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Top 3 Reasons for Refacing Your Cabinets Rather Than Replacing Them

Posted on 14-04-2010 | By: admin

Category : Home Improvement

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Maybe you have heard about refacing your kitchen cabinets and you have been wondering if this is a good option for your kitchen. Many home improvements shows talk about this option and you've probably seen it mentioned on the web as well. Well, there is a reason that so many people are starting to reface the cabinets when they are doing a kitchen remodel. If you are not sure if this is the right option for you, take a look at some of the top benefits that can be enjoyed when you choose to reface the cabinets in your kitchen.

Benefit #1 – Cheaper than Purchasing New Cabinets

One of the big benefits to going with cabinet refacing in your kitchen is that it is cheaper than purchasing new cabinets for the kitchen. If you want a better look for the kitchen and your cabinets, yet you don't want to spend thousands on all new cabinets, this is a cheaper option that will still give you a nice look. The box of the cabinets stay in place, and just the surface is changed. This cuts back on what you have to spend on materials, and if you do this yourself, you don't have to pay for the cost of someone else doing this, which also will save you money.

Benefit #2 – Save on Time

Another big benefit that you'll enjoy if you choose to reface your kitchen cabinets is that you will save on time as well. A kitchen remodel already can take quite a bit of time and you don't want to lose the use of your kitchen for any longer than you have to. Having new cabinets installed can definitely take up quite a bit of time, which means you are out of your kitchen longer. It will only take a couple days to get the refacing project done, which means you can have your kitchen back and running in no time, which is a huge benefit to many homeowners.

Benefit #3 – Keep Your Old Cabinets

You get to keep your old cabinets, which is a benefit that many people love. Maybe you love the cabinets that you have but you'd just like to see them restored to the condition they used to be in. Well, when you reface the cabinets, you can take the cabinets you love and make them look better. This keeps you from having to search for cabinets that you actually like as well as the ones that you have.

Not all cabinets are suitable for refacing- especially if they are made from particle board or fibreboard. However, if you have solid wood cabinets that are in good condition, it may be the right choice for you. You can save a lot of money, you'll save on time, and you can keep the cabinets that you like. Often older cabinets are sturdier than those made today, so you can enjoy sturdy cabinets that look like new when you choose the refacing option for your kitchen cabinets. If you are looking for high quality, solid wood cabinets for your kitchen at an affordable price, you have to take a look at RTA cabinets. I have been remodeling kitchens for over 10 years, and they have helped me save thousands on each kitchen.


Upgrading Your Kitchen Sink

Posted on 23-03-2010 | By: admin

Category : Home Improvement

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Upgrading Your Kitchen Sink

Not every home improvement project has to involve a major renovation. Even something as simple as replacing your kitchen sink can have an impact on the overall look of your kitchen. In recent years, the kitchen sink was simply for utility. It had no decorative characteristics whatsoever. Things have definitely changed in the past couple of years, with manufacturers adding a wide variety of detail/design to go along with the needed functionality. There are now numerous mounting options, shapes, designs, and colors to choose from. Let's take a look at the different elements you have to choose from:

Stainless Steel

This is what is most frequently found in the average kitchen. Not only is it very easy to clean, but it is also strong and durable. Keep in mind that not all stainless steel sinks are the same quality. Some are higher quality than others, and in most cases, you get what you pay for. The lower quality sinks have the shapes stamped into them, instead of being welded together. This type typically has a higher chance of deforming over time because it can thin out.

Ceramic

Ceramic sinks are made by baking fireclay or porcelain at very high degrees. They are extremely durable. However, if you drop a dish in a ceramic sink, it will more than likely break the dish. In previous years, ceramic was not as popular and thus there were not many modern styles available. It was commonly found in a country themed kitchen or a kitchen that was not updated with modern appliances. But the world of ceramic has come a long way, and you can now purchase ceramic sinks that look as sophisticated as stainless steel.

Quartz

Quartz is thought to be as tough as granite and is great if you want your sink to blend in with your countertops. It is actually a mixture of crushed quartz and granite, as well as a mixture of polymer that waterproofs the material. Many prefer quartz because it is not only tough but it resists scratches, dents, and is easy to clean. However, it is more costly than stainless steel or ceramic.

Mounting Choices

There are a variety of different mounting options, depending on your tastes. A top mounted sink is the most traditional and it is when the lip or the outer edges of the sink are visible on the countertop. With solid surfaces being the most popular countertop surface right now, many homeowners are opting for undermounted sinks which allows the countertop to take center stage and hides the edges of the sink. There are also “apron” sinks which is when you can see the front of the sink instead of the countertop. If you wash your dishes by hand you might also want to consider a sink with a built in drain board. It is great for saving countertop space. Lastly, if you do quite a bit of cooking, you might want to consider a commercial free standing sink. It has a larger basin for washing and is very industrial. There are usually two large bows and then a smaller one in the middle. There are also some of the residential sinks that are coming out with this style as well. I have been remodeling house for 15 years, and I have the secret to getting high qualitymaple cabinets at an affordable price. Interested in finding out my secret? Follow these links to find out the secret to getting maple kitchen cabinets at 30-40% below retail prices


Five Jobs to Put on Any Home Improvement Short List | ArticlesBase.com

Posted on 05-12-2009 | By: admin

Category : remodeling

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It seems like no matter what season it is, homeowners are mentally preparing a list of renovation projects. In the summertime, the focus goes on the outdoors, the exterior of the house. In the winter, everyone is thinking about making the house a little cozier as the cold draws the family indoors more often. Then again, there are home improvement projects which are crying out to be completed at all times of the year, and these are the ones that should be addressed first. If you cannot handle seeing the cracked tiling in your bathroom anymore, you will be haunted every time you step foot inside. The same goes for a torn section of carpeting or a window that obviously is no longer keeping out the drafts. Here are five home projects that should never be postponed.

1. Cabinet refacing. Kitchen cabinets seem to loom over the entire room, and everyone who walks inside will notice that they have seen better days. Most importantly, you will notice it everyday. While replacing the cabinets can be a lengthy and expensive project, having the cabinets refaced should be relatively painless. Take the time to pick out some new knobs and pulls for your drawers while youre at it.

2. Window replacement. In any season, air that escapes from your home will cause a number of problems. In wintertime, drafts of cold air will set anyone on edge, while in the summer there is nothing more tedious than experiencing stifling air creeping through poor insulation. Replacement windows will solve the issue on both ends. At the very least an improved insulation plan should be carried out as soon as you notice air leaks.

3. Kitchen countertop replacement. Countertops come in all styles and prices, and some will not prove difficult for a homeowner to install on your own. Cracked or damage counters are one of the top complaints. As a part of the kitchen, they get a lot of attention from the family on a daily basis. This project can be handled without great expense or time commitment.

4. Interior painting. When the wind is howling and the snow is snowing, there are few people who think about sprucing up a homes exterior with a fresh coat of paint. In terms of daily impact, the interiors of your house are a more pressing need, since the time you spend indoors greatly outweighs the time spent around your houses exteriors. Reverse the dull look of any room with a weekend paint job.

5. Tile replacement. Cracked bathroom and kitchen tiles are another common eyesore, and can be rather easily fixed. When you see a few that need replacing, dont let the job linger at the end of your improvement list. Replacing tiles is relatively easy, a job that might take an hour at the most, unless you have a great number that need replacing.

About the Author:

Call up Sears and explore the number of ways you can improve your home inexpensively. Whatever type of project you are looking to undertake, Sears Home Services can help.


Adding Recycled Materials to Your Home Improvement Project

Posted on 09-11-2009 | By: admin

Category : Home Improvement

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Twenty years ago or even as short of a time as ten years ago, recycling was a smaller niche market –Only the most modern of communities were recycling on a large scale. But today, even the most “non recycling” type person has been touched by the world wide effort to help the planet. Whether you are simply separating your trash, or making a conscious effort to buy only materials made out of recycled products, everyone can have an impact- especially when it comes to remodeling and home improvement projects. Even when it comes to renovating your house, there are ways to recycle, stay green and remain modern with your design.

For example, sometimes you do not have to make a choice between eco-friendly and elegant, instead the art of sustainability can be combined with a conscious effort and a keen eye for style. More and more companies are creating products lines that specifically target this eco-friendly trend. Even if these products are not recycled, you can still be environmentally helpful if you choose products carefully. A quick example is “knock down” or RTA kitchen cabinets. This type of kitchen cabinet or RTA bathroom vanity is delivered in an un-assembled form and this takes on an entire different way to help with the environment. These products are delivered in much smaller boxes (since they are un-assembled), thus taking up far less space, therefore allowing for more product to be delivered at one time. This leads to less pollution being produced (from fewer deliveries) and overall less energy used. So it is one thing to buy recycled but keep in mind there are other ways to contribute, in case you cannot find the right product for you.

Recycled countertops are a new and innovative product. A company called PaperStone produces a rock hard substance out of recycled paper. This concept is a new way to produce a countertop while using reclaimed office paper, cardboard, and other paper products. It combines a petroleum- free resin to make a hard, scratch free surface that can handle hot items, water, and is resistant to almost anything else. This is one example of an invention (countertop) that you might never think of as an option for a reclaimed product, but because of advances in reclaiming material, you can now use this as another choice for your building material. There are even companies that are using recycled glass to form a solid surface countertop, which adds a unique touch to any kitchen.

Another option for a recycled material that can be used in any renovation project is glass tile. Glass is “mined” from landfills or taken from recycling centers; it is then melted and formed into modern, sheik, glass tiles. Glass tiles are an easy choice for any bathroom or kitchen, but now with the option of used glass as a reformed tile, you can now be part of the recycling movement without much effort. And at the same time, you're making a easy choice because glass tiles are very popular and are produced in many colors and styles.

Another big area that people overlook when remodeling is the materials that are being removed. Too often in a rehab, demo work begins before any thought is put into what could actually be recycled. Many of the materials being removed can be cleaned up and used or donated for other projects (especially materials like kitchen cabinets, wood trim, and 2 x 4's).

All in all, there are thousands of options for things that can help your renovation project, but at the same time help save the planet. You don't have to go totally green or make a big effort, all you have to do is keep in mind that there are other options out there. When you do this, you will be doing your part for the environment and you will also have great new choices for your renovation project. I have been remodeling house for 15 years, and I have the secret to getting high qualitykitchen cabinetry at an affordable price. Interested in finding out my secret? Follow these links to find out the secret to getting kitchen cabinetry at 30-40% below retail prices