Oct 20, 2009
lkncabadmin
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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.

Thinking about remodeling a kitchen in the Chicago area? Try visiting Galaxie Construction for a free quote on your next kitchen project!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_

www.LKNcabinets.com

Oct 20, 2009
lkncabadmin
Comments Off on Choose Stainless Kitchen Sinks For Your Next Remodel

Choose Stainless Kitchen Sinks For Your Next Remodel

 

There are many manufacturers of stainless kitchen sinks that all create a great product. There are several reasons why consumers prefer stainless steel. One of the greatest advantages is that it doesn’t chip or crack. You can drop a pot in a ceramic or porcelain sink, and it can chip a large piece of the finish off, which leaves you with a big black spot in the sink and ruins the entire look of it. It doesn’t matter what you drop in a stainless sink, because these will retain their beauty even with repeated abuse as they can withstand very hard impacts that would damage other, more frail, materials.

Cleaning a steel kitchen sinks is a breeze. There are many expensive cleaners that have to be specially designed in order not to scratch sinks that are made of other materials. This is not the case with stainless steel. You can use abrasive cleansers or cleaning pads and they do not scratch the finish. Steel pads with cleansers on them will leave your sink shiny and sparkling and it will always retain its newly purchased appearance.

When purchasing a steel sink, keep in mind that you will probably never have a need to replace it again in your lifetime, so choose a style that you will like for years to come. Sinks may be purchased in many sizes and types. There are very deep stainless steel kitchen sinks, and there are also shallow ones of this type. There are one, two and three compartments available to suit your needs and each of the multiple compartments may be purchased in different sizes and depths. Many consumers will prefer either the dish washing, or rinsing side to be larger and deeper than the other side. These are versatile and may be found on the left or right side to suit the consumers preferences, as some people prefer to wash dishes on the left and rinse on the right or vice versa.

One great addition to look for in the purchase of your kitchen sink, is a protective, soundproof coating. Your unit won’t chip or crack, but the protective layer will also protect your glasses and plates from breaking as easily if you do drop them in the sink. The sound deadening of this protective coating is also nice to have because stainless steel does amplify sound. Dropping a simple salad fork into a stainless sink will create a bit of a noise, so this coating is very useful.

You can learn more about the corner kitchen sink, and get much more information, articles and resources about kitchen sinks by visiting kitchen sink taps.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Farley

www.LKNcabinets.com

Oct 20, 2009
lkncabadmin
Comments Off on Kitchen Remodel Ideas and Important Tips

Kitchen Remodel Ideas and Important Tips

 

Remodeling your kitchen is probably the most important piece of home decoration you can do. There is no shortage of pictures of elegant and tempting kitchen remodel ideas all over the Internet, TV adverts and the ubiquitous home magazines. Funny thing about those sales pictures though is that they all look like small kitchens. It is a limitation of photography that the camera can only capture two walls and a section of the ceiling and floor of any kitchen remodel set.

A top tip for your kitchen remodel ideas is to make use of all-round picture simulation software so that you see your kitchen plan realized as though you stand in the center and turn full circle. You will see features and spot anomalies that you didn’t imagine existed when looking at a two dimensional glossy film-set picture.

One thing you won’t see in any of those glossy magazines or on any of those gorgeous website room simulations is the total cost of your kitchen remodel ideas. Another top tip is to overcome this omission by using spreadsheet software to build your own parts list, cost sheet and be your own estimator.

First you measure and draw up plans of your kitchen area. Then you decide on your remodel approach. This can range from the minimum change of repainting your existing cabinet doors all the way up to a total replacement project with RTA, ready to assemble, kitchen cabinets. Assuming of course that you are on a budget that won’t stretch to employing a contractor to install your custom made kitchen remodel ideas. These services deliver exquisite results with minimum inconvenience to your self but they are also very expensive.

The fundamental principal when it comes down to the ‘nitty gritty’ of how to implement your kitchen remodel ideas is to hold your budget in front of you at all times and stick to it. Discipline yourself to reject any and all budget busting ideas and shop around for affordable alternatives.

Two further top tips for holding down the cost of your kitchen remodel ideas are: Buy the accessories and hardware separately to the cabinets. This way you not only get a unique look but you can also take advantage of discounts in the competitive hardware market. Save up to pay cash for your new kitchen. Too many people forget the cost of credit when it comes to their home improvement budget and you can often get discounts for paying cash.

Wes Wayne gives important tips and advice regarding remodeling a small kitchen at http://www.squidoo.com/RemodelingaSmallKitchen

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wes_Wayne

www.LKNcabinets.com