Remodel .net » kitchen cabinets

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Remodeling — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:34:55 +0000

Embassy House Cabinetry, a recently launched company and division of RichMaid Kabinetry, is offering semi-custom cabinetry.

Embassy House products use mortise and tenon front frame construction and feature all-wood cabinetry rather than relying on melamine or particleboard. Currently, the company carries 20 door styles, 10 finishes and 8 wood species. Glazing, antiquing and other techniques or decoration options are available as well.

“Our semi-custom cabinetry offers many of the same designer details such as full extension, soft-closing drawers that come standard,” said Patrick Byrne, executive Vice President of Embassy House Cabinetry. “Embassy House cabinets come in 3 in. increments, but you are still able to modify your width and depth as you can with custom. And homeowners can choose from a wider selection of woods, finishes and door selections versus stock cabinetry. Semi-custom also allows for faster production than custom.”

All wood construction, including natural Birch plywood tops, bottoms, backs and sides, and solid hardwood doors and face frames. All with a limited lifetime warranty.

Remodeling Stories Part Three

Remodeling — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 07:58:13 +0000

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed our Remodeling Stories Part One and Two, already as we are going to wrap up this series now with the last family in this series.

This homeowner is a commercial contractor who acted as his own general contractor, doing the work himself and hiring subcontractors to complete different phases of the job.

While the value of his home was not as high as the values of other homes in the neighborhood, $150,000 to $250,000, it was one of the oldest, having been built in 1912. However, in his block alone in the past few years one new home was built and four others underwent major remodeling projects. Basically, this addition was to increase the home’s value to keep in line. Other factors that were considered were the neighborhood and the difficulty of moving. After looking at new houses, my friend did not find the quality and style he was seeking and felt he would have to remodel any new house before even moving in. In short, he felt the new homes were overpriced for the quality.

Additionally, every person who had ever lived in his house had updated it to make it better for the next person (like converting from coal to gas). However, additional space was needed. The house, a 3/4″-story Craftsman home had an original square footage of 1,900 and an additional 600 square feet in the unfinished basement. The new addition, about 600 square feet over the garage, added a master bedroom and bathroom suite with a large walk-in closet. He also added another 100 square feet to the front room of the original house by bringing out the windows to the end of the porch.

The home was purchased in 1987 for about $82,000 and the addition cost $65,000 in 1992. Some of the materials were purchased at discount since he is a contractor and his wife is an interior designer. This addition was done completely to maintain the style and integrity of the original home.

The kitchen was remodeled at a cost of about $20,000, and the discarded cabinets were moved to the detached garage behind the new addition which has been converted to a “men’s club.”

Final Thoughts on Remodeling

All three owners tackled their remodeling projects with creativity and good sense. If you are facing the “move or remodel” dilemma, make sure you carefully evaluate all the possibilities and restrictions. For example, before you invest time and money in any remodeling project, understand the guidelines provided by local codes and regulations as they pertain to your project. One important factor that needs to be considered before remodeling involves “zoning regulations,” which impact the use of your property in relation to its property lines. Zoning ordinances establish land use: residential, industrial, or commercial. Usually “residential” is subdivided into single-family or multi-family categories. These ordinances protect you, your neighbors, and the community from undesirable or inappropriate land uses and/or construction.
Other factors to consider include:

Special height restrictions.
Egress window requirements for bedrooms, especially those located in basements.
Wall thickness and insulation requirements, as determined by any state or local energy code in force in your area.
Minimum-sized footings and foundations for the addition of a second floor.
The existence of covenants, which could restrict you to height, type of roofing or roofing material, color, siding, etc. Check the title of your home to verify the existence of any covenants.
If your home is a historic building or located in a historic area, you could be restricted in what you want to do with the exterior appearance—contact the historic preservation office in your area.

Your Dream Kitchen- in Your Current Home

Remodeling — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 18:10:29 +0000

Remember how you felt when you first bought your home? It was a dream come true. Since then, your dreams and needs have changed and maybe you’re feeling it’s time to move. Unfortunately, the real estate market is not cooperating and you face either selling at a loss, or not being able to sell at any price.

There is an alternative to letting the housing market get you down. Make the space you’re in reflect your dreams by doing some targeted renovations to add luxury and utility. A great place to spice things up is in the kitchen.

“The kitchen is typically the most important and busiest room in the house,” says Connie Edwards, certified kitchen and bathroom designer, and director of design for American Woodmark Corporation. “A warm, beautiful and functional kitchen can have a major influence on how you and your family feel about your home and your lifestyle. And you don’t have to break the bank to create a kitchen where you’ll love spending time.”

Before you take the first step toward these changes, Edwards offers a few vital tips to help bring your dream kitchen to life and save precious time and money.

Planning – A kitchen remodel is a big investment, so know how much you are willing to (and can) spend by planning ahead on layout and design features. Keep in mind hardware, paint and wall coverings can easily be updated later to reflect the latest trends. The big purchases like cabinetry, countertops and appliances are what you will want to live with for years. For instance, white is timeless. Shenandoah Cabinetry has a new painted Maple Linen finish that – with stainless steel appliances – creates a look that will stay fresh for years.

Think about how you live – Your new kitchen design should reflect the way your family lives. How many people will be in the kitchen at one time? In addition to cooking, will you use your kitchen for dining, entertaining or homework? Does anyone in your family have special needs? Would lots of storage help your hectic life? Prepare an inspiration folder of ideas you’ve seen in magazines or digital pictures you’ve taken of elements you like. And, get the rest of the family involved in the choices.

Personal style – When selecting your kitchen cabinets, are you traditional, contemporary or somewhere in between? Manufacturers offer hundreds of door style options and accessories. Before you head to your local home center, it’s very helpful to know your style. Then your designer can help create a unique, customized look just for you and your family. Think about what appeals to you – styles, finishes, colors, etc. From a practical standpoint, also review your priorities – your “must haves” – against your target budget.

Attention to detail – It’s those beautiful details that allow your personality to shine in your new kitchen. For a custom look, consider adding decorative accents like molding build-ups, ornaments and corbels to cabinetry. Including decorative accessories such as hardware, glass door inserts and under-cabinet lighting can also make the room sparkle. Visit your local home center to discover even more ways you can add the perfect touch.

Take measurements – Be prepared with accurate measurements of your current space. Double, or even triple, check your work. You can download tools like grid paper from the Internet. Make sure your installer validates the dimensions or obtains professional measurements. This helps avoid measurement errors that can lead to costly delays or incorrect product orders.

Use space efficiently – Regardless of your kitchen’s size, it’s important to maximize space and keep things organized to meet your personal needs. Accessories like a Pot & Pan Organizer, Roll Out Tray Divider and Spice Door Cabinet help create a kitchen that is easy to work in.

For most families, the kitchen is really the heart and the pulse of their home. It’s a great place to put the “dream” back in your dream house.

Creating a Custom Kitchen Without the Custom Price

Remodeling — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 08:49:17 +0000

Today’s homeowners update their kitchens to reflect their personal tastes and add visual appeal their guests can enjoy when they entertain. But how do you get a custom look in your kitchen without the hefty price tag?

“By adding just a few decorative accents, homeowners can not only create a custom-looking kitchen, they can create a space that reflects a specific look — from Art Nouveau to French Neoclassical,” says Paul Radoy, manager of design services for Merillat, a cabinet company specializing in kitchen design.

If you think updating your kitchen is out of your budget, here are some cost-effective renovation tips that can help you live the good life and entertain in a stylish kitchen that is a perfect reflection of your personal taste.

1. Cabinetry accents

While there will always be a place for custom cabinetry, there are more sensible and affordable options. Cabinetry accents work to enhance any kitchen’s style with details such as feet, corbels, ornamental onlays and molding inserts. These decorative details can change the look of ordinary cabinetry into heirloom furniture, while allowing the homeowner to express their own personal style.

In addition to cabinetry accents, many common cabinetry options can be creatively incorporated. Decorative hardware is one small detail that can make a big statement. Pulls and knobs can complement the cabinetry style, or they can be used to create a refreshing contrast.

2. Add color and contrast

Adding splashes of color is a great way to create a fun, vibrant look while keeping the kitchen functional. Try adding tile details such as a colorful backsplash behind the stove. Or, purchase fresh towels, window coverings and accessories for your kitchen in a coordinated, colorful design.

Using color as an accent on crown molding also adds a personal touch, while molding build-ups and dentil molding create intriguing visual effects. Cabinetry molding in a contrasting finish creates an entirely different look, and including under-cabinet molding can add even more personality to your kitchen.

3. Make it your own

Displaying decorative items is an easy way to add your own personal touch. Options like pigeon holes, plate racks and glass front cabinet doors can be used to display these special items. Things like porcelain collectables, wine bottles or fine china are all types of decorative items that help create a personal space that sparks conversation with guests.

“People are spending more and more time in their kitchen, and whether they are using it for everyday activities or for entertaining, they want it to be beautiful,” says Radoy. “The kitchen is a space that should make the homeowner proud, a place they love to be in, and by incorporating just a few design details any homeowner can accomplish this.”

Kitchen Cabinets – A primer for the Remodeler

Remodeling — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:21:22 +0000

Whether you are remodeling to sell, or sprucing up your home to enjoy yourself, a kitchen update provides a lot of bang for the buck. But before you shell out any of that cash, be sure you will get the look you want.

The cabinets are a major element in a kitchen’s design and you will be wise to take the time to research and be sure of the style you want.

Before looking at cabinets, it is important to come up with a target budget and a basic floor plan or layout. With the average kitchen remodel costing $40,000-50,000 it is important to accurately calculate all of the expenses involved with your project.

There are several factors that are going to affect the cost of your cabinets: cabinet brand, construction, wood type, and features. It is important to research all of your options. What you will find is that a higher price doesn’t always correspond with higher quality, and some of the lesser-known cabinet lines will actually have a stronger construction.

We’ve found some helpful tips for picking kitchen cabinets:

Kitchen Cabinet Wood Choices

Whether you are buying custom made cabinets, stock cabinets, or RTA cabinets, they will all offer a wide range of wood choices. Solid hardwood cabinets, such as Cherry, Maple, Birch, Hickory and Oak typically cost much more than laminate or veneer finished cabinets.

Face Framed Kitchen Cabinets

Face framed kitchen cabinet construction is the most prevalent kitchen cabinet construction type in the United States and usually it is lower cost. This construction technique involves the building of a kitchen cabinet face out of hardwood pieces. Typically the cabinet face is constructed using several 1″x 2″ vertical and horizontal hardwood pieces. The face frame is then married to the front of a particleboard or solid plywood kitchen cabinet box. It is highly recommended that you try to find cabinets that use solid wood or solid plywood for the cabinet box.

Particleboard and Fiberboard will have a tendency to sag or warp over time from moisture. Even mid-priced RTA cabinets are available that are made from solid Plywood sides. Hardwood or veneered/laminated cabinet doors and drawer faces, are then attached via hinges and roller mechanisms to the face frame and cabinet box.

Frameless (European-Style) Kitchen Cabinets

Frameless kitchen cabinet construction is becoming increasingly popular today as frameless kitchen cabinets are considered to be more contemporary. With frameless cabinets there is no face frame. The kitchen cabinet doors attach directly to the sides of the cabinet and are secured with pins and dowels. The advantages of this type of construction, is that there is wider access into the cabinet space and the hinges are completely hidden. Typically “ready-to-install” kitchen cabinets are constructed in this manner.

Kitchen Cabinet Finishes

There are many Kitchen cabinet finishes to choose from when using natural woods. Cabinet finishes include stain, paint and glazing options. In addition there are my types of distressing techniques that can also be employed on kitchen cabinet surfaces. Some options include Rasping, Antiquing and Rub-thru.

There are also many types of laminates that you can choose from.

Kitchen Cabinet Sizes

Kitchen cabinets come in a variety of standard shapes and sizes, however custom sizes can also be easily specified and manufactured – at a price. Standards kitchen cabinet sizes, known as stock cabinets, are usually much more affordable then custom or semi-custom cabinets and usually have shorter lead times. Most manufacturers, unless custom built, stock universal sizes so if you have a kitchen designed at supply store or by a designer it will usually be transferable to another cabinet line.

Kitchen Cabinet Quality

If you plan on living in your home for many years, do not skimp on your kitchen cabinets. They are constantly used and abused, and only the sturdiest will stand the test of time.

The best kitchen cabinets employ solid frames, doors and drawers and are fully self-contained (closed backs), with reinforced corners. As mentioned before, it is important to look for cabinets that have a plywood box versus particleboard or fiberboard. This is why it is important to look at all of the cabinet lines that are available, even cabinets that are sold on-line.