According to Ranker.com, when put to a vote the Kitchen is the most popular room in the house.

While that may be surprising to some, the fact of the matter is, whether you’re a gourmet chef or a microwave meal kind of person, most people spend a significant part of their time at home in the kitchen cooking and eating meals. Not to mention, when friends or family come over, a majority of the time is spent fellowshipping around the dinner table.

Furthermore, according to real estate experts, since the kitchen is the most popular room in the house, it is also the first location homeowners looking to increase the value of their home should upgrade.

Keep reading to learn the 6 kitchen upgrades you need to make right now to increase the value and enhance the comfort of the most popular room in your house.

Appliances

Since most appliances won’t last as long as the kitchen itself, an appliance upgrade should be made primarily on personal preferences. It is worth noting that as far as resale value goes, mid to high end appliances certainly provide better resale value. HGTV recommends investing in energy efficient, stainless steel appliances since that is the most popular choice and what homebuyers look for.

The Island

“You know what would be nice? Less counter space,” said no one ever. A kitchen island is one upgrade you won’t regret. Not only does it add style to your kitchen, it provides more counter space for cooking and eating while built in island cabinets will provide more storage space for kitchenware.

Cabinets

Depending on the amount of DIY work you want to do, upgrading your kitchen cabinets can be a relatively cheap option that pays dividends in looks and style. Simply refinish the cabinets in a new paint or stain then add nice hardware. Take it one step further and add racks or a lazy susan for easy cabinet storage options.

Opt for Granite

Granite countertops are another universal kitchen upgrade most homebuyers are looking for. While it can be on the pricey side, granite countertops easily add elegance to your kitchen.

Lighting

Just like bad lighting can ruin a photo, poor lighting can greatly inhibit an otherwise well-designed kitchen. There are plenty of options for lighting from can lighting to classy hanging light fixtures. Another low-cost upgrade is under cabinet task lighting. This easy-to-add upgrade makes squinting to read recipes a thing of the past.

Install a SmartCells Anti-Fatigue Solution

After all the money you spend upgrading your kitchen, you will undoubtedly want to spend more time in it. Investing in a SmartCells anti-fatigue solution is a great way to maintain a classy aesthetic while also enhancing the comfort of your kitchen.

SmartCells anti-fatigue mats and runners are available in a variety of pre-determined sizes, colors, and surface options allowing them to seamlessly blend with any kitchen style. 

We also offer a completely customized SmartCells anti-fatigue flooring option which can be used as a standalone solution or as an underlayment below an approved floor covering such as laminate flooring. 

The optimized design of SmartCells anti-fatigue solutions offer a stable surface over cylindrical cells which become softer under impact and resist bottoming out, this creates the perfect balance for maximum comfort while standing in a kitchen.

In addition to the unique cushioning technology, thanks to their rubber-based construction, SmartCells products will not absorb liquid and are easy to clean.

Click the button below to order your SmartCells Anti-fatigue Solution today.

SmartCells: Solutions for Life’s Painful Problems.

A recent study conducted by Grand View Research has found that as the global economy strengthens, the industrial sector will continue to see a sharp rise in foot and lower limb disorders among workers who stand for long periods of time.

To curb the productivity-limiting effects from “such problems” and to meet growing demands, many forward-thinking companies are investing in anti-fatigue mats to minimize the impact of hard surface injuries on their business and to promote a healthy work environment.

Further, according to the study, this increase in demand for standing work relief will continue to spur growth and competition in the anti-fatigue mat market through 2025 and beyond. Click here to view the study. 

Recognized by Grand View Research as a major company in the anti-fatigue market, SATECH, Inc. is dedicated to finding new ways to utilize our patented SmartCells Cushioning Technology to help provide unparalleled fatigue relief for standing workers in the industrial sector and beyond.

Here’s how SmartCells Help:

We believe that Life Shouldn’t Hurt™. This belief has guided us to engineer the unique SmartCells™ Cushioning Technology.

The optimized design of SmartCells offer a stable surface over cylindrical cells which soften under impact and resist bottoming out, creating the perfect balance for maximum fatigue relief.

SmartCells Anti-fatigue solutions are available in pre-sized mats or as a custom flooring solution for unique areas. Each SmartCells solution is specifically designed to relieve fatigue in standing workers, no matter where they work.

SmartCells: Solutions for Life’s Painful Problems.

It’s October, so you know what that means: We’re neck-deep in Football season and it’s National Ergonomics Month.

Those two things may seem very different, but they actually have more in common than you might think.

Consider a football team as an analogy for your company. 

You invest heavily to find the most talented players (employees) and put them through the most rigorous practice (training). You teach them the playbook and show them the best routes to score touchdowns and avoid being tackled. But in the end, if all of those top players (employees) land on the injured reserve come game day, you will lose.

That’s why ergonomic solutions like SmartCells Anti-Fatigue products are so vital to your team’s success.

You see, we believe that “Life Shouldn’t Hurt”™. This belief has guided us to ergonomically engineer the unique SmartCells™ Cushioning Technology.

The optimized design of SmartCells offer a stable surface over cylindrical cells which soften under impact and resist bottoming out. This creates the perfect balance of support and cushion, for maximum fatigue relief while minimizing the risk of injury. Keeping your employees safe for game day.

SmartCells Anti-fatigue solutions are available in pre-sized mats or as custom flooring for unique areas. Each SmartCells solution is specifically designed to relieve fatigue in standing workers, no matter where they work.

Are you ready to win? Click the button below to get started with SmartCells.

SmartCells: Solutions for Life’s Painful Problems.

For more than 10 years SATECH, Inc. has proudly partnered with the United States Department of Defense to implement SmartCells Anti-fatigue and Fall Protection solutions in a variety of applications. 

In July 2018 SATECH was contracted by the DOD to install 2000 sq. ft. of SmartCells Anti-fatigue flooring in the Winn Community Hospital pharmacy located in Ft. Stewart,GA. After reviewing the proposed space, SATECH recommended the 1” blue with poly flecking platform tile considering it is a popular option for many pharmacies due to its aesthetic appeal. In addition, 12” wide ADA compliant transition ramps were added in areas where users walk on and off the SmartCells. 

The complexity of this project required several custom cuts and configurations, but as always the DOD was very pleased with the end result. After more than a year of use, the employees at Ft. Stewart’s pharmacy continue to be pleased with the installation and benefits gained from SmartCells Anti-fatigue flooring.

The installation turned out great!

Are you interested in a SmartCells Anti-Fatigue Flooring Solution for your Pharmacy? Click the button below to request a product sample.

SmartCells: Solutions to Life’s Painful Problems.

Last year, American pharmacists filled more than 3.78 billion prescriptions.

When considering data gathered by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that means a single pharmacist fills roughly 12,211 prescriptions annually. 

Each of these prescriptions requires the pharmacist to spend a significant amount of time on their feet walking between storage isles, compounding areas, computer terminals, and customer service counters.  

This extended time on their feet is not only physically fatiguing for the pharmacist, but it can also prove to be hazardous for patients.

In fact, according to the Federal Drug Administration, over 51.5 million prescription mistakes occur each year, resulting in nearly 1.3 million people being injured by preventable medication mistakes.

While some medication errors occur due to issues in the prescription stage or with software, studies have found that nearly 75% of medication errors are attributed to workplace distractions such as immense patient loads and fatigue.

In light of that, many leaders in the pharmaceutical industry such as Kaiser Permanente, the Department of Defense, and United States Air Force trust SmartCells Anti-fatigue Flooring and Mats to reduce fatigue in an effort to prevent errors.

Here’s how SmartCells Help:

We believe that “Life Shouldn’t Hurt”™. This belief has guided us to engineer the unique SmartCells™ Cushioning Technology which has been optimized to provide an energizing responsiveness in a soft, yet stable surface, resulting in an exhilarating feeling of fatigue relief.

This advanced cushioning technology consists of a rubber top layer supported by a matrix of cylindrical columns that compress and respond dynamically to surface pressure, which allows SmartCells to provide maximum fatigue relief.

SmartCells Anti-fatigue solutions are available in pre-sized mats or as a custom flooring solution for unique areas such as pharmacies, blood draw labs, and reception areas. Each SmartCells solution is specifically designed to relieve fatigue in standing workers, no matter where they work.

SmartCells: Solutions for Life’s Painful Problems.

The year was 1903 and two bicycle repairman brothers from Ohio were about to make aviation history near the town of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Though the Wright brothers weren’t the first to build aircraft, their test flight on December 17, 1903 landed them in aviation history because they were the first to invent “aircraft controls that made fixed wing flight possible.”

Over the last century, the aviation sector has grown to employ over 10 million people in the United States, and like all industries, it has seen its share of unique challenges both in the air and on the ground.

One such challenge that has grown within the aviation industry is keeping up with employee health and safety.

From the ticket counter to the baggage handlers, TSA and assembly line workers at industry giants like Boeing, many employees in the aviation industry spend a majority of the workday on their feet.

This prolonged standing not only causes physical pain and discomfort, it significantly reduces productivity for affected workers and impedes their ability to deliver outstanding service and value to themselves, their team members and potentially to customers.

Considering this, many leading airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Alaska Airlines, US Airways Express, Southwest Airlines, and jetBlue trust SmartCells flooring and mats to reduce fatigue and keep their front line employees feeling good.

Here’s how SmartCells Help:

We believe that “Life Shouldn’t Hurt”™. Through years of careful development based on valid third-party research, that belief has guided us to engineer the unique SmartCells™ cushioning technology to provide an energizing responsiveness in a soft, yet stable surface, resulting in an exhilarating feeling of fatigue relief.

This advanced cushioning technology consists of a rubber top layer supported by a matrix of cylindrical columns which compress and respond dynamically to surface pressure engineered to  provide maximum fatigue relief.

SmartCells Anti-fatigue solutions are available in pre-sized mats or as a custom flooring solution for unique areas such as ticket counters or around baggage transfer carousels. Each SmartCells solution is designed to relieve fatigue in standing workers, no matter where they work. 

Do more for your workforce with SmartCells ergonomically engineered mats, flooring, and insoles.

SmartCells: Solutions for Life’s Painful Problems.

Seniors have experienced a 40% increase in fall-related emergency room visits in the past 10 years. They want to stay active and watch their grandkids play and grow so, how do we keep the boomers safe in the case of a fall?

The answer is simple: SmartCells Cushioning Technology.

Here at SATECH, Inc. we believe that Life Shouldn’t Hurt, and we specifically design solutions with that in mind. With the use of SmartCells Fall Protection flooring many fall-related injuries are preventable. 

This hidden hero effectively reduces fall-related injuries by off-loading up to 90% of the impact forces resulting from a fall and it is all thanks to our unique, patented SmartCells Cushioning Technology. 

When walking or standing on SmartCells Fall Protection flooring, the SmartCells structure provides a stable surface that will not cause imbalance, perfect for those with gait or mobility issues, and is virtually indistinguishable from a regular floor. 

However, when your senior loved one falls, the ‘SmartCells’ cushions and absorbs the impact force, which aids in the prevention of serious fall-related injuries.

It’s More Than Flooring. It’s Peace of Mind.

We can do our best to reduce falls, but they still happen. Beyond that, no one can guess when a fall may occur. 

Available in pre-sized or custom area mats, and complete wall-to-wall applications, our cushioned flooring solutions take the guesswork out of fall protection. SmartCells give you peace of mind knowing your loved one is safe, while enabling them to age with dignity and independence by reducing the risk and fear of a serious fall injury.

In addition, SmartCells does not absorb liquids which virtually eliminates any infection control risk. 

SmartCells Fall Protection flooring solutions can be used as a standalone system or a cushioned subfloor under sheet vinyl or carpet tiles, providing many design options for any living space.

SmartCells: Solutions to Life’s Painful Problems.

Data collected by the World Health Organization and the World Bank suggests the world average life expectancy at birth increased from 48 years in 1950 to 72.2 years in 2017. 

Further, when considering potential lifespan, which is defined by the longest observed human life from birth to death, the current accepted max lifespan is 122 years. 

There’s no doubt, thanks to science and modern medicine, we are living longer lives.

Despite all the advances in medicine and technology, people over the age of 65 are prematurely dying at alarming rates, and it’s not due to sickness or natural causes.

It’s because of fall-related injuries.

Over the last decade the rate of fall-related deaths among older adults has increased. Current data indicates that falls are the leading cause of fatal injury, and every 19 minutes an older adult dies from fall-related injuries.

To combat this, many health professionals and care organizations are implementing falls awareness campaigns, providing classes on how to fall safely, developing exercise programs centered around increasing strength, and creating better fall prevention care.

While this all helps, falls are still happening.

As much as we’d like to be there all the time to protect our elderly loved one’s from a fall-related injury, we can’t.

But SmartCells can be.

SmartCells Fall Protection products provide a safe solution that allows users to remain independent, while also giving peace of mind that they are safe.

Based on years of valid, time-tested, third party research, our patented SmartCells technology is specifically engineered to absorb and dissipate fall-related impacts laterally.

The unique structure becomes softer as compressed, not harder like traditional foam, providing 5 times the capacity to absorb high impact energy and minimize ground reaction force, effectively reducing the likelihood of a fall-related injury.

Our family of Fall Protection solutions are available in pre-sized mats, wall-to-wall flooring and custom applications based on specific needs. In addition, the flooring can be used as a standalone system or cushioned subfloor.

SmartCells: Solutions to Life’s Painful Problems.

Here at SmartCells we think Summer is the best season of the year. We could easily give you 10 reasons why but, for the sake of brevity here is why Summer tops the seasons in the Pacific Northwest

1. The rain gets warmer
2. Days between rainfall increase
3. There’s a yellow ball in the sky
4. Wait, the sky is blue? We thought it was permanently gray with clouds

All joking aside, the warm days and long nights of Summer allow for a plethora of fun activities including beach days, water sports, and of course grilling!

After all, who doesn’t enjoy standing on the patio with a cold beverage grilling some tasty food? If the sizzle and aroma of food wafting from a barbecue doesn’t scream “It’s Summertime”, we don’t know what does.

And we’re not alone in this feeling.  75% of Americans own a grill and 79.1 million Americans have grilled in the last year with July 4th being the most popular grilling day of the year. 

Being host to the most popular grilling day in the year, it may come as no surprise to you that for over a decade now, July has been officially observed as National Grilling Month.

Grilling isn’t always just fun and food though. In fact, on average in the United States, 8800 home fires occur and thousands of people are injured each year as a result of grilling. 

To help you stay safe this Summer, and become known as the grill master amongst your friends and family, we have compiled our top 11 grilling tips.

It’s Getting Hot in Here

Just like cooking in an oven, for optimal grilling you should preheat your grill 15-25 minutes before you put the food on. Not only does this help kill bacteria, a properly heated grill ensures the inside of your food will remain tender while preventing sticking and many experts claim it improves “flavors through caramelization”.

Clean it Up

No matter how good of a griller you are, chances are there’s usually some charred remnants of food left on the grill after a meal. Keeping it clean will minimize your threat of bacteria and keep future food from sticking prematurely.

Check Your Brush

Each year there are more than 100 medical emergencies due to swallowing grill cleaning brush bristles. If you notice bristles missing on your cleaner, replace it immediately.

Break out the Thermometer

No matter how you like your steak it is important that you make sure to grill meat to the proper internal temperature. Here is a great chart from Bro BBQ to make sure you grill to the right temp: https://brobbq.com/grilling-times-temperatures-chart/ 

Minimize Lid Opening

Every time you open the BBQ lid it takes longer to cook and you run the risk of having an oxygen flare-up flame. In addition, minimizing lid opening helps keep the smoke in the grill which increases flavor.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Statistics show that nearly 16% of home fires due to grilling accidents happen during the time of flame ignition because something flammable was too close to the grill. So, before you ignite your grill make sure it is a safe distance from your house and anything else that is flammable.

Check Your Lines

While we are on the topic of safety, if you use a gas grill make sure you check the gas lines for cracks or leaks. 20 percent of reported grill fires are a result of leaks or breaks.

Don’t Flip too Soon

A common misconception is that you should flip your meat often to prevent burning. However, doing this increases your risk of it sticking to the grates. Let it develop a good seared crust before flipping it, and try to avoid poking it.

The Sauce is Boss

We all have a favorite BBQ sauce we love to slather on the meat while it cooks. However, saucing too soon can cause food to burn, especially if it has a lot of sugar. Experts recommend waiting until the last few minutes for max flavor and minimal burn.

Don’t Eat it Right off the Grill

Food needs time to ‘rest’ when it comes off the grill. This time allows the juices to re-enter the meat and preserve its tender, juiciness. Don’t worry, you only have to wait 5 minutes.

Use a SmartCells SlimLine Anti-fatigue Mat

If you follow these tips, you’re well on your way to being a grill master and your friends will start to notice. Which means you will be spending more time standing in front of your grill this Summer.

Investing in a SmartCells SlimLine Anti-fatigue mat will make sure you stay comfortable grilling all Summer long.

Featuring a lower profile, ⅜ inch height, and a stylish basket weave surface, the all-new SmartCells SlimLine mats utilize the same trusted cushioning technology as our industrial products but in a package that is thinner and lighter making it especially suitable for use in front of the grill.

The optimized design of SmartCells offer a stable surface over cylindrical cells which soften under impact and resist bottoming out, creating the perfect balance for maximum comfort at the grill. 

Worried about sauce dripping on it and getting it dirty? Thanks to its 100% rubber-based formulation, cleaning it up is a breeze. In fact, you could even just take the garden hose to it.

SmartCells Anti-fatigue SlimLine mats are available in three colors, come in a convenient 2’X3’ size, and are protected with a 4-year warranty.

Click the button below to order yours today:

SmartCells: Solutions to Life’s Painful Problems.