: Digital laser technology uses advanced lasers to capture precise measurements, reducing the likelihood of errors. This level of accuracy ensures a perfect fit for your countertop, eliminating gaps and minimizing the need for adjustments during installation.
  2. Speed: Measuring with a digital laser device is considerably faster than traditional methods, as it requires less physical effort and can instantly provide the necessary data. The time saved during this process can be spent on other aspects of your project.
  3. Digital Templates: One of the most significant benefits of digital laser technology is the ability to create digital templates. These templates can be easily shared with fabricators and installers, streamlining communication and reducing the chances of misunderstandings.

Conclusion

  • Both digital laser technology and traditional methods have their merits and drawbacks. However, the accuracy, efficiency, and convenience offered by digital laser technology make it the preferred choice for many homeowners and professionals alike. While traditional methods may still have a place in specific situations, the shift towards digital laser technology is clear, revolutionizing the countertop industry and paving the way for a more streamlined, precise, and hassle-free experience.

Your Ultimate Guide To Spring Cleaning

Spring is almost here, and what better way to start the season with a clean slate than by doing a deep clean of your home?

Given our busy schedules, it’s understandable that many of us will overlook this task for various valid reasons. It’s time-consuming, physically demanding, and incredibly overwhelming if you’re unsure where to start.

But spring cleaning doesn’t have to be daunting! Today, we’re sharing the Ultimate Spring Cleaning Checklist to help you declutter and clean your home with confidence.

Before You Start

  • Make a plan of which room to start with and what tasks need to be done.
  • Gather all cleaning supplies (like gloves, masks, cleaning solutions, microfiber cloths, vacuum, mop, buckets, etc.)
  • Gather garbage bags, boxes, and labels for items you’ll repair, donate, sell, or throw out.
  • Ask for help or assign tasks to family members.
  • Open windows for ventilation and natural light.
  • Remember to start from the top and work your way down to avoid cleaning the same area twice.
  • Play some upbeat music or podcast to keep you motivated and make the process more enjoyable.
  • Take breaks when needed and revisit the list for another day if you run out of time.

Living Room

Living Room

  • Remove all items from shelves and tabletops before dusting.
  • Dust and clean all surfaces, including shelves, tables, and picture frames.
  • Clean windows and mirrors.
  • Clean electronics (TV, speakers, etc.) with a microfiber or scratchproof cloth.
  • Vacuum or sweep the floor, including under furniture and in corners.
  • Clean upholstery and pillows according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Wash or dry clean curtains and blinds.
  • Polish wooden furniture and wipe down leather furniture.
  • Clean and vacuum the carpets and rugs.

Kitchen

Kitchen

  • Clean all surfaces, including countertops, cabinets, and appliances.
  • Wipe down cabinets and drawers, inside and out.
  • Clean the oven, stovetop, rangehood, exhaust fan, and microwave.
  • Clean the refrigerator and freezer (remove all food and shelves to clean thoroughly).
  • Clean the sink and faucet.
  • Sweep and mop the floor.
  • Clean and organize the pantry and fridge.

Need help with your kitchen renovation?
Check out some of our services here:

https://www.edgranitecity.com/services/

Dining Room

  • Remove all items from shelves and tabletops before dusting.
  • Dust and clean all surfaces, including shelves, tables, and cabinets.
  • Polish silverware and other metallic items.
  • Vacuum or steam clean carpets and rugs.
  • Clean the furniture and fixtures.
  • Clean windows and mirrors.
  • Wash or dry-clean tablecloths and chair covers.

Bedroom

Bedrooms

  • Wipe and dust all surfaces, including dressers, nightstands, and headboards.
  • Vacuum or sweep the floor, including under furniture and in corners.
  • Wash all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and comforters.
  • Vacuum or dust mattresses and pillows.
  • Flip and rotate the mattress.
  • Clean the furniture and fixtures.
  • Clean mirrors and windows.
  • Organize and declutter closets.

TIP: Organizing and decluttering your closet is notoriously time-consuming. We advise setting aside a few hours or even an entire day to complete this task.

Bathroom

Bathroom

  • Clean the toilet (use a toilet brush and disinfectant).
  • Clean the sink and faucet.
  • Clean the shower and tub (you can use a scrub brush and dedicated cleaning solution)
  • Scrub the tiles and grout.
  • Clean mirrors and windows.
  • Clean and organize the medicine cabinet and toiletries.
  • Wipe down other cabinets and drawers, inside and out.
  • Sweep and mop the floor.
  • Wash or replace shower curtains and bath mats.

Laundry Room

  • Clean the washing machine, dryer, and lint trap.
  • Organize cleaning supplies and laundry detergents.
  • Wipe down surfaces, including countertops and cabinets.
  • Clean windows and mirrors.
  • Sweep and mop the floor.

DID YOU KNOW: Decluttering and organizing can improve mental health and reduce stress levels. A clean and organized space can help you feel more in control and can help you feel more energized and motivated for the new season!

Home Office

Home Office

  • Dust all surfaces, including desks, shelves, drawers, and cabinets.
  • Organize paperwork and declutter unnecessary items.
  • Clean electronics, including computer screens, tablets, keyboards, and mice.
  • Clean windows and mirrors.
  • Clean upholstery and office chairs.
  • Wash or dry clean curtains and blinds.
  • Vacuum or sweep the floor.
  • Clean and vacuum the carpets and rugs.

Hallways and Staircases

  • Dust all surfaces, including handrails and picture frames.
  • Vacuum or sweep the floor.
  • Clean windows and mirrors.
  • Organize shoes and coats in a closet or storage area.
  • Spot-clean any stains on carpets or rugs.

Ourtdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Areas

  • Sweep or power wash patios, decks, and walkways.
  • Clean outdoor furniture and upholstery.
  • Trim bushes and remove debris from the yard.
  • Wash exterior windows and doors.
  • Clean gutters and downspouts.

Planning a new outdoor kitchen this spring?
Check out some of our services here:
https://www.edgranitecity.com/services/

Additional Tasks

  • Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
  • Wash all windows and window sills.
  • Clean all baseboards and trim.
  • Clean all doors and doorknobs.
  • Organize and declutter other messy areas.
  • Dust and vacuum any other rooms in the house.

After You Finish

  • Dispose of all trash and recycling.
  • Launder all cleaning rags and towels.
  • Celebrate and enjoy your sparkling clean home!

Family Gathering Outside

Happy Spring Cleaning!

We’ve got just the thing for you! Download your free Countertops Buyer’s Guide without commitments and achieve everything you want without confusion, frustration, or stress! Plus, you’ll gain access to exclusive offers!


Planning to refresh and upgrade your home this new year? We are ready to help you choose the perfect set of counters, cabinets, and fixtures to complement your home. From the design process to installation, we’re by your side. Count on us for all of your custom kitchen and bathroom renovation needs!

P.S. Our Norcross Location is now open! Book your free consultation here: www.edgranitecity.com/norcross-location

Cambria Kitchen Countertop
Berkshire Steel Sculpted by Cambria


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I just got my countertops installed by E&D Granite City, and they are beautiful!

The installers were very prompt, polite, and cleaned up after they were done! I would definitely refer E&D Granite City to everyone!! I love my new countertops!

~ Denise B.

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Simple and Practical Tips to Refresh Your Home This New Year

The new year is a perfect time to turn over a new leaf and take charge of your health or home. It’s a great time for reflection and action, as you make space for the new things to come. For most of us, decluttering is one of the easiest ways to manifest new mindsets, as it allows you to let go of things that no longer have value in your daily life.

Do you have items that have been sitting in your attic, basement, cupboards, or closet that you haven’t used in the past years? Then, it’s time to throw them away, sell them, or donate them! Decluttering can be very therapeutic, but, of course, most homeowners can’t do it all in one day. The trick is to slowly carve out time during weekends (or whenever you’re free), so you can create a plan that is practical, sustainable, and aligns with your schedule.

First Tip: The Five Categories for the Items You Don’t Want to Keep

Return: These are for items that have been misplaced in a room. This could be a toothbrush on your kitchen counter or pajamas in the living room. All in all, these items have their own spots in your home.

Recycle: These are for items that can be recycled, such as paper, plastic, or glass.

Repair: These are for items that can be repaired, like a missing button on a blouse or an appliance that needs servicing.

Rehome: These are for items that you can donate to an organization or to someone you know.

Rest: These are items that can ultimately rest — meaning, you can throw away these things immediately as you’ve outgrown them. They are simply of no use anymore or can’t be repaired/donated.


You can use bins, baskets, or boxes to store your items as you declutter every area in your home. For example, you can designate an area for the containers while considering everything. Or, you can bring the containers to every area while you declutter and categorize as you go. It’s also best to set up your containers before you start. It can save you time as you won’t need to look for bins, boxes, or baskets while you’re decluttering.


Decluttering an entire home is a big job. Instead, focus on one room or area before moving on to the next space. This can also build confidence and momentum, especially after visually experiencing the success of your work. Read more below for some tips and ideas to get you started!

Bedrooms

Start with the bed and make it. Then, go over your nightstands and drawers. Remove anything that doesn’t belong there. These can be a pile of books you’re done reading, medications that have their own place, or chargers that you usually use in the living room.

If you have a desk or vanity in your bedroom, do those next. Then, toss, donate or recycle any item you no longer use.

Now, it’s time to take a deep breath because we’ll be doing closets and clothing next.

Closets and Clothing

The easiest way to declutter a closet is to do so by type. This means to start with one clothing category as you go: dresses, blouses, shirts, pants, undergarments, shoes, boots, bags, accessories, etc. Take out everything, lay them in your bed if needed, and decide which ones you’ll toss and keep.

Choosing between keeping or donating will be much easier if you look at everything you own per category. You can also use the one-year rule for every piece of clothing you own. If you haven’t worn it in the past year, it’s very likely that you won’t wear it again. Do the same with everything you ended up not keeping. Organize it into the five bins and move on to the next area.

Entryway

This can equate to the traditional mudroom or foyer — but note that this applies to every entryway — be it huge or small.

Start with desks or side tables, take everything out, and make a quick decision to throw away or keep any item. Next, move on to the hall closet. Categorize every item to clothing, footwear, accessories, etc., and return the things you will keep to their designated spaces.

Living Room

If your living room gets a lot of use, it may be one of the most challenging rooms to maintain daily — but arguably, the easiest to declutter. This is simply because, for most homes, their living room storages are kept to a minimum — aka bookcases, side tables, and the space under the coffee table, which already have items of their own.

To start:

  • Go over your console, side tables, and bookcases.
  • Continue to your coffee table and entertainment system.
  • Empty each area, assess if they belong there, and categorize it into the bins if needed.


For homes with young kids, you can also create a toy station. This can be a basket or box or bin or a small chest — really, it’s up to you! Kids can fill this with toys or everyday articles they bring to the living room. Again, this can help keep your space organized. Plus, it can be a fun activity for your kids as they can change up the contents as often as they like — as long as it fits.

The Kitchen

Start with your staple storage spaces, like the pantry, fridge, and dishware cabinets. Then move onto the lower cabinets with utensils, drawers with baking equipment, countertops with lingering dishes, and the space under the kitchen sink.

Donate or toss out old kitchen utensils and dishes that are either broken, you no longer use, or have in multiples. You can also use drawer inserts to keep things organized after decluttering.


The Bathroom / Laundry Room / Basement / Other Rooms

Start with one area at a time. For example, you can begin with your bathrooms, particularly your medicine cabinet. Throw away expired medications, skincare products, makeup, etc. If you already know how to arrange them based on your needs, then please absolutely do that.

Afterward, do the same as you go over every other room in your home. Once you’re done editing your items, everything that fell out of place can be categorized into your bins.

Whether it’s under the guise of spring cleaning or simply a new-year-new-you approach, a good, deep purge doesn’t always have to be a chore. Be realistic with your time and lifestyle. Think about the items you use every day, the items you use occasionally, and the items you rarely use. Give yourself permission to donate or throw away things you think are no longer necessary in your home.

So today, empty your fridge and throw out expired condiments, box up any outgrown clothes to donate or give to someone and restyle your counters and storage if needed. It’s time to turn over a new leaf!

Planning to refresh and upgrade your home this year? We are ready to help you choose the perfect set of counters, cabinets, and fixtures to complement your home. From the design process to installation, we’re by your side. Count on us for all of your custom kitchen renovation needs!

P.S. Let’s talk about your home renovation project, and we’ll provide you with the resources you need to ensure your experience is simple and pleasant every step of the way.

Happy Remodeling and Happy New Year!

Risegate | Photo Credit: Cambria Quartz

4 Tips To Help You Prepare for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is almost here! It’s one of the much-awaited time-honored traditions and much-needed respite to catch up and celebrate our gratitude before the busy holiday sets in.

The Thanksgiving meal is one of the most anticipated holidays. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year (or have hosted one before), you might know there’s so much more to prepping for this day than just perfecting the menu. Besides curating a fantastic spread for your loved ones, creating a beautiful, festive setup and ambiance for guests to enjoy is also important.

So whether you’re looking for something low-key or wanting to go all out, we’re sharing four tips to help you get a headstart on your Thanksgiving preparation. Read on below!

Festive Decor

Thanksgiving reunites family members, and what better way to make the place feel nostalgic, warm, and valued is by sticking to time-honored traditions. There’s just something comfortable and reassuring in keeping it classic and focusing on the gratitude of having to spend this important day with your loved ones.

Thanksgiving wreaths like a DIY fall floral wreath with your favorite flowers to radiate a happy, bohemian vibe or a simple wheat stalk wreath for a casual country vibe that will undoubtedly make any guests feel welcome and warm.

Linen tablecloths, vintage tableware, or fall-scented candles can be a holiday table-setting staple for the years to come and will never go out of style.

A Chill Playlist

They say no party is complete without tunes, and we couldn’t agree more! You can do three things about this — prepare a playlist beforehand, use a curated playlist or listen to the radio instead. Whatever you choose, this will ensure that your guests are serenaded all night long. All you need is portable speakers, and you’re good to go!

Need help with your home renovation?
If new cabinets, appliances, plumbing, or countertops are within your budget, by all means, go for it! Check out some of our services here:
https://www.edgranitecity.com/services/

Thanksgiving Refreshments

Set up a table or fridge with an assortment of single-serve liqueurs, mixers, bitters, tonic, seltzer, ice, some beers, and maybe a few different bottles of wine (with an option for disposable or eco-friendly cups). Generally, it’s always better to overestimate how many drinks you’ll need than run out mid-celebration.

You can also add a dispenser with water infused with fresh fruit, pitchers of lemonade, or sodas and juices. An easy-to-use drink dispenser for drinks will save you time and effort since you’ll only be responsible for refills if it runs low.

Finally: The Thanksgiving Spread!

Appetizers and nibbles of all kinds are always welcome at any party. A cheese or charcuterie board is always an excellent option when hosting a large group. Add various cheeses (hard, soft, strong, and mild), meats, crackers, nuts, olives, grapes, and summer garnishes.

TIP: Edible decors like seasonal fruit toppings laid on each plate or ceramic pumpkins paired with wheat cloches in a rustic vase is an effortless way to spread Thanksgiving cheer to even the most modern spaces!

For the mains, Turkey is always the showstopper of any Thanksgiving party. If you’re a newbie roaster, it’s best to plan ahead how long it takes to thaw, brine, stuff, and bake a turkey.

However, you can always choose the non-traditional way if you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed with roasting a turkey. Check out these great articles from Food and Wine and Taste of Home for alternative Thanksgiving mains!

For the sides, mashed potatoes, green bean casseroles, and sweet potato casseroles never get old. You can also opt for stuffed mushrooms, roasted vegetables, and pumpkin soup!

TIP: Always account for various dietary restrictions and purchase more food than you anticipate will be necessary. And if you’re pinched in time, curating and ordering ahead from restaurants you and your family love!

We’ve got just the thing for you! Download your free Countertops Buyer’s Guide without commitments and achieve everything you want without confusion, frustration, or stress! Plus, you’ll gain access to exclusive offers!


Planning to refresh and upgrade your home this fall? We are ready to help you choose the perfect set of counters, cabinets, and fixtures to complement your home. From the design process to installation, we’re by your side. Count on us for all of your custom kitchen and bathroom renovation needs!

P.S. Let’s talk about your home renovation project, and we’ll provide you with the resources you need to ensure your experience is simple and pleasant every step of the way.

Happy Remodeling and Happy Fall!


4cc88c24-789f-4012-b965-f9f3c8aec830
Southport by Cambria


Schedule a FREE consultation with our specialists here.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We could not be happier.

They did our kitchen countertops and master bathroom. They were friendly, precise, professional, caring, and exacting in their conversation, measurements, and work ethic. We will use them again for our next project.

~ Lydia P.

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