Need Tips to Buy a Kitchen Cabinet?
Kitchen cabinets not just add manner and classiness to your kitchen but also add value to your home. They are to be considered and invested into as a major purchase. Therefore, make sure that while buying new kitchen cabinets, you buy the best ones available. Also ensure they are all worth every penny spent.
You might consider several steps that may be noted in the process of buying a kitchen cabinet:
• Firstly, decide upon a budget for the kitchen cabinet as these cover about fifty percent of the kitchen remodeling expenses. And not just decide upon it but also try and stick to it when buying the cabinets.
• Next, you need to measure the space that is available in the kitchen for the cabinet. This is to decide upon the size and number of cabinets required or that might fit in. This helps you get a rough estimate of the price.
• You then have to decide upon whether you want a stock cabinet, semi-custom cabinet or a fully customized one. Stock cabinets being less expensive are restricted in terms of style, shapes and size choices. Semi-custom ones are standard sized but offer design and styles varieties. Custom cabinets are expensive but built as per customer design and style specifications.
• Also, choose and select options with regards to custom items that include wine racks, cabinet pantries, pullout shelves and knobs or maybe handlers. Herein, while stock cabinets offer limited options, semi-custom and custom cabinets provide limitless solutions. Choose the kitchen cabinets on their usability. The more the usability the better it is.
• Also, you will have to choose the quality of the cabinets that you want from solid frames to reinforced corners and also closed backs and solid frames.
• And finally, there is style and color that you will have to decide upon. For this you can look upon magazines, online galleries or even personally visit the cabinet stores. Again, stock cabinets are available in limited styles while semi-custom and custom cabinets offer a lot more.
• Most importantly, the cabinet should probably match the architecture and the interior design of your home. It should not look out of place as it mars the beauty of your kitchen.
Also, while looking for and buying kitchen cabinets, you should always consult a hardware specialist. This is because there are numerous manufacturers of decorative hardware. Therefore, as we look to buy those with the best quality and reputation, a specialist could certainly be very helpful. Also visit the stores or warehouses and take a look at the cabinets and their prices before you decide to purchase any.
Another thing is to do research well on the internet for reputation of the manufacturers and the quality of cabinets made by them. You might also look for cost effective deals that might be available online.
| Yashvi Dhingra is freelance writer, expert on various topics and these days she is writing on kitchen cabinets.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yashvi_Dhingra
How to Install Cabinet Door Knobs There’s a quick and easy way to make your kitchen cabinets look new. Replace the cabinet door knobs. A new set of door fasteners is a quick easy fix to bring new life to any kitchen. So without further ado here’s how to install cabinet door knobs. The first thing to do is to go out to the store and find some new hardware. Be sure to bring an old door knob with you. By bringing the old door knob you can match the screw holes up. This will save you from having to drill new holes and then find hardware that will cover the holes already in the cabinets. Now that you have a whole big bag full of door knobs head back into the house and grab a screwdriver. If you picked out knobs that match the same hole pattern it’s just a simple matter of inserting the screws and you’re done. If any of the holes have stripped out just squirt a little bit of wood glue into the hole, let it dry then run the screw through it again. If however you went with a slightly different style it’s going to take a little bit more work to make sure all the doorknobs line up evenly. Place the new knob on the cabinet door and move it around until the old screw holes are covered. Use a pencil to mark through the hardware and mark the door. While measuring the hole offset is a good way to make sure everything lines up you run the risk of making a calculation error and throwing everything off. Instead grab 2 pieces of scrap wood, a 2X4, and plywood bolt them together in a T shape. You can now hold this up to the cabinet door and mark where the new holes are going to be. Trace the edge of the cabinet door onto the plywood then mark the drill hole locations on the template. Drill screw holes in the hardware jig you just made. You now have a template you can put on each cabinet door ensuring every hole will be the same. You’re finally ready to attach the new hardware. Grab the drill and a small pilot bit. By drilling pilot holes into the wood you won’t risk splintering the cabinet facing. The only thing left to do now is attach all the new door knobs. Put the screws through the attaching hardware and tighten them into the pilot holes. Be sure not to over tighten the screws all you need to shoot for is snug. Over tightening can warp the door knob or strip the screw out of the pilot hole. How to install cabinet door knobs is a simple task. A new set of door knobs can update your kitchen without the major cost of a full remodel. So if your kitchen is starting to look a little run down why not go shopping for new cabinet hardware. The installation is easy and you’ll love the look of your restyled kitchen
Cabinet Home Improvement – Choices of Wood When doing home improvements, especially cabinetry in the kitchens and/or bathrooms it makes sense to choose the type of wood very carefully. There are all types of what are commonly used wood such as pine, walnut, mahogany, etc. each type of wood has its own characteristics and things to consider. Pine is a very soft wood obviously, but if you buy the top grade pine it looks delightful after you have stained it. Mahogany is very nice but very expensive. Walnut in the right shade can be a terrific choice, but if you don’t know your woods, and if you are hiring a contractor you should ask their opinion and perhaps even look at samples or pictures of bathrooms and kitchens that they have already done and choose the one that best fits what you’re looking for. The type of wood is the most important thing to consider, the style and the finished look, you may think is very critical, but really that should be an afterthought. First, choose the type of a way that makes the most sense, and then worry about the finish work, color, and style later. Before you hire a contractor it makes sense to know a good deal about what you really want. That’s why I often suggest to people to go down to the local Lowes or Home Depot and talk to the people in the decorating department, and ask to look at pictures and samples. In fact, they may be able to recommend a very good local contractor that can do it for you in your price range, one which has an extremely good reputation around town. Please consider all this and please do your homework on the type of wood, it’s absolutely imperative and critical. Think on it.
Choosing A Good Quality Kitchen Cabinet If you are planning for a kitchen renovation or shopping for a new kitchen, it is important to choose correctly what should go with your new kitchen. If you will be spending a lot of time in the kitchen, isn’t it just right to make it a functional space with all the possible comforts it can offer? Additionally, it should be durable to last for a long time and withstand against possible heavy use. You will find that most kitchen cabinets are made of different kinds of materials, depending on the price tag. These are often made of particleboard, plywood, medium density fiberboard (MDF). Rarely can you find kitchen cabinets that are made completely out of solid wood. Particleboard is the most commonly used cabinet material. The components of a particleboard consist of wood shavings, sawdust and other wood by-products. Pressure is used to glue these materials together. Particleboard exhibits outstanding screw-holding capacity. Medium density fiberboard, or MDF, is a high-quality core material. This is made of finer components than particleboard. Unlike particleboard, MDF can be shaped because it has smoother and cleaner surface which can be painted. Plywood is a composite material made of layers of wood plies. Its composition and the manner each ply is positioned provide this material equal strength in all directions. Plywood usually provides a good cabinet material, especially when it is covered by wood veneer. A cabinet made of plywood covered in wood veneer is referred to as solid-wood cabinet. Therefore, a solid wood mahogany cabinet that you may find in your favorite kitchen store may not at all be solid mahogany but is probably made of plywood covered in wood veneer. Bear in mind that it may only be plywood but it may still be a high quality product. It is often a common misconception that sheet goods like particleboard, medium density fiberboard and plywood possess lesser quality when used as a building material for kitchen cabinets compared with solid wood. On the contrary, sheet goods are even better than lumber in many ways. Solid wood is more expensive than sheet goods. Solid wood is poorly suited to most kitchen cabinet parts. It absorbs moisture. It is often unstable, as it shrinks and swells in response to humidity changes. It can warp and crack when used for sides, bottom, top and back of cabinets. Experts believe that even the best cabinets are made with plywood. However, cabinets made of particleboard or medium density fiberboard can sometimes exceed the quality of plywood made cabinets – depending on the manufacturer. Particleboards are usually used for cabinet interiors to reduce cost since these are cheaper compared with plywood. Cabinets made from these engineered wood products like particleboard, medium density fiberboard and plywood are considered solid wood once covered with veneer, or even paint. Finally, wood finishing also provides an important factor in determining the quality of a kitchen cabinet. Factory finishes that are found in stock cabinets are more consistent, smoother and last longer compared with cabinets finished in custom shops. This is because large kitchen cabinet manufacturers utilize an automated finishing process. Automation results in a more consistent finish which small cabinetmakers find very expensive to maintain.
Under Cabinet Lighting How To Under cabinet lighting is a great way to brighten up any kitchen. A set of recessed lighting can liven up and show off your countertops. It used to be a major undertaking to try and install under cabinet lighting but luckily there are kits available now that make it a snap. There are a few ways to do the job so read on for a few under cabinet lighting how too tips. When choosing under cabinet lighting you have a few options available. You can go with either a small direct spot light or full length recessed fluorescent tubes. Both offer an attractive look to accent the kitchen. It just boils down to personal choice. For the sake of simplicity let’s look at installing a set of lights that doesn’t need to be hardwired back to your main circuit panel. The first step is to head down to the hardware store and pick out an under cabinet lighting kit. Measure the entire length of your cabinets. This will determine how many lights you need. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 spot light every 18 inches. Start the first light far enough from the end of the cabinets to allow for equal spacing of all the lights. Use a few small finish nails to tack the lights to the bottom of the cabinets. Make sure the nail is short enough that it won’t protrude completely through the bottom of the cabinet. Continue tacking lights up until you reach the end of the string. Place an inline splice into the under cabinet lighting wiring as close as possible to an electrical outlet. The cabinet lighting kit should have this included in it. Now splice the power switch to the lighting into this wire. Cut off any excess line and connect up an electrical plug to the end of the wire. Next use a staple gun to staple up the wiring. Be careful to center the wire in the staple to avoid cutting into the wire. If the wire is too long to lay flush in a straight line between the lights you can snake it along the underside of the cabinet. Since the wires and lights are hidden it doesn’t matter how the wiring is run, you can’t see it. The final step is to finish work on the lights. Working down the light string, pop bulbs into the sockets making sure they’re tight. After all the lights are installed simply snap on the decorative covers and that’s it, you’re done! Plug in the lights and flick the switch. Stick your head under the counter to make sure that all the lights come on. These few under cabinet lighting how too tricks can help simplify the installation of a new kitchen lighting system. There are plenty of options available, all you need to do is spend a little time looking for just the right one that works for your kitchen.
Kitchen Design Basics – Cabinet Drawer Hardware Cabinet drawer hardware is one aspect of cabinet design where there are many options. In this article we will outline some of the more common option for cabinet drawer slides. Epoxy Coated Drawer Slides These are the most common type of slide and ones you will see on all the inexpensive cabinets available at the large home improvement centers. These are the default slide that you will also see in most new subdivision developments. Available for as little as $2 in bulk, they are serviceable, but do not provide any of the desirable features of the hardware listed below. Side Mounted ball-bearing slides These are a good mid-range option. Much stronger than the epoxy coated slides, they also add a substantial feel to the drawer slide operation. These are available with a full access option, meaning that the drawer will pull out the full depth of the drawer, unlike the the epoxy slides which only partially open. Under mount Slides These are the most popular slide upgrade. They are the most visually pleasing as all of the hardware is out of sight since its mounted under the drawer. These too are available with a full-extension option. Many also feature a soft-close feature which has become quite popular. When paired with a dovetailed drawer, these are synonymous with the highest quality cabinets. While the drawer slide selection may seem like a minor consideration, in reality spending an extra few dollars on upgraded hardware can greatly improve the utility and convenience of your cabinets.
Kitchen Cabinet Trends For 2009 The U.S. Kitchen Cabinets & Countertops Manufacturing industry recently released its 2009 Trendology report, which conducts a trend analysis in kitchen cabinets and kitchen countertops. So what are some the trends home owners can expect to see in the kitchen cabinets and countertops manufacturing sphere this upcoming year? The answer depends on who you ask. With spending down and Americans worrying so much about the state of the economy, frivolous is out and functionality seems to be in. It is, however, possible to get the best of both worlds. Home and Garden television (HGTV) predicts that kitchen cabinet trends will marry style with function. The producer of the show “The Best in Kitchens and Baths,” HGTV says, “Furniture-grade materials and custom add-ons create cabinets that perform beautifully without sacrificing style.” Because kitchen cabinets are often the most prized component of the room, “their design and aesthetics can make or break the entire room’s overall appearance.” Therefore, it’s important not to sacrifice quality for the sake of price. At the same time, kitchen cabinets don’t have to break the bank. Indeed, quality, built-to-order cabinetry can be had for every budget. Look for a kitchen cabinet manufacturer that offers a wide selection of door styles, optional storage solutions and decorative enhancements. That way you can customize the kitchen cabinets that fit within the needs of both your family and your budget. Wood species, finish, storage solutions and moldings will all factor into the overall cost of your kitchen cabinets, so selecting a kitchen cabinet manufacturer with a wide array of options is your best bet. Another kitchen cabinet trend HGTV sees taking a firm hold in the marketplace is an overall one “toward furniture-grade cabinets.” This one is a direct offshoot of the function over style one. “Now consumers are turning their attention toward more particular aspects, such as pull-out waste cans, slide-out towel bars and pull-down shelves. This … points to an overall customization movement that puts as much emphasis on function as it does on form.” A leading kitchen cabinet manufacturer will afford homeowners a unique and eclectic array of storage solutions. Sink base door storage units, Contempo floor mount wastebasket cabinets, stainless utensil trays, sliding towel bars, sink base door storage units, base wastebasket top mounts, paper towel holders, base wastebasket cabinets, sink base door storage units and top mount wastebaskets are just some of the kitchen cabinet add-on features that are appealing to today’s homeowners. According to a 2002 survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association, “Wood-finished cabinets are still the style of choice,” representing about 80 percent of all cabinets purchased. But as a final trend, HGTV points out that homeowners “are opting for a more casual appearance overall. Many of these have multi-step finishes and glazes to make them look like antiques that have weathered generations of use.” If this trend describes you, look for a leading kitchen cabinet manufacturer that offers a wide range of kitchen cabinet wood species, kitchen cabinet door shapes and kitchen cabinet wood finishes. Standard and premium finishes and glazes complement any design style.
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Need Help Kitchen Backsplash Tiles and Design?
When you enter the kitchen it is not the appliances or kitchen equipment that usually gets the first attention. Most of the time it is the kitchen backsplash that gets the first attention. The kitchen backsplash is the upright portion built against the wall at the back of the sink and stove. It is built to protect the wall from effects of water splashes and heat.
The design of the kitchen backsplash can actually make the kitchen look good or bad. A beautifully designed backsplash can give an otherwise boring room life, while a poorly designed backsplash can make even a perfectly designed kitchen look bad. Thus it is important to carefully plan the kitchen backsplash design to give the kitchen a great look.
There are many materials that can be used in creating a backsplash. You can use tiles, steel, stone and glass. But perhaps the most appealing of all these is tiles.
Before you even decide on what kitchen backsplash tile design to use you have to look first at your fixtures. You have to consider them more that the kitchen appliances that you have because they are likely to stay with you longer.
The most commonly used tile design is the checkerboard design. It is simple to create because you only need to choose two colors which you alternately place in straight lines. You do not need much artistic talents or skills in creating this but you can still come out with an attractive backsplash. Probably the most ‘difficult’ part of using this kitchen backsplash tile design is deciding on the two colors but you can always consult the color wheel.
If your kitchen is painted with one color only the kitchen backsplash tile design that you can use is the color contrast style. If you have for example a white kitchen, you can choose to have black or gray tiles in your backsplash. It will give a very good contrast to your walls. The opposite is also good. If you have an elegant dark colored kitchen you can use white or cream as backsplash.
Many people also use patterned and painted tiles. These tiles are great if you have a theme in your kitchen. There are tiles with designs to create a Tuscan feel. There are also designs that give a French villa look.
When you are choosing kitchen backsplash tile design, choose really well because you cannot change it as frequently as you want. You probably have to live with it for along time to choose wisely.
For more great information on Kitchen Backsplash Designs
visit our new website http://www.dreamhomeimprovementguide.com.
Questions about your Kitchen Remodels Charlotte NC?
If you want to do a home improvement, you have to decide which is more important, increasing the value of your house or just making it comfortable for you. If you build a deck or pave your driveway, it would make your life easier for you, but it won’t help your home be worth more. However, if you fix up your lawn, or put siding on your house, it will make your home more expensive, but it won’t matter to you as far as comfort.
Many homeowners are looking for the best of both worlds: a home improvement project that improves both the value and the function of the house. A kitchen remodel fits both of these criteria. Although this project improves the appearance of your home, it also adds functionality which makes food storage and preparation much more convenient. This combination of function and style can dramatically increase your home’s value.
A number of trade publications track home valuations and the effects of certain additions to a home, and in most of these publications, the best improvement that you can make to your home for the purpose of adding value is a kitchen remodel. Unlike other remodeling projects, a remodeled kitchen can add more actual value to your home, and even add more than the cost of the remodeling in many cases.
A kitchen remodel also makes your home more comfortable, particularly if the room is remodeled to meet your cooking and storage needs. High quality appliances can be purchased for increasingly reasonable prices, and provide more efficient storage and cooking capabilities while also adding a touch of elegance. Adding new cabinets and counters gives you flexibility to choose the right look for you, while new fixtures make food preparation and washing dishes much easier.
Most home improvement stores offer advice for do it yourself remodelers that can make even a kitchen remodel into a reasonable undertaking. Because remodeling the kitchen is one of the most popular projects, the materials needed to complete the task are relatively inexpensive and readily available. If you are able to do the remodel yourself, you can save a lot of money, which adds to the value of completing a kitchen remodel.
If you are thinking about improving your home in the long run, or just want to prepare to sell it right now, it is important to remodel your kitchen. It would be very beneficial to do this, because the new design will be appealing and valuable. You will get more in return than what you put into it and it will pay off in the end.
| There are many home improvement projects you might be considering. When deciding which one to begin you should give consideration to the value that it will add to your home. A kitchen remodel is a great way to add value to your home and at the same time it adds functionality. Most professionals agree that this is the best way to add value to your home. The money you spend on this project will not be lost, as it will add additional worth to your home. If you have the ability to do the job yourself you can add more value because you won’t be paying a contractor.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Lamb |
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