Although summer months mean a break for students, summer is also peak improvement season for school district buildings, and Chippewa Valley schools are set to undergo several upgrades in summer 2014.

Barton Malow Company representatives gave a presentation to the Chippewa Valley Citizens Advisory Committee on April 17 for a bond issue update on upcoming school building projects.

One item on the list that will affect buildings district wide is the concrete and asphalt repairs that need to be done.

Because this winter was so brutal, we have issues throughout the district that are going to need to be attended to, Chippewa Valley Assistant Superintendent of Business and Operations Scott Sederlund said.

He said that the district will begin to determine where the concrete focus will be sometime in May.

Also, the Cherokee drive is being replaced through the board awarded contract, Sederlund said.

According to the Barton Malow presentation, Cheyenne Elementary School in Macomb Township will get new multi-purpose room carpeting, new science room platform flooring and some new toilet partitions. Costs of Cheyenne projects are $40,000, Sederlund noted.

Fox Elementary School in Macomb Township will have its lobby ceiling and lights replaced, as well as storage cabinets in the work room. Existing countertops throughout the school will be upgraded, and the classroom faucets as well as the building back-flow preventer will be replaced. The fire alarm system will be upgraded and five air handling units and frequency drives will be replaced. Costs of Fox projects are $375,000, according to Sederlund.

Mohawk Elementary School in Macomb Township is scheduled for a series of upgrades, according to the presentation. These include creating a new front entrance feature and replacing the lobby ceiling/lights, creating an exterior fenced-in planting/garden area, replacing select glazed tile block around exterior doors and upgrading existing countertops. Sederlund said that the front entrance of the school will be remodeled to intuitively identify the entrance of the building, similar to what was done at Iroquois Middle School two years ago.

Other improvements include replacing classroom faucets, replacing some toilets, urinals and sinks, replacing variable frequency drives and upgrading the fire alarm system. Costs of Mohawk projects are $215,000, according to Sederlund. Continued...

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Chippewa Valley outlines construction projects for 2014

There's probably no other surface in the houseother than perhaps flooringthat matches the range of product types and styles available for countertops. Examples include granite, engineered stone, glass, wood or butcher block and marble. Photo by Wanda Jackson

Published on: Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Wanda Jackson, Sentinel Arts Reporter

Choosing a countertop material can be confusing. There are the practical needs and differences to consider, as well as a kitchen's layout, style and character.

"When designing a new kitchen, typically we select cabinetry first unless a client happens to know exactly which counter they want," says Jan Goldman, owner of Kitchen Elements in Olney, Md.. Generally that isn't the case. So, Goldman advises selecting cabinets first, then "floors and counter come together as the next choice."

Another tip: "If a client is able to show me a handful of media photos (magazine or websites), I can find the thread of design details that appeal to them," says Goldman. "Once 'the feel' is established, we move into a conversation about wear and tear, housekeeping talents, who will be using the kitchen on a regular basisWe need to be mindful of children using the kitchen, and of course, financial comfort for the expenditure."

Countertop materials range from natural to synthetic, from inexpensive to pricey, from practical to well, less practical. Here is a roundup of several popular options:

Marble comes in a variety of colors and patterns, has a smooth surface, won't chip or dent and is heat-resistant. However, it tends to be expensive (averaging $100-$400/foot); it can be scratched or etched by acids (citrus, coffee, alcohol and some cleaning products), even if it's sealed. If you are cautious about spills and seal your countertops several times a year, marble is a good option.

Granite is more durable than marble, low maintenance, won't scratch, resistant to stains, heat and water if sealed, and has high resale value and tons of color options. However, it is expensive (averaging $100-$400/foot) and normally requires resealing at least once a year.

Engineered Stone such as Silestone, Cambria and CaesarStone are nonporous, resists scratches and stains, is easy to maintain and does not require a sealant. It looks like natural stone (it's at least 90 percent quartz) and can be mixed with pigments for custom color. The material will withstand limited exposure to heat without burning or scorching; however as advised by slow cookers and electric skillet manufacturers, these appliances should not be placed directly on an engineered stone countertop. Always use trivets when placing hot items on any natural stone or quartz surface to avoid thermal shock. Engineered stone averages $50-$150/foot.

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Home & Garden: Which Countertop Material Would You Choose?

The Granite Countertops - Stop Breaking Everything
STOP BREAKING EVERYTHING, written and performed by THE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS (J Neo Marvin Davis Jones) Production, editing and special effects by John Bassh...

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Green Remodeling: Flooring and Countertops 2
Home remodling expert Danny Lipford shows you several environmentally-friendly countertops and flooring options.

By: REALTOR Magazine

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Green Remodeling: Flooring and Countertops 2 - Video

A peninsula adds workspace, while the custom island gives plenty of space for food prep in this house on Jefferson Street in Boulder. (Courtesy photo / Mark Quentin)

If you go

What: Dream Kitchens are Cooking Tour

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, noon-2 p.m Sunday

Where: Various houses in Boulder and Louisville

Cost: $20

Tickets: Studio3 Kitchen and Bath Interiors: 1719 15th St. Boulder: "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County: 3012 Sterling Circle, Suite 200, Boulder, 303-444-3636; any King Soopers location or 1-866-464-2626 or ticketswest.com (surcharge added)

Who doesn't love food, a remodeled kitchen and helping kids go to college?

The "I Have A Dream Foundation" in Boulder offers all three with its Dream Kitchens are Cooking Tour on Saturday and Sunday.

"Each home has a theme, and it's a great opportunity to see the different designers," said Lori Canova, president and CEO of the "I Have a Dream" Foundation.

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Boulder kitchen tour benefits college dreams

Granite Countertops by CRS Granite Stoney Creek - Cafe Imperial Granite 2cm
Granite countertops by CRS Granite Stoney Creek - Here is a Before and After video of our latest granite countertop installed in Stoney Creek, Ontario. The c...

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The Granite Countertops - Soft Shoulder
SOFT SHOULDER performed by THE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS (Davis Jones and J Neo Marvin). Written by Maati Stojanovich and J Neo Marvin. Production, editing and spe...

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Building Concrete Countertops
Building a mold using melamine, mixing on-site and adding a steel reinforcement ,the mix was placed and allowed to cure for 10 days.

By: Alex Denny

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Building Concrete Countertops - Video

To renew a dated look, a Mexican bungalow avoided the typical local colors and expensive additions. I focused on how it was going to be used, said designer Sandra Espinet. With the possibility of soon selling the property, the owners requested a neutral design. I decided to make it palatable for anyone and not too specific, added Espinet.

View this kitchen gallery here.

Facing a kitchen that had not been updated in over two decades, Espinet changed everything. Everything had to go, she said. Faded wood cabinets, dated appliances and white countertops bedecked the previous kitchen, along with a side counter instead of an island. Despite the obvious need to start new, Espinet affronted a greater challenge: a small budget

As a luxury designer, you always stay with more expensive products, said Espinet. It was really good to take the time to learn that more mainstream products are actually great. Alder wood cabinets and granite countertops were chosen and made locally to cut down on the price. You have to know your area and your sources, Espinet advised on buying locally.

The money that would have been spent on a wine cooler was put toward appliances, and the wine is now stored in the new island. Since the carpentry and appliances cannot be easily changed, these items make up the bulk of the spending. Above the island, glass pendants with a metalized finish pair with most palettes.

The new freestanding island gives the kitchen a focal point and a more modern layout. I think islands are more updated when you can walk around them in the kitchen, commented Espinet. Its open-planned living and it gives it a little more of a loft feel. A darker finish distinguishes the island from the lighter cabinetry and backsplash.

Covering the walls between the cabinets, the tile backsplash has a simple make and a simple goal. Theres no fussiness, said Espinet. The tile puts the focus on the hood, which is the kitchens main adornment.

It turned out a little bit of California with touches of Mexico, said Espinet. The hood embellishes the kitchens palette of cream, taupe and burnt orange. With a mountain outside the front door and the ocean two roads back, the colors embrace the rustic colors of mountains more than the blues of the ocean.

We used neutral for the base, but the upholstery has mountain colors, said Espinet. That creates a little bit of texture without going wild and screaming that were in Mexico. Espinets team of designers took their knowledge of the area and made a team effort of scouring the area for less expensive but quality materials.

I think thats the beauty of this kitchen, said Espinet. It proves you can get a great kitchen at a great price.

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Budgeting for a Bungalow

Marble Fort Lauderdale (954) 984-7007 Marble Store Fort Lauderdale
Marble Fort Lauderdale http://www.brstonemarbleandgranite.com (954) 984-7007 marble countertop slabs and marble bathroom slabs for vanities in Fort Lauderdal...

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