6 Ideas For a Green Kitchen Remodel

With the global push for finding and using renewable, eco-friendly resources, the construction industry has been able to adapt and create eco-friendly building products. While the materials may cost more than traditional building materials, they will reduce the impact on the environment and reduce the carbon footprint of your home. A great place to make a significant impact is in the kitchen. With the amount of materials and electricity used in the average kitchen, a few changes can make a significant impact. Here are 6 ideas on how to use Eco-Friendly products in your kitchen remodel.

Appliances must be Energy Star. Energy Star appliances consume 10-50% less energy than standard models, so if you’re adding new appliances, make sure you get the most efficient ones available. It will not only make an impact on the environment, but it will also help reduce your monthly energy bill.

Use recycled or fast-renewing flooring materials- cook and bamboo are two great options when it comes to fast renewing materials with a low impact on the environment. Other options included recycled materials just as rubber tiles, and even glass or ceramic tiles that have been recycled.

Use low- or no-VOC paints. Green paints are becoming easier to find, although they will cost a little more. These paints are better for a home’s indoor air quality. It eliminates the fumes associated with traditional paints, and still provides an attractive finish to any room of the house.

Use green cabinets and fixtures. Eco-friendly cabinets can be expensive, since there are not a lot of manufacturers on the market as of yet (but that is rapidly changing). While there are a lot of manufacturers claiming to be green manufacturers, it is important to check where the product is coming from, where the materials are sourced, and all of the steps in-between.

Add more green insulation. If you’re doing a renovation, it may be time to add more insulation to capture the energy efficiency benefits. This is a great place to use recycled materials to help prevent heat loss and cold air from getting in. There are a wide variety of recycled insulation materials on the market, so consult a professional to find what would work best for you.

Use energy efficient lighting. It’s easy to swap out incandescents with CFLs, but if you’re doing a major remodel, consider going with light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Some LEDs are super easy to install, such as the CREE LR6, and have a warm light tone. Do the research.

While this article revolved around kitchen renovation, many of these ideas and materials can be applied to the rest of your house as well. So the next time you are getting ready for a remodeling project, consider the green alternatives for your home, and help save the environment.

www.LKNcabinets.com offers the most affordable cabinets in the Greater Charlotte area. Call today for a FREE quote

Sold! How a Kitchen Remodel Can Get Your Home Off the Market

Across the nation, house prices, overall, are still at all-time lows. The industry is seeing signs of picking up in some regions, however, hinting at the potential for an widespread upswing in the near future. For instance, it was recently reported that Western Washington housing prices were stabilizing and that Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, housing prices were leveling off. What can homeowners who are looking to sell their homes do to maximize their selling prices in this down economy? It all starts in the kitchen.

According to a recent The Salt Lake Tribune article titled “Selling your house? Spruce up the kitchen,” a kitchen remodel is “the advice of vendors at 33rd annual home improvement show.” The event of which the article speaks is the Home Remodeling & Redecorating Show in Sandy, Utah.

One expert cited in the article pointed out that “kitchen improvements are most likely to make an impression on prospective home buyers,” thereby driving up the price they are willing to pay. Another source asserted, “The kitchen and master bath are what are going to move the house.”

Sure, remodeling the kitchen can be an expensive proposition, but it can also reward the homeowner with a great return on investment. If you’re in the market to sell your home and your kitchen isn’t up to snuff, a kitchen remodel might just pay for itself and more by getting your home off the market more quickly and onto the radar of buyers with higher-priced mortgage approvals.

Now that you’ve been convinced to make the investment, transforming the room with a complete kitchen makeover can prove daunting to the average homeowner. An online kitchen remodeling super center can assist you in managing your remodel, estimating your cost and, should you choose to do so-and you should-selecting a design professional who can advise you on everything from measuring for new appliances to picking out an elegant faucet.

If your existing kitchen has good bones and just needs some updating with a new look, an online kitchen remodeling showcase can help here as well. A fresh coat of paint, new wallpaper or changing the window treatments can go a long way in refreshing the style of your kitchen, and you’ll find recommendations for all of these kitchen features in its gallery.

Finally, by providing kitchen remodeling ideas and links to leading manufacturers for cabinets, countertops, hardware, appliances and so much more, a Web-based kitchen remodeling showcase will infuse you with sales-inducing design inspiration. Even the most utilitarian items can inspire the style of your kitchen, like a stainless steel range hood or a granite sink.

Why is all of this important? If you know your home is going to appeal, for example, to homeowners with multiple children, a six-burner gourmet stove or enough seating for several individuals might just be the ticket to inducing potential buyers into slapping a SOLD sticker over your for sale sign. Regardless of your targeted buyer, an online kitchen remodeling inspiration guide can help you design the super kitchen of someone’s dreams.

www.LKNcabinets.com

Starting a Kitchen Remodel

Are you planning on remodeling a kitchen? Large or small kitchen remodeling projects can be tons of fun. The kitchen is a popular place to remodel because it really is the center of the home. You plan meals and events there, the family gathers to eat there, you have your fun phone calls there, and your kids probably do their homework there. Everyone makes use of this very important room. It is essential to never let things fall apart. You may have noticed that even a kitchen with older appliances and an older look can still look and function really well if it is well maintained. Let’s face it, the kitchen says a lot about a home and the family in it. Remodeling or home improvements are a great way to keep things fresh and increase the value of your home. You know what they say, “it is all about kitchens and bathrooms”.

So as you begin to think about taking a new look to your kitchen, what should you be thinking about and looking into? First, it is always good to see what areas are the most in need. Do your appliances need upgrading or repair? Would a simple counter top replacement revitalize the kitchen? Are the cabinets still looking sharp or do they look like their time has come to an end? When thinking about what needs to be improved, think about how major the improvement task will need to be. For example, can you get away with simply adding some crown molding or painting the cabinets? Or are they rotting or warped and simply must go? When thinking about the degree of the improvement, this will help you get a sense of the cost. That is the big thing.

In any home kitchen remodeling project cost is a huge factor. This will determine how far you can go. If you need to go further than your budget allows, look into financing. Fortunately, there is a lot of help out there. Remodeling, especially a kitchen project, is considered a wise investment so finding assistance may be easier than you think.

If you decide on a bigger job, really investigate thoroughly any designers and contractors you may hire. Get a sense of how they work with their clients, what their reputation is, and check references. Oh, and do not forget to get quotes from several places. Really be careful because cheaper isn’t always the best choice. Try to find someone that has a personal commitment to the customer but has plenty of experience. It is a good sign if they are well known.

If you try a do-it-yourself project, make sure you are comfortable with what you are about to do before you do it. Make sure that if you are changing out a gas stove, you have taken all the proper precautions. You don’t want to take that kind of chance. Safety is always first. Also, in this scenario, cheaper products may not always be a bargain if you have to replace them or re-repair often. Ask around and do some research when purchasing important items.

Remember, this doesn’t have to be a headache but it does require some effort whether your project is big or small. Be aware of all the potential pitfalls before diving in headfirst.

www.LKNcabinets.com offers kitchen and bath remodeling in the greater Charlotte NC area and Piedmont region