Your kitchen is the perfect room for you to expand the window options in your home. For years people have settled with standard single-hung windows and double-hung windows or even fixed glass windows. If you’re looking for something to make your kitchen a little different, exploring your kitchen window options is a must. Garden windows, awning windows, bay windows and sliding windows are all great options for your kitchen. Let’s take a look to see if any of these are a good option for you.
Garden windows are a great way to add some depth to your kitchen. Garden windows allow homeowners to grow their own herbs without ever going outdoors. Some people will grow peppermint or mint around holidays in order to provide a nice aroma. In the early spring people use their garden window to start seedlings for their gardens. While a garden window can be used in almost any room most people love how they bring their kitchen to life and pull the natural, outside environment into the home. Most garden windows are placed above the kitchen sink.
Awning windows are basically a picture window that hinges from the bottom in order to vent air. A single awning window can provide more glass area than double hung or casement windows. If you are looking to maximize your view take a good look at awning windows. Another option is to place a large picture window above a smaller awning window. This allows the homeowner a lot of viewing space, and gives some ventilation from the bottom of the window.
If your kitchen has the room, adding a bay window or bow window can add both depth and style to any kitchen. Bay windows are 3 panel windows with the middle panel “fixed” and the side windows are able to open. Bow windows are generally 3, 4, 5 or even 6 panels with several venting options. Bow and bay windows curve out away from your home, to again, bring in the outside environment.
Sliding windows are also a great option for your kitchen. Above the sink is a great place for a sliding window, where you can enjoy the outside breeze while you’re working up a sweat. For larger spaces, three-lite sliding windows are a great option where the middle pane can be larger and fixed to allow more viewing.
For more information on kitchen remodeling and replacement windows, take a look at our Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas contractor directory.
As the increase in green building continues, so does the use of concrete in home decorating. Concrete is thought of as a modern material, because of its edgy design, but it truly dates back to ancient times – the Egyptians mixed lime and gypsum into their version, the Romans used crushed volcanic rock in their construction.
Concrete countertops are excellent for residential decorating, to create a unique, personal kitchen style that is durable and easy to care for. The great thing about concrete countertops is that they are customized for each job, and can have integral colors, acid stains, or stamped applications. Today, the most popular form of concrete countertops, and concrete flooring for that matter, are stained concrete. Concrete can be stained in an endless number of colors and can be made to look like other forms of materials.
Concrete countertops are very durable and do not generate much wear and tear. However, because they are a porous material, the concrete may incorporate stains or marks as it ages. While this is not desirable to some, it adds to the color and interest in the surface. In order to avoid staining your countertop, homeowners should act fairly quickly and wipe up spills with a damp rag. Be careful leaving acidic food on your countertops for long as the acid can lighten the color of the stain.
Like many home improvement projects, installation is key to the success of concrete countertops, and it’s not recommended for an inexperienced do-it-yourselfer. The installer will create a template of your kitchen counter layout, and cast the counter top to fit, many times on location. The pigments are mixed into the concrete, creating a style that works with both modern and traditional interiors. If you are in need of an experienced contractor, we have several Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas contractors in our directory that are willing to assist.
Before you hire a contractor, ask to see photos or actual projects they have previously done. Here are a few things you should look for:
Concrete countertops should be flat and smooth with very little variation in thickness over the entire length of the countertop, including any seams.
Countertop edges should be straight and consistent along the length of the countertop and should match at the seams. All exposed corners should be consistent with matching profiles.
Countertop seems should not vary in thickness and should be tight to each other.
Countertop surfaces should be free of cracks, pinholes and tool marks.
Surfaces should be consistent in color and appearance.
Surfaces must be sealed with a quality masonry sealer and should resist staining from Vinegar, Lemon juice, Mustard, Coffee, Red wine, and other acidic kitchen cleaners and foods.
Installing ENERGY STAR qualified kitchen appliances lowers energy bills and saves you money over older non energy efficient appliances. From lighting to appliances to water usage, there are a number of steps you can make to ensure that your kitchen is energy efficient. Below we have chosen a few aspects of the kitchen where you can save big.
Lighting
ENERGY STAR qualified lighting provides bright, warm light while using 75% less energy, generating 70% less heat and lasting up to 10 times longer than standard lighting.
Windows
Check out our article about Energy Star Windows.
Appliances
- Make sure you scrape your food into the trash instead of rinsing them before you put them into the dishwasher. What doesn’t come off in the trash will be taken care of by the dishwasher. A new Energy Star Certified dishwasher can save energy and water.
- Refrigerators made before 1993 use twice as much energy as newer models. Energy Star refrigerators use 30% less energy than required by current federal standards.
Kitchen Sink
While the sink itself would not be energy efficient, fixing leaky faucets can save water usage and money. Also available are energy efficient faucets which reduce the amount of actual water flow during usage.
For more on Energy Star Products visit the Energy Star Site. There are also several Dallas Fort Worth Texas contractors in our directory who are willing to assist!
Would you put your food in or around the toilet? Would you wash your dishes in one? Chances are the answer to these questions would be a big NO. But did you know that your kitchen sink could have more bacteria than your toilet?
Many of you probably clean your sink with some sort of multi-purpose cleaner every once in a while, but there are a few tips you should know to make your sink cleaner than ever!
If you’re the type that rarely cleans your sink then think about cleaning it at least once a week, preferably every few days. To start, get the area in and around the sink a bit wet and spray with the cleanser. Let the cleanser set for a few moments to soak your sink then wipe it off thoroughly. Repeat until all grease and debris is removed. You should have a few towels designated as your cleaning towels so you do not use them to wash and dry your dishes.
To remove all of the bacteria and get the sink nice and shiny spray your sink with a mixture of vinegar and water. Wipe it clean, and then follow up with a spray of hydrogen peroxide and wipe with a different towel, rag, or paper towel. NOTE: It is very important that you do not mix cleaners together as you could get a chemical burn. Make sure to completely wipe up the vinegar before spraying the hydrogen peroxide. Doing this will not only kill bacteria in your sink but will also help your sink fight off build up.
If you have a stainless steel sink a few drops of mineral oil poured on to a rag and wiped all over your sink will help to keep it look really nice and shiny and will further prevent buildup on the sink. It will also make future cleanings much easier.
One tip you may have never heard of before is to zap your sponges in the microwave every day after you squeeze them out really well. Microwaving it at high for 1 minute will kill any bacteria on it. It is common for sponges to pick up an odor after several uses, if your start to smell, go ahead and toss them into the trash.
To keep your drain clean and your blades sharp pour some ice cubes in to the garbage disposal along with some baking soda and turn on the garbage disposal. Rinse well, and toss a lemon peel or two in the disposal and run it again to leave your sink with a nice smell.
If your drain seems to be slowing down and water is beginning to accumulate boil about 2 cups of water and mix in a grease fighting liquid dish detergent and pour it down the drain, it should help clear out built up grease inside of the drain.
All of this only takes a few minutes, but it can eliminate the bacteria currently resting in your sink. If you have any questions about sink maintenance or new kitchen sinks locate a contractor in our directory at the top of the page.
When remodeling your kitchen, it is important to think about not only the type of lighting you want, but the placement of the lighting as well. You’re kitchen lighting will do a few things for you. First it will provide an ambiance or setting for the overall environment. Additionally, the areas in your kitchen where you’ll be doing most of your prepare work for cooking and baking need to be well lit.
Every kitchen is different and for that reason there cannot be one lighting plan to fit the need for every kitchen. Likewise, different people have different tastes, some cook more than others and some like it brighter than others. To get a better idea of where you would like your lighting, draw up a diagram of your kitchen with cabinets, islands and appliances drawn in.
Once you have your map created, you then need to decide which areas of the kitchen you would like lit more than the others. When you decide this, you can begin to think about the type of lighting that would work best for you. For areas that you will spend a lot of time preparing food, you will want some type of direct lighting. Direct lighting can be applied be a fixed light placed above the area or in the form of a flexible light that can be pointed in any direction.
Another option to consider is having a skylight in your kitchen. A skylight in a room can present a bit of a challenge from a lighting aspect. During a sunny day it’s not a problem, but on a cloudy day or at night it is a major concern. Since the skylight generally takes up the center are of the rooms ceiling and central general lighting is out.
If you can’t decide on the type of kitchen lighting you want, make a few trips around town to look at lighting options at home improvement retailers and lights specific retailers. There should be a showroom at most places with plenty of examples. You will want to also contact a contractor who is familiar with kitchen lighting to help you along the way. They can be very helpful with ideas and can tell you from an electrical aspect what you need to do. Having a contractor involved throughout the entire process is helpful when the time comes to install the lighting as both the contractor and the homeowner will be on the same page.
Today’s post is for those of us that do not have the luxury of a giant kitchen. If you find yourself running out of space in your current kitchen or if you are moving into a place with a small kitchen, there are several way s to get the most out of your little kitchen space. This will not require an entire kitchen remodel, just a makeover of some of the items you use in your kitchen. By choosing the right cookware, appliances and kitchen accessories, you’ll be on your way to whipping up masterpieces in no time.
Cookware:
If you think you need a 12 piece cookware set in order to cook, think again. A 3 to 5 piece cookware set will include a fry pan and a few different sizes of saucepans with lids. Because you won’t have a huge set, make sure you buy durable pans since you will be using the same ones over and over. Additionally the use of a pot rack hanging from the ceiling will free up even more space. You can use cabinet space for other things like plates and glasses.
Utensils:
The same rules apply with kitchen utensils as with cookware. There isn’t a need for you to have five serving spoons, four spatulas, two can openers, etc… Instead go for something that makes more sense. A six-piece utensil set typically includes a spatula, cooking spoon, slotted spoon, ladle, pasta fork and serving tongs. Other utensils you might need could include a whisk, garlic press, and cheese grater. It also depends on what types of dishes you’ll be cooking.
Other necessities:
If you don’t have a dishwasher, chances are you have a drying rack sitting on your cabinet. Try buying a dish rack that sits inside your sink. This will free up a lot of cabinet space.
Multi-use appliances can save a ton of space. Some kitchen appliance manufactures have created some creative, space saving, all-in-one appliances that will only take up a little portion of your countertop. One company actually combines a toaster, griddle and coffee maker, while another model combines a toaster and microwave.
You can also buy shallow wire shelves to hang on the back of your pantry door. These are perfect for soup cans, macaroni boxes and other small food items.
Clean the Clutter:
The fastest way to free up space is to clear the clutter and any unused items from your kitchen. Set aside a few hours to go through all of your kitchen cabinets and throw out or sale anything you haven’t used in a year. Do the same with the items in your pantry and your refrigerator. This should set you up nicely to have more kitchen space available to do what your kitchen is designed for, cooking.
Kitchen cabinets are one of the most important, most noticeable parts to any kitchen. And because they are so important, many people spend thousands of dollars on custom cabinets. If you’re not in the mood to fork over thousands for new cabinets there are other ways to have beautiful cabinets at a lower cost. Here are a few ideas on how to save a little money on your next kitchen remodel:
Assemble Yourself
Kitchen cabinets are like any other type of furniture. You can save money by assembling them yourself. If you don’t think you can handle it alone, invite your friends over for the occasion.
-Finish Them Yourself
You can buy unfinished cabinets at any big box retailer. By doing it yourself, not only do you save money, but you can get the exact finished look that you want.
-Use Coupons and Discounts
If you decide that you would rather buy pre-assembled cabinets, do whatever you can to save some money. Keep your eye on weekly ads for the best deals.
-Get New Doors
If you just want a new look, try replacing your cabinet doors. You can take the measurements and get new door sizes to match. This not only saves you money, but gives you the different look you were going for.
-Just Update
Even with all of these money saving ideas, fixing what you have will save you even more. You can sand down your current cabinets and re-stain or re-paint them. You can add new knobs and handles as finishing touches.
If you aren’t too keen on assembling and installing the cabinets yourself, let one of our Dallas-Fort Worth contractors do it for you! You can find them in our contractor directory.
As we discussed in several articles at bathremodel-101.com, a green remodel doesn’t have to clear out your savings account. There are certainly eco friendly things that can be done to your kitchen that will cost a pretty penny, but there are other things that you can be done rather inexpensively, even saving you money!
Cabinets: Eco friendly kitchen cabinets doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to have to trash your old stuff and run out and buy some expensive new type of environmentally friendly product. Part of being eco friendly is reusing the old things you have. If your cabinets are in good shape, sand them down and re-stain them or paint them a different color.
If you are so sick of your cabinets that you can’t stand them in your house any longer, carefully take them out and give them to someone else to use. There are several organizations out there willing to take them if they are in good condition.
Cork Flooring – Cork flooring is one of the most environmentally friendly floors on the market. Cork is harvested from the bark of a cork tree. The cork replenishes itself, which is the eco friendly part.
Cork isn’t super expensive as you should only pay about the same amount as you would for hardwood floors. It is a little more difficult to find, but its growing popularity is helping solve that issue.
Appliances – As mentioned above, anything that is in good condition can be donated to a local DFW charity, the same goes for kitchen appliances. Not only will it help out a good cause, you can feel good about spending money on new appliances! If you are purchasing new appliances, try to buy energy efficient ones. There are many Energy Star rated appliances out there and some may even be eligible for tax credits.
Position your appliances – When refrigerators are placed in hot spots, it has to work harder to stay cool. Try to keep your refrigerator away from any windows and away from the oven.
The kitchen is the single most important room in your home when you get ready to sale. You can expect the value of the home to exponentially increase or decrease depending on the state of your kitchen. Outdated appliances, old cabinets and stained countertops are just a few of the common themes in the kitchens of older homes. Even if you do not plan on selling your home soon, a kitchen remodel can transform the entire look and feel of your home.
One of the most used and noticed aspects of a kitchen are the countertops. Here are four types of kitchen countertops to consider for your remodel:
1. Copper countertops are very uncommon and many people don’t even know they exist. The nonporous surface will keep out bacteria and the surface will last for an extremely long period of time. Copper countertops do require regular upkeep, but the shiny surface adds a definite spark to your home.
2. Tile countertops can be found in many homes and can be visually appealing. Tile counters are less expensive than metal and stone countertops and are easy to maintain. Tile does have a tendency to crack so buy extras when you start your project.
3. Consider wood countertops as a partial alternative for any countertop replacement. Butcher block counters were all the rage for a while, because of their effectiveness and use. Wood countertops do require more care as you will need to keep a generous supply of wood oils on hand so the surface does not lose its finish.
4. Perhaps the most sought after countertop material is granite. It’s popularity is for good reason. It has great looks and isn’t susceptible to stains. Granite countertops are durable and have a tremendous natural beauty that can fit into any kitchen design.
Similar to any home improvement project, there are hidden costs in remodeling your kitchen. The key is to not lose sight of project costs of all the little things you are going to need.
Sure, you’re getting new cabinets, but what about knobs for those cabinets and drawers. Getting new flooring means you’ll also need new trim and probably a few new thresholds. For every big remodel item, there are probably going to be a few smaller purchases that are needed.
Naturally all of these little extra items can add up. Here are a few ideas on how to save money when remodeling your kitchen:
Shop on-line
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of hardware and home improvement stores now online. You can find anything you’re looking for and best of all, you can find it at a discount. With so many options out there you don’t have to settle for high prices at your local hardware store. The thing you have to be aware of is shipping prices.
Shop Clearance
Whether it’s online or at the store, there are always items on clearance. If you’re a crafty person you can go crazy in the clearance section, buying things and re-doing them to make them fit your style.
Online Auctions and Exchanges
Name one thing you can’t buy on eBay….waiting…waiting… Exactly! You can find everything on eBay! If eBay doesn’t have it then Craigslist does. The point is, there are so many different ways to find the things you need for your kitchen remodel without breaking the bank.
Even if you are hiring one of our trusted Knowledge Builder contractors to perform the remodel, you can still purchase the supplies yourself. That will save you money and your contractor the time!
