Consolidated Plumbing Blog

A red hot kitchen renovation trend for foodies is to install professional grade restaurant ranges and other commercial appliances at home. Nothing screams “we love food” better than a six burner cast-iron range pumping out 25,000 BTUs of cooking power and a monster stainless steel refrigerator packed full of fresh ingredients.

Before you rip out the Kenmore and upgrade to a Vulcan, though, let’s take a look at all the facets you need to consider before stepping up to commercial grade.

Purchase price is just the tip of the iceberg

It’s no secret that commercial ovens can cost thousands of dollars, even if you pick one up used. What’s not such common knowledge is that investing in the range itself is hardly the end of the line when it comes to additional expenses related to setting up a professional kitchen at home.

• Weight: Many commercial ovens are so heavy that they require specially constructed concrete bases to prevent damage to the floor. Make sure you find out how much of a load your floor can bear prior to purchasing a super-sized range.
• Gas power: Standard residential natural gas service doesn’t provide nearly enough oomph to properly power a 25k or 30k BTU range. Hooking up to an insufficiently small line will generally void your warranty and cause the range to function improperly.
• Increased ventilation capacity: Ventilation hoods for standard cooktops move as little as 150 CFM (cubic feet per minute). Restaurant-style ranges require up to ten times more ventilation to suck all that extra heat out of the kitchen.
• Space concerns: Commercial ranges run much hotter than residential models and aren’t insulated in the same fashion. All this extra heat means extra space between the oven and wood cabinetry. Coupled with the fact that professional appliances are already extra-large, this causes a double drain on space. Add in a commercial fridge and oversized sink and you’ll quickly see that a pro-style kitchen design is generally reserved for homes with ample floor space.

Insurance and warranty stipulations

Many manufacturers state clearly in their guarantee that the installation of restaurant grade equipment in a private residence renders all warranties null and void. Be sure to check the fine print before handing over your credit card.

Bear in mind, though, that a lack of warranty is hardly the end all be all. Commercial ranges are extremely durable and do not contain cheap electric gimmicks that break easily. It’s OK to select a model that comes guarantee free but be diligent to understand clearly the terms of your purchase.

Check with your insurance agent ahead of time to determine whether your homeowner’s policy contains a clause that voids coverage due to the installation of commercial appliances. In most situations you’ll be fine, but install equipment strictly according to the manufacturer’s recommended specifications and disclose to your insurance company exactly which models have been fitted into your kitchen. Material misrepresentation or lying to your insurer can also easily lead to voided coverage.

A quick and easy workaround

A popular way to create the professional look without going through the hassle of navigating a full professional renovation is to look for manufacturers that offer “pro-style” equipment. Pro-style appliances are specially designed to recreate the appearance and functionality of restaurant grade ranges and refrigerators while maintaining size, weight and insulation standards to allow easy installation in most homes.

Selecting pro-style appliances still mandates extra considerations but not nearly to the same level as a full-scale commercial upgrade.

Ever wish you could experience vacation-level relaxation in your bathroom at home?

Believe it or not, recreating the subtle elegance found in five star luxury washrooms is a lot simpler and affordable than you think. In this post we’ll look at a number of tweaks you can make to achieve “hotel chic” without breaking the bank.

Dare to be fearless

All bathroom design work requires you to walk the delicate tight rope between functionality and creativity. You want your arrangement to wow visitors with artful style without taking away from the usability of the room.

While homeowners tend to err on the side of caution, hotel bathroom designers are more willing to take a chance instead of playing it safe.

Get creative with materials and don’t limit yourself to the “bath” aisle when considering tile, wall and floor coverings. Sure, it’s a good idea to keep moisture in mind when making design decisions, but don’t be afraid to utilize materials generally reserved for other purposes. One great example is subway tile.

Mixing and matching textures and finishes will help you create a never before seen bathroom concept, the kind you find at the swankiest of boutique hotels.

The same goes for taps, basins and shower equipment. While traditional luxury fixtures are always an excellent choice, outside the box water features are worth their weight in gold.

Ever seen cabinets at a luxury hotel?

Who says all your bathroom goodies ought to be kept behind closed doors? Consider open storage solutions for everyday items to free up space and add a smart look to your bathroom.

Providing a certain degree of closed in storage is important, but open-air towel racks and shelves for toiletries and other bathroom accessories is both convenient and modern.

A simple trick for bonus tub space

It always seems like baths at fancy hotels enjoy extra elbow room for added comfort. Are they somehow finding super-sized tubs?

Nope. Not exactly.

The secret lies in a curved shower rod. Installing a crescent-shaped rod creates an optical illusion of additional space. Talk about a small investment with a big time return in comfort!

Fabulous fibers

Upgrading to high quality towels will make a world of difference for your bathroom experience. To make your quick morning shower feel more like a long and relaxing resort and spa scrub down, seek out fabrics that feature the following three attributes: fluffy, soft and over-sized.

For just a few bucks you can have your towels embroidered with your own faux luxury brand name. Make a play off your surname and have some fun with it. Smith’s Suites, perhaps? Miller Manor?

Fool yourself with charming containers

Lathering up your entire family with designer quality toiletries gets prohibitively expensive real quick, but instead of displaying your bargain-basket shampoos, shower gels and conditioners in their gigantic plastic bottles, transfer your soaps to smaller, more fashionable containers and store them on an ornate tray.

OK, yeah, you’ll know it’s Suave and not Gilchrist & Soames, but creating the look and feel is half the battle!

Homeowners these days are more concerned than ever about conserving water and doing their part to protect our environment.

While turning off the tap while you brush your teeth, watering your lawn at night and limiting shower time are all great ideas, one of the best things you can do to ensure that you live in a “green” household is to install WaterSense faucets.

In this article we’ll explain how WaterSense came about and help you find the perfect water-saving fixtures for your kitchen and bath.

The EPA’s brain-child

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is the impetus behind the whole WaterSense program. In essence, the EPA defined water and energy saving standards to determine whether or not a particular faucet, aerator or fixture offered significant conservation results when in use.

When a product meets the department’s strict criteria, they are allowed to be labeled as WaterSense approved, making it super easy for consumers to know straight away whether or not the faucet they’re looking at is EPA approved and removing all ambiguity.

All this without sacrificing performance

The real beauty of the program is that manufacturers not only have to prove that their products save water but they’re also required to show that the new technology performs as well as a non-approved tap.

For example, a WaterSense faucet will feature a maximum gallon per minute flow rate of 1.5, but to the user it will still feel and act the same as a 2.2 gpm tap. All hardware is inspected by an independent organization to ensure that both target savings and minimum flow rate are met.

This 30% decrease in water flow would literally conserve billions of gallons of water each and every year nationwide if every home was retrofitted with this innovative technology.
Even if you aren’t in the market for new faucets right now, a simple aerator can help you cut water usage with your current fixtures.

Water conservation is like money in the bank

On average, American homes fitted with WaterSense faucets save approximately 700 gallons of water per year. When you consider that this water is generally heated, this means not only a decrease in the water bill but in electricity to boot!

According to the EPA, if every home in the US switched to water-saving faucets, upwards of $1.2 billion could be saved annually in water and energy costs, enough to cover the needs of nearly 700,000 American homes.

High-performance meets high-fashion

Early models of water-saving faucets were bulky and unattractive, but nowadays all of the major manufacturers are designing sleek, stylish, professional-looking faucets for your kitchen and bath that meet the stringent WaterSense standards.

From Brizo to Delta to Kohler and more, Consolidated Plumbing Supply’s salesroom showcases dozens of gorgeous top-of-the-line faucets that will both beautify your home and make sure you’re doing your part for our future. Stop by and ask about WaterSense faucet technology or simply check for the logo on all EPA approved hardware.

So you’re taking the plunge and diving full steam ahead into a major kitchen renovation. Congratulations.

Before you start ripping up the floor and laying the pipes for your new island, make sure you take a deep breath and give some serious thought to the functionality of your upgraded layout. All too often homeowners focus too much on aesthetics and not enough on the workability of their design, and the last thing you want to do is spend $30,000 on a fancy kitchen that’s difficult or impossible to cook in!

We understand that a professional design consultant won’t be in the budget for the average homeowner. That’s why we put this simple checklist together to make sure you’ve got all your bases covered before you start swinging a sledge hammer.

1. Remember the 10-20 rule.

To break down kitchen layout into its simplest form, think back to elementary school geometry. Once you’ve sketched out a scale drawing of your dream layout, grab a ruler and draw a triangle with each corner ending at the fridge, oven and sink respectively.

Now, calculate the length of the combined three sides. If the total is more than ten feet and less than twenty, you’re good to go. If the total lies outside that range you’ve got some re-working to do.

A kitchen triangle less than 10 feet will feel crowded, particularly when you’ve got more than one person working at a time. A kitchen triangle greater than 20 feet will wear you out as the essential components of the cooking process will be too far apart to be efficient.

Don’t forget to check for obstructions in your triangle. Does the triangle cut across a countertop? Do you have to turn the corner to get to the refrigerator? Ideally you’ll want a clear shot between all three elements (stove, sink, fridge) for optimal comfort.

2. Storage space is at a premium.

Even if you’re a minimalist, the rule of thumb when it comes to storage space is this: you can always use more.

It’s impossible to not have some wasted space in your kitchen design. Certain appliances such as food processors and espresso machines will take up more than their fair share of countertop real estate due to their odd shape, but do your best to maximize your storage options during the design phase. It’s very difficult to add in extra storage after the fact.

Always install cabinets above your refrigerator. This is the perfect place to stash those seldom used seasonal items.

3. Be sure to consider all lighting options.

With the plethora of lighting options and technologies available these days, there’s no reason to limit your kitchen illumination to a ceiling light and a burst of window sun via the sink. An efficient kitchen is one that’s easy to work in, and this means adequate lighting at every work station. The stove top, sink, and working countertop spaces all need to feature direct lighting for peak performance.

4. Give that island a second look.

Including an island in your layout could add valuable storage space and a dedicated prep zone. The addition could also backfire and cause a major traffic jam in your kitchen.

Be sure that you’ve got enough space to fit an island comfortably without bottlenecks. As a general rule your kitchen needs to measure 8 x 12 feet at a minimum before you start to consider an island.

5. Ask a pro.

I know, I know…I said this would be a how-to guide for those who don’t want to hire a professional designer. But hey, once you’ve added those finishing touches to the final draft of your blueprint, surely you can find the funds to pay a design consultant to quickly look over your work.

An hour of a pro’s time could wind up being worth its weight in gold should they catch a major design snafu before it’s too late to fix it!

The concept of a kitchen island was first introduced during the 1970’s and as the size of American homes has grown, so has our love of islands. Once a sign of upscale elegance, today’s island is more about functionality than flare, but just because they’re more common doesn’t mean that an island is unequivocally right for you.

In this article we’ll look at the pros and cons of including an island in your kitchen remodel design so that you can make the correct choice for your needs and your home.

The perfect hideaway for all those extra gadgets

The biggest advantage of going with an island is all the extra storage space that it affords. With the plethora of additional appliances found in the modern kitchen, it’s truly a breath of fresh air to get those grinders, blenders and processors off the countertop and into your cabinets. And even if you’re more of a traditionalist, it’s great to have somewhere to stash away extra pots, pans and seldom used plates, glasses and utensils.

Caution: work zone ahead

Enjoy a little extra elbow room by moving your food prep station over the island. Every cook knows that countertop space is the kitchen’s most valuable real estate, but with the microwave, coffee pot, toaster and other countertop appliances taking up the prime locales, there’s hardly any space for your chopping board.

Two is better than one

Imagine having one sink for food prep and another for dirty dishes! With an island this is a distinct possibility. Big time baker? What about an extra oven for preparing desserts while the Sunday roast is on?

Whatever your lifestyle, an island provides the perfect opportunity for a non-traditional upgrade that’s just for you. What’s on your wish list? A wine cooler, a mini beverage fridge, an extra dishwasher?

Welcome to my kitchen

Add a few bar stools to your island and you’ve got the perfect place to feed the family. Having a party? Invite your guests into the kitchen for a drink so that the host/hostess can socialize while taking care of the prep work or washing up after the party.

Cost is a four letter word

Adding an island can be a budget killer, particularly if your design requires that you run water, gas or electricity under the floor. A kitchen island doesn’t need to be over-the-top superfluous and expensive, but choosing to put one in will certainly have an impact on your total cost.

Don’t get overzealous with your floor space

If your kitchen is too small to comfortably fit an island, then don’t try it. By trying to cram extra storage and workspace into a tight floor plan you can wind up creating a space that is cramped, crowded and difficult to work in.

Homeowners with smaller kitchens should consider a rolling coffee cart as an alternative to a full-sized island.

It’s not going anywhere

Remember that a kitchen island is a permanent fixture and can be costly to remove or alter. If you’re not 100% confident that you’ll be happy with your design choice indefinitely then it might be a safer bet to stick to a more traditional layout.

These contractors are becoming part of the family!

Adding an island to a home that doesn’t currently have the infrastructure to take one is going to add quite a bit of time to your renovation project. If you’re looking forward to an updated kitchen but don’t want to get to know your tradesmen on a first name basis then perhaps adding an island to your home will be a bit too much for your patience to handle.

Do you ever find yourself lamenting over design decisions made by the previous owner of your home? Why did they do that? Why didn’t they do this?

Well, this is normal. After all, most of us don’t have the luxury of planning and building our own home from scratch!

So, what we wind up doing is slowly remodeling the key rooms in our home over time, to better suit our tastes. And no two rooms are more important than the kitchen and bath.

For a room that feels and functions the way you want it to, the value of good design is paramount.

Kitchen and bath renovations are not projects to be taken lightly. If you don’t take good design into consideration, you can easily wind up wishing your fridge had been installed closer to your oven or that you hadn’t faced the bathtub towards the toilet.

As homeowners we spend copious amounts of time in both of these rooms, and they are the most functional rooms in the vast majority of households. It is vital that, at the planning stage, a great deal of thought goes into selecting the placement, style and functionality of every item.

Before you start revamping the room is when the most important decisions like color, style and function should be made. It is much easier to pull the room together in one cohesive look when that schema is by design and not simply pieced together on the fly.

Whether you hire a pro or design the kitchen yourself, be sure to keep it personal.

Design is a very personal thing. Everything about a design should match your needs and function to the specifications that you indicate.

If you live in an apartment in the city, eat out often and spend very little time at home, then an easy to keep clean minimalist kitchen would most likely check all your boxes.

On the other hand, if your house is home to many, you generally eat in and like to invite guests over, then you’re going to want an entirely different kitchen set-up. You’ll require more storage, broader workspaces and possibly choose an open plan to include the cook in social gatherings.

Your house is more than just a place you hang your hat. It’s a space that reflects your character. Your emotional connection to it is what makes a building your “home,” but you won’t be able to encapsulate your personality into the design unless you explicitly decide ahead of time to do so.

A well designed bathroom is primarily one that will meet your needs.

Many homeowners make the big mistake of choosing a bathroom design to replicate based purely on form and not enough on function. Sure, you want your new bathroom to be gorgeous, but for such a vital part of the home it’s imperative that the design suits your needs and not someone else’s.

For important decisions such as whether or not to install a bathtub or what type of sink/vanity combination you want to install, think first about how you will use the space and then shape the aesthetics around your needs. Remember, function first and then form. Both aspects are important but they ought to be considered in that order.

Your home should be designed to bring an element of happiness to your life. Walking through your front door should make you breathe a sigh of relief. Your bathrooms and kitchen are at the very center of your home, so good design in these rooms is everything.

For the longest time granite was seen as the crème de la crème of countertop materials. If your kitchen featured granite it could only mean one thing: you had arrived.

Recently, however, there’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to kitchen luxury and wowing your neighbors and house guests with countertops that truly pop. Believe it or not, it’s concrete.

If you’re a homeowner who has yet to purchase a ticket on the concrete train, this article is for you. Here are five reasons why you should consider installing concrete countertops during your kitchen renovation.

1. One of a kind uniqueness to give your kitchen a style of its own

No two concrete countertops are alike – literally.

By nature, the installation process lends to every job being a custom-project. From the shape of the forms to the aggregates used to coloring, surface shine, effects and more, a concrete countertop contractor is more of an artist than a tradesman, and no other medium provides homeowners with the same level of flexibility and autonomy in their design choices.

From replicating the look/feel of marble or granite down to terrazzo-styled surfaces enhanced by chips of glass or colored stone, the possibilities are truly endless.

Be aware that much of the beauty in concrete countertops stems from imperfections and unforeseen effects present in the final product. It’s impossible to know 100% what the end result will look like and so owning a design that can never be mimicked is much of the allure.

2. Tough as…well…concrete!

Chips, cracks, scratches and stains are no match for a sealed and treated concrete countertop. This is a material that is designed to pass the test of time, and with proper maintenance your surfaces can still look like new twenty years down the road.

3. Seamless design and easy maintenance

Unlike stone, which needs to be cut into manageable sections that result in seams, a concrete countertop can easily be designed and built to feature one endless slab that is 100% smooth from end to end.

Once polished and treated, you can expect silky soft surfaces that are comfortable to work on. Clean-up is also a breeze as warm, soapy water is all you need to wipe up even the messiest spills.

4. Save a buck… or a few

While top-of-the-line artistic installers can drive your project costs up to nearly as much as natural stone, as a general rule you will pay about half for concrete as you would for granite and enjoy many of the similar properties.

Additionally, if you’re handy with tools and DIY, it’s easy to install your own rustic style counters to save even more. Perfect for those do-it-yourselfers who don’t have access to a quarry!

5. The new chic

When done properly there is no look quite like a custom-designed concrete surface, but be warned that “properly done” is the operative term here.

Do your due diligence before hiring just any old cement guy to give it a whirl. Always ask to see examples of any contractor’s work and also ask for (and follow up with) references.

Looking for a surefire way to elevate your bathroom design to the 21st century and beyond?

It’s easy. Install a stainless steel bathroom sink from Kohler.

Once reserved solely for the kitchen, homeowners today are treated to a wide array of contemporary bathroom sink styles which achieve a uniquely modern bathroom look with an oldie-but-goodie durable material.

A treasure trove of benefits

All the reasons that make stainless steel great for the kitchen translate to the bathroom as well.

Stainless steel is very easy to clean and the brushed look means that scratches will simply blend into the design over time. These sinks are also extremely durable and keep their out-of-the-box look for years to come since they don’t rust, stain or tarnish. Steel doesn’t chip, crack or fade either!

Keeping the bathroom sanitary is super easy as bacteria and mold have a very difficult time growing on stainless steel surfaces. It truly is the ideal choice for the most moisture and bacteria prone room in the house.

Eye-catching versatility

The distinct shine of stainless steel catches your eye in a way that traditional white sinks simply can’t. In particular, Kohler’s mirrored Timpani® vessel-style basin adds a dramatic centerpiece to your bathroom that will instantly make the most standard bath appear chic and luxurious.

There’s a reason why sinks such as the Timpani® are a favorite at high-end spas and fashionable boutique hotels.

With steel you never have to worry that your new sink won’t match the existing décor. The brilliance of stainless goes with every motif and any color scheme. Whether your style is classic or ultra-modern, you’re sure to find a model that will slide right in as if it were made to be there.

From affordable to downright luxurious

Steel is strong, lightweight and comparatively cheap to produce compared to other sink materials. Low-end models offer the perfect balance of being inexpensive, built to last and stunningly beautiful while high-end models provide homeowners with a design aesthetic that’s simply impossible to mimic.

Sure, the pricier models can be just that, pricey, but if making the neighbors insanely jealous is just your cup of tea, a stunning stainless steel basin with wall-hung taps is guaranteed to do the trick.

Mixed materials is trending

It used to be that mixing and matching materials in your bathroom was seen as a big time design no-no, but today it’s commonplace to juxtapose wood, concrete, glass and steel with more traditional bathroom materials.

While plenty of homeowners still adhere to the classic style of a matching “set,” recent trends give you the freedom to combine materials for a truly one-of-a-kind look.

Consider an idyllic blend of rustic and modern with a stainless vessel-style basin fixed on a slab of treated mahogany. Imagine how a shiny under-mount bowl would set off a frosted glass countertop.

Because stainless steel goes with everything, the possibilities are truly endless. All you’ve got to do is let your imagination do the talking.

Ever heard the phrase “different strokes for different folks”?

Well, the design team at Kohler has taken this idea to a whole new level with the release of their new ultra-bold dark & depraved bathroom concept. Sure, it might not be for everyone—but that’s kind of the whole point.

Whether you think it’s super chic or super ick, you’ll be sure to admit that the concept is a clever new take on the boring old washroom.

Check it out. The notion might seem a bit off-the-wall at first, but you’ll be surprised to see how it grows on you.

Chrome simply pops when set on black

Skull or not skull, this Edwardian inspired Artifacts™ faucet goes stunningly well with Kohler’s shiny black Vox® Rectangle contemporary vessel-style sink.

The classic yet timeless look of Artifacts™ gives your home an Old World feel while the modern basin brings the design aesthetic together for a truly in vogue appeal.

This look is completed exceptionally well with a black or dark gray textured wallpaper (as pictured) but a semi-gloss paint would also fit the bill. A few chrome, antique looking accessories such as this straight razor work to enhance the ambiance.

Bear in mind that a color shift will bring about additional considerations

The dark & depraved look is only successful when you’re willing to hop on the train and go full steam ahead. While it does give you an excellent excuse to go shopping, it is important to note that in all likelihood you’ll want to purchase new towels, linens and accessories that match with the theme.

Kohler sells bathroom hardware specifically designed to augment the Artifacts™ style so it’s easier than ever to know that every component you install fits in with the same vision.

Along with chrome, black or even clear glass accessories are ideal for creating your stylish upper-end but dungeon-like look.

Black looks and feels as clean & sanitary as white

Don’t choose this design philosophy if you’re thinking that a dark bathroom will hide the dirt. On the contrary, a black motif provides an exactingly clean feel equal to or greater than pure white. Your bathroom may literally scream midnight but it’ll feel operating room clean when you’re in there.

Along the same lines, do not move forward with the dark & depraved concept lightly. Maintaining this sparklingly fresh look will require routine cleaning.

Contrast is king

The absence of color need not signify the absence of light or a void in brightness. A single accent wall of white is the final element that pulls the dark & depraved bathroom into the 21st century. The contrast of white or very light gray tile is what ultimately makes this aesthetic work.

Consider as well that the addition of large mirrors and bright, Victorian styled lighting will further the effect and turn at least one room of your house into an unbelievably unique and modern space, even if you live in the suburbs.

Want to make the most relaxing ten minutes of your day even more unwinding? Consider upgrading that boring old traditional shower head and moving on up to a luxurious hand shower by Delta.

With alluring features such as an adjustable spray nozzle and the ability to rinse those “hard to reach” places, a hand shower will transform your mornings from drab to fab in no time at all.

Here are a few of the top arguments for why you need to make the switch!

Convert your bathroom into your own private spa

Even the most basic hand shower models provide you with a massive upgrade in comfort and flexibility over traditional shower heads. As you invest more into a fixture like one of Delta’s top-of-the-line hand showers, the returns range from fabulous to fantastically indulgent.

Modern hand showers feature various massage settings which allow you to direct your own personal therapy session whenever the need for one strikes your fancy.

Tough day at work? A relaxing scalp massage will whisk the stress and worries away.

Stiff muscles from an extra rigorous workout? Pound them loose with a sturdy combination of vibrating pulses of high pressure water.

Keep your shower area sparkly clean

Hand showers aren’t only great for keeping your body clean. They also double as the world’s perfect shower cleaning shortcut!

Think about it. Soap scum is your arch nemesis when it comes to scrubbing down all the tiles, fiberglass, vinyl, metal and glass that surround your shower zone. And where does it accumulate the most? In all the areas your shower head won’t reach!

By rinsing your entire shower area each and every time you finish, soap scum won’t stand a chance. You’ll enjoy a shiny clean shower enclosure without ever touching a sponge.

Make your life easier with your own personal kid-cleaning station

Bathing young children or pets is infinitely easier and a whole lot less messy when you’ve got the flexibility and control of directing water flow in the palm of your hand.

And while it may not be the most pleasant thought to consider – the same concept holds true for those caring for elderly parents.

Conserve water and energy

Many of Delta’s models offer low-flow systems engineered to provide a top shower experience with the least amount of waste. These units employ special aerators to add air to the water spray for increased pressure while using less water.

Look for the WaterSense label or select one rated at two gallons per minute or less. You could literally save thousands of gallons of water per year and cut back on electricity or natural gas consumption as well.

With so many choices, why should you choose Delta?

We carry faucets and fixtures from dozens of quality manufacturers in our showroom, but for the perfect blend of affordability and quality it’s hard to look past Delta.

Delta punishes their products during testing and stands by their goods with a fully comprehensive warranty. We’re always happy to recommend Delta fixtures to homeowners who appreciate innovative design and technology coupled with old-fashioned durability.