Custom Frame Crafters For Kitchens And More

Sound advice from our years of experience as a custom kitchen builder

Category: home

Top Guidelines For Repainting Your Kitchen Cabinets

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In Cabinet doors, home, Kitchens

When renovating your kitchen, you don’t always have to start from the ground up. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is all you need! That said, it’s not as simple as just buying the paint and slapping it on. You have to plan out every step carefully to make sure that the end result matches exactly what you have in mind. You have to be sure that the new paint is going to hold up over time as well. Right here you will find several helpful tips to keep in mind before you begin repainting kitchen cabinets in the most effective way possible and you will have a fresh new kitchen look for the fraction of the cost.

First of all, take stock of what material your cabinets are made out of. Metal, wood, and wood laminates are the easiest to work with. If your cabinets have plastic construction they will likely carry some resistance to most paints, requiring a whole different style of refurbishing altogether. When it comes to plastic laminates there may be some wriggle room however. Sometimes it may be simpler to just replace the laminate on the door. Regardless of the material, make sure that you grab a test sample of any paint you’re interested in rather than committing to a large can. This way you can apply it on a small section and make sure it’s going to bond and look great too.

 

You also have to keep your expectations realistic when it comes to the style of the cabinets. If everything is flat you should have no worries. On the other hand, ornate styling where certain panels are raised or patterns are carved in will take quite a bit more effort to paint evenly.

When it comes to your doors, you’ll sometimes find that the wood has warped over the years. This is especially common in humid climates. Some may like the rustic appeal of worn wood, but if not, you should consider getting new unfinished doors to install. This way you can still apply your own custom paint while also enjoying a fully clean state as far as the construction goes.

Now you’ll need to choose your colours. Consider the theory that colours affect humans on an emotional level. Cool colours like blue and green are calming, whereas warm colours tend to instill more energy. If you want your kitchen to be a place of relaxation, something along the lines of a blueish green might work wonderfully. You may also want to contemplate picking two different colours for the cabinets and doors respectively. This will make them pop a bit more due to the contrast.

From there, all you have to do is pick your applicator of choice and get to work. Flat surfaces can be done with rollers, whereas intricate designs will require brushes. No matter which way you go, the end result will leave you with fresh looking cabinets that you can proudly call your own.

Four Kitchen Island Tips

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In home, kitchen counters, Kitchens

When it comes the time to remodel their home, most homeowners want a kitchen island. Ninety-nine percent of the time that is what is requested by a homeowner regardless of the amount of space they do or do not have. If, however an island is not properly designed and installed there will be more problems than benefits associated with it. Don’t be like one of them.

Do you want to be stuck with an island just because your neighbour has one? Make sure it is one that serves you well, as well as doing you proud.

Here are four tips on how to properly design a kitchen island:

1. Perfect Aisles

Many times islands are tightly squeezed into a small kitchen or they are way too small for a large kitchen. You want to keep in mind the way the space will be used after being installed. Forty-two inches between cabinets is ideal, the minimum should be at least thirty-six inches. You want to make sure that there is enough, but not too much space, as you don’t want to have to walk half a block between island and counters.

2. Be Creative with Shapes and Finishes

Modern kitchen with black island and wooden floor

Be creative, make a design statement with your space. Not every island has to be square or rectangle, think out of the box! You can also choose alternative materials for the counter tops especially if your kitchen is big. Make something different, creative yet tasteful.

3. Remember Seating

When designing an island, a common mistake is not considering if the homeowners would want the option of seating around the island. Make sure that there is enough space around the island to accommodate some chic chairs or stools without making the space look bulky or crowded.

4. Think Out the Layout Intelligently

Keep in mind that an island design should be one designed for people to use. If an island is designed without an oven, a sink, a cook top or stools the why would anyone even be motivated to cook there? If there is no need to use the island, then why is it even there? Make sure you are smart with the layout and design.

 

These four basic yet important tips and pointers can really help you design and install a killer kitchen island. Make sure that everything is measured properly and that space and functionality are taken into consideration. Be bold and creative and don’t create something

Interior, modern kitchen of a luxury home

that is typical and mundane. It is a great idea to chat with other homeowners and see how they have designed and made use their island, adapt their vision in creative way and you will have a kitchen island other will be jealous of. looking for other kitchen ideas like painting your cabinet doors see here.

Quartzite Vs Granite countertop

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In home, kitchen counters, Kitchens

 Quartzite Vs Granite. which one is best?

When shopping around for kitchen countertops and you are looking for something that bit classier then the standard laminate worktops. You’ve most likely come across two types of materials over and over: Quartzite and Granite. Quartzite in particular has always hailed as a good alternative to granite. It’s important to take time to properly research them and never just take any of the claims at face value.

In order to help you make a decision between the two, comparing them directly is the only way to go. When it comes to quartzite vs granite for kitchen countertops, which is really the best?

Quartzite which is has generally been more expensive than granite, is a metamorphic type of rock that comes from sandstone. Factors such as heat and the air pressure in the area factor into the transition. It’s very similar to marble in that way, which is of course another very common material for countertops.

Granite however is quite different. It is actually an igneous rock. That means it has crystalized from what was initially a molten state. It is always naturally occurring and each piece is completely unique given its mineral composition. Quartzite on the other hand tends to have other materials combined with it in offer a more uniform look from unit to unit. If you want something that’s a little less “assembly line” in nature, granite may be the way to go.

Quartzite  is quite low maintenance when you compare it to granite. You won’t really need to seal your quartzite countertop as you would with other surfaces. The material doesn’t stain very easily either. It’s also very strong, having the ability to even cause cuts in glass. Since the composition is generally made up of smaller chips of quartz and other materials rather than one giant slab, many have also hailed quartzite as an environmentally friendly option.

The impurities in quartzite also lead to intricate patterns that many consumers have been quite taken with. Granite is beautiful for sure, but the patterns aren’t quite as adventurous looking. When it comes to aesthetics, a kitchen meant to be a little more traditional and laid back might be best served by granite, whereas those looking to expand into something a little more “out there” will be thrilled with the look of quartzite. They will both look great on a island too.

 

In the end, both are fine materials. Granite is purer, but quartzite is a little easier to take care of and may be easier to match your cabinets. Your budget and personal taste is really all that matters in the ultimate decision. No matter which way you go, you will surely be served for a long time to come with your gorgeous new countertop.

How Double Glazing Reduces Heat Transfer

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In home, windows

How Double Glazing Reduces Heat Transfer

The amount of heat that escapes through the windows of a home can be greatly reduced by installing double glazing.

Invariably the weakest points for heat loss in all buildings are the windows.

 element of window -double glazing  glass

Two sheets of glass are placed parallel to each other with a space in between that is filled with ordinary air or argon gas. Air is a poor heat conductor making it difficult for heat energy to pass through the glass. Heat transfer through convection currents can be reduced even more by making the space between the glass panes as narrow as possible.

How Does It Work?

The ordinary air, vacuum or gas trapped between two sheets of glass in double glazing creates an insulated barrier that prevents heat loss through the solid material of the window. Heat gain or loss is prevented because the room is insulated from different air temperatures on either side of the window.

Molecules in a solid object like a pane of glass or the handle of a frying pan are closely packed together and as a result vibrations are transferred quickly and more easily to adjacent molecules, causing heat to spread quickly throughout the material. In contrast to solid objects, gas molecules are spaced father apart making them less likely to bump into each other which slows down the transfer of heat. To make double glazing even more efficient the air is sucked out from between two sheets of glass, leaving a vacuum which is a very good insulator. Modern methods of double glazing uses argon gas to fill the cavity because it is even more effective than air or a vacuum at insulation.

The Effectiveness Of Double Glazing

The question most asked by home owners who are considering investing in double glazing for their homes are ‘how much heat can be saved through double glazing?’ The quality of windows is rated on a scale from A+ – G and the amount of energy that can be saved is directly related to the quality of the windows. According to the Energy Saving Trust an annual saving of between £80 to £110 can be expected for a semi-detached home that was entirely single-glazed before. For best savings contact Double Glazing Southshields.

Double glazing will have a positive impact on the resale value of a property provided that it doesn’t impact negatively on the exterior appearance of the house or undermine the look of a traditional style property.

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