Shop For The Right RTA Cabinets

 It’s only in recent years that RTA cabinets have started to turn some heads and gain notoriety on the market, and not without a good reason. (LKN Cabinets and Remodeling proudly promotes several lines) First of all, these cabinets are actually very easy to assemble and install, so much that most people with very limited construction knowledge can accomplish it. The recent ready to assemble cabinets surge has also translated itself in the number of styles, designs, and materials available, meaning there is bound to be something for everyone out there.  (and the surge of companies like IKEA) But this also means that making the right choice can end up being a pretty hassle, and so here are a few tips.

When shopping for any product in the home improvement sector, the price should never be the determining factor, as it simply isn’t worth it to settle for something cheaper but of despicable quality. In any case, the worse the product you purchase, the sooner you’ll need to replace it, meaning that no matter how things turn out, you’ll always end up saving money by going for the quality.

First of all, you need to consider the amount of space available for your new cabinets. Second of all, choose a design and finish witch match with your kitchen’s current style flow; you don’t want to create a mismatch on the visual level, as that will cause your kitchen to stick out like an eye-sore. Third of all, you should pay close attention to the kind of materials which are being used to build your cabinetry. Wooden cabinets are a common choice, since most types of wood provide style and resilience at a very affordable price (with the proper finish, they’ll end up being very resistant to various environmental hazards).

All in all, when you think about it, when performing kitchen renovations, the most cost-effective solution would be to get ready to assemble cabinets, seeing as how they’re offering class, style, creative control, durability and resilience at a more than affordable price.

www.LKNcabinets.com is a kitchen and bath remodeling company serving the greater Charlotte area. FREE estimates.

Why we use Dovetails: Are They Really Important for Drawer Construction?

Dovetails: Are They Really Important for Drawer Construction?

Dovetail joints are often considered by many to be the ultimate solution when constructing drawers. Not only are they strong and secure, but they are also beautiful and a testament to the craftsmanship of the person who made the drawer. As you will notice even with our cabinets, some of our kitchen cabinet lines feature dovetailed drawers, while others don’t.  However, there are other options for creating durable well-crafted drawers besides using dovetails.

The Construction of a Dovetail Joint

Known as the strongest of joints, a dovetail is constructed from interlocking channels cut in the wood, which are wedge-shaped. These elements are known as the tails and the pins, and are quite resistant to force when assembled, making for a very strong joint. They are also very attractive, especially when carefully constructed. These joints provide a large area for gluing, which increases the overall strength. In fact, usually when a drawer breaks, it breaks somewhere other than the dovetail joint. The joint is so secure that it would hold together even if it wasn’t glued. This style of joint is extremely common and desirable for drawer construction, in addition to making boxes, frames, and cabinets.

The Advantages of Dovetails

There are many advantages to using dovetails when constructing a drawer. They do create an extremely strong joint between two pieces of wood, which is definitely an advantage when constructing drawers. They are also quite decorative and attractive, and can add a lot to the appearance of a handcrafted piece of furniture. While some people cut dovetails using manual methods such hand cutting them or by using a table saw, they are now much easier to construct by using a router with a dovetail attachment. However, even with the help of modern equipment, there is still a fair degree of patience, craft and skill needed in order to construct a finely made dovetail joint.

The Disadvantages of Dovetails

The primary disadvantage of dovetail joints is the fact that they can be difficult to make. There is a certain amount of skill and experience that is required in order to cut and assemble a good dovetail joint. The joint must be accurately marked out and then cut, and if done improperly, the joint will not be secure, and will lose the advantages that dovetail joints are known for. Although many people feel that dovetail joints are essential for good drawer construction, there are other options that can also produce good results.

Alternatives to Using Dovetails in Drawer Construction

There are other ways of making drawer joints that can product just as good of results as a dovetail. For example, pinned rabbet joints are a viable alternative that produces strong, attractive joints. The advantage of pinned rabbet joints over dovetails is that they are much easier to make. This joint can be cut using a table saw by the average woodworker. The basic construction consists of the front drawer piece being the rabbet, the back drawer piece is the dado, and a groove is cut for the bottom of the drawer to slide into. After the drawer is completely constructed and glued, then the pins can be installed, producing a drawer that is both strong and attractive.

Ironically, while dovetailed drawers are extremely strong, they can be over kill in most applications, since the drawer or joint will never have that much weight or force applied to it. So from a cost perspective, even standard methods of securing the drawer together will be fine, especially in kitchen cabinets.

Source: RTAcabinetstore.com by Gary Nealon

www.LKNcabinets.com offers FREE kitchen cabinet quotes for the greater Charlotte, NC area

Give Your Home a Makeover With New Kitchen Cabinets

Americans are a migratory people and we move around a lot. Compared to the population in most other countries, we tend to buy and sell homes much more frequently. It’s also not uncommon for us to “trade up” as families grow or our budgets allow, or downsize when kids move out on their own or we’re tired of that big yard and the extra rooms. The difficult real estate market of the past couple of years has put a damper on all this, with many people either unable to move on as it’s difficult to sell, or unwilling to take a big loss. As a result, instead of buying new homes, a lot of people are staying put and invest in their existing one. One of the most popular home improvement projects is giving kitchen cabinets a makeover, so let’s take a look at how to go about it and what’s available.

The kitchen is a very special place in almost any home. It’s the center where we meet, hang out, prepare gourmet meals together, pop some corn in the microwave, grab a quick snack from the fridge or stick notes and artwork on it. Kitchens are warm, friendly places that play an increasingly more important role in our homes, and attractive, functional cabinets are an integral part of it. If yours are old and worn, consider starting over. The difference new cabinets can make is absolutely amazing. It’s like having an entirely new kitchen, but at only a fraction of the price.

Whether you will be doing the work yourself or have someone do it, planning a kitchen cabinet makeover is lots of fun. First, familiarize yourself with all the looks, shapes and materials. Cherry, maple, birch, and oak all have a distinctly different look and you’ll want to pick whatever fits your personality, your home, and the kind of effect you want to achieve. While wood is very popular, some people like all-white cabinets for that bright, clean, modern look. You can also pick from a variety of different styles and designs; different grains; framed or frameless cabinets; and numerous different drawer arrangements.

Once you’ve picked your wood or material, you can also select from different finishes. Finishes can be natural, or a variety of shades to complement the basic color and grain of the wood. Some types of wood and cabinet styles can be ordered with half a dozen different finishes, which makes it easy to match new cabinets to an existing décor.

If you prefer white cabinets, you can select either thermofoil or melamine surface. Thermofoil is a fairly new technology where a thin layer of rigid vinyl is heat-fused to cabinet doors, drawers and other surfaces. The thermofoil process makes a perfectly smooth surface with uniform color and texture that is more durable than even the best paint. Melamine is a fire resistant, heat tolerant synthetic polymer material that also has a smooth, uniform color and texture. Melamine cabinets are generally quite affordable and easy to clean.

So whether you plan on staying in your home and want to freshen things up a bit, or whether you intend to sell, getting new kitchen cabinets should be on top of your list.