Have you finally reached the point where your existing kitchen just doesn't blend with your current lifestyle or it simply doesn't have the efficiency that you require?  Your appliances have become personified with all their special noises and their lack of efficiency.  Don't forget that their electrical power consumption is definitely inferior to the norm of today and that your old appliances are wasting energy.  Perhaps your gas stove's burners aren't as efficient as they once were adding an addition of carbon monoxide to the air you breathe within your home's confinement.  Maybe your stove's hood vent, which hasn't worked in quite some time, needs to be upgraded with a more efficient and certainly a more quiet unit.  How about the cabinet drawers that that have come apart or no longer freely run on their guides.  And don't forget about the missing cabinet bottom under the sink because of an accidental plumbing leak that occurred months ago or the old original cabinet doors that no longer shut or perhaps have hinge problems.  Many problems or a combination of certain defects can cause you to reach that threshold and begin to get serious about a kitchen upgrade.

     If you are considering replacing your old cabinets during a kitchen makeover with some fine cabinetry or perhaps you are just needing an updated work surface,  there are a few choices that need to be considered before making your final decision.  Plastic laminates, solid surface material, granite, quartz, stainless steel, wood, and concrete are the most popular choices today when considering new or replacement counter tops for a fine kitchen upgrade.  Each surface has it's own set of pros and cons to take under advisement before a conclusion is reached making sure your selection blends with your lifestyle.  Remember that any samples of materials you see are only small representations of any larger piece when choosing products.  Furthermore trivets and cutting boards should always be used no matter which top you choose.   Ktchen upgrades and bathroom remodels return the most money at resale on the initial investment of the remodeling project.  National averages show that kitchen remodels recoup around 70% of the costs of the upgrade at the time of resale.  However, your kitchen remodeling costs should never exceed 15% of the total value of your home.  Here is where you need to get your thinking cap on and plan for an affordable budget that is within your means.  Your material choices are very important and if you need to stay mid-level to fit the budget then do so.  The labor involved for the project will be around 1.6 times the cost of the materials used.  The total budget should allow $150 per square foot for your kitchen upgrade project.

     Basically, for an average size kitchen of between 200-300 square feet you can budget a minimum of $25,000 for your kitchen upgrade.  There are no DIY Austin kitchen remodeling projects.  Once the demolition is accomplished the inexperienced homeowner should consider his part in the remodel to be complete.  It's time to get the building professionals involved to make sure that the resulting kitchen upgrade functions correctly.  The correct electrical wiring with the new outlets and appliance rough ins should be installed within the kitchen's frame work.  Dedicated circuits per the national electrical code should be wired by a qualified electrician.  This will insure that two appliances can be running simultaneously without tripping any circuit breakers.  The electrician will also install the needed GFI  circuits that keep you safe around any wet areas.  It's also a great time to install all the upgraded lighting fixtures with the new switching they require.  Skimping on the electrical budget can cause many problems including an electrical fire.

     Plumbing upgrades need to be addressed and the use of a master plumber will make sure that everything functions correctly.  Moving a sink over a small amount can add an additional $2,500 to your project's hard costs as it affects both the plumbing and the floor.  The plumber can be sure that you have adequate water volume for any additional fixtures that will be involved.  The plumber will be involved through the setting of the sink, fixtures, and all appliances requiring water to operate.  When choosing a kitchen sink, whether it is a drop in model or an under mount,  you can never go wrong with a good grade of stainless steel.  These sinks never go out of style and you can outfit them with any color and kind of faucet that you see fit.

     An Austin kitchen remodel will need to produce a better service or work triangle between the sink, refrigerator, and stove placement.  The shorter the sum of the triangle legs the more efficient the layout.  Twelve to fifteen feet is an optimum size for efficiency.  Islands can also be incorporated into the design to increase your functionality.  The prep sink within the island can become it's own focal point of the work triangle reducing the duties of the main kitchen sink.  The orientation of the island toward the work triangle is very important making sure traffic can still flow freely within the designated triangle. Islands can contain all sorts of special storage areas.  Mixer lifts, produce storage drawers, wine storage, and dough board pullouts are just a few of the many useful aspects that can be incorporated into the island.

     Whatever your situation please rely on the experiences of a local building professional.  Check out their credentials and references over merely price checks against other bidders.  Don't make the mistake of letting a cabinet making subcontractor or tile installer play the part of a general contractor because his knowledge will be limited to that of the cabinets or tile and not much else.  You get what you pay for with proper planning and using an experienced and qualified contractor.

Kitchen Makeovers Can Streamline Your Lifestyle

    Whether you're looking for a local residential construction contractor to accomplish a kitchen remodel or a construction professional to complete an entire gutting and remodel of your entire home including a home office transformation,  the final accenting finishes most likely will include the use of fine cabinetry. The choice between frameless European and Northern face frame cabinetry styles will highlight any design.

     When the time finally arrives for remodeling an Austin kitchen,  there are many choices to be considered concerning the new kitchen cabinetry.  Frameless European full overlay style cabinets are a type of fine cabinetry having either a painted or stained wooden exterior or one with the exterior  totally covered on all exposed surfaces in plastic laminate per your choice of color, pattern, or manufacturer.  The laminated exterior application provides a much cleaner and more modern look for easier maintenance.  The doors and drawer fronts on all European cabinetry are flat having no crevices to conceal grease and grime and directly overlay the cabinet box. Each door is mounted on the inside of the box using fully concealed and adjustable two part hinges.  The frameless European style is represented only by the cabinet carcass or box, composed of the walls, bottom and top (if needed), and back without any face frame components yielding only a 3/4" outward appearance for all the stiles and rails.  This European style which eliminates the usual two inch face frame gives full access to any stored contents with more usable room.  These frameless cabinets limit the amount of exposed stile and rail surface area between the door and drawer faces.  The exposed cabinet area is normally limited to 1/8-3/16 of an inch.  This holds true between any two finished faces coming together presenting a half overlay situation on either a horizontal rail or vertical stile; hence, exhibiting the full overlay method.  This clearance is also typical at the juncture toward the outside walls beside the cabinets. One other characteristic of the European design lies in the adjustable shelving.  A series of 5mm holes are repeatedly drilled in 32mm increments (approximately 1 1/4") continuously at the front and back of all vertical cabinet pieces receiving shelves.  This configuration allows for shelf supports to be inserted to adjust the shelves.  In time, the shelf supporting "dogs" might wear out the holes and become loose causing the shelves to collapse.  The retro use of metal pilasters will remedy the problem.

     Following cabinet installation,  there is no room for the application of wall trim in the European method.   Spaces against the walls should be caulked in place to seal the carcass to the walls.  If the gap toward  the side walls is greater than 1/8 inch preventing a reasonable caulkable joint, a laminated filler must be constructed.  This new filler should be cut and sanded to fit the taper tightly filling the gap. As mentioned above, the narrow but typical gap from the side of the cabinets to the wall can and will be a problem when European style cabinets are specified for a remodel. 

     Don't forget that the 1/8th inch spacing rule means that no passage door or window trim can be any closer to the new cabinet faces than the cabinet drawers themselves are deep.  Any such trim will always be 1/2 inch or more in thickness thus impedes cabinet function.  By practicing this rule of thumb you will allow the drawers to fully extend. Cabinet doors will also have a clear swing radius and not be wedged against any perpendicular entry door trim.  If the above needed clearance from the cabinet faces to the door trim is nonexistent the entry doors themselves must be relocated.  This aspect will include any wiring for light switches or outlets and should be done by a qualified electrician.

     Kitchen remodel ideas in Austin, Texas like most other cities includes many of the same aspects.  Be sure to choose a local qualified remodeling contractor whose personality and qualifications are agreeable with you personally.  You are about to undertake a very important short term relationship in your life with someone you may know by reputation only.  The relationship needs to be comfortable and free flowing thus enabling the contractor's creativity level to be at it's highest during your remodeling project. Look at it as a partnership between your needs and the remodeling contractor's abilities.  This is not new construction and the use of the European cabinetry must be accomodated for.  His professional remodeling experience will include his capacity to identify many construction limitations and hazards.   These variables underlie the major pitfalls that can be avoided while enabling a remodeling design to come to reality.  His experience can also aid you in accomplishing remodeling upgrades that include dissability issues.  The job needs to flow between the various trades involved to produce a better final outcome.  This too is a reflection on his remodeling experience for which there is no substitute.

A Frameless European Kitchen Design

    If you have recently replaced your old cabinets during a kitchen or bathroom remodel with some new fine cabinetry or perhaps you are just needing an updated work surface there are a few choices that need to be considered before making your final decision.  Plastic laminates, solid surface material, granite, quartz, stainless steel, wood, and concrete are the most popular choices today when considering new or replacement countertops for a fine kitchen upgrade or bathroom makeover.  Each surface has it's own set of pros and cons to take under advisement before a conclusion is reached making sure your selection blends with your lifestyle.  Remember that any samples of materials that you see are only small representations of any larger piece when choosing products.  Furthermore trivets and cutting boards should always be used no matter which top you choose.

     Nonporous plastic laminates have been around for many years which is a testament to their durability.  They represent the most affordable choice for your money and appear seamless.  We've come a long way since the days of harvest gold and avocado green but some of this original material still exists in kitchens today.  We now have different grades of laminate and the HD grade offers interesting designs and textures that help to hide scratches but be advised--they will scratch and the glossier the finish the worse the scratch shows.  Heat should never be introduced and the use of hot pads is a necessity.   Color caulks offered by the laminate manufactures matching their laminate colors are used where the top meets the splash for flexibility or integral splashes are also an option.  Drop in sinks are preferable when using plastic laminate but now there are some under-mount units available. There are also many edge profiles produced today to enhance the look of your new laminate surface.  Never use abrasive cleaners on any plastic laminate surfaces because they dull the existing finish.

     Solid surface materials like "Corian" or "Gibralter" are composed of nonporous plastic where the color is continuous throughout it's thickness.  This material will stain and scratch but due to their makeup the solid surface tops can be reworked by professionally buffing out the affected areas and repairs are a possibility and is a great choice for Austin kitchen cabinets.  Remember that the darker the product the more evident the scratches.  These tops do appear seamless and are more bacteriostatic than stone.  The pricing varies for groups A-E with the solid color A group being the least expensive.  The higher priced groups give you many more color choices and variations.  A matte finish with a low sheen verses the higher glossed finishes found on granite is typical. As with the laminates above there is usually no variance in color between like samples. There are no limits for the edge profiles and different colors can also be used as an accent. The use of trivets to protect from heat exposure is advisable.  (see photo below)

     Granites are a natural stone coming right out of the mountain so no two slabs are exactly alike. Pitting and veining are inherent of mother nature and lend to any slab's beauty.   Many natural colors are available and usually lighter tops are preferred over darker stained fine cabinetry and vice versa holds true.  The stones are cut and polished to a high gloss finish but this can be altered to produce a more dull surface by a process known as honing.  There are different edge treatments available limited only by the fabricator.  Seams are visible and accepted and only avoided by using  larger pieces to limit the number of joints.  One downfall of granite is it's porosity.  Granite tops require maintenance and must be sealed frequently.  The duration between coats is directly proportional to the amount of use your top gets.  A good rule of thumb is to see if water continues to bead up when you place it on the surface.  If not, reseal.

     Quartz is a man made product consisting of 93% stone pieces held together by resin and dyes.  It is the newest and the best rated material available today having bacteriostatic qualities.  It is technically maintenance free due to it's nonporous surface and the best choice for a bathroom vanity.  The colors are consistent and a uniqueness due to a natural occurrence of color concentration known as pooling can be observed.  The use of this material is on average a higher cost surface.  In its beginning this product contained small pieces of stone but now larger pieces are being used to create more interesting patterns.  The overall look is a more uniform pattern than that of granite.  It is the most scratch resistant choice out there but things do happen.  The joints are not seen.  Like granite there are no limits to the sinks that can be used.

     Stainless steel used on counter tops has the same smudging disadvantage as is seen on appliance faces.  The surface is seamless when utilizing custom welding.  The typically used 16 gauge product can be configured into any shape.  It is impervious to both oils and acids.  It is also a higher cost option starting at around $65 per square foot.  The use of cutting boards is highly advised.  Standing water can cause a permanent mark.

     The use of wood represents the certified green choice with no two pieces alike.  Wood is  both renewable and repairable.  It is gentle on glassware and can be used as a cutting board. It's main drawback is the natural porosity of wood.  This will cause darkening when water is left standing along with the fact that food odors are constantly being absorbed.  Trivets must be used because wood expands and contracts with temperature changes.  And do not forget about splinters when you aare cleaning up.

     Concrete tops are poured in a mold outlining the face and edge profile.  The varying colors of the substrate are accomplished by adjusting the variables within the mix like cement colors, the type of sand(s), or by the add mixes used during the mixing process.  Many factors can produce shade, hue, and tone contrasts like acid etching stains used on the  surface once it has been poured and set.  More creative and interesting contrasts can be acheived by using additives in the mix like stainless steel filings, glow in the dark materials, or colored glass chips.  Once the slab is polished it must be sealed at the rate needed per use.  This process lends itself to a patina with age. 

A Typical Solid Surface With A Colored and Routed Edge

     There is nothing strange, different, or out of the ordinary to consider when shopping for ADA kitchen cabinetry. The specialty cabinetry can be composed of any materials that currently make up standard off the shelf or custom cabinetry. It's all about the agreed upon cabinet industry standards for heights and distances being incorporated into the cabinetry designs. This allows the consumer with special needs a more comfortable experience while performing the kitchen's daily duties. Architectural barriers have been removed allowing for the proper legroom clearance, reach distance, and cabinet height. Upper cabinets aren't installed too high for a comfortable reach distance and the cabinet top, installed at 34 inches above the finished floor, is the perfect height to be totally useful. The ease of operation of the new cabinetry is more favorable and convenient and certainly user friendly.  And now for the layout of your new ADA compliant kitchen.

      Whether the job concerns ADA remodeling or new construction, commercial or residential, the end result will always be the same in aiding those who no longer or have never had the choice of a means of locomotion.  Sometimes folks need a little help beyond the rest of us to be self sufficient and hold on to their dignity.  That's when the clear accessible route comes into play.  This designated route wil make it possible for those with special needs to enter through the front door and travel into any room of the structure without barriers like the kitchen. Home accessibility help in Austin concerning the kitchen provides for better access by everyone. Austin ADA remodeling will provide accessibility to all homeowners no matter what their age but will provide access to all no matter what their impairment is concerning.

      First you should try to maintain a five foot turning radius within your kitchen if you require the use of a wheelchair or other assistive mobility device. You will need to have your plumbing attachments brought into compliance to enable your freedom and safety.  The installation of grab bars where needed within the kitchen can be very helpful for insuring your safety for maneuverability.  These should be installed at 34 inches above the finished floor to safeguard your use of them.  Having roll under capability for the new kitchen sink can be very helpful while you are utilizing the wheelchair.  Exact clearances should be complied with for width and clear unobstructed legroom underneath the sink.  The proper safety equipment should be installed on the plumbing pipes that prevent scalding of your legs.

     Any ADA compliant kitchen cabinets in Austin, Texas will need to produce a better service or work triangle between the sink, refrigerator, and stove placement.  The shorter the sum of the triangle legs the more efficient the layout but islands can also be incorporated into the design to increase the efficiency.  The prep sink within the island can become it's own focal point of the work triangle displacing the duties of the main kitchen sink.  The orientation of the island toward the work triangle is very important making sure traffic can still flow freely within the designated triangle. Islands can contain all sorts of special storage areas.  Mixer lifts, produce storage drawers, wine storage, and dough board pullouts are just a few of the many useful aspects that can be incorporated into the island.

     Placing the dishwasher beside the sink and raising it up four to nine inches obove the floor makes bending and reaching in to load or empty the machine a more comfortable activity.  An elevated kick space aids mobility assistive devices and raises base cabinets to a more comfortable height increasing accessibility.  A pull out eating surface can be installed beyond a visible top drawer front providing legroom and ease of use.  Placing the spice drawers or shelves next to the cook stove also makes good sense.  Storage of pots and pans must also be placed within the vicinity of the stove.  Utilizing pull out shelves will bring the heavy pots and pans out in the open where they can be grasped easier.  Cooking and eating utensils must have their place between the stove and sink according to use.  Dividers and drawer organizers are a good way to control clutter and increase organization.  Task lighting is a concern making sure there is plenty of light to function properly as well as placing adequate light used over the main kitchen sink.  Roll out trash bins or pull out shelves are a consideration during the layout process.  Lowering a wall oven to a height that is easier to reach can help with safety issues.  All ADA remodeling concepts are meant to aid in your comfort and help you prepare for the future. 

     Whatever your situation please rely on the experiences of a local building professional.  Check out their credentials and references over merely price checks against other bidders.  Don't make the mistake of letting a cabinet making sub play the part of a general contractor because his knowledge will be limited to that of the cabinets and not much else.  You get what you pay for with proper planning.

     An Upgraded Kitchen with Roll Under Sink Capabilities

     To begin with, kitchen upgrades and bathroom remodels return the most money at resale on the initial investment of the remodeling project.  National averages show that kitchen remodels recoup around 70% of the costs of the upgrade at the time of resale of the home.  When remodeling an Austin kitchen, kitchen remodeling costs should never exceed 15% of the total value of your home.  Here is where you need to get your thinking cap on and plan for an affordable budget that is within your means.  Your material choices are very important and if you need to stay mid-level to fit the budget then do so.  The labor involved for the project will be around 1.6 times the cost of the materials used.  The total budget should allow $100 per square foot for your kitchen upgrade project.

     For an average size kitchen of between 200-300 square feet you can budget $25,000 for your kitchen upgrade.  There are no DIY kitchen remodeling projects.  Once the demolition is accomplished the inexperienced homeowner should consider his part in the remodel to be complete.  It's time to get the building professionals involved to make sure that the resulting kitchen upgrade functions correctly.  The correct electrical wiring with the new outlets and appliance rough ins should be installed within the kitchen's frame work.  Dedicated circuits per the national electrical code should be wired by a qualified electrician.  This will insure that two appliances can be running simultaneously without tripping any circuit breakers.  The electrician will also install the needed GFI  circuits that keep you safe around any wet areas.  It's also a great time to install all the upgraded lighting fixtures with the new switching they require.  Skimping on the electrical budget can cause many problems including an electrical fire.

     Whether you're looking for a local residential construction contractor for remodeling an Austin kitchen or a construction professional to complete an office transformation the final accenting finishes most likely will include the use of fine cabinetry. The choice between frameless European and Northern face frame cabinetry styles will highlight practically any design.   Choosing the correct wood species can further add to the richness of the job.

     Any kitchen remodeling in Austin, Texas  will need to produce a better service or work triangle between the sink, refrigerator, and stove placement.  The shorter the sum of the triangle legs the more efficient the layout but islands can also be incorporated into the design to increase the efficiency.  The prep sink within the island can become it's own focal point of the work triangle displacing the duties of the main kitchen sink.  The orientation of the island toward the work triangle is very important making sure traffic can still flow freely within the designated triangle. Islands can contain all sorts of special storage areas.  Mixer lifts, produce storage drawers, wine storage, and dough board pullouts are just a few of the many useful aspects that can be incorporated into the island.  Keep your thinking cap on when remodeling an Austin kitchen and pay particular attention to traffic flows.

     Placing the dishwasher beside the sink and raising it up slightly above the floor makes reaching in to load or empty the machine a more comfortable activity.  Placing the spice drawers or shelves next to the cook stove also makes good sense.  Storage of pots and pans must also be placed within the vicinity of the stove.  Cooking and eating utensils must have their place between the stove and sink according to use.  Task lighting is a concern making sure there is plenty of light to function properly as well as placing adequate light used over the main kitchen sink.  Roll out trash bins or pull out shelves are a consideration during the layout process.  Let's not forget ADA remodeling concepts for comfort if you are preparing for the future using universal design. 

     Whatever your situation please rely on the experiences of a local building professional.  Check out their credentials and references over merely price checks against other bidders.  Don't make the mistake of letting a cabinet making sub play the part of a general contractor because his knowledge will be limited to that of the cabinets and not much else.  You get what you pay for with proper planning.

Kitchen Remodeling Is Limited Only By Your Budget

     Have you finally reached the point where your existing kitchen just doesn't blend with your current lifestyle or it simply doesn't have the efficiency that you require?  Are you beginning to formulate your kitchen remodel ideas?  Your appliances have become personified with all their special inhibiting attributes they contribute toward your life.   Don't forget that their power efficiency is definitely inferior to the norm of today and that your old appliances are wasting energy that you pay for monthly in the form of your electric bill.  Perhaps your gas stove's burners aren't as efficient as they once were adding an addition of carbon monoxide to the air you breathe within your home's confinement.  Maybe your stove's hood vent, which hasn't worked in quite some time, needs to be upgraded with a more efficient and certainly a more quiet unit.  How about the cabinet drawers that that have come apart or no longer freely run on their guides.  And don't forget about the missing cabinet bottom under the sink because of an accidental plumbing leak that occurred months ago or the old original cabinet doors that no longer shut or perhaps have hinge problems.  Many problems or a combination of certain defects can cause you to reach that threshold and begin to get serious about a kitchen or bathroom upgrade.

     To begin with, kitchen upgrades and bathroom remodels return the most money at resale on the initial investment of the remodeling project.  National averages show that kitchen remodels recoup around 70% of the costs of the upgrade at the time of resale of the home.  However, your kitchen remodeling costs should never exceed 15% of the total value of your home.  Here is where you need to get your thinking cap on and plan for an affordable budget that is within your means.  Your material choices are very important and if you need to stay mid-level to fit the budget then do so.  The labor involved for the project will be around 1.6 times the cost of the materials used.  The total budget should allow $100 per square foot for your kitchen upgrade project.

     For an average size kitchen of between 200-300 square feet you can budget $25,000 for your kitchen upgrade.  There are no DIY kitchen remodeling projects.  Once the demolition is accomplished the inexperienced homeowner should consider his part in the remodel to be complete.  It's time to get the building professionals involved to make sure that the resulting kitchen upgrade functions correctly.  The correct electrical wiring with the new outlets and appliance rough ins should be installed within the kitchen's frame work.  Dedicated circuits per the national electrical code should be wired by a qualified electrician.  This will insure that two appliances can be running simultaneously without tripping any circuit breakers.  The electrician will also install the needed GFI  circuits that keep you safe around any wet areas.  It's also a great time to install all the upgraded lighting fixtures with the new switching they require.  Skimping on the electrical budget can cause many problems including an electrical fire.

     Plumbing upgrades need to be addressed and the use of a master plumber will make sure that everything functions correctly.  Moving a sink over a small amount can add an additional $2,500 to your project's hard costs as it affects both the plumbing and the floor.  The plumber can be sure that you have adequate water volume for any additional fixtures that will be involved.  The plumber will be involved through the setting of the sink, fixtures, and all appliances requiring water to operate.  When choosing a kitchen sink, whether it is a drop in model or an undermount,  you can never go wrong with a good grade of stainless steel.  These sinks never go out of style and you can outfit them with any color and kind of faucet that you see fit.

     Moving on to the fine cabinetry for the project, you are limited by what you have budgeted for.  Medium grade oak cabinets will cost you $160 per linear foot.  Even if your budget is tightening and you need to install IKEA cabinets you will still need a professional cabinet installer to correctly set out your new cabinet line.  If the intent of your upgrade is to increase your accessibility by via an ADA remodel,  the new cabinets will most likely have to be custom made.  These alterations should be done by a qualified residential construction contractor who is accomplished in dealing with the local ADA codes. 

     There are many textured plastic laminates available today that will help keep your project costs in the black.  The premium grades of laminate counter tops will still cost $45 per linear foot but that's a far cry better than $100 per square foot for premium granite.  Back splashes can either match or be totally different from the surface of the counter top.  Tile patterns and designs blend well with any chosen counter top surface. 

     The painting of the walls and ceiling following the drywall fill work can be as easy as applying a coat of paint.  Faux painting, used as an upgrade for the walls, will be a highlight for any remodel.  Remember to keep your color choices light and neutral to prevent making the new kitchen area appear smaller.  Installed flooring will set you back around $25 per square foot according to the choices you have made.  The base and trim that is used for the new project should match that used within the rest of the house in order to blend in.  Good luck and be sensible staying within your budget.

     Before Picture Showing Old Cabinetry and Outdated Fluorescent Box Lighting

After (almost complete) Showing Upgraded Lighting and New Cabinetry with Island