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Posts Tagged ‘kitchen’

Engineered Stone Countertops Pros And Cons

September 23rd, 2010

Homeowners are choosing to update their kitchens with Engineered Stone countertops. Composed of 93% quartz particles and scratch resistant these kitchen countertops come in a wide range of colors. While this may be the perfect solution for some homeowners, it is always best to weigh out the pros and cons before making a final decision on which countertop will meet your needs.

Pros

The most desirable feature of the Engineered Stone countertop is the durability and soundness the countertop maintains. During the manufacturing process additional resins are added to the stone, making the countertops stronger then regular stone countertops. This type of countertop is resistant to heat, scratches, chemical, staining, chipping and fungal growth.

Many homeowners like to add Engineered Stone countertops to their home because it is easy to maintain. With the stone being non-porous the countertops require very little care. A sponge, warm water and soap make the countertops shine and look like they just came off the show room floor. With other types of stone countertops, there are many that require certain cleaners or chemicals that is used when cleaning.

Unlike other stone countertops Engineered Stone will not chip or crack and will retain its sheen and luster. With the stone countertop being so low maintenance most homeowners are satisfied when placing the countertop into their home.

Cons

Created and installed in solid slabs, the seams are visible along the front and top of the countertop. Water, food and other contaminates can collect in the seams if the homeowner is not cautious. The continual collection of these deposits will eventually create a smell which will require professional cleaning.

Engineered Stone is expensive. Constructing and manufacturing the product is labor intensive and require many hours to design. Although much more expensive then regular stone countertops, the high price tag is enough to discourage many homeowners.

There are more pros then cons when it comes to having stone countertops in your home. Shop around and compare different types of stone countertops, think about the purchase before making the final decision.

Kitchens – What Buyers Look For When Shopping for a Home

September 15th, 2010

photo credit: thekitchendesigner.org

Buying a home in today’s economy can be somewhat of a challenge so you definitely want to get your money’s worth when you decide to purchase a home. Many first time buyers as well as those who are in the market for a second home are looking for specific features. Kitchens are often the main focus when buyers shop for a home. Today’s modern home offer’s a open floor plan which is a highly attractive feature to home buyers. This allows a natural flow from the kitchen to the living space.

Often buyers would like for the kitchen to have beautiful cabinentry and stainless steel appliances. Stainless steel appliances and cabinents that offer maximum storage are very attractive features in a kitchen and are on the top of the list for many home buyers. Lack of cabinent storage in a kitchen can definitely be a reason for a buyer to pass on a home. Another major kitchen feature that a buyer may look for when shopping for a home is the flooring. Nice hardwood flooring is always a great feature for those looking to purchase a home.

Hardwood flooring that is functional can add beauty and value to a home. Granite countertops are a popular request for a kitchen as well. Many potential buyers request that the kitchen have granite countertops. Granite countertops not only adds beautiful and class to a kitchen, but are also highly functional. Other requests from potiential home buyers is that the kitchen have an island. An island in the kitchen gives you an additional place for food preparation and entertainment.

There are a variety of things that a buyer looks for when shopping for a home, however none is as important as space. A modern kitchen must have an adequate amount of space to move around comfortably in and entertain friends and familiy. The kitchen is often the main gathering place, therefore space is the number one requirement for a home buyer.

Pros and Cons of Upgrading to a High End Kitchen

August 16th, 2010

photo credit: mescon

Many people make the mistake of updating their kitchen for the wrong reason. Most people update their kitchen for reasons of style or for economic benefits. Style is fluid, and you want a kitchen that flows with the trends. A kitchen upgrade makes good economic sense for some, but not for everyone. Knowing the pros and cons of upgrading to a high end kitchen will tell you if it is the right thing for you.

First, if you are considering upgrading to a high end kitchen, that must mean that you think your kitchen now is not so high end. This is something to be considered. If you are thinking of upgrading because you want to sell the home and want to make more from it, a high end upgrade may not be for you. If you are not in a high end neighborhood, you will want a moderate upgrade. Change some cabinets, maybe retile the floor, and get any old appliances upgraded. If you do more than the buyer needs, you will not get back all of the money that you put into the kitchen.

Some people are looking for an upgrade in hopes of lowering their bills. Appliances are what will really save you money if you are upgrading from older models. The payback in savings will be a few years, but it is a real savings and worth upgrading for.

Style is probably the most predominant reason that people look into upgrading their kitchen. A kitchen can look dated pretty easily, and if your does, an upgrade might be for you. Just be careful not to create the same problem that you are running from now. There are lots of fun new sinks on the market right now, but who knows how long it will be before those look dated?

A more classic look will give you more satisfaction over the years. If you want something trendy, get some fun cabinet handles, which can be easily switched out in a few years. Also, don’t skimp on style when it comes to accessories and lighting. Things you can easily change should be trendy, but items that will cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars to replace should be classic. Keep these thought in mind when choosing to upgrade to a high end kitchen and you will be all set.

Kitchen Makeover Ideas to Update Your Home

June 10th, 2010

photo credit: army.arch

It has been said that the kitchen is the heart of the home. Most families spend a great amount of time in the kitchen. Since this room is one of the busiest and most valuable rooms in your home, it is often the most overlooked when it comes to updating. You do not have to spend a fortune however to update the look of your kitchen. Kitchen makovers can be done with just a few inexpensive touches.

Redoing your kitchen cabinets is a simple way to update your kitchen. however, if you cannot afford new cabinets, there are a lot of ingenious ways to makeover your existing ones. The most obvious way is to repaint your cabinets. If your kitchen is rather small, painting your cabinets white will open up that space and make your kitchen seem bigger. If you wish to give your kitchen a sophisticated flare, consider darker colors such as chocolate brown, green, or black. Painting your base cupboards black and your upper cabinets cream gives your kitchen the look of a quaint French bistro. This color combination coordinates well with decorative elements made of wood and steel. Finishes such as crackling and over-glazing look really good on old kitchen cabintry. If you are not into painting and want to try a different look on your solid wood cabinets, try stripping the color or finish from your cabinets. Then apply a new stain mixed with a few drops of colored pigmented oil added. You can purchase the pigmented oil at any craft or hobby store.

By creating a textured backsplash or updating a window treatment, you can achieve depth and drama to your kitchen decor. For a Tuscan look, mount terracotta pavers as a backsplash. Apply a contrasting mortar for a custom look. Another great idea for updating your kitchen windows is to replace your old conventional blinds with window shutters for a plantation look.

Making over your kitchen can be very easy without breaking the bank. All it really takes is a little creativity and some imagination. Your kitchen will be the envy of your friends and neighbors.

Upgrade your Kitchen on the Cheap, Gain Value

January 22nd, 2009

shutterstock_22513579 There are many ways to increase the value of a home. One that you don?t want to overlook as a homeowner is the kitchen. A simple remodeling project can help to increase the overall value of your home, and if you are selling, it can give you the best chance at achieving success. While many people think that upgrading a kitchen is an expensive project this is not always the case.

The way you decide to upgrade your kitchen depends on what you currently have in place. To go along with this, upgrades must be based on your budget as well. For instance, you may want to hang new cabinets. This is a great way to upgrade your space and effectively increase the value of your home, but at the same time you need to consider all of your options. Are you going to buy basic, pre-made cabinets from a large hardware store? Or will you spend the extra money on custom cabinets?

One of the best ways to upgrade your kitchen without spending a lot of money is to do the work on your own. Do you know how to hang cabinets? Can you lay new flooring? Even if you don?t have experience you can learn as you go along if you have the right tools and a little bit of guidance from a professional handbook or video.

To increase the value of your home you should consider upgrading your kitchen. Believe it or not, you don?t have to spend an extraordinary amount of money to make your kitchen a more enjoyable and valuable space.