Browsing articles in "LKN Cabinets and Remodeling"
Oct 7, 2009
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Comments Off on Shopping for Kitchen Cabinets: Your Price Range

Shopping for Kitchen Cabinets: Your Price Range

 

Kitchen cabinets are by and large the core of any kitchen. They can be highlighted by kitchen 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 kitchen cabinets.

Shopping for kitchen cabinets can be intimidating, especially for a first time buyer. There are hundreds/thousands of major kitchen cabinet companies, and many more smaller custom kitchen cabinet 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 Cabinet importers, and the laminated cabinet 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 kitchen 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 or stock cabinets can actually be a sturdier cabinet than the traditional, made to order cabinets. 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 kitchen cabinets.

Most kitchen cabinet manufacturers build their base and wall cabinets in standard sizes. The kitchen 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. Kitchen 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 the kitchen cabinets will be created specifically for your kitchen space.

Different semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers make different-sized kitchen 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 cabinet features offered by the custom and semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers.

One of the biggest advantages to true custom kitchen 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 kitchen 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 kitchen cabinets. Some kitchen cabinets 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 strong kitchen cabinet 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 kitchen cabinet manufacturers will often use a combination of dovetailed joints, wood biscuits, and glue to create tight joints. Mid-grade kitchen 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 Kitchen 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 kitchen 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.

SOURCE    www.articlebase.com

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Oct 7, 2009
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Comments Off on Dramatic Kitchen Upgrades For Under $500

Dramatic Kitchen Upgrades For Under $500

 

Everyone wants to have a gorgeous kitchen, but not everyone can afford to invest in their kitchen during today’s economic downturn. Likewise, most people are not lucky enough to be contestants on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. But luckily there are many ways in which savvy consumers can enjoy dramatic kitchen upgrades for under $500. Consider the options below and discover how you can create a beautiful, more efficient kitchen at a reasonable price.

1- Update your kitchen lighting. Not only is a new kitchen light fixture a great decorative detail, but it’s also critical to maximize the efficiency of your kitchen because food preparation will become instantly easier with proper lighting. When upgrading your kitchen light fixtures make sure to choose models that can accommodate energy efficient light bulbs, which will provide wonderful lighting and reduce your electric bill. Additionally, energy efficient light bulbs are designed to provide years of reliable usage, so that consumers will not need to worry about changing their light bulbs frequently.

2- Purchase a new dishwasher. In November 2009, the US government should be instituting a plan through which consumers can receive a rebate when exchanging their older appliances for new, energy efficient models. As is the case with energy efficient lighting, energy efficient kitchen appliances can reduce electricity costs while significantly impacting the look of your kitchen. Choose a modern stainless steel design or a dishwasher with a front panel that can be easily integrated with your existing kitchen cabinetry.

3- Change your faucets. Many of today’s kitchen faucets are designed for fashion as well as functionality. If your old faucet doesn’t work properly or is outdated, exchanging it for a new one will give your kitchen an instant facelift. For the most dramatic look, choose a faucet that extends well above the kitchen sink. If you’ve never tried a faucet with a retractable hose now may be the perfect time to enjoy the practicality of this feature. Gorgeous kitchen faucet designs start well under $200 and are sure to increase your enjoyment of your kitchen.

4- Try pull out shelves instead of stationary shelves. Perhaps the most practical upgrade that you can make in your kitchen is to replace your standard kitchen shelves with pull out shelving. You won’t believe how much easier it can be to access your pots, pans and pantry items. Rev-A-Shelf is a leading manufacturer of kitchen organization products, and they offer a fantastic line of products for well under $500 that will revolutionize the efficiency of your kitchen.

5- Replace your kitchen cabinet hardware. kitchen drawers and cabinets are opened frequently, they demand cabinet hardware that will be comfortable to grasp, wear well and look fabulous. Starting at around $1 per piece consumers can find brand name cabinet hardware for any room of the home. This may be the most affordable way to upgrade your kitchen, and you won’t even need to worry about electrical malfunctions, burned out light bulbs or plumbing problems.

Kitchen upgrades need not cost a fortune to make a dramatic difference. With a bit of research, creativity and perhaps some government rebates, you can enjoy the kitchen upgrades of your dreams without spending a fortune.

Article Source: Sari Holtz EzineArticles.com

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Oct 6, 2009
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Comments Off on Greening Up Your Kitchen

Greening Up Your Kitchen

As eco-conscious habits become more and more part of our collective culture, many people are taking to making their own homes more environmentally friendly. One of the best places to start the eco-journey is in the kitchen.

One of the biggest ways you can change the eco-friendliness of your kitchen is by being more aware of what you bring into it on a weekly basis in the form of groceries. Most North Americans buy a lot of pre-made, overly packaged foods every week; the majority of product packaging ends up dumped in landfills after each garbage day.

One of the best things that you can do for yourself and for the environment is to buy food that’s as close to its natural state as you can. This isn’t to say that you should buy raw wheat grains and grind them yourself, but you should buy uncooked, unseasoned meats and raw fruits and vegetables and cook them yourself. Not only will there be less in the way of packaging, but there will be less salt and preservatives going into YOU. Make sure to compost your uncooked, non-meat food scraps as well!

What you use to carry your groceries home makes an impact as well. Many grocery stores across the continent are not offering plastic bags to patrons any longer, instead actively encouraging them to purchase inexpensive reusable bags, bring recycled bags, or offering a biodegradable alternative. If you like a higher quality of reusable bag, check out your local shops or look online; some companies even offer a reusable produce bag for your fruits and veggies.

Another great way to green up your kitchen is by buying only really good quality cooking tools that will last a long time. A few good quality stainless steel pots and pans, a good cast iron frying pan, and some sturdy wooden utensils can last you a lifetime if you take care of them. Avoid Teflon coated pans as they have a limited life-time and there are some health concerns over the use of Teflon. Quality, energy-efficient appliances will help make your kitchen more eco-friendly as well.

The finishing touch on any green kitchen is, of course, in the cleaning; make sure that you don’t use harsh corrosive chemicals when you’re cleaning your eco-kitchen.

Once you’ve greened up your kitchen, it’s easy to move into greening the rest of your home, one room at a time!

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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