Faux Granite Kitchen Countertops

Kitchen No Comments »
by Arthur Sneddon

Is your kitchen looking a little tired and old fashioned? Is it looking worn and a little worse for wear? When you think about it you will be surprised how much time we actually spend in our kitchens. Of course if you are cooking for a large family that will come as little surprise but even in small families most members will find they spend some time each day in the kitchen. This is especially true if, like many of us, you do not have the luxury of a separate dining room and your family eats in the kitchen.

Of course many of us have a dream kitchen. With all of the amazing kitchen accessories and the multitude of gadgets available it is now possible to have a kitchen designed to meet our exact requirements. Maybe we would love to have granite countertops or maybe a large cooking range. It would seem that whatever we want we can have it.

Granite countertops are amongst the most popular because of their extreme good looks and the suitability of the material for use in the kitchen. There are a great many benefits to using granite with one of the most important being that each piece of stone in genuinely unique. Granite is also very easy to keep clean, hard to scratch and extremely durable. Cooks and bakers appreciate the fact that granite always remain cool and placing hot items, such as hot pans and griddles, will not burn the surface.

Sadly such wonderfully designed kitchens can cost an arm and a leg. Most of the better designs are often very expensive indeed and far beyond the budgets of most. Of course much of this cost is because of the high quality materials used for countertops and kitchen units. Other pricing factors include the cost of built in cookers and other electrical good. Even your choice of flooring materials can have a profound effect upon the overall cost of a new kitchen.

If we can not afford a new, purpose built, kitchen it is possible to renovate the existing kitchen at a very reasonable cost. Redesigning your kitchen by renovating it means that the cost can be spread over a period of time, as and when you can afford it. The carcasses of your old kitchen units may be in perfect condition or need only minor repairs. Simply by changing the facings and the countertops you can create the illusion of a brand new kitchen. Change your flooring and redecorate the walls and you can quickly create a whole new look.

Faced with only a very small budget it is still possible to create a new look for your kitchen. One of the best ways to save cash in kitchen renovation is by repainting all the surfaces. Cupboard doors can be painted in plain colors or in fancy patterns or effects such a wood grain. Work surfaces can be vastly improved by creating faux granite countertops.

The faux granite effect is really easy to create but you do need to look at plenty of natural granite so that you understand the pattern you will be creating. First clean the surface and paint with an oil based primer. When it is completely dry paint a base color with a water based paint and when dry start adding your pattern. When completely dry you can create the look of polished granite (and increase protection) by giving it at least 3 coats of a water based Polyurethane gloss varnish.

For a natural look stick to natural colors such as a base color of gray, black or dark green and veins and other secondary features in browns, blacks and lighter greens. For a more modern or dramatic look you can use any combinations of colors but remember you’ll have to live with it unless you paint over.

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Why Planning is Recommended to Renovate Kitchens

Home Improvement, Kitchen No Comments »
by Peter Wilson

Perhaps you have heard the urban legend in which a woman decided on some new tiling for her kitchen. As the story goes, she got her new tile. She also had a new kitchen installed from scratch, a gas leak, and tens of thousands of dollars of debt before the project was through. Tall tales like these can hit too close to home for some homeowners who hesitate to make their plans a reality.

A kitchen renovation usually goes far beyond superficial changes like slapping up a new coat of paint or ordering new glassware. If you want to change the look of your kitchen but do not where to go beyond the decorating phase, it is recommended you hire a professional. Of course, that will cost quite a bit. Before you start calling contractors, you should have some clear ideas about what kind improvements you would like to establish in your kitchen.

It is easy to start out with the idea that you would just like new flooring or cabinetry. The bad news is that sixty percent of Americans undergoing home renovations think just that, only to be unpleasantly surprised when an underlying problem is discovered. Old houses develop problems that oftentimes go beyond quirky plumbing or old electric wiring.

If your home is very new, you should wait about two years before beginning a kitchen renovation. For old houses, the sooner you begin the better, as there will almost certainly be unanticipated hurdles to getting your project done.

In the planning stages of your renovation, you would do well to make thorough notes of what you would like to see. Make a list of everything you want, including new cabinets and maybe a kitchen island and then figure out how much it will cost. If the total is outside your budget, systematically prioritize by starting with the most important renovations first. If you educate yourself about your kitchen as a whole, you can establish realistic ideas about the time and effort a renovation will require.

Most people decide to renovate when there are obvious structural problems or if their kitchen is just too small. This can lead to knocking down walls or entirely changing the layout. In this case, it is best to hire an experienced contractor.

Of course, the utilities can be a pressing issue as ensuring the electric, gas and heating function smoothly is paramount to your safety.

After that, homeowners see a need to update appliances and cabinetry. These can drastically improve your storage options and make being in the kitchen more pleasant. They can also often be done without professional help. An easy way to make this a success is to choose products from one retailer so that all your components will match.

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Commercial Kitchen Faucets: The Ultimate Clean

Kitchen No Comments »
by Luke Warren

Commercial kitchen faucets are made to tackle the numerous stresses that a commercial setting, such as a restaurant or hotel, can impose on a faucet. The ideal commercial kitchen faucets should include characteristics such as aerators which control the flow of the water, infrared sensors for energy saving on and off control, controls to set the water temperature, adjustable nozzles for smooth cleaning and sterilization, vacuum breakers to stop any backflow of water, and ultra pure water service frameworks. Each of these features are a must for any business or service that requires an industrial strength kitchen faucet.

Three of the more well known commercial kitchen faucets which include these features are the Chicago Faucets 540-LDL9CP Wall Mount Kitchen Faucet, the Moen 8714 Commercial Single Handle Wall Mount Kitchen Faucet, and the Blanco Master Gourmet Commercial Kitchen Faucet.

The Moen Commercial Single Handle Faucet has a 12 inch faucet spout which will suit any sized kitchen sink. This faucet can be mounted on the wall as well, and it comes in a chrome plated brass finish. The Moen Commercial kitchen faucet comes with vandal resistant screws, temperature settings and indicators, and an aerator flow regulator.

The Blanco Master Gourmet Commercial Kitchen Faucet is designed to handle even the toughest kitchen environments. This faucet is composed of a single brass body that is finished in satin nickel for an amazing finish and look.

The Chicago Wall Mount Kitchen Faucet comes in a package with a 9 inch swing range, an extended spout, a wall mount collection an aerator, and a manufacture warranty.

The high quality standards of the commercial kitchen faucets that were talked about will stay up to long tear and wear for many number of years, and will provide your commercial kitchen with a faucet that has all the safety and utilitarian features that your facility needs. These faucets may cost more than other economical, low quality, commercial kitchen faucets, but their standard of quality and years that they will serve you are well worth the price.

However, before you begin, make sure you take the necessary time to do your research. Keep in mind that this article is not intended to be an “ends all” solution to finding the perfect commercial kitchen faucet. It is only intended to help guide you in the right direction.

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