Monday, November 30, 2009
The Wood Quality of Your File Cabinet
Now there are numerous kinds of wood so make sure you get a filing cabinet with the kind of material that best suits your practical requirements as well as personal taste. These days cabinets are nearly comparable to kitchen cabinets and other furnishings in the home, so know your options when it comes to the many different finishes of natural wood.
Oak is probably the most widely used wooden material for all kinds of cabinets, including office filing cabinets. Genuine oak is versatile because it can be stained to either a very light color or very dark color. Oak is also well-known for its strength and durability. It's grain detail also tends to be very rich. For a lighter finish, you might want to go with honey maple, which presents a more delicate grain detail and milky finish. Ginger maple has more of a reddish tone and is a great alternative for either very light or very dark wood tones.
All these genuine wood materials are strong and durable and present a wide range of design looks. Generally, you should evaluate the stain, natural shade of the wood and grain detail when browsing your options. This will help you choose the best quality wood for your file cabinet.
Construct a Kitchen Cabinet
In order to construct a kitchen cabinet, you must be aware of what you desire. Making a plan or a sketch of what your dream kitchen cabinet would look like at completion is a great way to start off. You must take care to include the depth your cabinet would have in your pre-construction analysis.
The second stage of this project entails finding out where you can get the needed materials for your construction from and not just that trying to find out the different tools required for the job and the cost of these materials by the time you go for purchase. Having known the prices of the different types of wood you will be making use of building your kitchen cabinet, the next thing for you to do is to select the most affordable ones.
When you have finished getting your materials and the construction in reality has begun. You must consider the following warnings:
1. Try to get your wood cut into shapes and measurements you want to make use of by somebody that is in the job. His expertise would pay off at how smooth your cabinet would be when constructed.
2. Have a plan ready before ever you set out to construct the kitchen cabinet so that the construction process would flow freely and you will not have a reason to back out half way.
3. Make marks on the wood and board's surfaces to give you direction as you begin to screw the cut pieces of wood together to make your kitchen cabinet.
Finally, check out the surface of your wood, determine the type of finishing that would be great for it whether paint or polish and then go on and finish the work.
Your Kitchen Cabinetry Look Dull?
Refacing:
Refacing the kitchen wooden cabinet however is not a very easy task and it demands great care and professionals usually do it. Refacing your kitchen cabinet includes replacing the cabinet drawers, the doors, the knobs and any other worn out and broken parts in the cabinetry. The expense you incur will depend on the wood type of cabinet. The expense for refacing would also depend on the changes you want to make to your kitchen cabinet. If you plan to add a new surface to the base or add a chamber to the cabinet, it will cost you more. The process is time-consuming if your want to change the cabinet totally.
Refacing is better than replacing the complete set. However, before refacing, you should make sure the cabinetry is in good condition. Because, if the total structure is broken, then refacing would not help your
Repainting:
The paint tends of fade out and thereby diminishes the total look of your cabinet. It is therefore necessary to repaint the cabinet to maintain the look of the cabinet and it would give your cabinet a new look. You must have good patience for doing a repainting program. Repainting your kitchen cabinetry needs you to follow a step by step process. You should first remove all the hardware fixed to the cabinet before beginning to paint. You may rub the surface of your cabinet with sandpaper first to take away all the coatings of painting and make the surface smoother. You should then apply primer to the surface of the cabinetry and then let it to dry. When the primer is completely dry, you can then start painting your wooden kitchen cabinet.
Cleaning:
The pro longed use will make the cabinets prone to being dirty. The dust particles as well as the spilt over food items make the cabinet look shabby. You should therefore clean the cabinets regularly to keep it in tact. normally, people ignore cleaning their cabinets. However, they do not realize is if left ignored, the quality of the cabinet will deteriorate. The parts of cabinets that are not regularly used should be given additional care. Regular cleaning will help make cabinet strong and will make it look attractive.
Concisely, Kitchen Cabinets are one among the chief focal points of the kitchen and for this reason, it is necessary to keep them in great condition. Refacing, Repainting and Cleaning would help in maintaining the kitchen cabinets.
The Homes of Celebrities. Easy to Do
You've probably seen the star who has a plasma TV raise up from the end of their bed or another one who has a TV that pops up out of a little cabinet in their bathroom. Now, if you have seen any of these scenarios, realize that you don't have to be a celebrity or a millionaire to have this in your home. All you need to make your TV a pop up TV is to buy the special cabinet that allows your TV this new capability.
A TV lift is a special piece of furniture that you can install in any room of your house, the living room, the dining room, your bedroom, the bathroom. Any place where you have a flat panel or plasma TV can be made complete when you have stylish pop up TV lift to properly showcase your TV. This piece of furniture allows you to store and protect your TV when not in use. However, if you feel like watching a show, a game or a movie, all you have to do is use your remote control to pop your TV up and enjoy your program of choice.
What is even more special is pop up TV lifts come in a variety of styles and are also customizable to fit your needs or your decor, ensuring that you add style and sophistication to any room of your house. Check out this piece of furniture today and stop envying the stars, a pop up TV can be yours too!
RTA Kitchen Cabinet Types
Varieties of Read To Assemble Kitchen Cabinets:
Oak Kitchen cabinets: Any kitchen will look as great as an oak tree cabinet with these kinds of kitchen cabinets that comes with face frames, bars and stiles, are exclusively made up of solid Oak. The raised panels are coated with oak and hence, are less prone to split or warp. This variety of Ready To Assemble
cabinet range also uses Antique English semi-concealed hinges to spotlight its Golden Oak finish. This cabinet comes with additional features like drawer boxes with 1/2" all wood sides back stained to combine perfectly with the color of the cabinets, Euro Epoxy drawer slides.
Heritage Honey Maple: These types of kitchen cabinets merge perfectly with all types of homes and offer one of the classy looks to the kitchen. Heritage Honey maple is one among its own types in the wooden cabinets. It has a glossy finish of honey Maple and it is made without a Particle Board. In this, the doors and the face frames are made from solid Maple and have great plywood sides. It also have Euro Epoxy drawer slides and hidden European Hinges.
Ginger Maple: These kinds of cabinets effortlessly merge in all varieties of kitchens. The main specialty of Ginger maple is in its upper cabinet doors which are made up of Roman Arch, which offers the kitchen a unique look and a smooth feel. Similar to the aforementioned variety, the face frames as well as doors of this type is also made of solid maple. It has a touch of Ginger maple and comes with Euro Epoxy drawer slides and hidden European hinges.
Sunset Maple: These are the recent of all the Ready To Assemble cabinets. These have a unique touch of vibrant; rich color that gives a sober feel to your kitchen. This are the best options of those people who do not like installing a Chestnut maple. The wood cabinets have a solid plywood cabinet box as well as have drawer boxes with 1/2" all wood sides of back stained which complement the shades of all cabinets. The main feature of this variety is that it has concealed European hinges and driver slides.
Chestnut Maple: These types of cabinets are suitable for people who plan to give the kitchen a complete look. The deep color of Chestnut Maple will give the kitchen a classic look. Their doors and face frames are made with solid Maple and have a touch of Chestnut Glazed. The raised panel doors have four molded sides. The cabinets also have drawer boxes as well as concealed drawer slides in them.
Windsor Maple: These types of kitchen cabinets are an attractive cabinet that suit all kinds of kitchens. Windsor Maple has extra features that make them really stand out from other types of cabinets. It comes with 3/4" plywood sides than the normal 1/2" and it comes with tough drawer slides.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tips For Making European Style Cabinet
The Cabinetry Sides, bottoms and tops can all be built out of five eights thick particle board. Melamine is the choice material that most manufactures use. In extreme cases where high volume productions shops are saving money, they will resort to using vinyl coated boards.
European door hinges are to be mounted into holes that are drilled into the cabinetry doors. For the "do it yourself" homeowner these hinges will be attached using a number six screws which are five eights of an inch in length.
Drawer Slides come in many choices. The easiest ones to use are the white epoxy coated, self-closing drawer slides. These European slides should be attached with the same screws that your hinges are fastened onto the cupboard doors with.
Toe base parts should always be manufactured using either pine or three quarters of an inch thick plywood. This will help prevent any water damage if there is every a flood. It will also protect against damage occurring from regular moping. European cabinets always have the toe bases build separate from the boxes.
When making your cabinets, if you can find screws that have square drive tips on them these will be easier to work with than using Phillips head screws. A professional cabinet maker will almost always choose a square drive screw head over a Phillips head screw.
Base cabinet top rails should be cut out of three quarters thick plywood. This will provide greater support for the countertops and also will protect against the possibility of damage when moving the cupboards around.
In order to make a cabinet that will last like a professionally made one, you must use a combination of glue, staples and screws when assembling the parts. If you implement these three tips for fastening things together, your European cabinets should last a lifetime. These tips for cupboard fabrication should serve as a good foundation to build upon. Making cabinets can be a lot of fun. Enjoy your work by building them sturdy enough to last for a couple of generations.
Choosing a Lateral File Cabinet
Here are simple tips to help you choose the right lateral file cabinet you are looking for.
· Determine the size of the cabinet you are looking for. You would not want an over sized cabinet being bought and consuming too much space in your workplace or home.
· What material do you prefer? Cabinets are available in metal and wood. Steel and metal cabinets are more durable but have the tendency to rust over time. Wooden cabinets are more stylish and can be remodeled as you please.
· Decide where you want to go shopping for a filing cabinet. You can find a lot of choices in home and office depots, office supply stores, discount retailers and even online.
· Think of the color that you want for the cabinet. It must be something that suits your taste and the shade of your home or office. There are stores that offer custom-made cabinets if you cannot find the one that suit your taste.
· If you are meticulous about safety and security then you can pick a more secured cabinet. Cabinets that have locks and are fire proof are certainly pricey. So when you opt for one, make sure that it must suit your budget.
In the end, the sturdiness, dependability and the functionality of the lateral file cabinet is most important.
Kitchen Cabinets Varieties
Walnut, which is a natural hardwood, has typically always been a favorite choice for cabinetry in any room. It has a deep reddish brown coloring; which gives it a rich luster that many people are easily attracted to. Hard maple, on the other end of the spectrum, is available in shades from white to dark brown. It is strong, durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Natural cherry hardwood is like the icing on a piece of cake. There is no question that it is extremely beautiful, eye catching and very expensive. Hickory and pecan wood is also used to manufacture some very fine furniture pieces.
However, not all of the homeowners can afford to install a complete kitchen cabinet arrangement made from solid natural hardwoods. That is why wood veneer has evolved. A thin sliver is cut off of one of these precious woods and then secured to a piece of fiberboard. That way, at least you can have to look of natural hardwood; but with a less expensive price tag.
Therefore, if you are thinking of remodeling your kitchen, be sure to carefully check out all of the different options that are available to you.
Decorate Filing Cabinets
One way to decorate your file cabinets is with paper. You want to make sure that you use a thick strong paper like wallpaper or strong wrapping paper. Take all the drawers out and take measurements of the unit Take into account the any overlapping around the edges of the drawer. Use spray on adhesive to attach the paper carefully to the unit. Be sure to smooth out any bubbles that may form with a soft piece of material.
Another way to decorate your unit is by painting it. Make sure you place down some drop sheets or paint the filing cabinet in a place that you don't mind getting dirty. Give the file cabinet a clean and then a light sanding. Sanding will allow the new paint to grip to the surface of the cabinet. Next decide whether you want to paint it all one solid color or whether you wish to paint a design to make it a centerpiece. If you are going to paint a design, first lay down a couple of coats (allowing the paint to dry between coats) of the background color and then sketch on your design with a pencil. Simply fill in the sketch and let it all dry.
As an alternative to decorating a metal filing cabinet consider buying a wooden filing cabinet. Wooden cabinets provide a much more eloquent and tasteful look to your workplace or home. The initial cost is more but it will pay off in the long run by looking great rather than a sore spot on the eyes. So there it is, some great ways to turn your file cabinet from an eye sore to a great piece of furniture. Remember to do any redecorating in a space which can be made dirty with glue or paint. I hope this article helps, please feel free to leave any questions in the comments.
3 Vital Steps Kitchen Cabinet Refacing
1. Disassemble Your Old Cabinets
At first this may seem like a simple job. You just remove the cabinet doors, drawers, drawer runners and hinges. Make sure you remember to remove every piece of kitchen cabinet hardware.
Here is where people complicate things, however. Don't just remove those doors and drawers, but properly label and organize them as well. You will save a ton of time and frustration later by carefully labeling and organizing each piece so you can later reconstruct your cabinets easily.
2. Protect Your Kitchen and Appliances
Before you break out stripping solvent, sanding equipment or too many heavy or sharp tools, you want to make certain all surfaces are covered and any appliances that can be reasonably removed are out of the kitchen. Certainly, everything must be cleared from the counters. If possible, remove the oven and refrigerator as well.
Then drape or tape plastic or protective cloth over all other surfaces. Don't cut corners here; depending on the tools and solvents you'll need to use, you could very well do some serious damage if you aren't thorough and meticulous with this step.
3. Strip, Sand and Clean All Kitchen Cabinet Surfaces
Stripping the finish from your existing kitchen cabinets isn't too difficult as long as you consider three things: 1) Make sure you select the right solvent for your existing cabinet's finish. 2) Make sure everything in you kitchen is properly protected. 3) Take proper safety precautions. Use appropriate gloves, tools and then properly ventilate the work area.
Your local hardware store (especially if you can visit a Home Depot, Lowe's or Menard's) will provide you with all the information and data you need to select the appropriate stripping solvent for your finish.
This is a critical step in your kitchen cabinet refacing endeavors, so don't be impatient. Make sure you get everything just right. After you strip, you sand. And after you sand, you want to be extra careful to properly wipe and clean every surface. A dust bunny or wood shaving can wreak havoc on a refinish or repaint job.
You should now be well on your way to that spectacular new kitchen. Kitchen cabinet refacing can be a satisfying way to save money while implementing a fresh new look for your kitchen.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Remodeling A Kitchen Cabinets Quickly!!
Depending on how much choice you would like to have and how much money you can afford to spend, the first thing you need to decide is whether you would like to purchase basic, mid level, premium, or custom cabinets. Out of the many different types of kitchen cabinets this is perhaps the broadest distinction. With basic cabinets, you get ready to install cabinets that are usually made from thin veneered particle board with a no frame construction. You would not have as many choices with this type of cabinet, but it suits those on a budget. Most people would be better off with mid-level cabinets, which are still usually made with a face frame construction. The boxes might still be made of particle board, but the frame is made of wood and you have more options to choose from. Premium cabinets are a lot more expensive, but are made with better materials and offer a lot more options for size and features. Custom cabinets are the most expensive of all, but you can get pretty much anything you would like, including odd sizes and solid wood construction.
Besides the basic options listed above, the many different types of kitchen cabinets also include unfinished kitchen cabinets. You can get unfinished cabinets in various levels of cabinets, though it is probably more common to find basic or mid-level cabinets in this state. With these cabinets you need to apply the finish yourself before you install them. You can either stain or paint these cabinets depending on your preferences.
With most of the many different types of kitchen cabinets you have the option of hiring a professional to install them, or doing it yourself. Standard sized cabinets are best for those doing a DIY installation, since many custom cabinet jobs are a bit more complicated (as well as being more expensive). You would not want to spend all the money on cabinets only to ruin them while trying to install them.
Saving Money For Kitchen Cabinets
After you have disassembled the hardware, it can all be polished up or painted, depending on if it is metal or not, and put right back onto the finished cabinets.
The other option you have is to refinish or completely replace the cabinet doors, painting a fresh color on the frame that compliments the walls behind it. You can sand the doors down to the bare wood that you can then stain with a glossy finish.
If saving money is your goal, think about keeping your old appliances instead of trading them in for something newer. If they work well but look old, polish them up to look better. If they aren't working any longer or won't last much longer, you can purchase newer, used appliances to replace them, rather than purchasing brand new ones.
Remember that appliances that have been refurbished aren't always in bad condition or of low quality. If you search enough, you will find that there are great-quality items available. Dig around in some second-hand stores, neighborhood garage sales, or rummage sales. Take your time and you'll find ones that fit perfectly with your décor and style.
One of the easiest ways to make a room go from glum to glam is to change the window curtains. Updating your window curtains to a modern and sleek look will open up your kitchen and give the entire area a fresh look.
Make sure your new curtains match the style and color scheme in the rest of your kitchen. They should also fit the design of your kitchen, too, meaning that if your kitchen is very modern and simple, don't use very elegant and frilly curtains in your windows. It will off-set the feel of your kitchen.
Curtains are very easy to make and add a very personal and intimate touch: all you need to buy is the fabric and some thread. Simply find fabric that matches your kitchen style. Making your curtains will save you hundreds on your remodeling project.
Corner Bathroom Cabinets
The Look of Your Bathroom
When you want a bathroom that is decorative, beautiful, and simplistic, you want appliances for that comfort room that reproduce the most functional beauty they can reflect. If you are in the process of remodeling or building a new one, you have millions of attractive and practical options based on your needs.
Some of the modern styles cabinets are made with stainless steel combined with mirror door dimensions making it more unique and easier to clean.
Corner cabinets for bathroom is available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and finishes with or without glass. You can design your cabinets with the purpose of creating a medicine cabinet to store your personal hygiene products and medicines.
Some cabinets are usually installed on higher places to maximize storage and space. This also serves as your storage cabinet in case you have a very small floor size.
These cabinet options maximize the corner space while allowing easy entry to it contents.Corner bathroom cabinets are a great way to utilize space and incorporate even more storage. Practical as well, it fits neatly in a corner and features a top drawer and fixed interior shelf.
Investing in a corner cabinet when planning to rebuild your bathroom from scratch or just giving your it a fresh new look with sufficient space for your personal hygiene belongings and clothes is worth for you and your family.
Spending a reasonable amount of money on bathroom corner cabinets can make a big difference in your bathroom. Not just the new look, but also most importantly, the convenience you can feel once your bathroom gained more space with the use of angled cabinets.
Choose A Hanging Shelf
If you are ready to buy a hanging shelf organizer you should be prepared to make a list of what use you will put it too. For instance take into consideration how much weight you want it to hold, the color you want it to be, the dimensions, and the size overall which should be about the space on the wall. All these points matter when choosing the right hanging shelf and you cannot over look any of them. You are anyways spending money on it, so you don't want to spend money on the wrong type.
Pick and choose the best kind you like and ask a professional that works there some questions about it, maybe they can lead you to an even better selection with the list you wrote down. This will be your guide line to picking the right hanging shelf organizer, and with this you know you will make the right choice and invest your money wisely into the right one. It is best to take your time and really get down to detail, a wood worker for example will measure everything 3 times before he cuts, because all it takes is one cut, but measuring can be done how ever many times you want. So spend time calculating and one time only buying it, that is the best way to go.
I am learning about how to improve the artistic design of a home through furniture, whether it is hanging garage shelf, custom tables, or other unique furniture I look into it and write about it.
What to look for in a corner curio cabinet?
Corner curio cabinets come in many different designs and styles. The choice comes down to how much shelf space you might need and how much space you have in your room. The great thing about corner units is they blend right it and they do not appear bulky or overbearing. They simply make the best use of that wasted space and they can become a great focal point to any room.
Once you know how much shelf space you need you are ready to start thinking about the construction of the cabinet. Some corner curio cabinets feature an all glass construction except for the frame. These are a great choice and your items can be seen from anywhere in the room. Another great feature to look for is mirrored backs and soft lit displays.
That's right some corner units have built in lighting that is just perfect for catching your attention and lighting up your china or family photos. Another popular design is constructed completely from wood and you have your choice of wood types, grains and colors. One very important thing to remember when choosing an all wood model is that the wood will darken slightly over time.
Friday, November 27, 2009
What Necessary For Kitchen Cabinets?
One thing that would startle you is how many types of kitchen cabinets you could find in the market and there are times you are in real battle as to which way to move when faced with the task of selecting a particular cabinet type to buy.
One guiding principle at such times is to consider the appearance and structure of the cabinet. Kitchen maid cabinets stand out when you are looking out for cabinets that possess great appearance and structure.
Face frame is the number one point to check when it comes to appearance. Check if there are spaces between the drawers and the draw. Kitchen maid cabinets have drawers so neatly lapping to the draw that you hardly can point out where the drawers meet the draw. The hinges provide more beauty to the cabinets even when they are visible. However, some have latent hinges and only when you open the drawers can they be seen.
In planning for your kitchen, especially when your space is small, the most important thing to do would always be to look for storage alternatives that can hold many things for you to be able to conserve space. At times, drawers with deep depths are constructed and placed on both sides of the kitchen corridor while fridges, as well as kitchen appliances that can be used to perform more than one function, for instance a microwave with oven are considered. In all these you can save yourself a lot of bucks and space by finding a carpenter that can design and construct the best kitchen maid cabinet that suits for your kitchen.
Shop Online For Kitchen Cabinets
Some of these are as follows:
1. Autumn shaker kitchen cabinet series
This is the first example of the premier kitchen cabinet. They are definitely very strong and are generally not affected by the insects or rats. They are water resistant as well. The cost is also quite low. The wood used is the maple. If you will shop online then you will be able to buy it for $1511 which is definitely quite cheap. However if you will go in the market then you might have to pay around $2000. Hence you will definitely realize that by shopping online you are saving lots of money.
2. Marquis Cinnamon Kitchen Cabinet Series
This is yet another design. The wood used is the maple. It is so well designed that even the dishwasher gets fitted to it. Let me tell you one thing that it uses less space as well. The whole structure is water resistant and you will certainly be able to see it for more time. What I really mean is that it is long lasting. Since the dishwasher as well as the refrigerator gets fitted to it, hence lots of space is saved and you will realize that you have taken the right decision. However as I have mentioned before in this article, you will have to pay less if you will shop online. It will definitely be beneficial for you.
These are some of the kitchen-cabinets for you. Let me tell you one thing that all of them are equally good. However my motto is to explain how you can buy these kitchen cabinets online.
You will have to open one home improvement site. There, you will have to search for the kitchen cabinet. Believe me that you will find many cabinets. Some will be cheap whereas some will be costly. You just require finding the best one for yourself.
Advantages and Disadvantages With Bathroom Cabinets
In case of remodeling the bathroom, there are other options to move the entire installation in case the size is not compatible with the standard dimensions of lavatory cabinets sold today.
You can customize your own vanity with the help of designers whom you think can deliver the design you want with many different materials and color choices available. Your traditional cabinets can show a reflection of your character.
Custom Cabinet Advantage
Custom and semi-custom bathroom cabinets are options if you have time and a little more money to spend on the project. The advantage of this piece is that you can design the storage in a way to make maximum utilization of the space available in your toilet.
With this kind of cabinet you can select things like hidden compartments and partitions for your particular requirements.
The compartment can be adapted to fit in with your layout and design.
Custom Cabinet Limitations
For this storage, your budget comes first in selecting the materials, drawer and shelf designs, doors, paints, hardware, colors, and various accessories.
Semi-custom storage can be produced more quickly than fully modified products. If you are looking for ideas, there are lots of excellent online stores selling a wide range of different styles.
If you are in a budget, you might consider custom toilet cabinets designed to fit in with your unique bathroom designs. It will give your place a unique and personalized look. However, custom cabinets are a little bit costly than ordinary ones.
You might also consider semi-custom cabinets, in which stock bathe cabinets are fitted with custom configurations or are re-sized to fit your requirements.
Generally, this cabinet is made mostly on your chosen materials and designs. This way, you can create a very unique type of bathroom cabinet, which complements your personality and room environment. With this, you can always be proud of the result while looking at your custom-made shower cabinet.
When Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
About a third of the entire kitchen cost goes to the cabinets alone, so to make the most out of your investment and add value to your New York home it pays to do your homework well whether you are in Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, Brooklyn or Manhattan. Here are the important factors to look into when choosing kitchen cabinets:
Cost
This factor considerably affects the decisions of many homeowners. With the economic condition and the long running New York housing crunch, people should be more wary on how money is spent. The key to making the most out of your kitchen cabinet investment is through finding not the cheapest but the most valuable product features that meets your needs effectively. The cost of kitchen cabinets vary widely depending primarily on the material and cabinet type you choose.
Materials
When it comes to kitchen cabinet materials there are three options to choose from-wood, metal or laminate.
Wood. Throughout the ages, wood never ceased to give homes of all generations and design that exquisite warmth both in look and feel. In the kitchen, temperature changes are common and this will cause expansion and contraction, but with modern and advanced hardware, such problems are mitigated. The cost for wood varies greatly depending on the rarity of the timber chosen.
Metal. Especially marketed for contemporary designs, metal kitchen cabinets are gaining popularity. The durability that it offers comes with malleability that results to versatility in form. So if yours is not an ordinarily laid out kitchen, metal cabinets would fit in perfectly.
Laminate. Kitchen cabinets need not cost an arm and a leg and this is what laminate proves. Other than being the least expensive, laminate offers the widest array of colors and patterns to choose from making sure that you'll get the best fitting style for your taste.
Cabinet Type
Kitchen cabinets come in three construction types-stock, semi-custom and custom made (ordered from cheapest to most expensive). Stock cabinets are commonly found in home improvement stores and though they come in limited models, they are made in the most popular materials, finishes, designs and sizes. Semi-custom, like custom is available in standard sizes and shapes but offers more options. Custom-made kitchen cabinets fall among the priciest options for a good reason. If your needs are more than basic, then this choice is best for you as you can have these laid out and made to look completely in accordance to your needs and taste.
Choosing Wood and Finishes
With metal and laminate, what you choose is already what you'll get. But choosing wood entails a whole new set of decisions to take. The choices range from birch, cherry, oak, alder, hickory, maple, pine, walnut, mahogany or ebony; and each offers different grain and color. To enhance the look of wooden kitchen cabinets, there are different finishes you can choose from including having them varnished, stained, or painted.
Improve Your Kitchen Cabinets Right
All sets of cabinet refacing supplies should include both a cordless drill and several screwdrivers. You will need the cordless drill and driver for both drilling new wholes for new hardware as well as greatly speeding the process of unscrewing and screwing critical screws. However, you will also find yourself needing to delicately torque some screws with a hand screw driver, so keep both a flat head and Phillips head screwdriver at hand.
Next you'll need your trusty hammer and nails. Depending on how much of reface you're doing, you may need the nail and hammer for a variety of tasks. At the very least, you'll find the hammer handy for adjustments and securing drawer runners.
Never begin a job like this without a tape measure and a level. I urge you to keep both on your belt as you'll be reaching for these time and time again.
Stepping beyond the most obvious cabinet refacing tools, you'll need clamps and a pry bar. Some people try to get by with a hammer for the pry bar's role, but I encourage you to do this right and not cut corners. A hammer may damage drawer fronts when you pry them, for example. Unless you have a half dozen strong and calloused hands around at all times, you'll need clamps with rubber feet to hold a number of pieces together and level while you drill or saw.
The last absolutely necessary tool will be a utility knife. I encourage you to keep several blades on hand. It is hard to describe exactly where it will be used depending on how you approach your particular job, but I can assure you it will come in handy over and over again.
Now depending on exactly how extensive a refinishing job you're implementing, you may also need a miter saw and a table saw. The miter saw will help you cut the exact angles you must have and your table saw will give you perfectly straight lines (if you use it right, of course).
It goes without saying that you should have plenty of spare screws, nails, pencils and wood glue on hand. Always over-buy with these particulars as it can be infuriating to either run out of them or misplace them if you only have a few.
I hope this helps you understand the laundry list of tools you'll need on hand to reface kitchen cabinets properly. Don't try to skimp on these tools as you'll only make your job more difficult and when you get frustrated in a project like this, you only increase the likelihood of making careless but costly mistakes.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Imported Cabinets ,So Cheap!!
First let me mention why I feel qualified to address the subject. I have been in the remodeling and construction industry for nearly 40 years. Currently my wife and I own and operate a kitchen and bath remodeling firm in southern California. We were involved indirectly with the importation and directly with the installation of hundreds of sets of Chinese cabinets in the past. We purchased, with others, from several manufacturing sources and have experience with over a dozen types of product. I also have numerous friends and contacts in the remodeling and construction industry across the country, who have shared their experiences with me. Also my wife is Chinese.
First lets talk about the channels of distribution and then get into the features of the product itself. Most of the people importing Chinese cabinets to the states are from Asia or the Middleast. This is only natural since they are from that part of the world and are accustomed to bringing eastern wares to the western market. Typically a sizeable company or consortium will contract with a manufacturing facility in China either directly or thru a proxy. They obtain pricing based upon a agreed number of units/container loads over a specified period of time. They receive the containers from the Long Beach or LA harbors and warehouse the product locally or ship it overland to be warehoused in some inexpensive logistically advantageous location.
The product is then disbursed thru a loose network consisting of builders, remodelers and retail outlets. These retail outlets are generally small showrooms in strip centers or flooring and carpet centers. The product is hawked as quality for cheap. It is not uncommon to see ads in the newspaper offering complete 10x10 kitchens of solid oak including granite countertops for under $3,000.00. This massive onslaught of inexpensive cabinets has taken considerable market share away from US manufacturers who catered to the new construction and low end remodeling markets. This has had only a marginal effect on manufacturers who cater to more upscale clients. However, as occurred in other areas, most notably the automobile industry, the competition from the east began with inexpensive low quality offerings but later adapted higher quality standards such as those employed by Lexus. You know the rest of the story. The same scenario is likely to play out in this market as well and astute manufacturers need to avoid the complacency that sent the US automobile industry into bankruptcy.
Lets take a look at the product. In the interest of time we will only deal with the general characteristics of the product. This will suffice to make consumers aware of the products limitations. First let it be said that the Chinese have done their homework to the extent that they know which buzzwords to use for American audiences. They have learned how to position their product so as to appear nearly the same as the competition yet for less than half the cost.
Lets start with the wood itself. The most common types used for the doors, drawer fronts and face frames are oak, beech and birch. They are plentiful in that part of the world. The oak is sold as oak whereas what passes for maple or cherry is beech and birch stained to look the part.
Secondly, the wood is not kiln dried but dried using other quicker, cheaper methods. This is important because kiln drying stabilizes the wood which in turn prevents warping, cracking and checking. The balance of the cabinet box is made of plywood but not of the quality typical of western manufacturers. If you were to saw cut the plywood sides you would see that the plywood panels have large voids inside, out of view that compromise the stability of the construction. One only can wonder about the adhesives used since the Chinese are notorious for using toxic materials, when cost effective, with little if any regard for consumer safety. Think candy and sheetrock.
The finish is not the oil based pre-catalyzed varnish that distinguishes the best quality for durability and appearance. It is also not dried with lights like a car finish but with other quicker cheaper methods. Also, because the methods and materials are changing rapidly, finishes that were available at one time may be impossible to find or duplicate the following year.
Finally the hardware, while it is made to look like the good stuff, is made of cheap metal that allows for fatigue and breaking after a short period of time. In conclusion, the market for these cabinets is currently the very low end for good reason but over time these products will continue to improve and perhaps in 10 years will be highly regarded.
When wanna Decorate Filing Cabinets
One way to decorate your file cabinets is with paper. You want to make sure that you use a thick strong paper like wallpaper or strong wrapping paper. Take all the drawers out and take measurements of the unit Take into account the any overlapping around the edges of the drawer. Use spray on adhesive to attach the paper carefully to the unit. Be sure to smooth out any bubbles that may form with a soft piece of material.
Another way to decorate your unit is by painting it. Make sure you place down some drop sheets or paint the filing cabinet in a place that you don't mind getting dirty. Give the file cabinet a clean and then a light sanding. Sanding will allow the new paint to grip to the surface of the cabinet. Next decide whether you want to paint it all one solid color or whether you wish to paint a design to make it a centerpiece. If you are going to paint a design, first lay down a couple of coats (allowing the paint to dry between coats) of the background color and then sketch on your design with a pencil. Simply fill in the sketch and let it all dry.
As an alternative to decorating a metal filing cabinet consider buying a wooden filing cabinet. Wooden cabinets provide a much more eloquent and tasteful look to your workplace or home. The initial cost is more but it will pay off in the long run by looking great rather than a sore spot on the eyes. So there it is, some great ways to turn your file cabinet from an eye sore to a great piece of furniture. Remember to do any redecorating in a space which can be made dirty with glue or paint. I hope this article helps, please feel free to leave any questions in the comments.
Buy and Find the Right Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are gaining popularity day by day. They not only enhance the look of your home but also add value and worth to your home. You can either remodel your kitchen yourself or you can hire a professional designer. The decision is completely yours.
In this article I would mainly like to provide you some tips that would guide you in choosing the right kitchen cabinets.
1. Choose the right material
Well, choosing the types of materials that you want for your kitchen cabinets can be difficult and tedious job. There is variety of products available in market that come in different material. The most popular material used in the design of kitchen cabinets is wood however there are many more materials than ever to choose from in order to make your cabinetry truly unique. Once you have made all the essential decisions associated with your cabinets, you can move onto the rest of the kitchen design. Also look for solid frames, doors and drawer fronts in the product.
2. Consider the design and space factor
Color schemes, wallpaper, paints and architectural designs should be kept in mind in order to ensure that you receive the best results which you are looking for. If your kitchen is very narrow then it is better to reserve just one wall for cabinet. But if your kitchen is very wide then you can easily cover all the four side walls.
3. Define your type
There are various types of cabinet available in market such as stock, semi custom and custom cabinets. The stock products are available in standard sizes and shapes, with few design options and less function specialties. They are also economical and the delivery time is approximately two weeks. Semi custom products on the other hand offer more options and extras such as divided knife drawers.
4. Face framed and frameless kitchen cabinets
When shopping for cabinets, you have to either choose face frame or frameless cabinets. Face-framed products do not have a top panel or a full back but they do have integral bases. Whereas frameless cabinets have a solid top, back and base units.
Kitchen cabinets are a great way to update the look and functionality of your home. Buying it has become very easier nowadays. I hope my article will help you in choosing a suitable Kitchen product for your kitchen.
Cabinets & Bathroom Idea
Bathrooms are frequently used areas in the house. Like any other room, many people desire a beautiful look. Bathroom cabinets enhance the look of the room and influence the reception of guests. In addition to their look, bathroom cabinets improve the functionality of the space. Bathrooms can be used for vanity purposes, as well as a place to store bath and other materials.
Consider the following tips regarding improving the look and function of your bathroom.
Bathroom restoration can be a long and expensive process. Many people choose to use ready-to-assemble cabinets for their bathrooms. There is no need for 'professional installation', saving on costs, yet the beauty of the cabinets does not have to be sacrificed. Many existing providers issue quality, ready-made cabinets at affordable prices. Furthermore, ready-to-assemble bathroom cabinets will not take a long time to install. Rather than waiting weeks for a professional service to complete the job, a ready-made endeavor can be achieved in a weekend's time.
Before deciding on a ready-made cabinet purchase, think about your specific needs. You do not want to sacrifice space or functionality of the bathroom. Measure dimensions of the room and decide if you would like to include additional space for housing items.
Ready-made cabinets are economical, yet it is necessary to form a budget. Budgets allow you to gauge whether you will have some money left for additional amenities to improve the design and convenience of your bathroom. Search for two to three ready-made cabinet suppliers. Choose one that is in accord with your budget and can deliver the bathroom vanity cabinets straight to your door.
Ask the potential supplier about what kinds of ready-to-assemble bathroom cabinets are available. Cabinets take on different dimensions and shapes. You may decide to emulate the types of cabinets already situated in your bathroom or opt to employ more or less. Make a list of storage needs and the desired look of your completed bathroom to help you with your ready-made bathroom cabinet purchase.
Do-it-yourself jobs are popular because they are economical and can be done quickly. If you do not consider yourself very handy, ask a friend to help or inquire about instructional videos or advanced instruction booklets.
Stay away from suppliers that use particle board. Particle board is very susceptible to moisture, which can influence the integrity of the bathroom cabinets. Look for ready-to-assemble bathroom cabinet suppliers that use the same materials as high-end product suppliers.
Cabinets & The Bueatyful Kitchen
If you want to design and organize your kitchen with RTA kitchen cabinets then you can try some of the finishing which suites your kitchen the best. They come in different finishing and types, some of them are:
1. Oak Kitchen cabinets: The face frames, rails and stiles of these cabinets are exclusively made up of solid Oak. The panels are layered with oak and therefore, do not warp and split. These have drawer and Euro Epoxy drawer slides.
2. Heritage Honey Maple: As it name denotes that it has shiny finish of honey maple and they merge perfectly to all types of kitchen and provide them classy and trendy look. It also comes with Euro Epoxy driver slides and Concealed European Hinges.
3. Sunset Maple: These are the latest among all the RTA kitchen-cabinets and are rich in color and provide a warm look to your kitchen. These have a solid plywood cabinet box and it also comes with drawer boxes. The wooden sides of the boxes are back stained which balance the colors of all cabinets. It also comes with Euro Epoxy driver slides and have flaunts concealed European Hinges.
4. Windsor Maple: The Windsor Maple cabinets have some impressive features as compared to other type of cabinets and this makes them exclusive with others. These cabinets have a heavy duty drawer slides.
So have a look to the features of the RTA kitchen cabinets and organize your kitchen with one of these cabinets which suits your kitchen best.