L.E. Smith Blog
2018 Commercial Construction Projections: Modest 4.0% Growth Expected
Heading into 2017, many commercial construction companies were riding a wave of optimism, and the projections for the year looked rosy. And while the industrial and commercial construction sector is projected to keep growing in 2018, the pace of that growth will most...
A Brief Guide To Solid Surface Vs. Quartz Countertops
With so many countertop options on the market, it's understandable that many homeowners (and even some contractors) might not always know which will work best for a given project. With so many advancements made in quality countertops over the past few years, your...
Trend Talk: What’s New For Kitchens And Bathrooms In 2018
November may have just begun, but designers, retailers, and homeowners are already looking ahead to the new year and what it may bring in terms of decorating trends. The fact is that what may have been popular in 2016 or 2017 may not keep its popularity in 2018. To...
Beyond White And Gray: 3 Colorful Countertops To Consider For The Kitchen
The average U.S. kitchen has approximately 25 feet of counter space. While that may not sound like a lot, the truth is that a client's choice in countertop materials and colors can make a huge difference. In recent years, neutrals have been the go-to for quartz and...
Interested In The Trades Or Manufacturing? Check Out These Scholarship Opportunities
Here at LE Smith, we want the manufacturing and skilled trades to experience continued growth. Since homeowners spend an average of $2,912 on installing countertops alone, we know how important it is that laminate countertop manufacturers across the country have...
3 Amazing Apps And Tools Every Kitchen Designer Should Be Using
Most homeowners understand how important a functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen is to their daily lives and to the overall value of their home. After all, even a minor kitchen remodel has an average ROI of 82.7%. When homeowners want to conduct a remodel but...
Commercial Construction Starts And How They Might Impact Your Business In 2017
When the average person thinks about construction trends, they'll likely picture the most popular methods for building a new home during a given period. But commercial construction trends are just as important to the average person's daily experience. For instance,...
Residential Construction Starts In 2017: What Midwestern Builders Need To Know
The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regularly release data on housing construction starts throughout the country. These numbers can be an extremely helpful indicator of both residential housing trends and the health of the...
Multifamily Home Design Trends in 2017: What You Need To Know
Many design trends will endure the test of time, but that doesn't mean it's not important to stay on top of current trends. Quartz countertop manufacturers were overjoyed when quartz took the top countertop material spot from granite in 2014, but will that preference...
What’s Hot In The Kitchen: Sink Trends In 2017
Even a minor kitchen remodel has an average ROI of 82.7%, so it's no surprise that it's one of the first areas homeowners look to when they want to give their house a little facelift. And although there will always be clients who gravitate more towards the...
How Will Lower Trade School Enrollment Affect Millwork?
As high schools around the country continue to push four-year higher education on their students, the country is experiencing a notable shift: more schools are pushing expensive university educations while dropping vocational education programs. So, what does this...
Quartz vs Laminate: Which Should You Use In Your Next Commercial Project?
When it comes to commercial projects, one of the most important things to consider when remodeling a kitchen area is the type of countertop you'll be using. According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders, 89% of those jobs that were...