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Kitchen

How to measure your kitchen

Measuring your kitchen space is a key first step when preparing to remodel. The most important measurements that you should take are:

Kitchen length: How long is your countertop? Do you have an island or peninsula?

Distance from nearest wall to key appliances: Where does your stove plug into the wall? Where is your refrigerator? What about your dishwasher?

Distance from nearest wall to windows and doors: Is there a window or door in your kitchen? How far from the nearest wall is it? How wide and tall is it?

Ceiling height: How high is your ceiling? Does it slant?

Wall cabinet height: How tall are your wall cabinets? Do you like this height? Would you prefer taller or shorter cabinets?

 

What are the benefits of remodeling your kitchen?

A kitchen remodel will not only increase your appreciation for your home, but will also add significant value if you choose to sell your home in the future. According to research done by Zillow in 2021, the average midsize kitchen remodel will have an ROI of 59% on home value. That is, if you spend $40,000 on your kitchen remodel, you can expect to see an increase in home value of $23,600. Additionally, a new kitchen will likely make you want to cook and eat in more, which is significantly less expensive than going out or ordering in for dinner.

Can I change the layout of my kitchen?

Yes absolutely. When considering changing your kitchen layout, you should first consider if you are planning on replacing your flooring. Most cabinetry is installed before flooring, meaning there will be unfinished areas of your floor if you choose to change the layout of your kitchen without updating your flooring. 

Can I get new cabinets but keep my countertop?

While it is not recommended, some homeowners on a tight budget will opt to keep their existing countertop when installing new cabinets. This is an option, but it will significantly increase the cost of labor and installation as your cabinet installation team will have to carefully remove your countertop and then have to reinstall it after the new cabinets have been installed. There is also the chance that the countertop will break during the removal and/or reinstallation process, and you will still need to get new countertops at the end of the day.

 

Cabinets

Are cabinets pre assembled?

Our cabinets are all Ready to Assemble (RTA) but do not come pre assembled. We are happy to assemble your cabinets, even if you plan on doing the installation yourself. 

Do I need installation?

The short answer is no. You are welcome to install the cabinets yourself if you are on a tight budget, but homeowners often find this to be extremely time consuming and difficult. If this is something you’re considering, give us a call and we can help you determine if this is the best option for you.

 

What is the difference between framed and frameless?

Framed cabinets, the more traditional style, offer space between the edge of the door and the edge of the cabinet. Frameless cabinets offer full door coverage, with no gap between door and cabinet. This creates a smooth front for your cabinets and minimizes wasted space. 

 

Are Frameless cabinets right for me?

Frameless cabinets are a great option for homeowners who have limited space and would like to maximize their storage space. They also have a modern, sleek finish that can add to the aesthetic appeal of your home. 

Is it difficult to assemble the cabinets yourself?

While you are able to assemble the cabinets yourself, we wouldn’t recommend it unless you have past experience. They do not come with instructions and are meant for a cabinet professional to put together. It can be a very frustrating and time consuming experience for many homeowners, and cause a remodel to take much longer than needed. 

Is it difficult to install the cabinets yourself?

Without the proper tools and equipment, installing your own cabinets can be extremely frustrating and time consuming. While it will save you some cash, unless you have experience with this sort of thing, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Poorly installed cabinets may result in unleveled base cabinets that can cause your countertops to crack months or years later.

Do you install flooring or cabinets first?

It is considered best practice to install cabinets before installing flooring to ensure that cabinets will be flat against the ground. It will also save money, as flooring installed under cabinets will never see the light of day and essentially be a wasted extra expense. With floating floors, it is always recommended to install them up to cabinets instead of underneath them, since the cabinets will pinch them down and prevent them from freely expanding and contracting, which may result in gapping. 

When to do staggered cabinets?

In kitchens with high ceilings, staggered cabinets can help maximize the usable storage space. When considering staggered cabinets, it is important to keep symmetry in mind. For example, having taller cabinets above the fridge, stove, and sink will look great if they are spaced properly, but could look crowded if they are located near each other. Another thing to consider is if you want crown molding. If so, crown molding can only be installed on the staggered cabinets closest to the ceiling, otherwise this will look odd and prevent cabinet doors from opening properly. 

Do two toned kitchens look good?

A popular option today, two toned kitchens offer a pop of color in your living space. While it is entirely up to the homeowners judgment of what looks good together, common color combinations are white with gray, and white with blue.

Where to position your appliances?

Most kitchen appliances have very specific areas where they can be located. For example, your sink will need to hook up to your water lines and if moved, you will need a plumber to reroute your water line to match. 

 

Flooring

What is SPC flooring?

Stone Polymer Composite flooring, or SPC, is the future of synthetic based flooring. Essentially a more rigid vinyl, SPC contains a core of limestone, with a polymer finish. The planks offer less flex than traditional luxury vinyl planks, with increased durability and stability. 

What's the difference between SPC and LVP?

LVP, or luxury vinyl planking is a more traditional vinyl option, being composed completely of synthetic material. SPC (Stone Polymer Composite flooring) on the other hand features a core made up of limestone, giving it a stronger and more rigid appearance. While both are great options, SPC will last longer and not lose its shape.

Do you install flooring?

We do not install flooring, but if you would like your flooring professionally installed, we have some great recommendations for local flooring installers!

What is a wear layer?

If you’ve looked at new vinyl flooring for your home, you have likely heard the term “wear layer”. This number is typically listed in mils, and the larger the number, the higher the price. The wear layer of vinyl flooring is simply the protective layer on top of your flooring. A mil is 1/1000 of an inch, which is hardly noticeable to the naked eye. For example, a standard piece of printer paper is about 4 mils thick. Our SPC flooring comes in 12 and 20mil options, with 20 mil being intended for commercial use, and 12 mil being intended for use in high traffic single family homes.

Should I install flooring or cabinets first?

Cabinets should always be installed first. While it’s not the end of the world if you’ve already installed flooring, this can cause the cabinets to not sit properly, and any flooring under cabinets will never see the light of day. Floating floors need to be able to freely expand and contract, so it is always best to install flooring around cabinets, not underneath them.

 

Countertops & Sinks

Do I need to buy a full slab?

While granite countertops are always sold by the slab, some of our quartz countertops are sold by the square foot. This can help minimize wasted material and keep your costs down.

What is the difference between quartz and granite?

Granite countertops are made from beautiful, natural stone, sourced from quarries around the world. Each piece is unique, bringing organic patterns and coloration into your kitchen. As a natural stone, granite is porous, which means that it needs to be sealed on a regular basis.

 

Quartz is a relatively new type of countertop made with the technology and innovation of man-kind. It is made from natural quartz, a type of mineral, reformulated and shaped into countertop slabs, which are then cut to fit your kitchen. It is both stronger and less porous than granite, meaning it will never need to be sealed. 

 

Granite is a great option for homeowners who want a natural, spontaneous look, while quartz offers a wider variety of color options, without worrying about the flaws and limitations of nature.

How often should i seal my granite countertop?

Experts have differing opinions on how often you should seal granite. As it is a porous stone, it will need to be resealed from time to time. A general rule of thumb is to seal it once a year. However, you can overseal granite - so only reseal it as needed. An easy way to check if your granite needs sealing is to pour water on a section of your countertop and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Next, wipe it away with a clean cloth. If the stone has darkened, your granite needs to be sealed. 

How much overhang can I put on the back of my island?

Granite and quartz countertops are extremely heavy, and it is important to be aware of this if you want an overhang. A standard, unsupported overhang should not exceed 6-12 inches depending on the size of your island and how much counter weight is available to stabilize the overhang. If you plan on having seating at your island, we recommend a 8-12 inch overhang, 10” is a common choice. To extend the overhang even further, you would need additional support in the form of either corbels, metal brackets or posts.

  

Stainless steel vs granite composite

Traditional stainless steel kitchen sinks are a timeless, durable option for your kitchen. Granite composite sinks are a newer technology and are considered the most scratch resistant sinks on the market today. In addition, they are available in a variety of colors to add accents to your kitchen. Both are great options, and will help make your dream kitchen become a reality.

What's the benefit of a farm sink?

Farm sinks are installed with an exposed front, creating a beautiful finish to your kitchen. Additionally, they are typically both wider and deeper than traditional sinks, making a farm sink the perfect fit for large families or those who often have guests. 

 

Bath and Wardrobe

What is the difference between kitchen and vanity cabinets?

All of our base cabinets are a standard height of 34.5”, however vanity cabinets are only 21” deep, compared to the 24” depth of kitchen cabinets. This helps maximize small spaces, such as bathrooms.

How to measure your bathroom cabinetry

Measuring your lavatory space is a key first step when preparing to remodel. The most important measurements that you should take are:

Cabinet length: How long is your countertop? Are there walls on either side?

Ceiling height: How high is your ceiling? Does it slant?

Wall cabinet height: Will you be installing wall cabinets? How tall are your wall cabinets? 

What's the benefit of remodeling your bathroom?

Despite being a small space, bathroom remodels have a giant impact on the value and enjoyment of your home. According to HGTV, many homeowners saw over 100% returns on their investment in bathroom remodels when selling their homes in the next year. Whether the new bathroom is for you or for the next owner, it’s well worth the investment!

Bethany GHDW