Kitchen Remodeling
If you’re like us, you spend a great deal of time in and around your kitchen. Why not make it a space that you love? Not only that, but few things raise the value of a home as much as an attractive kitchen. So, whether you intend to live out your remaining days in your current home, or plan on selling it in the near future, you can’t go wrong with a remodeled kitchen. Whether your kitchen space is large or small, Advance Remodeling is a contractor with decades of remodeling experience to lean on in order to transform your kitchen into a space that you will love for years to come.
Before You Begin
Remodeling your kitchen is a excellent way to update the interior look of your home. There are multiple steps involved in a kitchen remodeling project, so planing is essential. That said, we’ll work with you so the process is as fun and stress free as possible.
Things To Consider When Remodeling Your Kitchen
Questions To Ask Yourself When Choosing Your Kitchen Layout
Installing Countertops
Natural Stone
- Options include — granite, marble, soapstone, and limestone.
- Granite is the strongest and most commonly used stone in kitchens.
- Available in a wide variety of shades and finishes.
- Can be expensive, but cost depends on color and finished stone’s origin.
- Must be sealed periodically because it is porous.
- Stone is better used in low traffic areas.
- Solid Surface
- Allows for integral sinks.
- Easy to clean.
- Available in countless colors.
- Is seamless, stain resistant and scratches are easily buffed out.
- Can be harmed by hot appliances.
Laminate
- One of the most affordable materials.
- Comes in a variety of colors and designs.
- Requires little maintenance but can be damaged by hot appliances.
Concrete
- 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
- Subject to water damage, so not recommended for high traffic areas.
- Natural and traditional look.
Engineered Stone
- Available in a wide variety of colors.
- Durable and requires little maintenance.
Installing 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.
Cabinet Materials
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:
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:
- Country
- Modern
- Southwestern
- Victorian
- Traditional
- Rustic
- Contemporary
Flooring Installation
An otherwise beautiful kitchen can look ordinary without beautiful flooring. Fortunately, the variety of kitchen flooring products on the market make it possible to install beautiful kitchen flooring at reasonable price. Advance Remodeling offers a wide variety of kitchen flooring to go along with our decades of experience expertly installing all varieties of flooring.
Kitchen Island Installation
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:
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 standalone 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.
Sink Installation
Sinks are an integral part of every kitchen. They should be functional as well as beautiful and there may be more decisions to make when it comes to choosing a sink than you think.
Here are a few things to consider:
- How much counter space do you have to work with?
- Do you want a one, two, or three basin sink?
- What type of sink best fits with your kitchen’s overall design?
- What type of faucet do you want and will it match well with your preferred sink?
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.
Installing 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
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 fingerprints 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
A unique choice, copper is becoming more and more popular. Normally, copper faucets are brass or steel 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.
Installing 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 your 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 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!