A Great Link

I am currently working on a step-by-step guide to kitchen remodeling. While doing some research, I came across this great bit of advice:

1. They're only as good as their last job. "General contractors often win jobs based on their good reputations," explains architect Dennis Wedlick, author of Good House Hunting: 20 Steps to Your Dream Home, "but circumstances can change. When the contractor switches subcontractors or laborers, quality can be affected." Ask your top three candidates to supply references, and follow up with the most recent ones. 

For more information about Kitchen Remodeling in Chicago visit Silver Leaf Construction.

A Closer Look at Cabinets

Like countertops, redoing your kitchen cabinets can cost as little or as much as you want to spend. At the cheapest level, you can simplify, sand down, and repaint the doors and frames. Another option would be to simply repaint the framing and buy new doors. This is slightly more expensive, but can update the look and feel of the space without the huge expense or the time that comes with a full scale remodel.

However, if you are ready to take the jump and completely replace your kitchen cabinets, there are many options and issues to consider.

Modern vs. Rustic

The biggest decision you make is related to the style of your new cabinets. Once you have decided on an aesthetic, all of your other choices will flow from that. Broadly, there are two popular styles: Rustic and Modern. A rustic kitchen incorporates raw or unfinished wood and muted hardware. For example, instead of painting or veneering wood, the cabinetry is stained with lacquer in order to highlight the natural features of the wood. You can pair with that light colored stone countertops and bronzed or brass fixtures.

Modern style cabinets take a different approach, the doors and drawers are going to be made from metal or wood painted to hide the nature features of the wood. Hardware will have a modern design and made from stainless steel. The goal is to the keep the lines as clean and simple as possible.

At the end of the day, your options are almost endless. Any material or design you think of can be used.

Those Special Features

When designing kitchen cabinets from scratch, you can integrate any number of special features into the design. Drawers or built-ins can be made to hold specialized tools, like a mixer or spice racks, can be integrated in to the back of a door. As with the overall style, working with a designer will help you walk through the specifics of the kitchen layout.

When redesigning your kitchen cabinets, it is important to think about how you use your kitchen. Is it an eat-in kitchen? Are you also replacing your dishwasher or fridge? What sort of sink do you want?

Choosing the Correct Windows

There are a lot of decisions to make when building a new home. Some are big, like, “where are you going to build the home?” or “how many rooms is it going to have?” Other decisions are much smaller and often get pushed aside. When you are making big choices, who has the time to think about the sorts of electrical fixtures or the type of windows you install? This is what a contractor is for.

Choosing the right windows can be the sort of decision you pay close attention to because installing the wrong windows can cost you a lot of money.

When choosing your windows and doors, your first step is to go to the EPA’s Energy Star website and determine your “climate zone.” This will guide your purchase. Here you will have a list of features and manufactures you can use to guide your purchasing decision. Energy Star Rates windows are doors on a per-state, per-climate zone basis. By installing your ES certified windows or doors, you can qualify for state and federal tax credits.

The other thing to keep in mind is, just because one window is good for one part of the house, it does not mean it will be good for another.  For example, in some parts of the country, west-facing windows need to have a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient in order to handle the direct sunlight of late afternoon sun.

The other important thing to think about is installation. If you improperly install energy efficient windows and doors you will lose all the money saving advantages. If you are not skilled in this the installation of windows or doors, it is best to seek out trained professionals. The EPA website has more information about locating certified installers.

Residential Windows 

How to Choose the Correct Material for New Countertops

Installing new countertops can be an easy and inexpensive way to upgrade your kitchen. Older homes often times still have the original laminate countertops. While they are an inexpensive option that provide a range of color options, over time they can become dull, chipped, and stained. Simply by installing a new custom countertop, you will be able to breathe new life into the most important room in your home.

Inexpensive Options

Ceramic tile and laminates provide the best options if you are looking for an inexpensive option.  Ceramic tile allows you to truly show off your personality. Because they come in so many colors, sizes, and shapes, you can let your imagination and creatively shine through. However, they can create an uneven surface. Ceramic tile can chip easily if it is not maintained properly. The grout (the cement that holds the tile in place) can also become stained.

Similarly, laminates afford a range of color and design options. Brands like Formica have been making high quality countertops for decades. They remain popular because they are durable and easy to maintain. While they can be inexpensive, they are nearly impossible to repair and finishing the ends and front edges will add to the cost.

Granite Counters

Granite counters are quickly becoming the go-to option for both new homes and remodels. Granite, while expensive, has come down in price in recent years. It can afford you a range of colors and unique patterns. New sealers help it resist stains. Most importantly, properly installed granite counters can last a lifetime and add both real and perceived value to a home.

While granite has many pros, it is not without some downsides. Quality granite does come at a cost. And if installed incorrectly, it can crack. Because it is natural stone, special cleaners need to be used to ensure that it keeps in luster and does not become stained.

Other Options

Engineered Stone, Wood, and Stainless Steel are all also popular options. Engineered stone is an artificial quartz composite. A relative newcomer, it is easy to maintain and can resist stains but it can be very expensive. Wood countertops can give your kitchen a rustic look. However, they are very difficult to maintain. Scratches must be oiled or sealed before food particles can become ingrained. Stainless Steel countertops have become very popular in modern kitchens. The can give a space a more industrial look. However, they are expensive to fabricate if you have a non-standard space and they can be noisy, they can dent, and you cannot cut on them.