Kitchen Remodel: Part 1

Hey there! It's Andrew, the CabinetParts.com geek! Today's class is on kitchen remodeling. You have decided that you want to totally redo your kitchen from top to bottom. Hopefully, you have put a lot of thought into this undertaking, because it is going to get hairy in here and you will most likely feel overwhelmed at times.

You will say these words several times throughout the process: "Why did I start this!" but in the end you will say, "Wow, I am so glad we did this, it came out great!!" Take it from me: perseverance will pay off in the end. Just remember to take a lot of deep breaths and things work out. Let's get started!

BUDGET

The important thing is to start with a budget you are comfortable with. If you cannot afford it… don't do it. Simple! Complete remodels can run anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000 or $60,000 dollars or more. Be prepared to spend a substantial amount. Be sure to allow for cost overruns, because they will happen. There is a lot to think about when doing a complete remodel. You will be replacing much more than just cabinetry. Let me try and break some of these things down. Remember, I am sure I will not cover everything, and I am sure I will miss some things… but I will try to be as thorough as I can.

CABINET PROFESSIONALS/PLANNING

Now that you have decided on a budget, you will have to decide on a cabinet professional or company to do the work. Most of the time, the cabinet company will be responsible for the entire remodel, including but not limited to the cabinets, lighting, plumbing, electrical and so on. They may have the contractors working for them, or they may hire subcontractors to do the work.

Always be sure that whatever company or professional you choose has the appropriate licenses, insurance and permits needed to do the work. There is a lot of work to be done, and you want to be sure that the company is legitimate and can cover any problem that may arise. The company should send a design professional to your home. Be comfortable with this person, as he or she will be your contact throughout for any questions or problems. The design professional should take some preliminary measurements and discuss with you your budget and what your vision is.

Once he or she has spent some time with you, the design professional will most likely take what has been discussed and draw up a first draft of what his or her vision of your kitchen project is based on those discussions. The design professional will then get back with you with drawings and costs for the entire project.

Today, companies have several software programs available to them that will allow them to give you a digital representation of what your kitchen may look like in the end. These programs can be helpful in seeing their vision and yours. You should have several meetings before deciding on a final version. Be as sure as you can be with the "final" layout. Keep in mind that the final layout may, and most likely will, change several times as the job progresses. Don't be intimidated; if you want to change something, change it. Remember, changes cost, so you will want to limit them.

CHOOSING CABINETRY

There are many cabinet types and materials to choose from. Cabinets can be made from particle board called melamine, or they may be made with plywood. Material thickness may vary, but usually involves 1/2", 5/8", or 3/4" thick material.

One choice for cabinets is to buy ready-made cabinets from your local big box store. The stores usually have several major cabinet companies displayed. These cabinets come in standard sizes, so you may have to settle for what is offered as far as finish and material and even door design are concerned...

Another choice is to have your kitchen custom built. This will allow you to be more creative with shapes, functionality, finishes and materials. Alternatively, you can have the builder use whatever material you choose. Plywood is pretty much the wood of choice right now. Either way, you can choose to have European style cabinetry made, which is just a box typically constructed out of 5/8" or 3/4" material. Wall cabinets are usually 12-15 inches deep and up to 42" high. Base cabinets are standard at 34½" high and 24" deep. The above can be tailored to your needs or tastes.

For example, if you need handicap accessibility, you can have a custom-made cabinet with higher and deeper toe kicks made so that a wheelchair can be rolled right up to the front of the cabinet. As another option, you can choose a face frame cabinet. These cabinets will have the same basic box, but on the face of the cabinet will be a hardwood frame. They are offered in several species like oak, maple, cherry, and so on. The frames are usually ¾" thick and 1½" to 2" wide. This style of cabinet has long been the most popular here in the States.

We kind of go through phases; for a long time, the European box cabinets were in vogue, but I also remember when I was a child, my parents had steel cabinetry in the kitchen. What monsters they were! However, everybody had them in our area at the time. So, again… it goes through phases in design. Because of the Internet today, you have another choice. You can have someone (a fabricator or cabinet person) make your cabinet boxes with your choice of finish and you buy everything else separately. By that I mean buying drawer slides, hinges, knobs and handles, trash units and so on separately. This will save some money… but remember… this means that you are doing the work or having to pay your installer to do it.

HARDWARE, DRAWERS AND DOORS...OH MY!

Before you choose the company for the doors, fronts and drawers, you should decide on the drawer slides and hinges you want to use, as it will make a difference in how the doors are drilled and how the drawers are built. It is normally a good idea to have one company do the drawers and doors, so that there is only one company to deal with if there are mistakes.

DRAWER SLIDES

One of the most popular slides out right now is called a Tandem Slide by Blum. The Tandem slide attaches to the underside of the drawer, which is made to spec for this particular slide, most companies will build the drawers to spec for you.

The Blum Tandem has a soft closing mechanism incorporated into the slide itself, and the drawer will close slowly and not slam against the cabinet. One of the best features is that when you open the drawer, the slide is not seen. These slides were originally designed for use with dovetail drawer boxes, so that the beauty of the build shined through. Who wants to see a slide when you pay top dollar for the drawer box? As long as the drawer box is made correctly, this type of slide can be used with any construction type. There are other companies that also produce this type of soft closing slide, like Accuride and Knape and Vogt; these slides will also require drawers built to spec.

Companies also offer soft closing slides as well as slides with no soft closer; these would be visible on the side of the drawer box and are a little more economically priced. The side mount slides are a good economical option, and they are a little more flexible as far as drawer construction goes. The only real requirement for this type of slide is the side-to-side clearance needed. A custom builder will give you options for these units. Cabinetparts.com carries all of these fine slide companies: Blum, Accuride, Knape and Vogt, and Fulterer.

Depending on budget, you could have a choice of using an economy slide with either metal sides or a wooden drawer box with metal runners at the bottom. Economy slides usually have nylon plastic wheels as runners. They are very inexpensive, and there are several good quality companies that produce them. These are no-frill options and accessories will be limited, if available at all; Cabinetparts.com carries the Blum MetaBox Drawer System.

You may also have the option of going with a stainless steel drawer system. Cabinetparts.com carries the Blum TandemBox System. This option of slide is quite involved, and it would be recommended that you consult a professional to be sure that you receive all of the necessary parts. If you want a high-end look, this would be the option for you. Choose wisely, and budget conscientiously. It may not seem like it, but these little decisions make big differences down the line.

HINGES, DOORS and DRAWERS

You have finished deciding on your drawer slides and thought you were done… Sorry, its only just beginning. Hinges are available for several applications.

First, there are degrees of opening to consider and where to use each one. Do I use a 120º or a 95º opening hinge against the wall? Do I want the door to open all the way around to the cabinet? Do I use face frame hinges, or do I use European concealed hinges? What's the difference? Where do I start? Start by finding a hardware company you trust. This might be a local mom-and-pop store or a big box store, or it might be an online retailer, like Cabinetparts.com!

Whoever you go with, make sure that they answer your questions clearly and in terms you understand. You don't want to find out later that the guy that you weren't comfortable with gave you the wrong product because he was just looking for a sale.

HERE ARE SOME TERMS and DEFINITIONS for ITEMS YOU MANY NEED

Concealed Hinge: These are hinges that are not seen from the outside of the cabinet when the door is closed.

Overlay: This is probably the most important thing to know when choosing a hinge. Overlay is how much the door overlaps the cabinet on the hinge side when the door is closed.

European Hinges: Even though face frame hinges can be considered European hinges, Euro hinges are normally a long arm hinge with a max overlay up to 13/16" only. These hinges have three-way adjustments and wider opening angles than what is offered with face frame options, and can be used on either frameless or face frame cabinets.

Face Frame Hinges: These are hinges that have overlays up to 1 5/8" and sometimes more. FF hinges are now offered with three-way adjustment like their Euro cousin. This type of hinge typically has a max degree of opening of 110º and is for use with face frame cabinets only.

Soft Close Options: Soft close options are available for most hinges. Soft closers will allow the door to close slowly and will not allow doors to be slammed shut. Some will attach directly to the hinge, while others will attach to the cabinet. Hinge manufacturers may determine which you have to go with. A good cabinet designer will be able to help you determine what degree is best used where and which hinges are best for your application. You can use several different hinges and/or degrees of opening in the kitchen, depending on your needs.

You will have to determine which application you have and which hinges you are using so you can let the door company know which pattern to drill the hinge holes in the door. There are two choices for the drilling of the hinge holes. One is a pattern for the face frame type hinges, and the other will have a pattern for the long arm concealed hinges typically used on frameless cabinets. If your cabinet company is going to install the hinges, they may have machinery that automatically installs the hinge into the door. If they do, you would order a pattern with insert holes (also called dowel holes). If you are going to do the installation, you can choose the pattern that does not include the insert holes. The hinges can just as easily be screwed to the door. The company you purchase from should have these options laid out for you. The same company should have several choices for drawer boxes. A new product available recently is the lift up door mechanism.

Several companies have these available. This type of system is becoming quite popular here in the States. This mechanism allows for the door to open upward instead of side-to-side. They come with soft close technology already built in, and can be opened to several different angles. People are starting to use these on certain doors in their kitchen, e.g., over the refrigerator. In Europe, these systems are used for entire kitchens. Lift-up systems are used on wall cabinets only. CabinetParts.com carries the Blum Aventos System. Big box store cabinets will already have things like drawer slides and hinges on the cabinet. Again, you may have to settle for what is offered. When using a custom builder or when doing the work yourself, your choices are wide open.

DOORS and DRAWER BOXES

This will be one of the most important choices on this journey. Choosing the right manufacturer will be the difference between happiness and despair. Ask friends and co-workers or anyone you can trust whom they may have used in the past, or ask the cabinet professional you are using to recommend a company.

Door manufacturers will offer several different options of door design and material. They will have laminate doors, or wood doors (in several species), or MDF doors wrapped in "foil" (actually a PVC type material that is vacuum formed to the wood), or even aluminum choices. Choose wisely, as these are the most visible parts of your kitchen cabinets. The company you purchase from should have these options laid out for you.

DRAWER BOXES

The same company should have several choices for drawer boxes. Dovetail will be the most expensive, but nicest option. Dovetail drawer boxes are usually offered in several different wood species. Offerings can include red oak, maple, birch, and cherry. Melamine or plywood boxes would also be a choice… just as well built, but not as visually pleasing.

Again, budget will play into your decision making. You will need to know the drawer slide you intend to use, so the drawer can be built to the specifications for that unit.

ACCESSORIES

You will have to decide what kinds of goodies you want inside the cabinets. Do you want pull-out trash containers? Do you want a pantry pull-out? Do you want drawer accessories? Here at Cabinetparts.com, we carry several quality companies that have many options for kitchen accessories. These include Rev-A-Shelfas, Fulterer, Knape and Vogt, and Omega National Products.

COUNTERTOPS

Counters used to be simple: You chose a laminate color and approved a design, and the top was made and installed… Done! Today, there are many more choices to make, mostly in terms of the material used to make the top. You have the choices of laminate, solid surface or stone materials. The most popular choice when doing a complete remodel is granite. Usually, when the choice is made to do the complete job, the choice is to replace with top-line materials.

Once you choose the material, the top can be templated and produced. You will also have to decide what kind of backsplash you want to use. Backsplashes can be whatever material you want to use. They also can be laminate, tile, granite, glass or many other choices. It is important to choose the sink you want to use either while you are choosing the counter material or even before. Sometimes, a sink choice will control what counter you actually end up using. In some cases, the sink hole may have to be cut out before installation, or the sink may even need to be completely installed in the top before the top goes on the cabinets.

SINKS

Sinks come in several styles, finishes and materials. Some of the common styles are single bowl, double bowl, double bowl with veggie sink, and many more. The most common finish is stainless steel. This sink will also be the most affordable. These can be used with all options of material.

When a solid surface material is used, normally a special sink is offered that will be attached to the underside of the counter and made to look as if it is all one piece. There are also special sinks offered for granite. They will attach to the underside, as well. Once the sink is chosen, of course a faucet will also have to be chosen. New garbage disposals can be added, soap dispensers and hot water dispensers, etc.

ODDS and ENDS

Now, when doing complete remodels, many other things now come into play. Do you want to change the lighting in the kitchen? Cabinetparts.com offers Hera Lighting and Tresco Lighting. You will have several options to choose from: LED, Halogen, and Fluorescent.

LED has become popular due to its green technology and low energy usage. Do you want to change the flooring? Do you want to change appliances? What about electrical sockets and switches? Do you want to repaint? These are all questions that will come up, and the answers will depend on budget and hair left on your head. As I said earlier, you will say (actually… scream), "Why did I start this?!" several times during this process. I promise, once you finish you will say how glad you are that you did. Good luck, and stay tuned for Kitchen Remodel Part 2!