Kitchen Cabinet Refacing & Cabinet Refacing
Cabinet refacing is a great way to add a new look to your kitchen. Maybe you are bored with your current kitchen and looking for a way to spruce it up? Are you hoping to transform your kitchen without spending a lot of time and money? Cabinet refacing may be the perfect solution for you. There are a couple of different methods you can use to reface your cabinets. The methods are both relatively simple and both require about the same amount of knowledge, material, and time. Both methods are also very reasonable in price and offer you the opportunity to transform your kitchen. The method you choose is completely up to you and comes down to personal preference.
Before you begin you may want to consider the doors of your kitchen. Are they in good condition? If the answer to that question is yes, then you may wish to veneer them along with the cabinets. If your doors are in poor condition, it may be wise to purchase new ones if money permits. Simple fixes such as doors and cabinets allow for a quick transformation when remodeling your kitchen.
The first type of method you can use for cabinet refacing is self-adhesive veneer sheeting. You can find self-adhesive veneer sheeting in almost any hardware store. A convenient thing about veneer sheeting is that it offers a lot of variety in the area of design. If you always dreamed of having cherry wood cabinets, you can make that happen with the help of self-adhesive veneer sheeting. You can purchase sheeting that mimics the appearance of real wood. You do not need to worry about the durability of veneer sheeting. It is actually very strong and resistant once finished. You can also veneer the cabinet doors once you do the actual cabinets. Once you finish all of the veneering, you can buy new handles and knobs to compliment the new design.
The next type of cabinet refacing is to use self-adhesive printed vinyl papers. Similar to the previous method, you can find printed vinyl at nearly every hardware store. You can also special order various designs to better suit your personality. This method is best used on flat surfaces. If the doors of your cabinets have carved features, the vinyl will not be able to dry neatly on the bumpy surface. The vinyl paper comes in rolls and is extremely easy to apply to the right type of cabinets.…
Can I Really Power My Home With Wind Energy?
The Federal Tax Credits currently available in the US for upgrades for residential energy efficiency are significant enough to have many people thinking about energy efficiency remodeling. There is much discussion around the cost benefits of installing solar energy systems and even geothermal heat pump systems. But many homeowners are still asking, “Can I really power my home with wind energy?” The answer is “Yes!”
When most of us think about wind energy, we flash on images of huge turbines lined up in mid-western or off-shore wind farms. We see pictures of turbines 150 yards in diameter that sit 3000 feet above sea level. But wind technology is advancing daily. In fact, turbine design is advancing so fast that some of the wind-energy web sites are having difficulty keeping up!
Many farms and other residential and industrial facilities in rural areas have been using wind turbines for years to provide all power for their needs. But as interest in powering homes with wind energy grows, new technologies are producing quieter, more attractive, turbines that can be effective at lower elevations. In fact, there are new turbine designs that can be incorporated into landscaping design around homes.
The economics of wind power depend on where you live, how much wind is available on a continuous basis at what elevation, and whether you plan to invest in batteries to store excess energy. The economics of wind power also depend on whether you plan to install a stand-alone system to provide all of your energy needs or you plan to connect to the electric grid serving your area and use a wind energy system to generate power that you supply to the electric company in exchange for free energy. Either way, a small wind system could provide all of the power your home needs with wind energy.
You can now purchase a wind generator from and from several other online retailers. You can also purchase complete wind systems from the manufacturer. At the very least, you can do your homework online before you start talking with a local contractor. Most states currently require that wind power systems be professionally installed by certified contractors. Before you purchase any equipment from any source, you should discuss your options and what kind of systems are working for other homeowners in your area with your contractor.
Choices of turbines are generally based on the amount of wind power generated by the system. This is measured in kilowatts. For example, a 1.2kW turbine produces 1200 watts. A turbine of this size installed where there is an average wind speed of 12 mph will produce about 2000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. The cost of a wind system usually ranges from $3,000 to $5,000 per kilowatt connected to the grid. The cost could be lower for an independent system not connected to the grid. Turbines are expected to last about 20 years.
In most cases, the installation cost for a 10 kilowatt residential system will be about $35,000 to $40,000. In an energy efficient home, this system could meet all energy needs, eliminating the electric bill. The amount of time needed to recover the cost would depend on current average monthly electric bill (e.g., a home using $200 of electricity per month, would recover $2,400 of the cost each year) and the available purchase incentives. The incentives would begin with the current Federal Income Tax Credit of 30% of the cost of equipment and installation or $10,500 – $12,000. Many states also offer such incentives as investment tax credits, sales tax reductions, property tax reductions, and financing assistance. Many utility companies also offer a variety of incentives, including net metering, to wind system installation.
In short, it is entirely possible to completely meet the energy needs of an energy efficient home with a wind power system that could be expected to pay for itself in as little as 10 to 15 years.
Copyright 2009 by ABCD Publishing…
Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
Have you ever walked into your kitchen and felt something was missing? More than likely, you feel this way because something is missing. Often, this is because the look of the kitchen is a little old. It needs to be spiffed up and made to look unique once again. The best way to do this would be to remodel it. But, wouldn’t that cost a lot of money? Honestly, it could cost a lot of money but you need not feel that you must spend a great deal on it. There are a variety of ways that the kitchen could be effectively remodeled on a minuscule budget.
Repainting is always one of the best ways to remodel a kitchen with little cost. You can paint the walls as well as the cabinets. (You could also consider wallpapering the kitchen as well) Painting is probably the cheapest strategy to follow provided you do it yourself. In this instance, you would need to only pay for materials. Hiring a painting crew would certainly run up the costs.
And speaking of cabinets, you do not need to replace the entire cabinet if you want to make a change. You can always just replace the doors of the cabinet and this could have a great impact on the kitchen. And it will certainly prove to be much cheaper than replacing the entire cabinet.
Have you considered replacing your appliances? When you have old and outdated refrigerators and dishwashers they can really wear down the look of the kitchen. Taking these old appliances out and installing new ones would be a wise idea. Then again, some may wonder if this can be done cheaply. As long as you kind find affordable resources for kitchen appliances, you will be able to take part in this plan without a huge expense. Buying used (but well maintained) appliances could also be an available option.
A new floor can totally revamp the look of a kitchen in a stunning manner. Of course, there will be those that will say redoing the flooring is not easy to do cheaply. Again, the cost saving venture comes into play when you do what is needed by yourself. Many flooring system have been designed for those with limited flooring skills to be able to install the flooring on their own with limited difficulty. Purchasing such kits will definitely help the cause of remodeling without great expense.
The windows of a kitchen can often be altered in various ways to improve the style of the kitchen. This could involve installing new windows or merely just adding nice curtains to the windows. Does that sound minimalist? Well, it may seem minimalist on paper but when actual enacted it can deliver great results.
As you can see, it is not all that tough to remodel a kitchen without great costs. A few simple “tricks” can deliver some amazing results.…
Kitchen Design Tips – 5 Ideas You Can Do In A Weekend
Looking for kitchen design tips that will add character and charm, but won’t break the bank? The secret to innovative yet inexpensive kitchen renovation ideas is in the finishing touches. Try these 5 kitchen design tips and see what a lift attention to small details can bring.
1. Open your uppers – Remove the doors on your upper cabinets to give a more contemporary and a more spacious and sand down holes left from the hinge paint or finish natural.
Paint or finish the interiors to match the lower , paint the cabinet interiors an accent color for some extra flair.
2. Splashy Seconds – Transform the look of your kitchen with a new full height tile back-splash. By full height, I mean the space between the top of your lower cabinets to the bottom of your uppers–usually about 18 inches (45 – 46 cm).
Because the area is relatively small, material costs for your back-splash will normally be , you can really cash in on some high-end savings by buying seconds. These are tiles with imperfections–most of them barely noticeable, if at all. I have found great deals on some of the more expensive tiles. Many outfits sell these tiles by the pound…usually 50% to 80% off.
Some clients even request seconds because they feel the flaws and blemishes bring character.
3. Vintage-look Flooring – Add some pizazz with a new floor made of old-school material: linoleum.
Linoleum tiles are easy to to , naturally anti-microbial.
Take a look at what Marmoleum has to offer. Their tiles come in a ton of different shades – including brights like greens, reds and blues. They average about $4.99 US per square foot. Also check out tiles by Mannington and TrafficMaster.
4. Hardware Heaven – Update your cabinets by changing out the knobs or pulls as we call them.
If your cabinets have a natural wood finish, you’ll probably want to find new hardware with the same “footprint” as your old stuff, so that the new pulls cover the old screw holes. If your cabinets are painted, you can fill and touch up any old holes or marks. If there are no pulls currently on your cabinets then the world’s your oyster.
You’ll be amazed at how this simple kitchen design idea can update things. It’s like putting on the right jewelry. Check out your local Home Improvement Center, most have good try an online store like Restoration Hardware for a truly impressive selection of cabinet pulls.
5. Rack Em Up – Install a pot rack and save on valuable cabinet space.
This design idea takes a couple hours. It adds a touch of class to any , I love them because I can always find the pot I’m looking for instantly. Also at Restoration Hardware and available too through Crate and Barrel where they start at $120.00 US.
I hope these kitchen design tips inspire you. I want you all to realize that you can work on your own spaces even though you don’t have a lot of time or money right now. Think of your home as your canvas. Work with the materials you have and enjoy the process.…
Kitchen Renovation: Heart Surgery For Your Home
When it comes to home renovation, there is no greater return on your investment than renovating your kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home. It is a place where the family gathers and is nourished both physically and mentally. The renovations you make to your kitchen will depend on the reasons for renovating, budget constraints, and your future plans.
If you are renovating to sell, updating the kitchen will make your whole house more appealing. Basically, when renovating to sell, keep it simple. Scrub instead of paint. Paint instead of replace. Make the kitchen as appealing as you can without spending a lot of money.
Moderate or minor kitchen remodels are the wisest choice when renovating for potential buyers. Chances are the new homeowner will make changes of their own anyway. The following are areas that can be tweaked:
1. The ceiling and walls of your kitchen should be clean, free of dirt and grease and painted in neutral colors.
2. Countertops should be cleaned or replaced if damaged. If they need to be replaced, use a laminate instead of more expensive granite or stone finishes.
3. Cabinets can be very expensive to replace, but existing cabinetry can be resurfaced or repainted depending on the finish. New hardware is an inexpensive way to update cabinetry.
4. Appliances, fixtures and floors should be modern, sparkling clean and in good condition. If not, repair or replace them.
If you plan to remain in your home for a long time, then your kitchen renovation is only limited by your imagination and budget. Any kitchen renovation guarantees at least a 100 percent rate of return on your investment in case you ever decide to sell. The average kitchen renovation is about $45,000, but a good guideline is to set your renovation budget at 15 percent of your home’s value. If your home’s value is $200,000, then your renovation budget should be $30,000.
The biggest expense will be cabinets, followed by countertops and appliances. Other expenses will include flooring, electrical and plumbing labor costs, electrical and plumbing fixtures, design costs and permits. Moving a sink’s or stove’s location may significantly add to your costs since lines and pipes will have to be rerouted. Consulting a kitchen design specialist may add to your cost, but save you from costly mistakes.
Spend a little or spend a lot; a kitchen renovation is a solid investment adding to your home’s value and your family’s pleasure and comfort.…
Kitchen Remodel Design
Renovating a kitchen can be an overwhelming experience. But, if you end up with the kitchen of your dream, it will be worth the effort. There are two things to keep in mind when renovating a kitchen, such as kitchen designs and functionality.
When planning a kitchen design, it is imperative to start with a kitchen layout. Looking through magazines, online design websites, or visiting kitchen appliance stores will give you ideas. However, you will want to be realistic in planning your kitchen design. Sometimes, it’s easy to flip through magazines and fall in love with how a kitchen is laid out. But, when you try to replicate the same picture in your kitchen, you may find that you don’t have enough room for that center island with the built-in wine cooler, sink, and range. Be sure that the design you select can fit into your existing kitchen or that you have the budget to knock down some walls or extend your house.
To help you decide on your kitchen’s layout and design, go through your daily regimen of use for the kitchen. What would you like to improve? What do you want to remain the same? Do you have enough cabinet space? Do you want display shelving for your collection of china?
If you cook for a large family or have dinner parties, you may want additional counter space for food preparation. Would moving your refrigerator or placing your stove against another wall give you additional working space or make it easier for you to move around the kitchen? Perhaps, you need to install a dishwasher that’s close enough to a storage cabinet so that unloading dishes it more convenient for you.
These are the types of questions that you will need to answer before renovating a kitchen. The answers will allow you to get a kitchen design that meets all of your needs to work in your kitchen. The end result of your renovation should be a kitchen that is both functional and beautiful.…
6 Tips For Choosing the Best Bathroom Accessories
Choosing the best bathroom accessories can make your bathroom astonishing. It will greatly make the look of the room attractive and pleasing. There’s nothing better to do than to build the bathroom that you like.
Bathroom fixtures reflect your personality and taste, regardless if it’s an elegant bathroom or a simple bathroom. The most important thing to consider is to make a plan. It is also significant to choose the most appropriate accessories in decorating the room.
The design can either be simple or luxurious. A simple room can be created using pastel colors such as cream, blue and white. Alternatively, an elegant room can be created using metal, marble and glass. In choosing bathroom accessories, the best thing to consider is their form and function.
In decorating the bathroom, consider the theme that you like. It is easy to make necessary changes when you know how it should look like after decorating it. This is useful when you’re about to beautify the room by thinking over it first.
Bathroom fixtures serve many functions, being appropriate for small and large rooms. A cabinet for towels is useful to save space, along with shelves for hygiene products and cosmetics. You can simply improve your bathroom’s appearance by using bathtub and bathroom lights.
You should also consider the color. The accessories must blend with the color of the room, in order to have a balanced effect. Your taste can be expressed using some colorful wall pictures and flowers.
More importantly, consider the purpose of the accessory and the material used. It should be suitable for your bathroom needs. You should choose only the fixtures that can help you the most.
What really matters most is that you should choose the best bathroom accessories that are right for you. Remember that it must always satisfy your bathroom needs.…