Kitchen Cabinets are by and large the core of any kitchen. They can be highlighted by appliances such as the refrigerator, stove, cooktop, dishwasher and microwave, or these appliances can be modified to blend in by using panels that match your cabinets.

Shopping for them can be intimidating, especially for a first time buyer. There are hundreds/thousands of major cabinet companies, and many more smaller custom shops where you can get any cabinet made from any species of wood that your mind can imagine. Add to that list the explosion of RTA Kitchen Cabinet importers, and the laminated manufacturers, and suddenly the list can be overwhelming. Not to mention the fact that higher price always means high quality in construction, or more features being available.

In the past, pricing had always been the way to categorize cabinets. Traditionally, the higher-quality cabinets simply cost more money. As I mentioned before, with more and more importers conforming to the KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association) building standards, some of the RTA kitchen cabinets can actually offer a sturdier box than the traditional, made to order kind. Regardless of what type of kitchen cabinet you decide to go with, it does not take much effort to spend tens of thousands of dollars on the actual cabinets.

Most manufacturers build their base and wall cabinets in standard sizes. The base cabinets are often 34.5 inches tall and 24 inches deep. They come in widths starting at 12 inches and can go up to 48 inches often in increasing width increments of 3 inches. Wall cabinets are often 12 inches deep and 30 inches or 42 inches tall. They also come in the same size widths as the base cabinets. Wall cabinets also come in several different heights and depths for locations such as over the refrigerator or over the microwave/hood range unit. With custom kitchen cabinets, you have even more choices available, since they will be created specifically for your kitchen space.

Different semi-custom manufacturers make different-sized cabinets for all sorts of special looks and situations. It is not uncommon to have one cabinet extend beyond adjacent cabinets to create a distinguished look. It pays to shop around to see all of the different possibilities and special features offered by the custom and semi-custom cabinet manufacturers.

One of the biggest advantages to true custom cabinets is the ability to make one giant base or wall cabinet instead of separate boxes that are screwed together by the installer at the jobsite. A custom-cabinet maker can easily make one giant base cabinet 8 feet long that installs as if it were a piece of furniture. The same is true for wall cabinets. The advantage of this method is the lack of vertical seams where two traditional cabinet boxes would mate up to one another.

Pay particular attention to the materials used to build the cabinets. Some of them are made with minimal-quality engineered lumber, particleboard, or fiberboard. . If you plan to load a wall cabinet with heavy traditional china, the weight of the dishes may cause the cabinet to pull apart over time. This is particularly true when it comes to the semi-custom cabinets that the name brand cabinet manufacturers sell at the big box stores (which is why price is not always an accurate gauge of cabinet quality). Many of the RTA Kitchen Cabinet manufacturers use solid plywood sides, which obviously creates a stronger box than a particleboard or fiberboard box. When it comes to custom cabinets, the material choices are endless and can usually be specified by the customer.

Another factor that will determine the price of kitchen cabinets is the material used to hold it together. Custom manufacturers will often use a combination of dovetailed joints, wood biscuits, and glue to create tight joints. Mid-grade cabinets will have a wide range of materials holding them together (staples and nails on the lower end, to cam lock assembly and wood glue on the higher end). Most RTA Cabinet Manufacturers utilize the cam lock system, which creates a nice sturdy cabinet, and when enhanced with wood glue, can last a life time. Steer away from any cabinets that are using staples, wooden dowels, or just screws. The strength of the cabinet will be compromised at the joints with these weaker joining materials.

I have been remodeling houses for over 10 years, and have been able to weed out some of the kitchen cabinet choices that didn’t work for me. If you are interested in learning more about my personal preferences, check out my author bio.

I have been able to save thousands of dollars on discount kitchen cabinets by buying RTA cabinets. If you are interested in finding out my secrets, go to my Kitchen Cabinets article at Hubpages

People have always been fascinated by elements that add elegance and class to the decor of their homes. The beauty of stones has attracted people for centuries, to use them in various household furnishing and interior decorations. A stone fireplace is an example of one such endeavor to increase the visual impact of the room.

Stone fireplaces are exquisite to look at, reflecting the interplay of light and can be installed in any room. It could be the master suite, breakfast nook, living room or wine cellar. They come with all the relevant instructions and guidelines. Marble, limestone and granite are some of the popular stones used for fireplaces. Stone fireplaces are also popular for their inherent nature. They remain cool in summer and warm in winter, while imparting heat and warmth to lift the spirits of the inhabitants.

They are available in different colors, textures, shapes and sizes and can match with any kind of cabinetry and moldings. Beautiful designs are carved on the columns and arches forming an integral part of stone fireplaces, to enhance the ambiance. These designs are the creations of expert craftsmen.

A huge collection of stone fireplaces can be found online. Buyers can choose according to the size, height and design matching the interior of their homes. Detailed descriptions about the fireplaces are provided on the websites of the various stores. Antique stone fireplaces are also very popular and can be found in museums, depending on their historical value and significance. Separate delivery and payment conditions are applied, depending on the policy of the stores. Brochures and catalogs can be viewed online for the details of the item stocks and order procedures. Buyers can visit the retail stores and select the fireplaces in person. Prices may vary according to the stone type and size.

Fireplaces [http://www.WetPluto.com/Electric-Fireplaces.html] provides detailed information on Fireplaces, Outdoor Fireplaces, Fireplace Chimneys, Gas Fireplaces and more. Fireplaces is affiliated with Wood Fireplace Mantels [http://www.e-fireplacemantels.com].

A fireplace adds warmth to your home and an elegant touch to a room, but it doesn’t always reflect your personal style. You can fix that with a stone veneer fireplace.

A fireplace provides heat for our rooms, but also is an architectural element in a room that must be addressed when remodeling and redecorating. Typically built into walls, they are traditionally not movable, meaning you can’t reposition them in your room. Instead you must find a way to incorporate them into your design.

Just look in home design magazines and catalogs for fireplace ideas. The pictures will inspire you and the captions near the photos will help educate you about the many options available to you. Veneer comes in many styles and designs and can be installed easily.

Installation isn’t terribly difficult and can be accomplished by those with a DIY attitude. However, you may want to consider professional installation of your new stone veneer fireplace.

Stone veneer panels can be purchased in sheets like siding locally or purchased online. The site or salesman can give you ideas about what to use in your home or how to do it yourself. The manufactured stone veneer come in ranges from thin to thick, can be real stone or fake. It can be natural stone or whatever you like. It can even be brick. Additionally you can buy it for interior or exterior applications. You will need to find out what works best for your situation. You can use it over brick or other surfaces. When you get your veneer home, before installation, be sure and keep it stacked flat so as not to break it.

A variety of finishes can be applied to stone veneer to achieve diverse architectural and aesthetic effects

Prices range from very expensive on down. You can even look for molds online or locally if you feel like really undertaking a project. This is not recommended because the application of a veneer panel is much easier to accomplish if it has been manufactured correctly. Slight variances in cement mixtures can wreak havoc on your project very quickly. Installing these siding type products is much easier then installing your own!

If you decide to install it yourself rather than letting a professional assist you, be sure and have 2 or 3 people handy for lifting and positioning. You simply can’t do this alone. Your local salesman can give you more information about the right adhesive to use for your situation. You can still order online. Just be sure and use a reputable company if you do buy from a website, one that will allow you to return your purchase if you aren’t happy with the color or quality. You’re doing all this so you will love your new fireplace, not be stuck with a different fireplace.

Fireplaces are relaxing and appealing, and tend to reflect a sense of tradition because central heat and air manage the heating of our homes. That being said they do provide a tremendous value that surpasses their original necessity. They give us a feeling of comfort and security. Make yours also fit your style with a stone veneer fireplace surround and you’re in business!

Kevin Weber is an expert on fireplace accessories [http://www.fireplaceaccessorieshome.com/]. He shares his thoughts on his site where you can read about stone veneer fireplace [http://www.fireplaceaccessorieshome.com/stone-veneer-fireplace/] options and other fire related topics.