Professionally Designed Kitchen

Replacing your kitchen cabinets during kitchen remodeling is about as drastic and expensive as you can get for a home remodeling project.  Hopefully the following information will help you to spend your money wisely and get the most from your home remodeling budget.

If you are adding cabinets or changing the layout of your kitchen, remodeling services of a professional to plan a functional kitchen will be worth it.  Many of your choices are going to be driven by your home remodeling budget, but there are ways to make sure that your are getting the best quality for the money.

Some kitchen remodeling cabinet expenses are related to aesthetics and some are related to how the cabinets are built.  Either way, the first decision to make is whether you want to use stock cabinets or custom cabinets.  Custom cabinets are generally of higher quality, but not necessarily.  Be sure to check references and ask to see samples.  The benefit to custom cabinets is that they are built to fit your space.  If you want uniquely sized cabinets or special design features in your kitchen remodeling, custom cabinets will be your best choice.  One negative is that if you ever need to replace a door or panel, you will have to go back to the custom cabinetry shop since materials and sizes are, well…custom.

Stock cabinets are made in standard sizes.  All levels of quality and varieties of finishes are still available, but if the standard sizes leave a gap when they are laid out in your kitchen, a filler strip is used to close the gap.  This is generally not noticeable, but it is different from custom cabinets.

There are several things to look for in determining the quality of kitchen cabinets:

• Look at the quality of the hardware that comes with the cabinets.  Is it durable as well as beautiful?
• Will accessories, such as trays and baskets, work with your cabinets?
• Corner blocks made of plastic indicate lower quality cabinets.
• Look at the quality of the finish on the materials.
• Joints that are glued and nailed are lower quality than those that are dovetailed or use dowels.

After you’ve finished kitchen remodeling, enjoy your new cabinets and know that you have added value to your home.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flikr.com/photos/architectural-rendering-models/3871670220/)

In the Process of Refacing

Refacing kitchen cabinets is most often done as a kitchen remodeling project if you are planning to sell your home in the next 5 years.  The look and feel of the kitchen is one of the most important features buyers consider, and therefore should be high on your list when you want to sell your home.

Refacing your kitchen cabinets can make the cabinets appear new and the kitchen will feel updated, without the cost and time required for installation of new cabinets as part of a larger kitchen remodeling effort.

Before deciding on refacing over replacing, ask yourself whether your existing kitchen layout works and if you have enough storage and counter space.  If the answers are yes, and if your cabinets are in good structural shape, then refacing may be the answer to this kitchen remodeling question.

Refacing means that you will cover the existing cabinet surfaces with new laminate.  Door and drawer fronts are also replaced to match the new laminate.  Side panels of end cabinets are also refaced.

When you reface your cabinets, you can completely change the style and feel of your kitchen, which is at the core of kitchen remodeling.  You can go from a dark walnut wood to light oak with glass doors, for example.  Adding new hinges will put a spring back into those cabinet doors and new handles and drawer pulls can be chosen to finish off the desired look.

The reduced cost of refacing cabinets makes it easier for you to see a return on your investment when you sell your home, but it is also a substantial enough kitchen remodeling project for you to enjoy in the meantime.

If you aren’t planning to sell your home soon and want to invest in new cabinets, an upcoming blog will give you some ideas.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/donabelandewen/4105718749/)

Before deciding the refinishing your cabinets is the optimal solution to your kitchen remodeling ideas, be sure that the cabinets are in good condition to begin with.  Refinishing does not remove knicks, warping, or other damage to the cabinets.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of this home improvement project:

• remove doors and drawer fronts from the cabinets
• remove all hardware from doors and drawer fronts
• clean the cabinets thoroughly, paying special attention to any grease spots
• prepare the surface according to recommendations for the particular material
• if painting, spray on the paint for the most uniform coverage
• refinish the inside of the cabinets at the same time
• use gloss or semi-gloss paint or polyurethane

If you follow these tips and remain patient, your cabinets and your kitchen should have a renewed look and you can cross one more home improvement project off your list.

If refinishing your cabinets is not going to get you the results you are looking for, stay tuned to this home improvement blog for information about refacing kitchen cabinets.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/hazeldog/3815828729/)

Cabinets Refinished with Paint

Old Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen remodeling and your cabinets:  to reface, refinish, or replace?  To find the answer, consideration needs to be given to other factors than just your wallet.

What are the goals of your kitchen remodeling project?  Are you looking to sell your house, update your house, or make your house more functional? 

Refinishing:  How old, ugly, and worn out are your cabinets?  Older cabinets in an older home may add just the character your house needs, which means your kitchen remodeling project shouldn’t change your cabinets too much.  You could get by with replacing the hardware and having the cabinets refinished.  You may also opt for refinishing cabinets if you don’t absolutely hate what you have, you don’t have the cash to do more, and you’re not going to sell your house in the near future.  Remember, most of the flaws and damage will still be visible after refinishing your cabinets.  These are all things to consider as you decide how much kitchen remodeling you want to pursue.

Refacing:  Cabinets that are in good condition, in the layout that you want, but just not the wood or look that you like, may be able to be refaced.  Refaced cabinets can update a kitchen without the expense or hassle of completely replacing your cabinets as part of a larger kitchen remodeling project.  New hinges and other hardware can also add new life to older cabinets.  Refacing is an excellent choice if you’re planning to sell your house in the next few years since you are more likely to recoup your investment.

Replacing:  The most radical solution to outdated kitchen cabinets, is to replace them all.  This kitchen remodeling decision is an expensive one and can lead to additional expenses if you also decide to replace the countertop, sink, and other built-ins.  The advantages of completely replacing cabinets include being able to move things around and remodel the space as well as update the cabinets.  You also will have the choice of many new conveniences such as built-in spice racks.  This project is expensive and in many markets will not get a large enough return on investment if you sell your house in the next few years.

The next three blog entries will explore your kitchen remodeling options further:  refinishing, refacing, or replacing kitchen cabinets.

(Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lesliepepple/430651819/)

Concrete is fast becoming a popular option for kitchen counter top remodeling.  Concrete is a versatile material which can be dyed, stained, stamped and ground in order to add flair to your kitchen.  Kitchen countertops made from concrete can be any color from stark white to brilliant blue to black.  Sinks, drainboards, and trivets can even be poured along with the countertop to make a truly seamless surface.  The only special care needed is an occasional application of sealant which adds a shine to the finish and ensures that the counter top surface doesn’t stain.

Concrete countertops also fit perfectly within a green remodeling plan.  Concrete is made from rock aggregates and waste-products, such as soda ash, are often mixed in.  Speaking of green, kitchen countertops made from concrete can also save you quite of bit of green over granite.

Contractors in your area that have installed concrete kitchen counter tops should have samples that they are able to show you.  The brave at heart can also do this project themselves.  All it takes is some patience.  Pour several smaller molds for practice and to experiment with color.

You need to determine whether your kitchen remodeling project will include replacing the sink too, or just the faucet.  If you are only replacing the faucet, look at the current arrangement noting the number of holes in your sink.  If you have an older, traditional faucet with two handles and a sprayer to the side, the new faucet will have to use, or cover, all of those existing holes.  This information is on most packaging, or the “footprints” of your current faucet and the new faucet can also be measured and compared.

Removal of the old faucet without the help of a plumber:

• Turn off the water supply under the sink.  There is a valve for both the hot and cold water.
• Remove the water supply lines from the current faucet.  Plumbers use a faucet wrench, but a crescent wrench should work.
• Remove the nuts that hold the faucet in place.
• Remove the faucet.

Before setting the new faucet in place, be sure to clean the gunk from where the old faucet was.  One of the benefits of kitchen remodeling is that you get to enjoy a completely clean kitchen.

Because there are many types of faucets, each will come with different instructions for special options such as pullout sprayers, soap dispensers, etc.  Basic installation of the new faucet is as easy as doing the previous steps in reverse.

Turn on the water and check for leaks.  If you find a leak, don’t panic and call the plumber yet!  Check that the supply lines are adequately tightened and also check that the supply lines themselves are not leaking.  Lastly check that the faucet is firmly seated onto the plastic seal.

This kitchen remodeling project will enhance the look of your kitchen for years to come.

(Photo Credit:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisasanderson/3757384947/)