Author: Dan Fritschen
Remodeling a kitchen can be a very big job. Depending on the extent of the remodeling project, remodeling a kitchen can take weeks or even months. There are, however, some things you can do to remodel your kitchen faster. The ten ideas listed below will get you started on ways to remodel your kitchen faster and still have a finished room that shows quality work and attention to details. 1. Work with the existing space if at all possible. Moving walls takes a great deal of time. It is also costly. If you are trying to update or remodel, try to think creatively about how you can make better use of the existing space. If you are trying to enlarge the kitchen, try to do so by moving or removing only one wall. This will reduce the amount of electrical work, as well as the amount of framing and drywall work necessary. 2. Don’t move the sink. Moving plumbing also takes a great deal of time, and adds significant cost to your project. Even if you are replacing the sink, keeping it in the same location will save the time of rerouting pipes, which could also result in the need for work to replace flooring. 3. Don’t move a gas line or gas appliances. Moving a gas line will take additional time in completing your kitchen remodel. In many localities, this will require the assistance of a professional. You will need to schedule this work and allow the time necessary to move the line and then make any necessary repairs to walls and flooring. 4. Choose standard-sized pre-built stock cabinets. These cabinets will probably be available for immediate pick-up or delivery, eliminating the wait for custom work and delivery. These stock cabinets will be ready to simply set in place and attach to walls or floor. This saves the assembly time required for special-order cabinets and the on-site construction time for custom cabinets. 5. If you choose custom or semi-custom cabinets, pitch in and assemble the cabinets yourself for your contractor. Assembling pre-cut cabinets is not terribly difficult if you have some do-it-yourself remodeling experience. Assembling cabinets takes time, however. If you can assemble the cabinets in advance and have them ready for your contractor or for installation, you will save time during the actual remodeling project. 6. Use large stock cabinets to make a pantry instead of building a closet. This saves the time of knocking out wall, re-framing for the closet, hanging the drywall, etc. You might even find that you prefer the appearance of the matched cabinetry throughout your remodeled kitchen. 7. Reface instead of replacing your cabinets. If your existing cabinets are in reasonably good condition, have them refaced instead of replacing them. This will also save time. In some cases, the actual work can be done in a day. 8. Install a new countertop. A new countertop will make your remodeled kitchen look bright and clean. Your choice of countertop material could completely change the appearance of your kitchen. 9. Don’t install a backsplash. If you are trying to remodel your kitchen faster, don’t take the time to install or replace a backsplash. Tile installation takes some time to set and allow it to dry completely. If you are in a hurry, leave this for a weekend project at some point in the future. 10. If you are building a window seat, save construction time by installing stock cabinets as the base for the seat. You can easily find stock cabinets the right height for a seat. Just choose cabinets that match or complement your kitchen cabinets. Then you need only position the boards on top of the cabinets and add cushions. These ten ideas can save time on your kitchen remodel. You will probably think of others as you begin planning your project. But you can make a good start with these ten things to do to remodel your kitchen faster. Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/10-things-to-do-to-remodel-your-kitchen-faster-584130.html
About the Author:
Dan Fritschen, Publisher at ABCD Publishing, is a consultant to both individuals and businesses who are trying to decide whether to remodel or move. ABCD publishing currently owns two helpful websites, www.remodelormove.com and www.remodelestimates.com.
Friday, October 3, 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.
I have been remodeling houses for over 10 years, and have been able to weed out some of the kitchen cabinet choices that didn't work for me. If you are interested in learning more about my personal preferences, check out my author bio.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/shopping-for-kitchen-cabinets-choosing-the-right-kitchen-cabinet-for-your-price-range-278549.html
About the Author:
Looking to upgrade your bathroom with a decorative bathroom vanity , or simply replace your bathroom vanity ? Check out the Bathroom Vanity Store .
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.
I have been remodeling houses for over 10 years, and have been able to weed out some of the kitchen cabinet choices that didn't work for me. If you are interested in learning more about my personal preferences, check out my author bio.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/shopping-for-kitchen-cabinets-choosing-the-right-kitchen-cabinet-for-your-price-range-278549.html
About the Author:
Looking to upgrade your bathroom with a decorative bathroom vanity , or simply replace your bathroom vanity ? Check out the Bathroom Vanity Store .
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