Monthly Archives: July 2011

Different Sink Styles

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A main part of any kitchen or bathroom is the sink. It’s used on a regular basis, so it only makes sense that thought should be put in to what type of sink you would like to have. There are many different types of sinks, each with its own pros and cons.

Farmhouse:

Also called “apron-front”, these types of sinks have a deep basin with a broad front part that blends in to the cabinets. They create a vintage look in any kitchen because of their traditional look. They are oriented closer to the front so it is easier to get closer to the sink to wash. Their deep basin adds to its functionality, as more can be placed into the sink, and it is less likely for water to splash up onto the countertops. Until recently, these sinks have needed custom cabinetry because of the front apron. However, KC Cabinetry can design these sinks into your kitchen remodel with standard semi-custom cabinets

 
Metal Frame:

This type of sink requires a metal rim around the sink. The frame is usually rounded and attaches directly to the countertop. The frame covers the gap between the sink and the countertop. This type of sink is the easiest to install and the most common in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as the cheapest. However, it lacks any sort of artistic flair.

Self Rimming:

These easy to install sinks have the rim of the sink overlapping the countertops. Heavy sinks are held in place because of their weight, while lighter sinks are simple bolted or clipped into place. It works with any type of kitchen or bathroom, and can be installed without damaging or ripping out any of the countertops.

Under counter:

These sinks are installed by bringing the sink up from under the counter. This makes installation easy, as there are no changes needed to fit into the base cabinet. No rim shows above the countertop and it creates a seamless, sleek, and modern look. However, solid materials such as granite, quartz, or marble should be used. If laminate countertops are used, the edge above the sink is exposed. Condensation can enter under the countertops, causing it to bubble up.

Wall-mount:

This bathroom sink is mounted on to the wall at a functional level. They hang on a bracket and often have a shroud and backsplash tile to make it look more attractive as well as to cover up the piping. These are perfect for smaller bathrooms because they do not take up much floor space. However, they do take away from storage space, as there are no cabinets underneath. The faucet needs to be long enough to reach the sink, and they do not have an overflow hole. They also need to be fitted with a grid drain. However, they do add certain flair to the bathroom, and are very functional for those in wheelchairs.

Pedestal:

While they are a significant investment, pedestal sinks are also perfect for smaller bathrooms. They are incredibly versatile in style and some even have the options of having two faucets, one for hot water and the other for cold. They are very easy to clean and maintain. However, installation can be a hassle because of the piping. They also have the same faucet and overflow problems as wall-mounted sinks. These are a good choice for impressing party guests and are very beautiful in any type of bathroom.

 
 
Free standing basins:

Also called vessel-style, these bathroom sinks have the basin sitting on the countertops for a look that can be integrated into any style. They come in many different types of materials and do not necessarily have to match with the bath or toilet, and go with any type of countertop material. However, there are many installation changes to consider. The countertops, for example, must be installed at a lower height in order for the sink to be at the right level. A way to get around this is to install the sink on a piece of furniture that is designed specifically for vessel sinks. Another difficulty is the faucet. If the water falls onto the side of the sink, a significant amount of splashing will occur. The faucet needs to be long enough for the water to fall directly into the middle of the basin, as well as giving enough space between the faucet and basin. While there are some difficulties with the free standing basins, they come in so many shapes, colors, styles, and are so versatile that their style makes up for any installation complications. KC Cabinetry can help you decide on the perfect sink, for your new kitchen renovation.  Call or come in to our kitchen showroom today!

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

Renovation vs. Remodeling: What’s the difference?

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In the interior designing world, there is some confusion on the difference between renovating and remodeling a space. Some designers use it interchangeably, causing more confusion to the common person. When a client asks a designer to renovate or redesign their house, different ideas can come up and the clients “dream” home can become something entirely different.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to renovate means “to restore to a former better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding)” while to remodel means “to alter the structure of”. In simpler terms, if you are going to renovate your bathroom, you are going to update your existing space. This can be done through changing the granite countertops to quartz, retiling the floors, or replacing the old oak cabinets with cherry. If you are going to remodel your kitchen, you are going to basically rip most of the kitchen. Cabinets can be added, the layout of the counters can be changed, sinks can be expanded, and walls can be knocked down.

Remodeling means much more work, time, and money. If your kitchen is a simple one counter 8×8 room closed off from the dining room and you plan on entertaining a lot of people and you want something bigger and more open, remodeling is definitely for you. In may take longer, but in the end you will love your home and use the space more often.
If you like the space of your kitchen or bathroom, a simple renovation can be enough. You can simply change the handles on the cabinets, or retile the floor and update the countertops. This saves a significant amount of time and money and can be extremely simple.

KC Cabinetry can help you renovate or remodel your home and can help you design the changes and choose the products that are right for your home. Then, we can do the work for you in a quick and professional manner. Call or come into our kitchen remodeling showroom in Highlands Ranch, Colorado today for a free consultation.

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

Marble and Limestone Alternatives

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Marble and limestone are coveted by many of those wanting to change the look of their kitchen or bathroom. While these products look fantastic, the risks they pose often outweigh the benefits. Marble is mostly porous; it stains easily and often chip and crack. In order to keep the countertops from staining, a strict cleaning policy must be enforced or a sealer placed over the countertops. This sealer not only costs extra, but also must be replaced frequently. As sealers are not perfect, the countertops need to be cleaned often. Marble also poses a safety risk: if not cleaned often or sealed properly, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria. This increases the risk for illness. Also, some acidic foods such as limes can etch into the marble. Limestone countertops have similar problems because it is a porous material as well.

However, there are some alternatives. Certain products have the look of marble or limestone, but not the same porous qualities. This helps lower the cost of the countertops as well as eliminates the headaches that marble and limestone give.

The following are pictures of marble and limestone countertops, and the alternatives that we also offer. As you can tell, there is very little difference between them. If you’re looking to change the look of your bathroom or kitchen, the kitchen designers at KC Cabinetry can help you choose the right products to fit your remodeling project.

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

Products We Love: Mirage Glass Tiles

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These beautiful glass tiles have a range of colors, depth, and texture that can add a unique twist to your bathroom or kitchen remodel. Their applications include backsplashes, borders, walls, and any other application you can think of. Our remodeling showroom has samples of many of their lines. The pictures below show only a small sample of what we have. Come in to our Littleton, CO showroom today to see what styles we offer, and how we can install them into your home.

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- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

The New Look of Quartz Countertops

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When one thinks of “natural stone” countertops, the first thought that comes to mind is Granite – and no one can argue that Granite countertops can be beautiful. But why is it that Quartz countertops are not immediately thought of? Some think that Quartz countertops are not natural, safe, or do not have a variety of looks. However, Quartz is a natural, absolutely safe countertop that has a constantly changing style.

Quartz is one of the hardest “natural” minerals that exist on our planet – only diamonds, sapphires and topaz surpass it in hardness.  Quartz counter tops are comprised of 93% Quartz and 7% resins and color – that’s roughly a 13:1 ratio.  So if you’re looking for a natural stone countertop, Quartz is an option to consider.

Both Quartz and Granite are strong, scratch resistant, heat resistant, has variable seams and are, of course, beautiful. Due to size limitations of the slab, seams are necessary and sometimes unavoidable in both Quartz and Granite countertops. However, only Quartz is food safe, low maintenance, stain resistant, and has a consistent color. Quartz is naturally non-porous and nonabsorbent, and therefore resists stains from common household items such as coffee, tea & wine. For this same reason, Quartz is also food safe. The nonporous surface reduces the potential for bacterial growth from food absorbing into your countertop. Granite is a porous stone and must be sealed periodically, making it a higher maintenance countertop, as well as increasing its risks for stains and bacterial growth.

The more popular brand names for Quartz countertops include: Cambria, Zodiaq, Silestone, and Caesarstone – with Cambria being the only Quartz surfaces manufacturer in the United States.  The products offered under these brand names are very similar, with the primary difference being in appearance.  New Quartz designs and colors continue to evolve, with the newest Quartz designs on the market exhibiting movement that closely resembles granite and marble, wide range of neutral and vibrant colors, cool textures, and recycled materials.

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Movement: In 2011, Cambria introduced 12 new styles under its “Waterstone Collection”.  The designs were influenced by the natural movement of water over stone.

Wide Range of Colors: Adding to its existing wide range of hues, Zodiaq has added 5 new “spicy” colors to its collection in 2011. Silestone has added three unique colors to its color palette

Cool Textures: With new embossing technologies, we are starting to see a trend in “textured” Quartz, as well as honed (matte) and leather finishes.

KC Cabinetry’s kitchen remodeling showroom have 100′s of Quartz sample to help you decide if Quartz countertops are right for your kitchen remodeling project.

Free Kitchen Design Consultation

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KC Cabinetry offers a free design consultation to homeowners in the Denver Metro Area who are considering a kitchen remodel. Now I know what you’re thinking, “nothing is free” Well, I think this might be an exception.

One of our designers and a project manager will come to your home and offer you a 90 minute design consultation to assist you on any kitchen design issues. We can suggest new layouts, discuss cabinets, countertops, appliances: what ever your kitchen remodel needs.

Call and schedule your consultation now; 303-623-5000

LED lighting

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Though this nation is technically out of the recession, the average homeowner is still interested in saving money. While sales and cutting back on expenses can help save money now, there are ways to save money in the long run.
One way that money can be saved is through lighting. Current light bulbs use up a lot of energy and can be broken easily. Money is lost in the amount of light bulbs that have to be replaced, as well as the amount of energy it takes to power it. This not only wastes money, but it also puts a strain on the environment. They also add to cooling costs in the home, as they produce a significant amount of heat while on. A new alternative to light bulbs is LED lighting.

LED stands for light-emitting diode. It is a type of Solid-State lighting that becomes illuminated when electrons pass through a semiconductor material. This is very different from other types of lighting systems. Incandescent bulbs, for example, pass electricity through a metal filament and make it so hot that it glows. This is a very inefficient way of creating light, as over 90% of the energy used is passed as heat. That means that there is less energy for light, and these types of bulbs can significantly raise the temperature of a room. Another type of bulb is a CLF bulb, also know as a florescent bulb. In these bulbs, gases in a tube create ultraviolet light when an electrical current is passed through it. This ultraviolet light is then converted to visible light through the coating inside the tube. While they are a better option than incandescent bulbs, 80% of the energy released by CLF bulbs is released as heat. LED bulbs are different. The small amount of heat that is created through the electrons passing is collected in a heat sink behind the light, leaving the LED cool to the touch. This means that most of the energy is released as light, not heat.

There are many other advantages to LED lights. They have a significantly longer life span. They can last about 50,000 hours, while CLF bulbs last about 10,000 and incandescent bulbs last only 2,000 hours. LED lights usually don’t immediately die; their lighting power becomes more and more dim and slowly goes out. They are extremely durable and shock resistant, and they light up very quickly. They save a significant amount of money through energy costs, cooling costs, and no having to replace them as often as other bulbs.

However, there are some disadvantages to LED lights. Their initial cost is much higher than other bulbs, and they need a specific amount of electricity passing through them, which means the installation of series resistors or current-regulated power-resistors. Also, LED’s are dependent on the surrounding temperature, which means that the lights can fail if it gets too hot or too cold. With some LED’s, color can be perceived differently, though this is only with low quality LED’s.

Putting LED lights into your home, while initially costly, can help you save money in the long run. If you are redoing your kitchen or bathroom with KC Cabinetry, ask about putting LED track lights under your cabinets or installing them as your main lighting source. We can help you choose the type of lighting that’s right for your home and your budget.

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

Color in the Kitchen

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While renovating your home, an important factor to consider is color. The color of your kitchen, of course, is no exception. For years the majority of kitchens were painted with neutral colors such as tan, gray, and white. Any other color was usually for the accents. However, adding color to your walls can add a unique touch to your kitchen.

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A rule of thumb for painting any room is the 60-30-10 rule: the dominant color should make up 60% of the room, the secondary color should make up 30%, and the accent color should make up 10%. In previous kitchen designs, white was the dominant color while any bright or bold color made up the accent. In more modern designs, colors are starting to make more of a statement. As most appliances only come in silver, white or black, designers are adding colors to the walls, the cabinets, and even the counter tops. This makes the kitchen pop and draws attention to it. It’s important, however, to not drown the room in a certain color. Perhaps the walls and counter tops can be a bright green with silver appliances and light brown cabinets. Because wall space tends to be limited in kitchens, it is the perfect place to add color with out overpowering the room.

The color scheme of your kitchen should be considered as well. Warm colors such as yellow, red, and orange are good for kitchens, as they can comfort as well as stimulate appetite. If you want a cooler color such as blue or purple to be your dominant color, the warmer colors can make up your accents in order to brighten both colors.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to color in your kitchen. KC Cabinetry & Renovation can help you choose the perfect color scheme to make your kitchen unique, sophisticated, and spectacular.

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern

“Green” cabinets

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With the increasing interest in sustainable products, the cabinetry business is offering “green” products as well. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to creating buildings that are sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible, and that create a better quality of life for all. In 2000, the USBGC created Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) to provide builders with a framework of practical green building design, construction and maintenance solutions. It is a third-party verification for all those looking to build houses.

One of the problems with building or renovating is formaldehyde. It is a component wood finishes and adhesives and it is linked to some significant health concerns as it can be emitted from the wood and enter the air that we breathe. There are ways to limit these emissions, or to prevent these emissions entirely. Wood companies such as Columbia Forest Products, Roseburg, and Sierra Pine eliminate the emissions by removing formaldehyde completely from their wood products. Columbia Forest Products, for example, replaces formaldehyde treated plywood with their soy-based Purebond plywood. It does not pollute the air inside homes, and is LEED certified. Roseburg has created the LEED certified Skyblend particleboard, which has no added formaldehyde and is made of certified recycled and sustainable raw materials. For a sustainable medium density fiberboard (MDF), Sierra Pine has Arreis. It is LEED certified and is made from 100%-recycled material. It has formaldehyde free adhesive system, which make its formaldehyde emissions extremely minimal.

Though all of these companies are working towards making these options affordable for every American, these sustainable options are still slightly expensive. However, there are other options to help stop formaldehyde emissions. KC Cabinetry offers cabinets with a conversion varnish that lock in formaldehyde. They also can provide kitchen cabinets made from formaldehyde free plywood.

KC Cabinetry & Renovation offers these products to make your home safer and more sustainable for the environment.

- Cassandra Cordova, KC Cabinetry intern


Induction cooktop

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[slideshow]Anyone looking to remodel their kitchen, and who actually intends to use their kitchen for cooking, should consider an Induction cooktop as an option – but is it the right choice for you?
Most of us are familiar with the traditional methods of cooking using gas and electric cooktops, where the cooking element is either a gas burner with a flame, or an electric coil. With these two methods of cooking, the heat is first generated in the cooking element, and then transferred to the cooking vessel (pan, pot, etc.), which eventually heats up the food or liquid inside. The result is a lot of wasted heat that ends up in your kitchen as opposed to heating up your food.
Induction cooktops look like standard electric smooth tops, but the method of heating is entirely different. With induction cooking, the cooking element contains a powerful magnetic coil. When cookware with a bottom made of magnetic material is placed on the cooktop, the magnetic field transfers heat directly into the pot or pan; the cookware itself becomes the heat source. The result is a fast and efficient heating process with which the cook has complete control.

What Are the POSITIVES of Induction Cooktops?
• Speed: By targeting the heat into the pan (as opposed to the cooking surface) induction cooktops allow food to be prepared faster than with conventional methods. For example, it takes an induction cooktop half the time to boil 2 quarts of water compared to gas.

• Control: Cooks can adjust the cooking heat instantly and with great precision. For example, you can adjust the cooking-heat as low as needed for gentle simmering – something even gas is not always good at.

• Cooler Kitchen and Stovetop: Because the heat is transferred directly into the pot or pan, the heat is used for cooking the food – not for heating up your kitchen; there is less wasted heat. And because the heat only exists in the pot or pan, the cooking surface stays warm to the touch, but not hot enough to burn.

• Safety: Because there are no open flames or red-hot coils, you do not have to worry about “little hands”, or your own, getting burned during the cooking process.

• Clean Up: Because the cooking surface is a flat ceramic top which does not get hot, wiping up spills with a damp cloth is easy.

• Less Ventilation Requirements: Because induction cooktops give off less heat and/or gas emissions, the ventilation requirements are not as high as with other conventional cooktops.

• Ease and Adaptability of Installation: Induction cooktops are typically very thin, often requiring not more than two inches of depth below the countertop surface. When a cooking area is designed to allow for wheelchair access, induction may be a good option.

What Are the NEGATIVES of Induction Cooktops?

• Requires Special Cookware: Induction cooktops only work with cooking vessels made of magnetic materials. The best type of cookware for induction cooking is stainless steel and cast iron. Glass, ceramics, solid copper and solid aluminum will not work. When buying cookware for use on an induction cooktop, look for labeling that declares them suitable for induction cooking – or take a long a magnet to test their magnetic properties.

• Limited to Ceramic Glass Surfaces: Induction cooktops look like standard electric smooth tops, and are predominantly offered in either black or white. So if you like the “professional” look of stainless steel, you may not like the induction look.

• Subject to Power Outages: If the electricity to your home is interrupted for whatever reason, you will not be able to cook.

• Can be Damaged by Impact: Because the surface is ceramic glass, it can be damaged. For example, the bottom of certain cast iron pans can be rough. If you slide a pan such as this across an induction cooktop, it will scratch it. Additionally, Aluminum foil can melt onto the top and cause permanent damage or cracking of the top.

Whether or not you choose to install a brand new induction cooktop, KC Cabinetry can help you create a beautiful kitchen