A complete set of kitchen cabinets can start at around $800 at the bottom of the line for discount kitchen cabinets and go all the way up to $100,000 for a high quality set.
To estimate the costs of your kitchen cabinets measure the length of the area that will have base cabinets, the ones that sit on the floor, and the length of the wall cabinets.
Add these two numbers together and you have the number of lineal feet of required cabinets. If it is your intent to install a pantry or other cabinet that is floor to ceiling, include the length dimension in both the base and wall cabinet number.
Most home centers and kitchen cabinet specialty retailers will post an average lineal price for each design and quality. The price per lineal foot does not include the countertop or cabinet installation.
The lineal foot price indicated is usually based on a 10-foot long, straight wall configuration, (no corner cabinets required or glass doors). It will not include any trim or cabinet options and in most cases will not include doorknobs, or drawer pulls. Unless specifically indicated the price will not include installation.
As a rule of thumb, you can double the lineal foot price of the cabinets to arrive at the total cost of the project, installed.
The lineal per foot cost is in the doors and hardware. Doors can be made of veneered MDF or hardwoods that are richly stained. Luxury door hardware, such as hinges, knobs, and pulls can add as much as $50 to the price of a specific cabinet.
Drawer slides are also an important price driver. Quality drawer slides make a major difference to the price of a cabinet.
When you are shopping for your cabinets, pay special attention to the hardware that is used and fabrication techniques. Make sure you are comparing similar qualities when looking at best price.
Knowledge and planning are the keys to a successful home remodel project.
Kitchen cabinets have an enormous spread in pricing from $80 a lineal foot for laminate faced, self-assembly to $300 a lineal foot for hardwood doors, glass insets, and ceiling trims.
Because of this spread in price, it is important to set a top amount that you can afford. Then you consider the cabinet designs available up to that price point.
If your cabinets are in good shape, or at least the frame is in good shape, and you like the configuration, consider replacing just the doors. Combined with a refinishing job on the frame, this option can give you a whole new look at a fraction of the cost of new cabinets.
The choices are simple when it comes to doors: replace them completely, refinish your existing doors or do a combination of both.
Replacing your doors is quite self-explanatory; unless you have strangely designed custom-built doors, door sizes are standard and replacements will be easy to find at any good home renovation store or cabinet manufacturing company.
Judge replacement doors just as you would the entire cabinets. Look for quality materials and excellent finishes.
Another option is kitchen cabinet refacing. kitchen cabinet refacing involves removing your kitchen cabinet doors and drawers and resurfacing them with wood or laminate veneer. The newly refaced doors and drawer fronts are then mounted using new hinges and pull.
For the best look, the interior edges of the face frame should also be faced, or at least completely sanded and refinished. This process is much less expensive than replacing your kitchen cabinets, yet provides a fresh updated look.
The cost of having the average kitchen refaced by a professional kitchen cabinet refacing company can run between $2500-$5000 depending on the size, number and layout of the existing cabinets, and is considerably less than replacing the whole kitchen. Kitchen cabinet refacing can usually be done in about 3-5 work days.
Article Provided By: My Articles Directory
About the Author: Rebecca Noel is a licensed real estate agent and real estate investor. Remodeling houses and home improvement diy are her area of interest. Find out insider information that will save you $1000's on materials and help you get your remodeling projects done weeks faster at Remodeling Recon.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Kitchen Cabinet Miraculous Cleaning
So, your kitchen cabinets are a mess, and you dread forking out all that cash for new ones. Well, maybe new ones are not what you need. The first place to start, may be with a thorough cleaning of the ones you have. A good amount of elbow grease may be just what you need to get rid of all that cooking grease and accumulation of muck from over the years. Particularly if all the drawers, hinges and hardware are still in good working order. A simple solution of soapy water and effort may do the trick. Make sure to wipe all the soap off before drying and replacing the cabinets. Removing hardware handles and pulls first, gives you a chance to clean them separately and an opportunity to remove any gunk that may have built up between the hardware and the cabinets themselves.
Maybe you still like the look of your cabinets, but their just a little grungy. If your cabinets are made of solid wood and need a little more cleaning than just soap and water, then there is another approach you can try. It's a bit more of a caustic approach, but will do the job when something a little tougher is required. You'll need a combination of 3 tablespoons turpentine, 3 tablespoons boiled linseed oil, and 1 quart of boiling water. You have to be very careful with this recipe, as it is a somewhat flammable mixture. Any brushes or rags that come in contact with this stuff will be somewhat flammable as well. Be sure to dispose of them per your local city ordinances.
Once you've got your little concoction ready, it's time to get to work. Either cover or remove anything around the cabinets that you don't plan on cleaning. This includes cabinet hardware, countertops, floors, walls, and small appliances. If you can empty the cabinets as much as possible, it will facilitate cleaning inside as well as out. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this job, as to avoid any damage to your skin. Removing cabinet doors may be helpful as well, depending on how flexible you are, when it comes to reaching inside to the deepest recesses of your cabinets. As before, removing the hardware and washing it separately is a good idea, plus you get better access to the small sections of cabinet that were underneath the hardware pulls and hinges. Wipe all the cabinet clean with a rag dipped in your cleaning solution. Use a different clean rag to dry the surface, once all the old gunk has been removed. Once everything is clean and dry, replace all the hardware, and put the kitchen cabinet doors back on.
Hopefully your cabinets look just like new, and you've saved yourself a few thousand bucks in replacement costs. If your still not to keen on how they look, then maybe it's time to consider a fresh coat of paint or varnish to brighten things up. We repainted our dark old cabinets with a fresh coat of while melamine paint and new updated hardware. While we did eventually replace them, the paint and new hardware made them bearable for a few more years.
Article Provided By: My Articles Directory
About the Author: Read more great information on your kitchen design and kitchen cabinets , visit http://foolishmumbles.com/2006/09/29/kitchen-cabinet-miraculous-cleaning/
Maybe you still like the look of your cabinets, but their just a little grungy. If your cabinets are made of solid wood and need a little more cleaning than just soap and water, then there is another approach you can try. It's a bit more of a caustic approach, but will do the job when something a little tougher is required. You'll need a combination of 3 tablespoons turpentine, 3 tablespoons boiled linseed oil, and 1 quart of boiling water. You have to be very careful with this recipe, as it is a somewhat flammable mixture. Any brushes or rags that come in contact with this stuff will be somewhat flammable as well. Be sure to dispose of them per your local city ordinances.
Once you've got your little concoction ready, it's time to get to work. Either cover or remove anything around the cabinets that you don't plan on cleaning. This includes cabinet hardware, countertops, floors, walls, and small appliances. If you can empty the cabinets as much as possible, it will facilitate cleaning inside as well as out. Be sure to wear gloves while doing this job, as to avoid any damage to your skin. Removing cabinet doors may be helpful as well, depending on how flexible you are, when it comes to reaching inside to the deepest recesses of your cabinets. As before, removing the hardware and washing it separately is a good idea, plus you get better access to the small sections of cabinet that were underneath the hardware pulls and hinges. Wipe all the cabinet clean with a rag dipped in your cleaning solution. Use a different clean rag to dry the surface, once all the old gunk has been removed. Once everything is clean and dry, replace all the hardware, and put the kitchen cabinet doors back on.
Hopefully your cabinets look just like new, and you've saved yourself a few thousand bucks in replacement costs. If your still not to keen on how they look, then maybe it's time to consider a fresh coat of paint or varnish to brighten things up. We repainted our dark old cabinets with a fresh coat of while melamine paint and new updated hardware. While we did eventually replace them, the paint and new hardware made them bearable for a few more years.
Article Provided By: My Articles Directory
About the Author: Read more great information on your kitchen design and kitchen cabinets , visit http://foolishmumbles.com/2006/09/29/kitchen-cabinet-miraculous-cleaning/
Friday, July 11, 2008
Cabinet Refacing, A Popular Alternative To Replacing
by: glenn@isnare.com
When remodeling your kitchen, an alternative to replacing your cabinets entirely, is to reface them. With refacing cabinets, you can achieve a beautiful new kitchen while spending half the amount of money. You will literally be giving your cabinets a face-lift!
In the refacing process, existing doors, drawer fronts and hardware are removed and replaced with new ones. For cabinet doors, a wide variety of veneers and laminates are available to cover old surfaces. Other noticeable surfaces such as cabinet ends and frames are finished to match. Cabinet interiors are either refinished or repainted. Cabinet refacing is available in a variety of styles, materials and colors.
Neither the kitchen layout nor the amount of space available is affected by refaced cabinets. Doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are refaced and then put right back into their previous place, leaving your current arrangement untouched. A beautiful new look will be created, but you will still be standing in the same kitchen. If you are looking for a more drastic change, consider installing a few new cabinets to alter the look a bit more. In addition, new pull out or swivel shelves can also be installed to enhance the appearance and feel.
One of the most important factors in refacing your cabinets is that you find a licensed contractor. Getting a contractor that is licensed and bonded means that you will receive quality work without some of the hassles of hiring someone not qualified. Make sure you shop around and get multiple quotes. Contractors typically have different rates depending on the number of employees that will be working on your project. By getting multiple bids you can lower your cost and find a contractor you are comfortable
Not only does refacing cabinets improve the overall look of your kitchen, but it also greatly improves the durability of your cabinets. It helps protect and lengthen the life of your existing cabinetry, adding overall worth to your home.
When remodeling your kitchen, an alternative to replacing your cabinets entirely, is to reface them. With refacing cabinets, you can achieve a beautiful new kitchen while spending half the amount of money. You will literally be giving your cabinets a face-lift!
In the refacing process, existing doors, drawer fronts and hardware are removed and replaced with new ones. For cabinet doors, a wide variety of veneers and laminates are available to cover old surfaces. Other noticeable surfaces such as cabinet ends and frames are finished to match. Cabinet interiors are either refinished or repainted. Cabinet refacing is available in a variety of styles, materials and colors.
Neither the kitchen layout nor the amount of space available is affected by refaced cabinets. Doors, drawer fronts, and hardware are refaced and then put right back into their previous place, leaving your current arrangement untouched. A beautiful new look will be created, but you will still be standing in the same kitchen. If you are looking for a more drastic change, consider installing a few new cabinets to alter the look a bit more. In addition, new pull out or swivel shelves can also be installed to enhance the appearance and feel.
One of the most important factors in refacing your cabinets is that you find a licensed contractor. Getting a contractor that is licensed and bonded means that you will receive quality work without some of the hassles of hiring someone not qualified. Make sure you shop around and get multiple quotes. Contractors typically have different rates depending on the number of employees that will be working on your project. By getting multiple bids you can lower your cost and find a contractor you are comfortable
Not only does refacing cabinets improve the overall look of your kitchen, but it also greatly improves the durability of your cabinets. It helps protect and lengthen the life of your existing cabinetry, adding overall worth to your home.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Shopping for Kitchen Cabinets: Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinet for your Price Range
Author: Gary Nealon
Kitchen Cabinets are by and large the core of any kitchen. They can be highlighted by kitchen appliances such as the refrigerator, stove, cooktop, dishwasher and microwave, or these appliances can be modified to blend in by using panels that match your kitchen cabinets.
Shopping for kitchen cabinets can be intimidating, especially for a first time buyer. There are hundreds/thousands of major kitchen cabinet companies, and many more smaller custom kitchen cabinet shops where you can get any cabinet made from any species of wood that your mind can imagine. Add to that list the explosion of RTA Kitchen Cabinet importers, and the laminated cabinet manufacturers, and suddenly the list can be overwhelming. Not to mention the fact that higher price always means high quality in construction, or more features being available.
In the past, pricing had always been the way to categorize kitchen cabinets. Traditionally, tthe higher-quality cabinets simply cost more money. As I mentioned before, with more and more importers conforming to the KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association) building standards, some of the RTA Kitchen Cabinets or Stock kitchen cabinets can actually be a sturdier cabinet than the traditional, made to order cabinets. Regardless of what type of kitchen cabinet you decide to go with, it does not take much effort to spend tens of thousands of dollars on the actual kitchen cabinets.
Most kitchen cabinet manufacturers build their kitchen base and wall cabinets in standard sizes. The kitchen base cabinets are often 34.5 inches tall and 24 inches deep. They come in widths starting at 12 inches and can go up to 48 inches often in increasing width increments of 3 inches. Kitchen wall cabinets are often 12 inches deep and 30 inches or 42 inches tall. They also come in the same size widths as the base cabinets. Wall cabinets also come in several different heights and depths for locations such as over the refrigerator or over the microwave/hood range unit. With custom kitchen cabinets, you have even more choices available, since the kitchen cabinets will be created specifically for your kitchen space.
Different semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers make different-sized kitchen cabinets for all sorts of special looks and situations. It is not uncommon to have one cabinet extend beyond adjacent cabinets to create a distinguished look. It pays to shop around to see all of the different possibilities and special cabinet features offered by the custom and semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers.
One of the biggest advantages to true custom kitchen cabinets is the ability to make one giant base or wall kitchen cabinet instead of separate boxes that are screwed together by the installer at the jobsite. A custom-cabinet maker can easily make one giant base cabinet 8 feet long that installs as if it were a piece of furniture. The same is true for wall kitchen cabinets. The advantage of this method is the lack of vertical seams where two traditional cabinet boxes would mate up to one another.
Pay particular attention to the materials used to build the kitchen cabinets. Some kitchen cabinets are made with minimal-quality engineered lumber, particleboard, or fiberboard. . If you plan to load a wall cabinet with heavy traditional china, the weight of the dishes may cause the cabinet to pull apart over time. This is particularly true when it comes to the semi-custom cabinets that the name brand cabinet manufacturers sell at the big box stores (which is why price is not always an accurate gauge of cabinet quality). Many of the RTA Kitchen Cabinet manufacturers use solid plywood sides, which obviously creates a strong kitchen cabinet box than a particleboard or fiberboard box. When it comes to custom cabinets, the material choices are endless and can usually be specified by the customer.
Another factor that will determine the price of kitchen cabinets is the material used to hold it together. Custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers will often use a combination of dovetailed joints, wood biscuits, and glue to create tight joints. Mid-grade kitchen cabinets will have a wide range of materials holding them together (staples and nails on the lower end, to cam lock assembly and wood glue on the higher end). Most RTA Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers utilize the cam lock system, which creates a nice sturdy cabinet, and when enhanced with wood glue, can last a life time. Steer away from any kitchen cabinets that are using staples, wooden dowels, or just screws. The strength of the cabinet will be compromised at the joints with these weaker joining materials.
Kitchen Cabinets are by and large the core of any kitchen. They can be highlighted by kitchen appliances such as the refrigerator, stove, cooktop, dishwasher and microwave, or these appliances can be modified to blend in by using panels that match your kitchen cabinets.
Shopping for kitchen cabinets can be intimidating, especially for a first time buyer. There are hundreds/thousands of major kitchen cabinet companies, and many more smaller custom kitchen cabinet shops where you can get any cabinet made from any species of wood that your mind can imagine. Add to that list the explosion of RTA Kitchen Cabinet importers, and the laminated cabinet manufacturers, and suddenly the list can be overwhelming. Not to mention the fact that higher price always means high quality in construction, or more features being available.
In the past, pricing had always been the way to categorize kitchen cabinets. Traditionally, tthe higher-quality cabinets simply cost more money. As I mentioned before, with more and more importers conforming to the KCMA (Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association) building standards, some of the RTA Kitchen Cabinets or Stock kitchen cabinets can actually be a sturdier cabinet than the traditional, made to order cabinets. Regardless of what type of kitchen cabinet you decide to go with, it does not take much effort to spend tens of thousands of dollars on the actual kitchen cabinets.
Most kitchen cabinet manufacturers build their kitchen base and wall cabinets in standard sizes. The kitchen base cabinets are often 34.5 inches tall and 24 inches deep. They come in widths starting at 12 inches and can go up to 48 inches often in increasing width increments of 3 inches. Kitchen wall cabinets are often 12 inches deep and 30 inches or 42 inches tall. They also come in the same size widths as the base cabinets. Wall cabinets also come in several different heights and depths for locations such as over the refrigerator or over the microwave/hood range unit. With custom kitchen cabinets, you have even more choices available, since the kitchen cabinets will be created specifically for your kitchen space.
Different semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers make different-sized kitchen cabinets for all sorts of special looks and situations. It is not uncommon to have one cabinet extend beyond adjacent cabinets to create a distinguished look. It pays to shop around to see all of the different possibilities and special cabinet features offered by the custom and semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers.
One of the biggest advantages to true custom kitchen cabinets is the ability to make one giant base or wall kitchen cabinet instead of separate boxes that are screwed together by the installer at the jobsite. A custom-cabinet maker can easily make one giant base cabinet 8 feet long that installs as if it were a piece of furniture. The same is true for wall kitchen cabinets. The advantage of this method is the lack of vertical seams where two traditional cabinet boxes would mate up to one another.
Pay particular attention to the materials used to build the kitchen cabinets. Some kitchen cabinets are made with minimal-quality engineered lumber, particleboard, or fiberboard. . If you plan to load a wall cabinet with heavy traditional china, the weight of the dishes may cause the cabinet to pull apart over time. This is particularly true when it comes to the semi-custom cabinets that the name brand cabinet manufacturers sell at the big box stores (which is why price is not always an accurate gauge of cabinet quality). Many of the RTA Kitchen Cabinet manufacturers use solid plywood sides, which obviously creates a strong kitchen cabinet box than a particleboard or fiberboard box. When it comes to custom cabinets, the material choices are endless and can usually be specified by the customer.
Another factor that will determine the price of kitchen cabinets is the material used to hold it together. Custom kitchen cabinet manufacturers will often use a combination of dovetailed joints, wood biscuits, and glue to create tight joints. Mid-grade kitchen cabinets will have a wide range of materials holding them together (staples and nails on the lower end, to cam lock assembly and wood glue on the higher end). Most RTA Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers utilize the cam lock system, which creates a nice sturdy cabinet, and when enhanced with wood glue, can last a life time. Steer away from any kitchen cabinets that are using staples, wooden dowels, or just screws. The strength of the cabinet will be compromised at the joints with these weaker joining materials.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Kitchen Cabinet Door Hinge - Types of Kitchen Cabinet Door Hinges
By Arturo Ronzon
You have decided to remodel your old kitchen. You have chosen the cabinet design, the wood, and the finish and are ready to go. You may have forgotten one important element. You probably haven’t given much thought to the hardware you are going to use. It is a decision that is just as important as any other in this process, choosing a kitchen cabinet door hinge and drawer pulls that will complement the new decor of your kitchen.
When shopping for a new kitchen cabinet door hinge, you will be presented with many choices. A semi concealed kitchen cabinet door hinge is for a cabinet with a face frame. Half of the kitchen cabinet door hinge is visible and the other half of the hinge is mounted on the back of the door.
A surface mounted kitchen cabinet door hinge is for a cabinet with a face frame where both leaves of the hinge can be seen from the front of the kitchen cabinet. You can also buy a hidden version of a surface mounted kitchen cabinet door hinge.
Overlay or inset kitchen cabinet door hinge, is a hinge that shows the pin from the front of the cabinet. They include partial and full wrap hinges that fasten to the back of the door and the back or edge of the side panel or the face frame.
A European kitchen cabinet door hinge is fastened to the back of the door and to the inside side panel or they attach to the edge of the face frame. This kitchen cabinet door hinge is completely hidden.
You may opt for a pivot kitchen cabinet door hinge. This type of hinge comes in a wide range of styles and work on a door that will pivot at two points instead of along a hinge pin. You can install some of these type hinges as concealed hinges.
A kitchen cabinet door hinge that will permit the door to pivot open and side back into the sides of the kitchen cabinet is called a pivot door slide or a flipper door slide. You thought that the hardware for your new kitchen was a simple thing and it turns out you have many choices for different uses when you are choosing a kitchen cabinet door hinge.
You have decided to remodel your old kitchen. You have chosen the cabinet design, the wood, and the finish and are ready to go. You may have forgotten one important element. You probably haven’t given much thought to the hardware you are going to use. It is a decision that is just as important as any other in this process, choosing a kitchen cabinet door hinge and drawer pulls that will complement the new decor of your kitchen.
When shopping for a new kitchen cabinet door hinge, you will be presented with many choices. A semi concealed kitchen cabinet door hinge is for a cabinet with a face frame. Half of the kitchen cabinet door hinge is visible and the other half of the hinge is mounted on the back of the door.
A surface mounted kitchen cabinet door hinge is for a cabinet with a face frame where both leaves of the hinge can be seen from the front of the kitchen cabinet. You can also buy a hidden version of a surface mounted kitchen cabinet door hinge.
Overlay or inset kitchen cabinet door hinge, is a hinge that shows the pin from the front of the cabinet. They include partial and full wrap hinges that fasten to the back of the door and the back or edge of the side panel or the face frame.
A European kitchen cabinet door hinge is fastened to the back of the door and to the inside side panel or they attach to the edge of the face frame. This kitchen cabinet door hinge is completely hidden.
You may opt for a pivot kitchen cabinet door hinge. This type of hinge comes in a wide range of styles and work on a door that will pivot at two points instead of along a hinge pin. You can install some of these type hinges as concealed hinges.
A kitchen cabinet door hinge that will permit the door to pivot open and side back into the sides of the kitchen cabinet is called a pivot door slide or a flipper door slide. You thought that the hardware for your new kitchen was a simple thing and it turns out you have many choices for different uses when you are choosing a kitchen cabinet door hinge.
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