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Kitchen Cabinet Design

October 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Kitchen cabinet design offers abundant options for every remodeler to find the perfect cabinets for their new kitchen. Understanding the basic elements of kitchen cabinet design will help you narrow the array of options and simplify the decision. Some of these basics of kitchen cabinet design relate to the quality of construction and others are a matter of kitchen style and personal taste.

Let’s consider each in turn. Two of the basics of kitchen cabinet design are quality issues. The other two are about style and taste.

1. Material. What material will be used to build your cabinets? Material is one of the most important decisions you will make because the design and style of your cabinets are the major factor determining style and design of the entire kitchen. You have several choices:

Metal (stainless steel, aluminum). Metal can be both expensive and heavy to hang. Some metals – especially those used in the past – were subject to rust. Metal can be available in colors or it can be painted. These cabinets also show any dings or dents if they are accidentally hit with a pan, and they will show scratches. For these reasons it is not a popular choice in kitchen cabinet design.
Wood combinations. Some cabinet makers use less expensive wood, such as plywood or pine, to build the cabinet case and then use doors and exterior panels of better or more expensive wood. Some also use particle board or other composite materials. Any wood cabinets can be painted in the color of your choice. You can use a glossy finish or a matte finish for your perfect kitchen cabinet design.
Solid wood. These cabinets are built entirely of finished, high-quality wood, such as hickory, oak, maple or more expensive woods like cherry or walnut. Traditional kitchens and some country style kitchens might use a dark wood, such as cherry, mahogany, walnut or ebony. Contemporary kitchens tend to use lighter color woods such as birch or maple. You will want to consider the color, the grain of the wood and the finish applied to the wood. Better cabinets are finished with several coats of polyurethane to protect the wood. Solid wood is currently the most popular kitchen cabinet design.

2. Construction. Low quality cabinets are often put together with glue or with nails or staples. This is not a good idea (if you have the choice) because under the heavy use of kitchen cabinets and drawers, they will not last. High quality cabinets will be joined with dove tail construction. This is the most important aspect of kitchen cabinet design.

3. Door Style. There are many types and designs in cabinet doors. The door style is the primary determiner of kitchen cabinet design. For example, a contemporary kitchen would almost demand a flat panel door design. Raised panel design, on the other hand, is the preferred door style for a traditional style kitchen. Other kitchen cabinet designs include these door styles: reveal-overlay panel, frame and panel, beaded frame and panel, square raised panel, curved raised panel, bead board panel and cathedral panel.

4. Accessories are the final basic element of kitchen cabinet design. Accessories in kitchen cabinet design include knobs and handles, organization customizations, accessibility options and specialty modifications. Knobs and handles should match both the style of the kitchen (rustic, worn, sleek) and the other metals used in visible places in the kitchen. For example, brushed metals work very nicely with stainless steel appliances. There are many devices and gadgets that can be installed in drawers and cabinets to organize the contents. Many custom or customized units have these items built in. Accessibility items include things like sliding trays or spinning units (lazy Susan, for example) to make things in the cabinets easier to reach. Specialty modifications are changes made to any cabinets to make them function over refrigerated drawers or bar refrigerators, etc.

By understanding these basics of kitchen cabinet design, you will be better informed, better informed to ask questions, and better able to limit the number of cabinet styles you need to consider in order to choose the cabinets you will use in your kitchen remodel.

Discount Kitchen Cabinets

October 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Our discount kitchen cabinets compare with cabinets nearly twice the price.

Before you buy discount kitchen cabinets, there are some quality tests you should make. There are cabinet dealers who offer lower quality cabinets under the “discount” designation. But if you look around and shop carefully, you can find one of the dealers who offer high-quality cabinets at discount prices. Cabinets really are not the place to sacrifice quality in the name of savings when remodeling a kitchen.

If you will spend some time looking at sample cabinets and asking key questions before you decide where to buy discount kitchen cabinets, you will be able to ensure buying high-quality discount kitchen cabinets (where only the price is lower) instead of cheap low-quality cabinets.

Here are the five things you should look for:

Look at how the drawers are made. High-quality cabinet construction does not include staples or nails to hold drawers together. They are not just glued together, either. Good construction will make drawers with dove tail assembly. A good drawer in discount kitchen cabinets will be able to support about 75 pounds when it is open. It is generally wise to avoid thin particle board drawer construction.
Look at the sides and back of the discount kitchen cabinets. This is an important indication of quality. The case of the cabinet – sides, top, bottom and back should be of solid wood that is at least one-half inch thick. You will create a lot of heat and steam in your kitchen. Thin cabinet casings can warp. Plywood is also not recommended because of the glue and layering, which has a tendency to warp.
Finished interior surfaces are a true test of the highest quality cabinetry. Some discount kitchen cabinets will leave these surfaces unfinished. Not only does this create an unappealing appearance, but it leaves the wood subject to damage and splintering. This could be harmful and very inconvenient.
Look for adjustable shelves. This is a definite indication of the quality of discount kitchen cabinets. It does not mean there is anything wrong with the construction of the cabinets, if they meet other quality tests, but it causes a lot of wasted space that you probably need for storage in your kitchen. Shelves can bow (just like bookshelves) from weight and moisture. Insist on shelves that are at least 5/8 inch thick.
Check the quality of the hardware and the appearance of the hardware. Cabinet doors can be installed in two ways. One style of construction allows the hinges on the doors to be seen. In this case, you will want to check the finish on the hardware to ensure that it will not be damaged by moisture and that it matches other metals used prominently in your kitchen.

By paying careful attention to these five tests of discount kitchen cabinets, you can buy the quality you want at a discounted price and not risk purchasing inferior quality in the name of discount kitchen cabinets.

Filed Under: Kitchen Cabinets Tagged With: cheap kitchen cabinets, discount kitchen cabinets, inexpensive kitchen cabinets, kitchen cabinets wholesale, unfinished kitichen cabinets, used kitchen cabinets

Wood Kitchen Cabinets

October 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

The beauty of solid wood kitchen cabinets.

Eight Advantages of Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Most realtors will tell you that nothing is more appealing to potential home buyers than natural wood kitchen cabinets. They bring a sense of elegance and warmth into any kitchen. There are a number of additional advantages of wood kitchen cabinets.

Natural wood cabinets fit any architectural style home and any kitchen style. There are certainly traditions about the woods and finishes most commonly used in different kitchen styles, as well as traditions about cabinet door styles. For example a darker wood like ebony, mahogany or cherry is most appropriate in a traditional, country or eclectic style kitchen. It would rarely be used in contemporary styles.
Wood kitchen cabinets are strong, durable and lasting. Wood base cabinets will easily support any type of countertop material, including stone (granite, slate, marble). It holds up well under heavy use and in steam and heat. Most small dings, dents or scratches can be easily repaired. Over time, wood can be repeatedly refinished, repaired, cleaned and even painted or stained.
Solid wood cabinets are clearly preferable to any material that is laminated, glued, or veneered. Cabinets that are made with glue must be very carefully maintained in a kitchen because the glue will be damaged by the moisture over time and the laminate or veneer will begin to curl or peel. Solid wood will not curl or peel.
Wood kitchen cabinets are available in a wide range of wood choices and grains, allowing a homeowner to select the color and grain that best match the style and décor of their home. Different woods can also be finished in different ways to produce a unique patina that can glow in the warm light of the room.
Wood kitchen cabinets are made with a large number of different door designs. These styles range from perfectly smooth and flat to the ornately carved designs chosen in some country and traditional kitchens.
Metal cabinets – somewhat surprisingly – often cost more than wood kitchen cabinets. Yet most people perceive high-quality wood kitchen cabinets as a costly luxury.
Wood cabinets are safe. Unlike metal cabinets, there is nothing in wood cabinets that can chemically alter the food stored in them. This is particularly important if there are children, elderly persons, or people with illnesses that compromise the immune system.
Wood kitchen cabinets will never go out of style. For this reason, as well as their beauty and warmth, they enhance the appearance and the value of a home when it is time to sell.

The three most commonly used woods for wood kitchen cabinets are hickory, oak and maple. However, in some kitchen styles cherry and mahogany are preferred. They are also more expensive. The least expensive wood is probably birch or pine. You can also choose more uncommon options, such as ebony, butternut, alder, walnut or bamboo (new to cabinetry but popular because it is a rapidly replenishing eco-friendly material).

Filed Under: Kitchen Cabinets Tagged With: cherry kitchen cabinets, maple kitchen cabinets, oak kitchen cabinets, unfinished kitchen cabinets, wood kitchen cabinets, wooden kitchen cabinets

White Kitchen Cabinets

October 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

White Kitchen Cabinets Are Always a Good Choice

White Kitchen Cabinets are to kitchen design what a little black dress is to fashion. They go everywhere. The way you accessorize and choose details make them a perfect fit in any kitchen style or design. Many people choose white cabinetry for the kitchen because it makes the kitchen light and bright and because white looks clean.

In terms of price, white kitchen cabinets are more expensive than some other cabinet styles, but the price actually is determined more by the wood used to make the cabinets than the white paint or vinyl coating. For example, at one home improvement store a 36” sink base cabinet will cost $116 in oak, $125 in white, and $154 in maple. There are, however, great variations in the cost and the quality of white cabinets.

The paint or coating on white kitchen cabinets can hide the wood used to build the cabinets. For example, the cabinet might be built of particle board, pine, oak, hickory, maple, or most any other kind of wood. It could even be built of plywood. This is an important factor in determining the quality of workmanship in the cabinets.

Choosing white cabinets can be a way to save money by opting for a lower quality material with a good exterior finish. You must keep in mind, however, that kitchens generate a lot of heat and steam. Be sure you choose a material that will not warp or peel.

White kitchen cabinets are also available in a wide range of styles, making them appropriate in a kitchen of any style. But it is important to match the style of the cabinet doors and the construction style with the style of your kitchen. Here are some tips to help you choose.

White kitchen cabinets (or ivory) are very common in traditional style kitchens, especially French and Southern styles. Cabinets in a traditional kitchen generally have a raised-panel door design. Southern style traditional kitchens frequently include glass-paned doors as well. Keep ,in mind that traditional kitchens tend to be elegant and somewhat formal.
White kitchen cabinets are also popular in country style kitchens, although natural wood finishes are often preferred. White is most popular in an English country style or a Victorian bungalow, but it is also very commonly seen in the American farmhouse. Country kitchens by design appear worn and well lived-in, so white kitchen cabinets can be freely mixed with other finishes as well.
White kitchen cabinets can also be freely used in an eclectic style kitchen where absolutely anything goes and woods, finishes and stylistic features are commonly very mixed.
Contemporary style kitchens, whether futuristic or retro, also commonly use “classic” white kitchen cabinets. In a contemporary kitchen, however, cabinet doors will have flat, smooth surfaces to produce a sleek appearance. Glass, particularly frosted or textured glass, door panels are also commonly used.

White kitchen cabinets can be perfect in any kitchen. In a very small kitchen, white cabinets can create a feeling of greater spaciousness and light. But with attention to door and construction details and care in selecting the right hardware, white cabinets can be an ideal choice for any kitchen renovation or remodel.

Filed Under: Kitchen Cabinets Tagged With: antique kitchen cabinet, kitchen cabinet, kitchen cabinets, white kitchen cabinets

Custom Kitchen Cabinets

October 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

You Can Afford Custom Kitchen Cabinets!

The dream of many homeowners would be to have beautiful custom kitchen cabinets. But the cost of custom kitchen cabinets makes it impossible for many homeowners to realize that dream. Many homeowners decide to remodel or upgrade their kitchens and settle for what they believe they can afford. But settling for something less than what you want is not necessary. You can have the beauty and the flexibility of custom cabinets without the cost. Here is the secret.

There are several reasons people choose custom kitchen cabinets. They include:

Freedom to choose the exact wood they want
Custom sizes in cabinets
Specialty cabinetry
Special accessibility options
Special organizational features
Special height
Special door styles

Many home improvement stores carry only a limited number of woods or wood finishes. If, for example, you wanted cherry cabinets, you would be out of luck at many stores. It is rare to build or remodel a kitchen in a way that provides all of the storage options a homeowner might choose without a need for some custom kitchen cabinets. It might be that you have an extra three inches beside the dishwasher, or you have an extra six inches in a corner. You might also want a unit with deeper drawers than are available in the stock sizes.

Many homeowners today want the special features available only with custom kitchen cabinets, such as drawers that hold refrigerator units or pot racks or with either racks for canned goods or lazy Susans to provide easy access to everything stored in a cabinet. Some homeowners also need their base cabinets to be either an inch or two higher or lower for accessibility. Some families also need customized pull-out work surfaces and special cabinet depth to accommodate the needs of someone confined to a wheelchair. Finally, some people want custom kitchen cabinets in order to do something special with moldings, soffits, cabinet doors and corners to make their kitchen truly their own.

The good news is that homeowners can have many of the features of custom kitchen cabinets at a fraction of the price by working with a good cabinet maker. A good cabinet maker can install the cabinets you need by installing stock size cabinets wherever possible. When a special size is needed, he can alter a stock cabinet to fit the space and the need. Your cabinet maker can also help you find or install the organizational or accessibility features you want. And if you want a specialty cabinet, he can modify a stock cabinet to do the job for a fraction of the cost of custom kitchen cabinets.

The best news is the price. For a mere fraction of the cost of custom kitchen cabinets, a good cabinet maker can work with stock cabinets and meet almost every specification you have for your new kitchen cabinets. What is more, a cabinet maker with a direct purchasing agreement can do the job for about 40% of the cost of buying stock cabinets from a home improvement store. You can get the look and the features of custom kitchen cabinets without the cost.

Filed Under: Kitchen Cabinets Tagged With: custom cabinets, custom kitchen cabinet, custom kitchen cabinetry, custom kitchen cabinets, custom kitchen islands, custom kitchens

Bathroom Vanities

October 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

One of the great joys of larger bathrooms is the space for beautiful and functional bathroom vanities. Whether you want the traditional vanity designed to hide those unsightly pipes and fittings while also providing a bit of storage space or you want a magnificent piece of cabinetry, you will find adequate space in the spacious bathrooms homeowners are choosing today. So what are the basics of bathroom vanities you should know before you start planning your new extra bathroom or an enlargement of an existing bathroom, or even just a pleasing remodel.

If you have looked at a bathroom design or interior decorating magazine lately you will have certainly noticed that there is much greater variety in bathroom vanities than ever before.

1. More sizes. The days of one size fits all are long gone. Today you can choose an 18-inch depth if you want to preserve floor space (ideal in a small bathroom) or 24-inch depth for a larger bathroom and to provide more storage.

2. More heights. Everybody is not the same. Now you can choose bathroom vanities in the best height for everyone. Standard vanities and cabinets come in heights ranging from 28 to 36 inches.

3. More material and finish varieties. Whether you want a traditional white vanity or a piece of antique furniture, it is all available. Particularly if you want custom or semi-custom bathroom vanities, you can choose the wood, choose the finish and choose a cabinetry configuration unimagined thirty years ago.

4. More styles. Whether you want something contemporary and sleek or something reminiscent of Victorian elegance, you can have any style you want. Custom and customized bathroom vanities can match any style in your home.

5. More price options. Whether you buy wholesale and assemble and install yourself or you have each piece of cabinetry custom-made, you can find bathroom vanities in every possible price range.

6. Even stock cabinet sizes offer many options. Standard stock cabinet dimensions (in inches) are:

7. Accessories. You can find the perfect accessories for your cabinetry to meet any need. From drawer inserts to organize makeup, toiletries, and hair care items to pull-out shelves and baskets for easy access to towels and washcloths. If you want it, you can get it.

8. The same variety in cabinet materials, finishes and styles that you choose from for your kitchen is also available for bathroom vanities. Beautiful custom cabinetry can be as elegant in the bathroom as the kitchen. And, because you are buying the same quality, you will also get cabinetry with the same protective coatings you expect in the kitchen.

9. There is no need to confine your choices to traditional cabinets. You can even choose from bathroom vanities that resemble costly antiques.

10. Absolute freedom to combine pieces in ways that best suit your needs is yours. You can combine open shelves with drawers and doors. You can mix cabinet heights for ultimate comfort and accessibility. Today, bathroom vanities can be whatever you want.

Maple bathroom vanity

When you finish selecting your fine cabinetry for bathroom vanities, you can then choose the perfect sink and counter top, accessorize with stunning mirrors and lighting, and select the ideal fittings and knobs to complete the design and style for the bathroom vanities of your dreams.

Filed Under: Bathroom Vanities Tagged With: bath vanity, bathroom cabinets, bathroom makeovers, bathroom remodeling, bathroom renovations, bathroom vanities, bathroom vanity, bathroom vanity cabinets, bathroom vanity units, double vanity, modern bathroom, small bathrooms, vanities for bathrooms, vanity cabinets

Kitchen Cabinets

October 19, 2010 by admin 1 Comment

When renovating or remodeling a kitchen your choice of kitchen cabinets might be the most important selection you make. Kitchen cabinet selection is so important for two reasons.

First, the cabinets you choose for your new kitchen will be the items having the greatest visual impact. In the average kitchen cabinets are mounted on or against at least two walls (or the equivalent), and perhaps more. Cabinets will also create the base for an island, whether designed for cooking or for casual dining. The cabinets you select will establish the design of your kitchen.

Second, the kitchen cabinets you select will account for about half of the total cost of your kitchen renovation or remodel. Although you can find and purchase kitchen cabinets in a wide range of price categories, this is an almost universally applicable rule of thumb. Good cabinetry in not inexpensive. Most contractors and kitchen designers will agree that kitchen cabinets are not the place to scrimp when designing a new kitchen. Your cabinets will outlast your kitchen floor, your appliances, and possibly your counter tops (depending upon the material you choose).

Characteristics of good kitchen cabinet construction:

Avoid drawers held together with glue, nails or staples.
Avoid drawers made with thin particleboard.
Test the drawers before you buy to be sure they will support about 75 pounds when open.
The case or cabinet box should be made of wood that is ½ inch thick or more on all sides.
All surfaces of the cabinet should be finished, even the back and the interior sides.
Kitchen cabinets should have adjustable shelves (this is a clear indication of construction quality).
All shelves in kitchen cabinets should be 5/8 inch thick or more, otherwise they will bow.
Check the quality of the hinges (most should be invisible from the front, no squeaks and no metals that will rust easily) and ensure that doors open completely.
The very best kitchen cabinets are made entirely of solid wood.
A plywood box or case with solid wood frames and doors can still be a good quality product.
Some reliable kitchen cabinets are available at lower cost because they are built with plywood supports and use medium-to high-density particleboard for door and drawer fronts. Others use laminate over the particleboard.

Cabinet design installs the cabinet doors in one of two ways. Frame-less construction was a very popular adoption from European design in the 60s. The style continues to be very popular in contemporary kitchens. In this style, the kitchen cabinet door covers the entire box or case of the cabinet. Alternatively, in framed construction, the doors are installed in a way that leaves a frame around the outside of the door. Framed construction for kitchen cabinets is the norm in traditional, country, cottage, and many eclectic kitchen styles.

Ways to purchase kitchen cabinets:

Knock-down kitchen cabinets can be purchased and taken home the same day. Many homeowners can install these units themselves. These are the least expensive types of cabinets and can be the perfect choice if you are on a tight budget.
Stock kitchen cabinets are available only in standard sizes and limited styles and finishes because they are mass produced by the manufacturer. These are also a good option when the budget is tight.
Semi-custom cabinets are also available only in standard sizes. There is a larger selection of styles, finishes, accessories and options. These provide somewhat more flexibility in designing your kitchen.
Custom kitchen cabinets, although available from some cabinet companies, are most often purchased from local cabinetmakers. These cabinets are made to order and are thus built to the exact specifications of your needs. They are more expensive, but they offer the largest variety in wood, finish, style, size and special and unique details.
Hybrid approaches are also very popular. By working with a cabinetmaker to select the kitchen cabinets you like from a manufacturer. The cabinetmaker then installs the standard size cabinets and customizes others for special sizes and needs, as well as adding personal touches and special features.

Standard Cabinet Sizes (All Dimensions in Inches):

Many inserts and built-in features are also available to provide for organization and ease of access to items stored within your kitchen cabinets. From pull-out work surfaces, to drawer fronts for refrigerated drawers, to door covers for nooks for small appliances to wine racks, you can customize your cabinetry in a variety of ways to meet your needs. It is possible to create an appropriately designed cabinet or work surface for every need.

There are also a number of features available or customizable to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. These include lower work surfaces that pull out or that are stationary and leave open space beneath. Pull-out organizers, Lazy Susans and other enhancements to kitchen cabinets to make items readily accessible.

This basic information should help you begin to make decisions about your new kitchen cabinets. Keep in mind when shopping that the appearance of your kitchen renovation will be established to a very large extent by the kitchen cabinets you choose. Your cabinetmaker will be able to help you consider the vast range of ways you can customize your cabinets and create a unique kitchen design.

Filed Under: Kitchen Cabinets Tagged With: cabinet kitchen, cabinets kitchen, custom kitchen, kitchen cabinet, kitchen cabinets, kitchen remodeling

How to Obtain a Quote

October 10, 2010 by admin

This is a page Scott needs to write, or at least outline. It is also one of the 6 sections of the middle section of the Home page. It takes an image. The home page character limit is set to 24o and the balance carries over to this page.

This page should not only be instructional (to save Scott time) about what information needs to be gathered to give to Scott in order to obtain a bid.

This may, or may not, be one of the 6 Home page sections. Need to talk with Scott about what he wants. My initial thinking is to have each section showcase one of the primary benefits/selling points.