Bob is with Andrea Johnson from Corain as Scott Lawyer of Solid Surfacetops arrives to install the shop-fabricated Corian countertops in the Punta Gorda kitchen. This counter features an integral sink that is attached to the counter by the fabricator in his shop. The seam between the sink and counter is made with liquid Corian that forms an impermeable and invisible seam between the sink and the counter. These integral sinks have no edge or grunge line, which makes for easy cleaning and a sleek look. The Canyon color chosen by the homeowners is dark, like the Porcelanosa metallic-look tile. Johnson remarks what a good job the homeowners have done matching the counter color to the tile. Bob adds that the cool, dark colors bring a soothing, cooling presence to the interior spaces of this hot-climate home. Bob then watches as the crew from Solid Surfacetops installs the counter pieces and creates an invisible seam. The two sections of Corian are fitted with wood blocks that will hold the clamps as the sections are glued with liquid Corian that matches the countertop and clamped tight to set. Once the glue has set and dried for about 25 minutes, the clamps are removed and the seam is sanded to give a seamless look to this two-piece installation.

The Franke tri-flow Corinthian faucet is being installed now that the countertop and sink are in place. The faucet features hot, cold, and filtered water. The filtration chamber has a ceramic porcelain exterior with an extruded carbon filter inside. Franke recommends that homeowners change the filters every six months. Frank Lowry of FJ Lowry Plumbing and Heating installs the faucet from underneath. The lines come dropped down and ready to attach, which makes it easy. Lowry installs the filtration system and attaches it to a wall-mounted holder. Luke Groden from Boston Basins, a Franke distributor, shows Bob the specialized ball valve with a shutoff to make filter changes simple. The braided hose that attaches the filter to the faucet has a pressure fitting that grips with stainless-steel teeth inside to withstand high water pressure without pulling apart or leaking. Lowry attaches the hoses to the filter, then solders the hot and cold points underneath.

Bob checks in on installation of the bathroom plumbing fixtures in this segment. The crew is installing a custom vanity countertop and undermount sinks from TOTO USA. The heavy white marble top is braced on the wall with a wood strip anchored to the studs and supported from the floor with an antique-style chrome legs. Bob points out the acrylic tub from TOTO�s Baldwin Suite. The tub measures 22-inches deep and 72-inches long, making it a true soaking tub. Borrowing from commercial styling, the custom tub surround is constructed of 16-gauge stainless steel that is adhered to a plywood substrate.

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Countertops are such a big part of any major kitchen remodel and there are so many new options, deciding on the best choice can seem a little daunting. Starting with the budget can make the decision easier. Countertop materials range widely in price, anywhere from $11 to $200 per square foot installed. Generally speaking, while high-end countertops can boost your kitchen s look, you don t want them too far out of sync with the price point of your cabinets and appliances. Heavier materials like concrete and natural stone can also require added support, so cabinet and countertop quality should be consistent. Once you ve decided what you can spend, you can narrow your countertop options. For smaller budgets, get creative with ceramic tile at $11 to $30 per square foot. Or, check out some of the new high-tech options in laminate, which can be fabricated and installed at $36 to $45 per linear foot. Solid surface countertops offer lots of creative color options from $40 to $60 per square foot installed, and an integral solid surface sink is a great easy-care feature. In the $50 to $100 range, there are many choices. Among them are wood and butcher block with its warm beauty and natural antimicrobial properties; natural stone like slate, soapstone, marble, travertine and granite with all the quirks of nature built in; and engineered quartz countertops with a wide color range and more consistent patterns. Stainless-steel and concrete countertops are generally the most expensive at around $100 on up per square foot. But they can also be fabricated with integral sinks and they re great if you re going for that restaurant or industrial look. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

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