Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Paint Grade Kitchen Cabinets


How To Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets

Copyright (c) 2010 Ron Hazelton

Believe it or not, you can give your kitchen a whole new look without having to do a complete kitchen renovation. By simply repainting your existing kitchen cabinets you can freshen up the kitchen's decor. And if you take the time and effort to properly prep your cabinetry before you paint, you can get a professional-grade finish.

Step 1: Clean the cabinets. In order for the primer and paint to form a tight bond with the cabinet surface, you will want to make sure that you remove all existing grease and food residue. Even the cleanest kitchen will develop a thin layer of build-up over time, so use TSP, trisodium phosphate, which is a paint prep cleaner and degreaser in one. Wash all surfaces that will be painted over.

Step 2: Remove the cabinet doors, drawers and hardware. To really get that professional look, you will want to take the time to remove all of the hardware. While it's tempting to skip this step to save time, you'll need to do it in order to have hardware that's crips and clean, not paint streaked. If you don't have a screw gun or drill to remove the pulls, a simple screwdriver will do.

Step 3: Lightly sand the flat surfaces. Once the doors are clean and the hardware has been removed, you'll need to lightly sand the flat surfaces. This will help create a porous surface for the primer and paint to stick to. You can use light sand paper, but a better option is a lightly-grained sanding sponge this will better work the nooks and crannies of the doors. Once the sanding is done, use a tack cloth to wipe clean any loose dust.

Step 4: Prime the cabinet doors. Another easy way to ensure a professional look on your cabinets is to use a low pressure paint sprayer. It not only saves time but also minimizes the number of brush and roller strokes you'll have to fix in the final stages. When you're spraying, set the sprayer at high volume. Start on the outside edges of the doors, working your way to the middle.

Step 5: Prep and prime the wall and base units. Unless you want to go through the tedious task of masking off your entire kitchen, the base and wall cabinets will have to be primed and painted by hand. You'll need a 2-inch sash brush and small roller, which will make it easier to create the high-quality finish. Start by taping off any areas where you are concerned about a errant brush stokes, then use the brush and roller to apply an even coat of primer.

Step 6: Apply the topcoat. It's highly recommended that you use a specially-formulated paint that resists oil and dirt from people's fingers. This will help the durability of the paint. Repeat the steps from priming the base and wall cabinets with the topcoat. When you're ready to spray the doors and drawers fronts outside, you might find it necessary to thin the topcoat slightly with a small amount of water to help it spray evenly.

Step 7: Reinstall the hardware and doors. After the paint has had a chance to dry and harden completely (usually about 24 hours) you can screw the hardware back into place.
If you want to take your kitchen "remodel" up a notch, consider replacing your old hardware to complete the look. Or add some new window treatments to accent your like-new cabinets. And there you have it, a new look for your kitchen in just one weekend.

About the author:

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/how-to-paint-your-kitchen-cabinets-3398575.html

Kitchen Cabinet Design Software Free


Free Kitchen Design Software

When people build their homes they spend so much time and effort, not to mention money, to make it really look good. They would not settle for just an ordinary look but instead opt to have a look that would stand out. Each part of the house is carefully planned out such that they are all presentable to whoever is visiting. But there will be times that you will get tired with the look of one part if not the whole house itself. 

For example there will come a time when you will think that you no longer like the way your kitchen looks so you will have to have it renovated. But how do you design it well such that it will not affect the general look of the entire housec Do you employ the services of an architect or an interior designerc Or do you just design it yourself.

The good news nowadays is that you can achieve a professional looking design without spending a lot. You can at anytime find free kitchen design software to help you create your plan.

Using free kitchen design software is generally easy. In just a matter of minutes you will already be comfortable manipulating the software because it is user friendly and it comes with lots of video tutorials. With any available free kitchen design software, you can design either from scratch or use any of the models in its library.

If you are someone who cannot easily visualize a 2D plan, you can choose free kitchen design software that converts 2D designs to 3D images. This is really helpful especially if you intend to do the kitchen renovation yourself. You will not get confused because you will see real looking objects instead of flat figures.

Choosing free kitchen design software to create your kitchen renovation plan is very practical. It will allow you to save money, which you can actually use for the actual renovation process.

About the author: For more great information on Free Kitchen Design Software visit our new website www.dreamhomeimprovementguide.com.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/free-kitchen-design-software-1031048.html

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Cost To Reface Kitchen Cabinets


Cost of Kitchen Cabinet Refacing- Reface or Restore

So your kitchen cabinet is long due for a faceliftc You need to apply the facelift badly if you want the kitchen cabinet to look consistent with the interiors of your home. You have two options before you because you have a shoestring budget: Refacing or Restoration. Given the tight budget you have, cost of kitchen cabinet refacing might not be such a bad idea and will save you a lot of money and will also get the work done for a few days.

However, kitchen restoration is generally believed to be a cheaper and on most occasions, a better option than kitchen cabinet restoration. Also, the cost of kitchen cabinet refacing is higher than that of kitchen cabinet restoration.

The reason kitchen cabinet restoration is considered a cheaper option is that this is easier to find and cheap to buy from your nearby stores and you can mostly do the job yourself without really falling back on the carpenter or the plumber.

The first thing that you need for kitchen cabinet restoration is a wood cleaner. Ideally, you should stick to a wood cleaner which is environment friendly. Some examples of wood cleaners include Net Trol, Trewax Wood oxalic acid, Trisodium, Preserva products and so on. The quality of the stuff is pretty good and they are environment friendly and health friendly too.

You must first decide the type of kitchen cabinet restoration you are looking for and only then can you decide on an appropriate kitchen cabinet restorer. Some kitchen cabinet restoration may be pretty elaborate while some restoration jobs and tasks may be pretty simple and may not require the intervention of the experts or the carpenters.

You must consider the following factors before you actually decide on a kind of restoration.
First, what is your budget that you can affordc As stated earlier, there are various categories of restorations of the kitchen cabinets to choose from. Obviously, the more elaborate the tasks, the higher will be the prices. You would do well to visit the various shops and the carpenters and take an estimate from them to understand your budget too.

Second, what is the kind of job you are exactly looking forc Would you go for something in the short term because of your budgetary constraints or would you go for a long term work that would be more robust and also a tad costlier.

As stated earlier, the cost of kitchen cabinet refacing is higher than that of kitchen cabinet restoration but that does not mean that you should choose inferior services. Decide on the type of work after you have evaluated all kinds of options.

About the author: The cost of kitchen cabinet refacing is high when compared to using a good quality kitchen cabinet restorer that you can apply yourself. Kitchen cabinet restoration cost about fifteen or twenty dollars and you'll be amazed with how good it looks and shines. Visit: http://www.proshotcorporation.com/pro-shot-cabinet-restorer

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/cost-of-kitchen-cabinet-refacing-reface-or-restore-2758917.html

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    About how much does it cost to reface kitchen cabinets?
    My kitchen is 13x13. I am interested in redoing the look of the cabinets. There are about 20 all together. Whats a rough estimate?? I was thinking light oak no fancy crown molding.
    • ANSWER:
      One of my friends did his kitchen in light oak. Since you haven't provided a lot of detail on what you have, I am assuming that the framework of the cabinet will have to be done as well. Door and drawer front replacement (assuming the drawers are ok) would also be in order. Looking at 20 doors and fronts (I would estimate about - each not including hardware or finish for a raised panel design. The hinges and knobs will be a personal choice and can be priced at Home Depot or the like. So far as preparation of the cabinet framework, I am assuming that it is not already oak. There are two approaches to using the existing cabinets--you can strip the facings from the cabinet (remove them) or you can apply an oak veneer over the existing facing. This will take a decision to make sure that is the right direction since I do not know the condition of the existing facings. Veneer I am estimating at about 0 for materials (you would do the labor). Labor hired will probably as a rule of thumb be about equal to the material cost (depending on what part of the country you are in). If you replace the facings, you are looking at about double that amount both in material and labor (unfinished). I hope this helps. Good luck with your project.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Kitchen Cabinet Doors Only


LED Under Cabinet Lighting - Wireless Solution For The Best Looking Kitchen

With the incredible efficiency of LED lights, wireless LED under cabinet lights that are battery powered make sense for the very first time. It is just impossible to imagine any kind of efficient incandescent or even fluorescent battery powered under cabinet lights.

There are some tempting advantages of wireless LED under cabinet lights and some serious drawbacks, let's describe them:

Advantages of wireless LED under cabinet lights

LED lights come as close to fulfilling the lifelong dream of wireless lighting. Because they use so little energy, under cabinet lighting in the kitchen can run for a long time on batteries alone. As such, they sport no wires.

The first advantage of wireless LED under cabinet lights is that there is no wires to install, no wires to guide through the furniture, and no confusion in hot and busy kitchen environment. Installing wireless under cabinet lighting is a breeze. The second advantage is that due to them being so compact, the kitchen under cabinet lighting can be attached to the cabinet by a tape alone, and often, that will be sufficient. The third advantage is the ability to implement motion detection, which can prevent battery draining when you forget to turn the lights off. This can indeed significantly prolong the effective life of batteries. The fourth advantage is that, due to wireless kitchen under cabinet lights being light and using no wires, it is possible to use these lights inside the cabinets and cupboards, and there is no need to drill holes through the cabinet walls to provide access to electricity. This is especially important for expensive cabinets or cabinets that you do not own, in case you are renting your home. The fifth and last advantage of wireless under cabinet LED lights is that they can be very useful in case of power outage.

Disadvantages of wireless LED battery powered under cabinet lighting

The first and foremost disadvantage is that the battery life is necessarily limited, therefore the useful lifetime between battery exchanges will be limited. As mentioned above, this deficiency can be minimized by purchasing wireless LED under cabinet lights that feature motion detection. Second disadvantage. 

Because many owners opt for the tape attachment of wireless LED under cabinet lights, the lights are prone to detachment and fall from their position. It is always advisable to affix the lights to the cabinet if at all possible. If this is not possible, it is important to heed manufacturer's advice about affixing the tape to give it the best chance of holding up with the weight of the LED light.

Types of wireless under cabinet LED lights available on the marketplace

Wireless Bar LED undercabinet lights Wireless LED undercabinet lights featuring a motion sensor Wireless LED undercabinet lights featuring a remote

About the author: For more information on manufacturers, models of these and similar types of wireless under cabinet kitchen lights, go to wireless under cabinet lighting. For hard wired counterparts, you can check out low voltage under cabinet lighting.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/kitchens-articles/led-under-cabinet-lighting-wireless-solution-for-the-best-looking-kitchen-5181520.html

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    who sells kitchen base cabinet, shell only. No doors.?
    I just purchased doors only. My current cabinet bases are in horrible shape. So, I only need the shell.
    • ANSWER:
      Most cabinet manufacturers offer a "no door" option. Usually, it is just a deduction from the regular cabinet price. The hard part is making sure that the doors will fit as planned. I'd suggest getting one cabinet, first, as a test.

Stainless Steel Kitchen Cabinet Doors


Finish Your Kitchen Remodel With Satin Nickel Door Knobs

Have you undertaken a kitchen remodel project and are not sure if it is completec Do you feel like despite the new pots, pans, fancy gadgets and new appliances, something is still missingc You are probably correct! One of the most overlooked aspects to most in-home renovation projects includes removing and replacing door handles. Check out the following tips to finally give your kitchen that finishing touch.

Tip 1: Choose Your Color and Finish

Once you have begun your kitchen remodel, the thought of entirely repainting the walls or tearing down the hand-hung wall paper may seem too daunting to even begin. However, with the proper door hardware accessories, you can change your style-without the added stress, hard work or additional finances. 

Typical door hardware materials include: nickel, chrome, brass, stainless steel, iron and copper. 
Depending on your kitchen's style, you need to determine what material will work best. For homes with smaller children, generally installing stainless steel hardware parts works best; these pieces are easily cleaned to reduce germs. However, if you like the look of stainless steel but are looking for a more affordable price, choose satin nickel door knobs; they compliment any style and are also easily cleaned.

Tip 2: Create a Unique Style

If you are concerned that your style seems mundane or run of the mill, try to incorporate unusual yet trendy aspects to your kitchen accessories. Door handles are available not only in just round knobs but also in drawer pulls and pull tabs. But, believe it or not, door hardware is also available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Why not try to weave your family's hobbies and extracurricular into your decoration.

By choosing door knobs that match your hobbies, you'll create a truly unique kitchen design. This is a great solution to getting children involved. However, if you do have children, avoid shapes that have sharp angles or edges that can cause accidents.

In addition to fun shapes, why not consider alternating the size of your cabinet door knobsc Depending on your height, certain cabinets - either extremely high or low - can be difficult to reach; by replacing certain levels of knobs with larger handles will enable you to quickly navigate throughout the kitchen and cook meals faster!

Tip 3: Choose the Placement of the Door Knob

Similarly to the size and shape of your door hardware, installing the door handle in a different location may make life easier as well. Especially for those hard to reach areas, reaching for the corner of a cabinet close to the ceiling can be next to impossible. By reinstalling your new knob in the center of your cabinet, you and your family members will access your pots, pans and dishware much more conveniently.

Tip 4: Don't Forget the Extras

While you are installing new kitchen hardware, be sure to keep your themes consistent. Floor registers, hinges and screws should all be purchased in the same or similar material and finish, unless you are aiming to produce an eclectic theme. To accentuate your style, choose the appropriate lighting fixtures that best suite both your style and your needs. If you are a busy home, a single hanging fixture over the center of your room might not be the most practical choice. Similarly, having multiple racks of track lighting may be excessive for single or small family-sized homeowners.

Tip 5: Show it Off

There's no better way to show off your newly renovated kitchen design than by throwing a party! Gather friends, family, neighbors or just your immediate family to come to your home. Whether intentionally or not, congregate in the kitchen. You'll be instantly rewarded with the compliments you receive for your unique, complete kitchen style. You'll probably even be asked to divulge some of the home renovation tips you've employed in your design-it's a sure sign of success!

About the author:

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/finish-your-kitchen-remodel-with-satin-nickel-door-knobs-1383343.html

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. QUESTION:
    This is designer question. I want to use the "new" stainless steel cylinder cabinet pulls?
    on my kitchen cabinets for a European look. My cabinets doors are a simple slab in a light colored maple, miscellaneaous heights but predominately 27 inches.
    How long can my handles be. And can they be micellaneous heights for the different cabinet heigths?
    Although I don't have that many cabinets, I have gone for the heavy "pro" look with my range and fridge. So I think I can pull off the look I want on the cabinets by the long stainless handles. Your opinion is appreciated.
    • ANSWER:
      I would go with 3" or 4" long handles. I would also put the same length handle on all cabinets to create a uniform look, different lengths would look awkward.

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Custom Kitchen Cabinets Prices


Comparing Rta Cabinets, Stock Cabinets, And Custom Cabinets

If you are shopping for kitchen cabinets, odds are the first place you turned to was Home Depot or Lowes (Menards if you are in the Midwest). Its easy access - you can tell them what you want and they will lay everything out for you. They usually have a wide range of styles to choose from, and the cost is significantly less then your typical custom cabinet company. Custom kitchen cabinets can range anywhere from ,000 - 0,000 for your average size kitchen. What percentage of people remodeling or building a new kitchen has this type of budgetc Not many. When it comes to remodeling a home or constructing a new one, people are always looking for ways save money. You dont want to sacrifice style for quality, but for the average person they have to find a happy medium to keep their renovation project within their budget.

Aside from custom cabinets, most companies today (even the private label brands at the big box stores) are acquiring their materials and products by having them directly imported, which reduces the cost per item, and allows them to pass some of the savings onto their customers. However, the big retail stores still have the high overhead cost associated with brick and mortar stores. Most of these cabinets fall under the category of RTA cabinets or Ready-To-Assemble cabinets. If you can turn a flat head screwdriver then you will be able to construct these cabinets in no time. The assembly is easy and the benefits are even better. But, if you could save even more money by buying direct, and skipping the store, would youc Well now you can. There is a new of distributors that are importing these cabinets and selling them direct to the consumer.

Delivery time or lead time is another big selling point of RTA kitchen cabinets If you compare the delivery time, quality and price of most RTA cabinets to a Lowes or a Home Depot, the RTA kitchen cabinets sell themselves. Since Lowes and Home Depot do not keep the majority of their kitchen cabinets in stock, they have to make them accordingly to each order, which could take several weeks if not months. When purchasing RTA cabinets you are looking at about 8-10 business days for your order to be processed then around 2-4 days for shipping. The quality comparison is even more convincing. Your typical Lowes and Home Depot kitchen cabinets include multiple pieces made of particle board, which does not hold up well if you are not familiar with the material. Good RTA kitchen cabinets are made entirely of real wood. The front of the each cabinet is made of solid wood and the sides are made of or finished plywood. The shelves are also made of finished plywood along with the drawers as well. As mentioned earlier, these are RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets. All that is needed to construct these cabinets is a flat head screwdriver in order to tighten the cam locks, which is a locking mechanism that is engaged with a simple twist of the wrist once two parts are fitted together.

If you still need to be convinced that RTA kitchen cabinets are your best bet for well made affordable cabinets, the price comparison seals the deal. A typical 10x10 kitchen at Lowes and Home Depot easily goes for -k. That same estimate with RTA cabinets can be as little as -k. So by choosing RTA cabinets for your next kitchen remodel not only can you save thousands of dollars that can be well spent on other parts of the house or just simply saved, you are getting solid cabinets that look great.

About the Author:

I have been remodeling house for 15 years, and I have the secret to getting high qualityRTA cabinets at an affordable price. Interested in finding out my secretc Follow these links to find out the secret to getting RTA Kitchen cabinets at 30-40% below retail prices

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Comparing-RTA-Cabinets--Stock-Cabinets--and-Custom-Cabinets/347683