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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


Planning a Barrier Free Kitchen Remodeling in Massachusetts Project

Posted on 20-10-2009 | By: admin

Category : Home & Family

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The point of having a home in Massachusetts is to make your abode as comfortable for you as possible. This includes every section and area in the home, particularly the kitchen. Whatever major changes you may have in your household, the kitchen would always play a central part in your day to day living. This is more evident due to evolving lifestyles which are fast becoming more focused in health and wellness. That is why a kitchen remodeling Massachusetts project is one of the most favorite and most sought after renovation or remodeling work in a Massachusetts home.

According to expert builders at Divisions Unlimited Incorporated, a fully functional and barrier free kitchen is what the modern household should have in their homes. However, this would not be achieved with a single sweep of the floor or rearranging of furniture. A functional kitchen would come as a result of careful thinking and planning. The following are some considerations that every homeowner should take should they decide on a kitchen remodeling Massachusetts project.

* Make Your Kitchen Accessible with a Universal Design

Whether you have disabled, elderly or sick family members in your households or not, it would always be a wise move to plan your kitchen remodeling in Massachusetts to create a kitchen that is fully accessible to a wide range of people. This includes changing the design of traditional shelves and cabinets from the previous space consuming and protruding styles to recessed versions with trays, shelves and bins which can be easily pulled out from a recessed area. The kitchen would be more spacious looking and clutter free. You can also customize your countertops using unique materials that will make your kitchen more elegant and functional looking.

* Elevate Your Dishwasher for Better Functionality

You would be surprised at how easy it would be load and unload dishes to the washer if it is elevated by a mere nine inches or even up to 12 inches. A person using the dishwasher would have no need to bend over just to perform the task, and at the same time this elevated height would make it easy for people on wheelchairs to perform the task themselves with better ease. The resulted effect however would be a higher countertop level. No worries as you can convert this as a platform for a television set or even for your microwave oven.

* Consider Changing the Way You Use Lighting

Changing how direct light is casted on your work area can create an awesome effect for your kitchen remodeling in Massachusetts than using mere standard or traditional lighting. For areas that needs direct light, have your builders install recessed lighting that is focused on the work area. For lighting the general area, indirect light on walls or hidden above cabinets can create an amazing effect that is both elegant and less glaring.

* Create Less Noise in Your Kitchen

Kitchens are inherently one of the noisiest places in the home. This is further aggravated by the materials that are usually found in the kitchen. One way to remedy this and minimize the effect of noise is through a change in the flooring material during your kitchen remodeling in Massachusetts project. Work with your contractors on what materials to use, although it is suggested to take cork flooring into consideration. It is both easier on the feet and has sound-absorbing properties. Another method is to build an additional layer of walls on top of existing ones and put insulation in between. This will reduce sound transferring from the walls and into the other rooms. Using recessed cabinets for pans and pots can minimize the rattling noise they produce.

Roger James Martin is a fully licensed General Contractor and Team Leader for Divisions Unlimited Inc, an environmentally conscious Custom Home Builder specializing in new custom home construction, custom home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, and <a href="http://www.divisionsunlimited.com/bathroom-remodeling-ma.htm” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”>bathroom remodeling for residential or light commercial properties.

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