.

Kitchen Cabinet Door Styles

Sat, 10 May 2008 17:37:23 -0500

It is usually the kitchen cabinet that goes through maximum wear and tear. Cabinet doors are the first thing to catch your guests eyes when they walk in to your kitchen. If you do not want to spend the money for all new cabinets, you can get a similar result by replacing just the cabinet doors. There are many styles to choose from, listed below are some of them:

Kitchen Cabinet Wood Choices

Fri, 9 May 2008 17:30:20 -0500

Each wood type has characteristics that make it unique. We offer this information to help you make an informed decision when choosing your custom cabinetry. Listed below are descriptions of the most common wood choices.

Kitchen Remodeling - Universal Design

Thu, 8 May 2008 17:19:40 -0500

The Benefits of Universal Design

Have you thought about the needs of those who'll use your kitchen? Not just yourself, but your family, guests and even those who may own your house after you? If you haven't, you should.

This practice is called Universal Design and it strives to make all elements and spaces in a room more user friendly - for as many different people as possible. Universal Design emphasizes making your kitchen accessible to young children, elderly parents, and a variety of guests.

For example, make "traffic lanes" such as hallways and doorways extra wide. Doing so will accommodate unexpected furniture needs, like twins in a double stroller or perhaps yourself on crutches. It will also allow you to easily get furniture and appliances in and out of the room. Other aspects of Universal Design include utilizing slide-out storage systems so users of all heights can
access the contents, as well as varying the heights of work surfaces and countertops to accommodate different tasks and different people.

Fortunately, the cost of implementing Universal Design is usually negligible and it could increase your home's value.

12 tips for Installing Crown Molding

Wed, 7 May 2008 16:22:16 -0500

1. Make sure that each length of crown molding (also spelled moulding) you purchase has the exact same spring angle, width and thickness. Why? Building supply stores purchase their crown (and trim) from several manufactures, each using their on different fabrication standards/tolorances.
2. Always check the square of your saw before you begin. For every degree your saw is out, you will get twice that error for each joint you cut.
3. It is much easier to cut your crown molding laying flat (face up) using a compound miter saw. Also, for sloped ceilings, some cuts are not possible with a miter saw.
4. For added strength, use wood glue in all joints.
5. To splice/join your crown or trim, 30° miter and 45° blade tilt work best.
6. Caulk all joints and the top and bottom of your crown and trim. Use a shrink-free spackling for nail holes. (Caulking nail holes will leave visible dimples.)
7. Use of a finishing nail gun will speed up installation, as well as avoid hammer and nail punch dings.
8. Do not nail any closer than 6” to the joint for long pieces of crown or trim. For short pieces, you can glue the joint and/or use adhesive under the crown or trim.
9. The wall length measurement should be marked on the back bottom edge of the crown molding or trim. When cutting to the mark, it is best to make the first cut at least 1/2” into the waste side of the crown or trim, and then make small cuts until you reach your length mark.
10. Do not "chop cut" your crown or trim. Let the saw blade do the work. Ease the saw slowly through the material.
11. Use a carbide-tipped blade. A 24-toothed blade or higher will work. Keep in mind that both mating surfaces will be hidden when finished. It is not important to have a smooth cut surface, only that it is cut at the correct angle.
12. Make yourself a set of crown molding or trim templates. The templates can be used with either a miter saw or compound miter saw. With a single bevel compound miter saw, you have 16 positions for crown and 8 positions for trim. For a dual bevel compound miter saw, you have 32 positions for crown and 16 positions for trim. Avoid confusion, use your templates.

Fixing a leak in your roof

Tue, 6 May 2008 16:15:22 -0500

Fixing a roof is either a quick job or a total frustration. Locating the point of the leak is the first step. The best place to locate this is from the attic by following the drip back up the roof to the actual hole in the roof.
Because of the slope of the roof, the hole is usually upward of the leak and by following the drip path, you can find the source.
Often the best way is to push a nail up the hole so that it will be visible when you get on the roof to make the repair, and then can be pushed back down into the attic.
Small holes can be repaired by the use of a roof compound. Others may require the replacement of the tile, shake or shingle.
Most building supply stores offer a variety of products to make these repairs. Just ask the questions and read the instructions on the use of the product. It can be that simple.
Above all, if you go up on the roof, watch your footing and balance. When going up or off the roof, make sure that your ladder is secure. A moment to make sure everything is safe is better than a broken arm. That first step can be awfully long going down.
If you're not one to be crawling up on top of your house, or even in the attic, check with some of the local roofing contractors. Many of them will come out and inspect your roof and repair it, even if it is a few years old. Check around; there's a lot of competition in the roofing industry, so prices vary. And, by the way, if you're not changing the type of roof you have, you don't need a permit.

Painting Ceilings in Older Homes

Mon, 5 May 2008 11:33:38 -0500

In older homes, often the ceiling doesn't line up with the walls at a perfect 90-degree angle. This may make the paint-lines look uneven, especially if you're painting the ceiling a different color from the walls. To conceal the imperfection, use the wall-color paint to paint a strip about 1/4-inch wide along the ceiling it meets the wall. Continue the strip-line around the perimeter of the room. The small, straight strip of wall-color paint on the ceiling will give the illusion that the walls and ceiling line up straight.

Granite versus Quartz Countertops

Sun, 4 May 2008 15:55:06 -0500

So you want to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom with a new countertop, but you’re not sure what your options are. Chances are you’ve heard of granite and marble. After all, they have been used for myriad construction purposes for centuries and you always see marble and granite countertops in luxury homes.
But what about Silestone...isn’t it better than granite?
Well, it depends on what you think is better. However, Silestone and other makers of engineered quartz stone countertops, such as Zodiaq and Cambria would have you believe their product is a significant upgrade from granite.
Engineered stone countertops are a man-made product that mixes quartz found in granite with a resin to make a surface with properties almost identical to granite. Silestone and all the other companies make essentially the same product, which is widely regarded as an excellent countertop surface.
However, these companies try to make mountains out of molehills in an effort to sell their product and compete against granite which is and has bee the most popular and proven surface type.
Myth #1: Sealing granite is a horrible, dirty chore.
This issue has been blown way out of proportion with marketing. It’s always listed as a benefit and one would get the impression that granite is defective and must be sealed with over and over to protect it.
True, you don't have to apply a granite sealer to an engineered stone counter top. And hey, that’s great, but applying a granite sealer is really a very simple and infrequent "wipe on, wipe off" procedure. It is not a major chore and for all practical purposes it isn’t a determining factor when comparing Silestone vs. granite.
Also, it doesn't take a closet full of special chemicals to protect your granite and keep its luster as Cambria and other engineered stone counter top manufacturers suggest on their websites. Hey, to their credit they are just trying to effectively market their product.
A little secret about most granite . . .
You could do nothing but wipe it with a sponge for years and it would still look gorgeous. Minor, easy maintenance performed periodically will, however, give you peace of mind and bring out the best in your granite and natural stone. And the same can be said about quartz. Care and cleaning is equally easy for either surface.
Myth #2: Again with the sealing.
You may also read that you must seal granite to maintain it's shiny polish. Not true. Sealing is for stain resistance. Both natural and synthetic stone counter tops are polished by grinding and buffing the surface into a smooth shine.
Myth #3: Granite harbors bacteria.
Silestone also tries to claim their product resists bacteria while granite "harbors" bacteria. This is totally false. Studies prove that both granite and quartz are among the safest and cleanest surfaces on the market today, but one isn't superior to the other.
So Which Countertop Is Best?
Well, once you remove the hype and you understand that man-made quartz countertops and granite perform equally well and that the care and cleaning of each surface is essentially the same, the decision between granite and Silestone, Cambria, Zodiaq or other quartz counter tops usually comes down to color, pattern and perceived value for most buyers.
Color and Value
Granite enjoys a greater “prestige” due to it’s natural uniqueness and is therefore, of greater value in the minds of most homeowners and buyers. New granites come on the market all the time from different countries providing hundreds and possibly thousands of different colors and patterns to choose from.
Silestone and other engineered stone manufacturers offer 20-50 color choices all of which have basically the same repetitive pebbled appearance. The benefit here is that you never have a problem matching a pattern or color at a seam, which sometimes is a problem with granite. Of course, you may end up with the exact same countertop as your neighbor, which won’t happen with granite as each slab is unique.
So, whether you choose engineered stone or granite you will get an excellent countertop surface. Just don’t listen to all the marketing hype and pick your product based on what color and pattern you like best.

Kitchen Flooring Options

Sat, 3 May 2008 15:55:14 -0500

There’s a reason nearly all the choices for kitchen flooring contain the same materials as you find in countertops. They provide durability, stain resistance, and style.  If you place a priority on the comfort factor, you’ll want to start with the most cushiony options—vinyl, linoleum, and carpet. Or you might consider using other materials with throw rugs placed in strategic spots, such as in front of the sink.
If you can picture chasing kids and pets through your kitchen, go for the durability of vinyl, laminate, and polyurethane-coated wood.
If grandparents will be visiting, avoid the slippery selections of marble and waxed wood.  You know you’re bound to spill something at some point on your new floor. Whatever the culprit, you’ll be able to wipe it up the easiest off of vinyl, laminate, and linoleum. Other materials, such as stone, wood, and concrete, will require special sealants to get that kind of easy cleanup.
If you’re concerned about the environment, you’ll want to know that linoleum is made of all natural materials.  Of all the choices, carpet seems to make the least practical sense for a kitchen floor, even if it’s a durable product like berber. Try to keep it out of the main work area and just in the adjoining family room areas.  Stone, tile, and concrete work best with a radiant heat system.

Kitchen Countertop Options

Fri, 2 May 2008 17:23:31 -0500

Natural Stone
The Stone family includes granite,
soapstone, and more. All are
extremely durable and resistant to
heat, water, stains, and bacteria - but
only if properly sealed and maintained.

Quartz
Prized for its uniform appearance and
beauty, quartz is super durable. Like
solid surfaces, it's resistant to
scorching, water, stains, and bacteria.

Solid Surface
For smooth, virtually seamless
counters that are easy to clean, these
moldable poly and acrylic-resin
surfaces are an ideal choice. They're
also resistant to heat, water, stains,
and bacteria. Choose from a wide
variety of colors, patterns and design
features, such as drain boards and
integrated sinks.

Ceramic
The most easily customized choice,
ceramic tiles can be mixed and
matched to you liking. They're
reasonably priced, durable and
waterproof. They're also heat and
bacteria-resistant. The grout may
stain, but new types of grouts and
sealers can minimize this.

Laminate
The most affordable choice, laminate
surfaces are durable, easy to install
and come in a large variety of colors
and patterns. Unfortunately, they may
need repair or replacement sooner
than other choices.

Kitchen Cabinet Finish Options

Thu, 1 May 2008 17:47:50 -0500

Unfinished natural wood cabinets are a thing of the past. In today’s land of cabinetry, a transparent topcoat is added to your unfinished cabinets to protect the wood from dirt and grease and maintain its beautiful look. There are several different ways to finish your cabinets.
Stain: Staining your cabinets is a great way to add color to the wood without ruining the beauty of the wood grain. You want to be careful when picking stain colors because manufacturers use all different names. The same name might be a completely different color under another company. Your best bet it to select the wood you prefer and then consider the final look you want. At that point it will be easier for you to decide whether a stain with a light, medium, or dark tone will be best for you.
A stain alone will not protect your wood. You must apply a finishing coat over the stain to protect it. In most cases, a catalytic-conversion varnish will be used to give it strength and shine. You can actually choose how much shine you want by selecting a finishing coat that is matte or high-gloss or anything in-between. Once the varnish is baked on, it then catalyzes into a hard, protective finish. At this point, you may use glazes to achieve special effects.
Glaze: With a glaze you have the option of using it by itself or applying it over a base stain or paint. Once it is applied, it is then wiped off by hand. As you wipe off the glaze, it settles in the cabinets open grain areas and defines its details. Glazes can also be tinted any color. Contrasting the color of the wood with the color of the glaze creates a uniquely attractive look.
Paint: The wonderful thing about paint is that you have such an enormous range of colors to select from. You can also create an array of special effects. Whether you are looking for a smooth, glossy, sanded or textured finish, paint can do the job! The only downside to paint is that hairline cracks with eventually form as the wood expands and contracts. However, this can be avoided if you apply paint to MDF. MDF is a solid material that isn’t affected by humidity changes.

Flooring Options

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:19:41 -0500

WOOD Wood fits a variety of decor styles, is warm underfoot and easy on the legs, and is a quiet floor option. The maintenance and durability of a wood floor depends greatly on what species of wood is being used and how that wood is finished. One of the worries with wood is that it may scratch, but remember that wood floors can always be sanded and refinished.
LAMINATE For homeowners who like the look of wood, but want a floor that is extremely durable and requires little maintenance, laminate is an option. Laminate is factory-finished, and it can be put in over an existing floor, making installation a snap. While laminate has its advantages, it lacks the warmth typically associated with natural wood and some people may find it noisy.
CERAMIC TILE Ceramic tile allows for a great deal of customization in terms of colors and patterns. Though tile is easy to clean with a damp mop, the surrounding grout can be difficult to maintain. Busby recommends using the largest tiles possible to minimize grout lines. Ceramic tile can be hard on the legs (and even harder on dropped dishes!), doesn't help with sound control in a kitchen and can be cold underfoot.
VINYL For the budget-minded remodel, vinyl sheeting or peel-and-stick tiles can be a good bet. Vinyl is easy to install and is available in an endless array of colors and patterns. One of the drawbacks to vinyl floors is that the edges can curl.