Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Some Tips For Kitchen Renovations

By Teri Farley


Kitchen renovations can be daunting even for seasoned renovators as many factors like plumbing and electrical work are often involved. They are worth tackling as they not only improve the appearance of the room but allow the space to be used more efficiently. This renovation immediately boosts the value of your home.

A free design service is offered by many companies who use computer software to produce the designs. The designers who use this software are usually experienced and bring to their designs the basics of good layout, including considerations regarding lighting, ventilation and how appliances should be positioned. They can also help you keep to your budget and may even contribute ideas that may save expenses.

A rapport with your designer is important as you must to be able to communicate your personal requirements and desires. The room should match the style of the rest of your home. Choice of all the different elements like tiles, cabinets, lighting and islands must reflect your specific taste so that the room has your touch rather than looking like a room in a show house.

You may need to completely gut the space and go for a total renovation. This is more costly and you need to be prepared for teams of workmen invading your home. It is better to use a reliable contractor with experience as the job can then be done as quickly and efficiently as possible. Getting permits, demolishing walls, installing plumbing and electrical outputs are all handled better by those with expertize in these areas.

Often, a more surface renovation is enough. You retain your existing layout and keep most appliances in the same place. This means any building, plumbing and electrical changes are eliminated or reduced. Instead, the change is brought about by replacing cabinets, counter tops and flooring. Even the installation of these items may appear easy but still require skill as everything must be completely level and fit perfectly.

The elements that often suffer the most wear and tear in a kitchen are counter tops, cabinets and flooring. It is much better to go for quality materials like solid wood fronts for cabinets and top notch hinges. Counter tops may be made of many different materials from marble and granite to laminated wood but durability must be considered as well as price as they are used extensively.

When choosing materials, another important consideration is how easy they are to clean and how much dirt they show. Kitchens are often the hub of the home and even though white ceramic floor tiles may look elegant, the slightest little mark is obvious. Darker clay tiles, on the other hand, may be slightly harder to clean but they do not show dirt that easily. Laminated flooring is one of the most popular choices as it is attractive, easy to clean and tolerant of moisture.

Kitchen renovations may be demanding but they are well worth tackling. The changes made can often be quite dramatic. They will not only increase the value of the home but offer a family a space that is not only attractive but works more efficiently too.




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