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From flooring and fixtures to
cabinets and countertops, Advance Remodeling does
kitchen remodeling right.
Countertops
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Cabinets
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Flooring
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Lighting
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Sinks
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Faucets
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Islands
If you're like most, you
spend a great deal of time in and around your
kitchen. Why not make it a space that you love?
Remodeling your kitchen - even if it's simply updating
 flooring
and countertops - can give it a whole new look. Or
make an investment that will pay off for years to
come and do a complete kitchen makeover - flooring,
cabinets, fixtures, lighting and countertops!
Advance Remodeling does it all.
Whether your kitchen
space is large or small, Advance Remodeling has the
experience to turn it into a space that you will
love.
Take a look below at
just a few of the kitchen remodeling projects that
Advance Remodeling has done. And when you're ready,
contact Advance Remodeling of Maryland for your free, no
obligation kitchen remodeling estimate.
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For more information
on Kitchen Remodeling from Advance Remodeling,
click here
Before You
Begin
Remodeling your kitchen
is a great way to update the interior look of your
home and make your kitchen a better fit for your
lifestyle and personal needs. Since there are
several steps to a kitchen remodeling project that
can become complicated, it is important that you
make detailed plans before you start. When it comes
to kitchen remodeling, careful and detailed planning
is a must.
No matter what you do,
remember to have fun and to add your personal style
into your kitchen remodel. With endless item options
for both function and decor, the sky is the limit.
Things to Consider
When Remodeling Your Kitchen
Questions to Ask
Yourself When Choosing Your Kitchen Layout
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How many people will
be in the kitchen at one time?
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Will multiple people
be preparing food at the same time?
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How much food
do you plan to store at once?
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Does your budget
have room for a new kitchen layout?
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Do you cook a lot or
go out to eat?
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Kitchen Countertops
Kitchen countertops are
a main part of your kitchen, aesthetically and
practically. Countertop material and color options
are endless, so make sure to take your time and
choose what is best for your kitchen remodel. Here
are a few of the most popular kitchen countertop
materials:
Natural Stone
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Options include --
granite, marble, soapstone, and limestone.
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Granite is the
strongest and most commonly used stone in
kitchens.
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Available in a wide
variety of shades and finishes.
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Can be expensive,
but cost depends on color and finished stone’s
origin.
-
Must be sealed
periodically because it is porous.
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Stone is better used
in low traffic areas.
Solid Surface:
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Allows for integral
sinks.
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Easy to clean.
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Available in
countless colors.
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Is seamless, stain
resistant and scratches are easily buffed out.
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Can be harmed by hot
appliances.
Laminate:
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One of the most
affordable materials.
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Comes in a variety
of colors and designs.
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Requires little
maintenance but can be damaged by hot
appliances.
Concrete:
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Allows for full
customization of your sink and countertop.
-
Colored pigments can
be added to concrete.
-
Maintenance includes
resealing and waxing a few times a year.
-
Can be discolored by
damp washcloths or towels if they are left for a
long period of time.
Wood:
Engineered Stone:
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Kitchen Cabinets
Your cabinets have a
significant impact on the appearance of your new
kitchen. With tons of choices in colors and styles,
you can find almost any look to create the kitchen
of your dreams. One of the things you need to
consider is whether you want to re-face or
completely replace your cabinets. Also consider the
amount of storage room you need and your budget.
When deciding whether to
replace or re-face your cabinets, you should first
think about the condition of your current kitchen
cabinets. If changing the color or overall look of
your cabinets is what you need, re-facing may be
best for you. Re-facing is also good for faded or
worn cabinets.
On the other hand, if
you want to increase storage space and or redo the
layout of your kitchen, you should probably replace
your kitchen cabinets. Also, if your current
cabinets are broken or falling off the walls,
cabinet replacement is a must.
You want to start by
familiarizing yourself with the different cabinet
materials. Here is a look at two of
the most popular choices in cabinet materials on the
market today:
Cabinet Materials
Solid wood
is made entirely of natural
wood, these cabinets are very sturdy and last longer
than many other cabinet materials. Wood cabinets
have a natural beauty and can be found in most
colors and stains. Solid wood cabinets tend to have
a higher price tag than other cabinet types, but
their beauty and strength are hard to match. The
wood used to make these cabinets is usually ash,
birch, oak, hickory, cherry, maple, pine or poplar.
Solid wood cabinets have
many attractive features including strength and
durability, natural beauty, availability in various
shades and stains, and the ability to update its
look by re-staining at a low cost.
Laminate is often used for kitchen cabinets because
it is affordable, durable and very easy to maintain.
Its surface cleans well with only soap and water.
Laminate is made of several layers of stacked PVC
plastic and topped with a decorative layer that may
have a color or pattern embedded into it. It
is available in a wide variety of colors and
patterns.
Cabinet Types
Stock cabinets
are available in standard sizes and shapes. Stock
cabinets are the least expensive but your choices
are limited when it comes to cabinet design and
function. Since these cabinets do not come in
special sizes, they may require filler strips to
close gaps between a cabinet and a wall.
Semi-Custom Cabinets are the
middle-of-the-road choice. They come in a wider
variety of sizes and shapes than stock cabinets and
offer more colors, including a wider variety of wood
types and staining.
Custom Cabinets give you endless choices and
flexibility when choosing kitchen cabinets in
design, style, color, wood type, etc. Although they
are more expensive than the other two types, they
are well made to fit your individual kitchen and
give you a unique look.
Cabinet Styles
Cabinets do not only come in a variety of colors and
materials, they also come in a variety of styles to
match your kitchen. Since cabinets are a major part
of your kitchen’s look, carefully consider the
overall look you are trying to create before
choosing a cabinet style. You can even mix styles to
create a unique look.
Here are some options
when choosing a style for your kitchen cabinets:
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Country
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Modern
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Southwestern
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Victorian
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Traditional
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Rustic
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Contemporary
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Kitchen Flooring
One of the first items
that needs replacing in a home is often
kitchen
flooring. Even if your kitchen flooring in Baltimore
has held up well to traffic and age, it may simply
be out of date. New kitchen flooring products that
have been introduced in the past few years have made
it possible for homeowners to have beautiful kitchen
flooring installed at a reasonable price.
The right
kitchen flooring can
not only make your life easier, but it has the
ability to set the mood for the entire room. The
three main factors to consider when deciding on the
type of flooring for your kitchen are durability,
use, and style.
Advance Remodeling
offers a wide variety of kitchen flooring in
Baltimore. We have experience installing
ceramic tile flooring, hardwood flooring, laminate kitchen flooring,
vinyl kitchen flooring, and more.
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Kitchen Islands
Kitchen islands can
dramatically change the aesthetic appeal of your
kitchen space as well as add practical benefits.
They can be a part of a larger kitchen remodeling
project, or a separate addition to spruce up an
existing layout.
Here are just some of the benefits of adding an
island to your kitchen:
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Add coveted counter
space
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Create a designated
breakfast area
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Create a space to
relax after work
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Provide extra
storage space
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Add beauty and charm
There is an island
design of virtually every size and shape to
accommodate even small kitchens. Islands can
be L-shaped, oval, circular, rectangular and even
square. Consider the space you have to work
with and the design of your kitchen when choosing a
size and shape for your island.
Installing an island
adds appeal to your kitchen, but it should match or
mimic the overall design of your kitchen. If
you are adding an island as part of a larger kitchen
upgrade, continue using the same materials for the
cabinets, countertop and even fixtures if you are
adding a sink. If the island is being used as
a stand alone upgrade, try to match the color,
design, and materials used in other areas of your
kitchen. If possible, find the manufacturer
numbers to precisely match your island to the rest
of your kitchen.
An island can help you
achieve a spacious look and add the convenience of
practical storage and counter space. Consider
your family's lifestyle when choosing the design of
your island. If you need the space to prepare
meals a sink would be a practical upgrade, but if
the island will be used strictly for entertainment
and aesthetics a sink may not be necessary.
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Kitchen Sinks
Sinks are an
integral part of every kitchen. They must
be functional as well as beautiful and there may
be more decisions to make when it comes to
choosing a sink for your kitchen remodeling
project than you think.
Follow our advice to
make the best choice for your remodeling
project.
Considerations Before You Begin
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Consider your
counter space to identify how much area you have
to work with.
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Do you want a one,
two, or three basin sink? If you hand wash
a lot of your dishes you may want to consider a
two or three basin sink.
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Choose a sink that
corresponds to your kitchen's design.
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Choose a material
that is resistant to water damage.
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Not all sinks can
accommodate every type of faucet, so make sure
to choose a sink and faucet that work together.
Sink Materials
Copper - This
material is an extremely popular choice for kitchen
sinks. Although this is a more expensive
option than other materials, a pure copper sink will
require no maintenance. The downfall for
copper is that the color changes over time, but some
people find the aging process part of the charm and
appeal.
Stainless steel -
This sink material is a popular choice for its
modern look. If your kitchen has stainless
steel appliances, consider this material for your
sink to achieve a uniform look. Stainless
steel has the advantage of being easy to clean and
it resists corrosion, however it can dent easily
compared to other sink materials.
Solid surface -
These sinks can be fused with a corresponding
solid surface countertop for the ultimate in easy
cleaning. They can be made of Corian®,
Swanstone®, or
other non-porous materials. These sinks have a
warmer, softer feel than metal sinks, but are more
susceptible to nicks and damage from hot pans.
Sink Installation
Techniques
Undermount -
These types of sinks are installed underneath the
countertop to create a seamless look and are more
functional for cleaning. Undermount sinks are easy
to maintain and have a modern design appeal, but
they can only be installed in a solid surface or
stone countertop.
Flushmount or
Integral - This is where both the sink and
countertop are a uniform material and one piece.
This type of sink has no seams and is easy to clean.
Self-rimming or
Top mount- This type of sink has a rolled edge
that overlaps the countertop making it a versatile
option that works with virtually all countertops.
This type of sink installation is a popular choice
because it makes installation painless. Top
mount sinks require periodic caulking around the rim
and don't clean as easily as flushmount or
undermount sinks.
Tile in - This
style sink is used with tiled countertops where
there is no visible separation between the two
surfaces. There may be a rim or trim piece
depending on the sink.
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Kitchen Faucets
When choosing a kitchen
faucet you need to consider functionality, style,
and your existing sink and countertop components.
Before you begin
choosing a faucet style, here are a few things to
consider:
Considerations
Before You Begin
-
Your faucet
materials should be resistant to water damage.
-
Reach is as major
factor. Would you rather have a high arc
with limited reach, but an elegant appearance?
Or, would you rather have a far reaching faucet
with less aesthetic appeal?
-
Spout height is an
important consideration. New styles have
higher spouts that allow for taller pots while
older style faucet spouts are nearly horizontal
with the countertop.
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The design of your
kitchen should be a factor in choosing a faucet.
You want your faucet to match your look, whether
that be traditional, vintage, modern, or
something in between.
-
Not all sinks can
accommodate every type of faucet, so make sure
to choose a sink and faucet that work together.
Faucet Styles
There are three basic
faucet styles to choose from.
Two handle - This
faucet style is composed of one spout and two knobs
or valves, one for hot and one for cold. These
components are all located on the same unit base.
This is a center-set style and uses a compression
system for the flow of hot and cold water.
Single handle -
This style faucet is also center-set. Hot and
cold is controlled through one knob or valve that is
usually part of the spout. Single handle
styles use a mixing faucet mechanism for dispensing
hot and cold water. The mixing faucets
typically last longer than compression systems.
Widespread - This
type of faucet has two valves, one for hot and one
for cold, and a spout that are all mounted
separately. Widespread faucets are more
expensive than center-set styles.
Faucet Materials,
Finishes and Options
Faucets are available in
a variety of metals and finishes. Keep your
kitchen's overall design in mind when choosing your
faucet as well as the hardware used on your
cabinetry. Also consider extra options to add
to your faucet system, such as pull-out sprayers and
soap or filtered water dispensers.
Here are some of the
popular material choices for faucets, as well as
their available finishes:
Brass - Although
a unique and beautiful choice, brass requires
regular cleaning. It requires frequent
polishing to maintain its shine and although desired
by some, brass tarnishes with time. A brushed,
polished or antiqued finish is popular for brass.
Nickel - Like
brass, nickel can be polished or antiqued for a
traditional look. A brushed finish is also a
popular choice for nickel because it hides finger
prints and water spots and it resists tarnishing.
Chrome - The
advantage of chrome is that it doesn't tarnish like
brass, so it doesn't need to be coated.
However, like brass it requires frequent cleaning to
maintain its shine. Chrome is usually polished
to a high shine and it is the most affordable faucet
material.
Stainless steel -
This material is a popular choice for homeowners
because it is easy to maintain and clean.
Stainless steel is normally polished for a modern,
sleek appearance.
Copper - An
unique choice, copper is becoming more and more
popular. Normally, copper faucets are a brass
or steal base with a copper coating because it is a
relatively soft material. However, if you don't
regularly coat your copper faucet the oxidization
process will change its color.
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Kitchen Lighting
All too often overlooked,
lighting is an important component of any kitchen
renovation project. Kitchen lighting helps set
the mood for an enjoyable dining experience as well
as perform the functional task of making food
preparation easier.
Focus your lighting
efforts on the primary areas of the kitchen and
consider that the food preparation area, countertop,
and dining areas require different lighting styles.
Lighting for you dining
area should encourage conversation and mimic the
design scheme of your kitchen. This is where
you can get creative with dimmers and more
decorative choices. Consider one or more
pendant lights with dimmers over the kitchen table.
Lighting fixtures for
food preparation areas must serve a more practical
purpose and should reflect that while complementing
the dining room. Consider under-cabinet task
lighting to provide visibility over the countertop
area and a series of pendant or recessed lights over
the sink area.
Types of Lighting
Accent lighting -
This type of lighting highlights specific elements
of your kitchen. For example, accent lighting is a
good tool for showing off china or glassware in a
transparent cabinet. Use this type of lighting
sparingly for a dramatic effect.
Task lighting -
This type of lighting is specifically meant to put
light where you need it most. Task lighting is
important in areas such as over countertop, stove,
and sink areas. Pendant lights are a good
option because they hang directly above the task
area. Adjustable track lighting is another good
option because it can be directed over a workspace.
Ambient lighting -
This type of lighting is basic and used as
general-purpose lighting. Track lights installed
over your cabinetry are a form of ambient lighting.
This is an indirect form of light that creates a
warm feeling and also a sense of height as it
reflects from the ceiling.
Mood/Decorative -
Sometimes a kitchen needs personality and character.
Certain types of lighting like sconces and
chandeliers are purely decorative. This type
of lighting is important to your kitchen because it
provides color and sophistication that can add to
and help define your kitchen's style!
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Cost of Your Kitchen
Investment
Factors such as room
size, layout, materials used and amount of labor
required will all affect the cost of your kitchen
remodeling project. Your project is going to cost
more if you are starting from scratch with a
complete remodel rather than just replacing a couple
of items.
A kitchen remodeling project can cost anywhere from
$5,000 to $50,000 or even $150,000 – you can
regulate the cost of your kitchen remodeling project
by making product choices that fit your budget.
Kitchen remodels are near the top of the list for
the best investments homeowners can make to increase
resale value. Buyers are more interested in
homes with a recently remodeled kitchen area if they
are looking at multiple properties.
According to the 2007
Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine,
national averages for the South Atlantic region
estimate that a major kitchen remodel of
approximately $55,500 will recoup 78% of the job
cost and a minor kitchen remodeling with a job cost
of approximately $20,200 will recoup 83% of the
cost.
A new kitchen is a major investment, so take your
time choosing colors, finishes and features – and
remember to have fun. Work closely with your
professional contractor and don’t hesitate to ask
for help and creative ideas – this will bring you
one step closer to the kitchen of your dreams.
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Advance Remodeling can
provide
financing for your
kitchen remodeling project
in Baltimore, too. You can apply
for
financing regardless of your credit history, and
finally have the new kitchen you've been wanting!
Contact
Advance Remodeling today for your free
kitchen
remodeling Baltimore City or Baltimore County estimate at 888-214-6621, or
click here
to send us an e-mail request. |
