DIY Home Improvement Tips » Kitchen

Replacing a Kitchen or Bathroom Sink

James Halpert — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:30:36 +0000

Replacement of a kitchen or bathroom sink basically boils down to shopping for a new one that will fit without much alteration. Modern kitchen and bathroom sinks offer unique or more elegant installations. Unless you want to replace an entire countertop or vanity, stick to shopping for basic styles of sinks that offer traditional installations. Replacing a old sink with a new one of the same size and installation is quite simple. Begin by shutting down the water and disconnecting all of the plumbing. Removal of an old sink may take some prying and even scraping in order to get it out. Once the old sink is out of the way, the area will need to be cleaned of all debris including any adhesive or sealant that was left behind. Allow the area to dry well before you begin to install the new sink. Also, do a test fit of the new sink prior to beginning the installation.

Installing a new sink that fits is easy as long as you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some sinks are ready to be fitted with the plumbing while others require that you create holes for the type of plumbing you currently have. Install the faucets before you seal the sink. Once the sealant is applied, you will only have enough time to set it in place before it starts the drying process. The sealant should be applied to the bottom edge of the new sink. Place the sink in its designated position and press down. Allow the seal to completely dry before you begin to fasten the sink from below and never install the drains until the sink is securely in place.

Finally, once everything is secure in place and all of the plumbing has been installed you can then turn the water back on to check for leaks. Kitchen sinks are likely to spring a leak when the plumbing is moved around so check closely and make adjustments to remedy the leaks. Fill the kitchen sink with water to make sure the drains are functioning properly. A leaky drain is easily fixed by replacing the seal. Seals are fairly inexpensive and worth changing out once in a while anyway. If you are having trouble taking care of leak you, turn off the water and contact a professional plumber. Seals, washers, and caulking wear away with time. Many times the movement alone of the plumbing can cause problems so it is definitely wise to contact a professional who can fix and check for any other problems in the area. As much as we try to do on our own, some things are simply better left to the professionals especially if you want to avoid spending more time and money repairing a problem that could have been prevented.

Kitchen Doors – How to Upgrade or Change Cabinet Fronts

James Halpert — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:30:33 +0000

Improving the appearance of kitchen cabinet doors is can be accomplished in a faster fashion by simply refinishing or replacing the kitchen cupboard doors. Refinishing takes a little more elbow grease but it is definitely the least expensive method. The cabinet fronts have to be removed, cleaned, sanded, and refinished with either paint or stain before they can be reinstalled. Replacement kitchen doors are more costly but the job can easily be done in a few hours. There are certain steps which you must follow in order for the process to move quickly but once you have all of the right information, giving your kitchen a facelift has never been easier. Home improvement stores carry a wide selection of cabinet doors and fronts from which you can choose from. Matching a particular stain or color is probably the most difficult part of the process.

Before you visit a store to determine if replacement doors will work for your kitchen, you will need to measure your existing doors and form a list that contains the shape and sizing of your existing doors. Most home improvement stores have staff that can help you make the determination. It may not be possible to find kitchen doors that match the exact size and shape of your existing cabinets so you may have to consider purchasing larger sizes that can be trimmed down to fit. Home improvement stores also carry a large selection of kitchen door handles and hardware which can also make a dramatic impact in your new kitchen cabinet design. Replacing the hardware of all kitchen unit doors is wise regardless of what treatment you choose.

Sometimes the cost of refinishing or replacing the cabinet doors is simply not feasible so companies created cabinet faces or covers. The faces are cheaper to purchase and fairly easy to install. Facing is available in all kinds of colors and finishes to choose from. Facing contains an adhesive that sticks to the front of each cabinet door. The faces come in standard cabinetry sizes but if needed, they can easily be trimmed down to fit a specific size. All existing cabinet fronts will need to be cleaned and sanded in order for the adhesive to work but the end result is a nice and durable change that can last your home a very long time when installed correctly. You should however, purchase a few extra faces just in case one should become damaged.

Elkay Kitchen Sinks are Elegant, Durable, and Well Crafted

James Halpert — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:48:15 +0000

Elkay kitchen sinks come in a variety of types, materials, styles, finishes, and mount styles. Elkay mount styles or installations include undermount, top mount, apron front, corner, and integrated. The mount style and installation will depend highly on your preference and needs but it also depends greatly on the type of countertops and cabinetry you own. For instance, undermount kitchen sinks are fastened from underneath so the countertop and cabinetry must be able to accommodate that installation. Top mount is the most common method of installation but modern kitchen designers are constantly increasing the use of undermount and integrated sinks because they create a seamless and elegant overall design which is highly indicative of a more modern decor. Apron front and corner are also popular but their installation is quite different and requires more expertise.

Elkay stainless steel kitchen sinks are exquisite in appearance and their most popular material by far. The company does however carry a large selection of other sink materials like copper, e-granite, fine fireclay, and harmony quartech. All Elkay kitchen sinks are masterly crafted to be beautiful, durable, and highly functional in any kitchen design. Elkay ceramic kitchen sinks made out of fine fireclay or harmony quartech are considered very high end in the design world. If you have any problems deciding which sink will best fit your current kitchen design you can contact a local sales representative who can help you answer some of your questions and concerns.

There are various Elkay showrooms and retailers so you can shop locally if you prefer to see each unit in person. Online shopping is also available from various online stores. You can however purchase accessories for your kitchen directly from the Elkay website. For most people the kitchen sink is an investment worth taking a little time to make sure you get the best product for your money and the Elkay company is known all over the world for delivering products that are surpass expectations.

Affordable Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Ideas

James Halpert — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 00:42:26 +0000

Kitchen cabinet refacing is quickly becoming a popular home improvement project for many homeowners. Most homeowners decide to keep their existing cabinets because of budget limitations. Others want to preserve existing cabinets because they are structurally sound, architecturally beautiful, or contemporary enough to keep around. Many times a simple facelift is all that is needed to update a kitchen. Regardless of your particular reason for choosing cabinet resurfacing over the cost of purchasing new cabinets, you will quickly find that there are many other ways to remodel and change your existing kitchen without having to replace one single cabinet. It will take time and loads of manual labor but you can easily reduce the amount of time and labor simply by researching what needs to be done and how you can go about getting it done.

The best way to begin refacing kitchen cabinets is by removing and cleaning all the cabinet doors and faces. Once the cabinets are removed they will be easier to refinish or replace if you should decide to spend the extra money to put new cabinet faces instead. Make sure you mark all of the doors with numbers or letters so you know where to return each door once you have completed the reface kitchen cabinets process. Cover floors, counters, stoves, sinks, and other surfaces with plastic or painter’s tarp. This will help reduce the amount of time it will take to clean up the area when you are done. Use chemical free products to clean each cabinet and allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

The cabinet refacing cost can be significantly decreased if you should decide to paint your cabinets. When preparing your existing cabinets for paint you will need to lightly sand the cabinet surface and then it must be wiped completely clean before you can apply a coat of primer. If you plan to apply a new stain to your cabinets you will then need to follow the exact instructions for the type of stain finish you choose. Always allow enough time for drying between steps. Skipping steps is not wise because it could jeopardize your final outcome. Use protective gloves and the right tools when applying stripping solutions. Keep in mind that although power tools like screwdrivers and sanders can make the cabinet refacing project move much faster they can also cause injury if you do not know how to properly use the tools.

Corner Cabinet Furniture to Fit Your Kitchen Design

James Halpert — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:49:19 +0000

Most kitchen designs come with ample storage and counter space but if your kitchen is lacking in either a good solution would be the addition of a piece of corner cabinet furniture. Similar to a corner curio cabinet, the extra piece of furniture can bring more storage and a little bit more counter space into your kitchen. Most kitchen corner cabinets come with storage above and beneath. Some come with no counter and simply storage from top to bottom. Designed to fit in well with most kitchen décors, they are typically made of wood with a combination of wood and glass on the doors. The best thing about a corner cabinet is that it makes use of an otherwise lost piece of square footage in your home. Most homeowners place a plant or decorative item in an empty corner. The easy addition of a piece of furniture can increase the function and beauty of your kitchen.

The design of a piece of furniture usually falls into a traditional or modern style. If you are looking for a modern cabinet, you will need to stick to straighter lines, simple detail, and modern materials. Modern design can also be reflected with unusual shapes, darker colors, and even textured finishes. A modern cabinet will stand out regardless of other much larger prominent areas of the room. Traditional design on the other hand, is much easier to recognize with elaborate detail, heavy wood materials, and a bulky overall appearance. Much like the corner curio cabinets we all grew up with, traditional designed cabinets tend to blend in with the rest of the décor in a room because many have the appearance of a built-in.

When shopping for corner cabinets furniture, try to remain consistent with the rest of the colors within the design of your kitchen. Choose a cabinet that has the same finish and color as the rest of your cabinets or one that is completely the opposite. For instance, some people choose a white or black finish because many times one of these colors, if not both, can be found in a kitchen design. On the other hand, you can choose a color that can be found in small accents in the space. For instance, if you have red accents then you should have no problem installing a red cabinet in the space. The key with accent colors is to keep it to a minimum so if you add a large piece of furniture in that accent color, you probably should limit the size and amount of other accent pieces in the room. In the end your decision should reflect your personal style and taste. If you are unsure of which way to go, black or white are safe bets that look great no matter what the rest of the space may contain.

Custom Kitchen Islands – Is There a Cheaper Alternative

James Halpert — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:22:01 +0000

Installing an island in your kitchen is well worth the added function it will bring your family but many wonder if custom kitchen islands are worth their high ticket price. Factory made kitchen islands have come a long way in design and beauty. Many home designers are discovering that most people cannot tell a factory made unit from a custom built unit. This advantage is partly because manufacturers have realized that there is a huge pool of consumers looking for quick, easy, and inexpensive home improvement solutions. Factory made kitchen island designs now incorporate all of those key functions that so many homeowners look for in a custom design. For instance, some incorporate a range in the center, an extra sink, a wine refrigerator, or even an indoor grill. The possibilities are endless and finding one that best fits your kitchen design and needs is fairly simple.

A kitchen island can change how you and your family use the space at the center of your kitchen. Many prefer to create an eating surface with the addition of stools. Others prefer that the center island becomes an extra preparation surface for cooking and baking. Some homeowners want the extra storage it provides underneath. Depending on which functions you need most, a factory made kitchen island design can be the answer to more than one of you kitchen dilemmas. Beautiful designs that are less expensive than a custom built unit is what makes store bought kitchen island furniture so appealing to many homeowners looking for a way to upgrade their kitchens.

So if you are in the market for a new kitchen island but you don’t have the funds to afford a custom built unit then it is highly recommended that you search the internet for a factory make unit that is easy to install and comes with the specific added function you need and want in your existing kitchen. Many stores offer free shipping so it is definitely worth looking into. There is no doubt that you will be pleasantly surprised by the size of the available selection and how beautifully many of the islands are designed. The craftsmanship, materials, and add-ons are top of the line but most importantly most of the prices that are well within range to fit even the smallest of home improvement budgets. If you can’t match your existing cabinets fully, look for a finish or color that you can accent throughout the space and make fit. Many consumers choose black or white finishes because they are the easiest to incorporate without taking away from your existing kitchen design.

Photo by dovetails and mortises @

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dovetailsandmortises/

Kitchen Compost Bin Advantages

James Halpert — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:53:10 +0000

Many will say that habits are formed because of convenience. Composting is the process of creating organic fertilizer out of organic waste from your home and yard. The process requires steps that many people can’t find time to do. Much like recycling of other materials, people need the process to be easy or almost effortless. Manufacturers of composting bins are constantly trying to find ways to make a composting bin as convenient and simple as possible. For example, tumblers were created so homeowners can accomplish composting without too much effort or too many extra steps. The tumbler is designed so that the contents of the bin can easily be mixed with a simple turn of the container. The tumbler is supported by a stand and it can spin 360 degrees so the contents shift and aerate properly. The stand allows the container to tilt so the contents can be dumped out when the process is complete.

Placing a compost bin, whether you choose a tumbler or some other kind, in the same area where you keep other trashcans and recycling bins is a sure way to introduce composting to everyone in your family. Keep a small ceramic kitchen compost pail in the kitchen near where you prep and cook food. At the end of each day, the small pail can be carried and emptied into the tumbler bin. Yard waste can also be carried and emptied into the larger bin. For those who only wish to compost yard matter, a garden composter is a good idea because it eliminates bagging up the debris and setting it out on the right day for pickup. Kitchen and garden compost combined together yields a wonderful, high nutrition compost that can be used to fertilize all of your existing plants and grass.

When shopping for a garden or kitchen compost bin, keep convenience in mind and make sure to choose a container that is not too difficult to operate especially if you plan to introduce the process to all of your family members. Small children should be taught to stay away from the container and make sure to purchase a container that can be locked. Older children can learn to take part in the process. Garden Gourmet carries a nice sized composter that is designed for the outdoors. The Garden Gourmet compost bin is made of durable sturdy materials so it should last your family a very long time. The bin is easily assembled and it has adjustable air vents so you can regulate the amount of air that goes into the container. The Garden Gourmet composter has an easy access door at the bottom which makes emptying the contents much easier than other garden compost bins.

Photo Credit: madashell2009

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mygarden2009/