ABF Remodeling

Kitchen Remodeling: The Functionality of Kitchen Islands

In many homes, the kitchen is the center of the home where all of the action takes place. Having a beautiful kitchen is great, but if it lacks functionality, it can become a burden. Many kitchens make the most of storage and function with a kitchen island.

There are three main reasons why you should plant an island in the middle of your kitchen:

It increases counter space and storage
Increases lighting opportunities that are both functional and decorative
Becomes the focal point for social gathering situations

With the introduction of the kitchen island, many basic aspects of kitchen design have changed. An old rule of thumb was that the sink must be centered under an outside window. It is a very common design for kitchen islands to have the sink located in the center kitchen island. This design allows the cook to interact with guests more easily. For the same reason, many ranges have been moved to the island to allow the cook to engage with guests creating cooking dinner into a social event rather than a burdensome chore.

Kitchen islands come in a variety of designs. From simple rectangular kitchen islands to more sophisticated kitchen islands at varying heights, countertop overhangs for seating, and creative shapes to add style and design. Almost every kitchen island will benefit from added lighting. Kitchen islands should be well lit to ensure that the cook and the guest have proper lighting to see well, but also to highlight certain kitchen features or areas of the kitchen.

Kitchen islands also have a natural way of being the center point of socializing. This is why the open kitchen floor plan has become so popular. It allows more space for gatherings with family and friends.

Is a Kitchen Island Right For Your Remodel Project?

When considering a kitchen remodel, discussing the addition/redesign of a kitchen island will need to be done at the very beginning of the project planning. Our highly skilled kitchen design team can evaluate your current space and design the kitchen of your dreams, and create a kitchen island that will bring many years of enjoyment. Give us a call today at 281-855-3400 and speak to one of our kitchen design experts today!

Kitchen Remodeling: How to Create an Open Kitchen Layout

Open kitchen layouts are extremely popular today. Many people use their homes for entertaining or during the holidays and family gatherings. It creates an environment that is more welcoming and communal, and as an added bonus it creates the illusion of more space!

If you’re remodeling your home and want to create and open kitchen floor plan, there are several ways that you can go about it. Not every option works well for every kitchen.

Here are remodeling steps that you might want to consider if you desire an open floor plan.

Wall removal: Removing a wall if a great place to start. It immediately creates open space. If considering wall removal, you will need to consult with your contractor to make sure it is even possible. Your contractor will need to determine if the wall is load bearing, or concealing important electrical/plumbing/HVAC components. In some cases the cost to move structural elements may be too costly and not make sense in the scope of the project.
Remove Upper Cabinets & Peninsula: Upper cabinets above a peninsula are dated. Although this design is great for storage space, it does not present an open environment. This design simulates a solid wall and give the impression of a smaller space. Removing the upper cabinets extends the line of sight and give the room a larger feel.
Eliminate Soffits: Soffits in the kitchen make the ceiling look lower, and makes the room feel smaller than it really is. If your budget allows, remove the soffits and install cabinets that go to the ceiling to give your kitchen added space.
Add Natural Light: Adding natural light will create openness within the room. Removing a wall or upper cabinets can provide more natural light to enter your kitchen. Adding an additional window, widening an existing window, or installing a skylight is another way to add more natural light to your kitchen during the remodeling stages.

Get The Experts Advice

Although we have outlined a few options that can increase natural light to your kitchen, we strongly advise you consulting with your contractor. At ABF Remodeling, our design team will assess your current kitchen and review potential design options that will create an open design. Our designers will then be better able to gauge exactly what needs to be done and how much it will cost to get your open kitchen.

Kitchen Remodeling: Stainless-Steel Sinks vs. Porcelain Sinks

Your kitchen sink is a pivotal appliance in your kitchen. It is used for dish washing, meal prep, washing clothes, washing dirty hands, and even an occasional baby from time to time.

The only thing that rivals the uses of your kitchen sink is the options available when it comes to choosing which kitchen sink to install.

The two most popular options for kitchen sinks are porcelain and stainless-steel. With all the style options available, which material do you choose? That is why we are here, we can help you determine the best sink material based on your preferences and uses. After all, we have installed hundreds on kitchen sinks all across Southeast Texas, and we have the scoop on in choosing all the right materials for your kitchen. We analyzed strength, cost, maintenance, installation options of these two leading sink materials and thought we would share our findings in helping you determine which meets your needs best.

Strength.

Both stainless-steel and porcelain kitchen sinks will last about 15 years or so, depending on how well they are maintained. Stainless-steel sink strength is determined by the gauge of steel used in its construction. The lower the gauge, the thicker the stainless-steel will be. Brushed or weathered finishes are the best as to hide any surface scratches.

Porcelain sinks are of two types. A solid porcelain sinks and its stronger counterpart; porcelain cast over steel or iron. Porcelain can be chipped or scratched by sharp corner coming into contact with the porcelain surface. Some cleaning solutions should be avoided when cleaning a porcelain sink. Bleach and acidic solutions should not be allowed to sit for extended periods of time.

Affordability.

Stainless-steel kitchen sinks are generally more affordable than porcelain kitchen sinks. Manufacturing, packaging and transporting are easier with stainless-steel making which allows them to start at around $200 at most big box retailers.

Porcelain kitchen sinks start at around $300, wich undermount models being slightly higher. Farmhouse and apron style kitchen sinks are among the most trendy styles, and you can expect to pay slightly higher prices for those designs.

Installing.

Stainless-steel kitchen sinks are generally easier to install due to the sheer weight of the sink. Top mount and self-rimming stainless-steel sinks can be installed by most home owners, but an undermount sink style requires more extensive expertise to install.

Porcelain kitchen sinks require a more advanced skill set to deal with the weight of the sinks. Undermount porcelain sinks require supporting structures to distribute the weight properly.

Sink Maintenance.

Mild cleaning solutions, warm water and even a little lemon juice can keep your stainless-steel kitchen sink clean. Pumice style cleaners, chlorine-based cleaners and abrasive scrubbers or sponges will scratch stainless-steel rather easily.

Porcelain kitchen sinks are easy to maintain as well. Staining your porcelain sink is easy with food or liquids that are colored. Wine, juices, grease, dried stuck on food can permanently stain a porcelain kitchen sink. Although it may be a softer material, the sink can be resurfaced to rid the sink of scratches and stains.

What Do We Recommend

When we advise our clients on kitchen sink selection, we always choose a design based on the budget of the project. We want to make sure that we stay on target for your budget, and deliver the finished remodel on time.

For a free consultation, give us a call at 281-855-3400 or fill out the information below and one of our kitchen remodel experts will contact you as soon as possible.

Kitchen Cabinet Remodeling: Distressed Cabinets Pros & Cons

Thinking about Distressed Kitchen Cabinets?

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Distressed cabinets have become very popular over the last few years, and as with all cabinetry there are many choices. With most custom cabinetry lines the choices are virtually limitless as they allow you to mix and match different distressing techniques, with different wood species, paints, stains, glazes and door styles.

Choosing an inexpensive distressed cabinet option can leave you limited on finishes, techniques, and the overall look is underwhelming, and much more obvious that it was done by machines as opposed to the handcrafted look you get when ordering custom distressed cabinetry.

Along with different distressing techniques, there are also different levels of distressing available. They range from some minor pitting of the surface or some worn off paint edges all the way to wood that looks like it was re-purposed from an old barn or sunken boat. If you want the latter, starting off with a rustic wood like knotty alder is recommended. If you want something less drastic, most good manufacturers will start out with some sanding of the top coat to make the bare wood visible through the stain. This technique is a called a rub-through and it’s very popular with paints or dark stains. Some of the available techniques involve using multiple coats of different colored stains that are visible as the top coats are sanded down to show different wear layers.

The other techniques available use different types of tools such as punches, knives and chisels to give you whatever level of distressing you might want. There are techniques such as birdpecking, wormholing, rasping of edges, corner softening, knife cuts, and hammer marks. These can be combined with the above mentioned sanding of top coats or rub through for a finish that is as rustic as you want it to be.

These techniques are available on an ala carte basis, but each one ads its own separate charge, so keep that in mind while you are in the cabinet selection budgeting. When you add many of them together the cost can be as much as the entire cabinet order! For this reason most of the manufacturers put together packages of distressing techniques to make typical treatments that are popular for rustic finishes. These will usually run from 20-50% and give you a well tested look for your cabinetry.

Distressing kitchen cabinetry is an art form, and we have a great selection of custom cabinet manufactures. Our cabinet makers possess unsurpassed expertise, that have been making distressed cabinets for as long as they’ve been around.

Kitchen cabinetry is the foundation of any beautiful kitchen, and distressed cabinetry is a great way to get a one of kind look for your new kitchen. If you’re in the market for distressed kitchen cabinetry there’s no better value than some of the great manufacturers offered at wholesale pricing through ABF Remodeling.

Don’t Stress About Distressed Cabinets

Call us at 281-855-3400 or fill out the information below and let us help plan your kitchen remodel with the distressed kitchen cabinets to make your dream kitchen become reality.

Flooring vs. Cabinets: Which Is Installed First?

What comes first flooring or cabinets?

We often hear this question when planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel project. Logic would say to install your flooring first and work from the ground up and install the cabinets last. But, in most cases, it is best to install your new cabinets first.

To be honest, it can be done either way. We are going to look at the pros and cons of doing each and let you decide. However, when in doubt, we suggest the cabinets to be installed first.

Pros: Installing Flooring Before Your Cabinets

It is easier to install all of your flooring so you don’t have to cut around cabinets or finish the flooring up to the cabinets. This will allow the flooring install to move much faster. In addition, some people prefer that their flooring run directly under the cabinets.

Many times, cabinets are custom made to the specifications of the kitchen project. Installing the flooring is a great use of time while waiting for your cabinets to be constructed. This is an efficient use of time, especially when project are time sensitive.

If you run into any problem with the floor during your install, it is much easier to fix flooring issues without the worry of damaging kitchen cabinets. Wood flooring is locked together, and tile floor is adhered by mortar, it becomes difficult to replace planks without potentially damaging cabinetry if it is already in place.

Pros: Installing Your Cabinets Before Your Flooring

The pros for installing flooring first are cosmetic and truly a personal preference. When we examine the cabinets going in first, the reasons can be more strategic to the success of the remodel.

If you install your cabinets prior to the flooring, you will use slightly less flooring materials. This can reduce the cost of the flooring project. Homeowners who have lived in the same location for quite some time, may want to change their flooring before they change out their cabinets. If the cabinets are installed before the flooring, this allows for easy replacement of flooring without removing cabinetry.

So Which Comes First The Flooring or The Cabinets

The choice is up to you. The right order of things is to put the cabinets in first. That’s how it’s done when a new home is built and for good reasons.

10 Ways to Save Money on Your Kitchen Remodel

The average kitchen renovation runs between about $20,000-$50,000, depending on how serious an overhaul it is. But you really can get more bang for less buck if you take down a few tips from the experts on ways to save money during a kitchen remodel.

Have a Grand Plan

If you’re doing more than just painting the cabinets or replacing the countertops during your kitchen remodel, don’t try to save money out of the gate by not hiring a professional to create a design plan. “Hiring a designer saves you time and money in the long run, so you don’t make expensive errors,” says south Florida-based designer Meredith Marlow.

Be Prepared Before You Start

After coming up with a plan for your kitchen remodel, decide on absolutely everything you want in the kitchen, and have it on-site before a single inch of space sees the sledgehammer. One of the factors that sends a budget spiraling out of control is a homeowner picking products during the renovation. If a product is backordered, the homeowner is often faced with a choice: pick a different item that is often pricier, or wait for their original choice, when their trades people may have other jobs scheduled and the homeowner may be charged extra for the work

Bright White Can Hide Outdated Cabinet Design

One of the biggest expenses in any kitchen renovation is new cabinets. If yours are in good shape, though, consider keeping them and just giving them a new look. A great solution to preserving your cabinets, but updaing the look is going bright white when painting cabinets in a kitchen remodel. White paint does wonders for outdated cabinets and can save you money. We recommend washing, then priming and painting cabinets with high-quality white semi-gloss. Adding new hardware will enhance the bright white effect.

Doors Conceal Outdated Cabinets

If your cabinets are too outdated to be salvaged even by the snazziest coat of paint, consider if they could be spruced up with some new doors. If the structure is sound, you don’t have to toss out the whole cabinet: just get good measurements and find a style of door you like. We offer cabinet refacing and have decades of experience. It’s a whole new look for a fraction of the price.

Cut Corners, Literally

Your backsplash may technically be functional and keep food and oils off the walls behind the stove, but let’s be honest: in a kitchen renovation, the backsplash is a style leader. It can be a cost driver, as well. Rather than turning the corners with your backsplash and carrying it all along the kitchen wall, just finish the tile where the walls meet. That ensures you have the tile where it’s most visually and functionally important. Then you can budget for some really mind-blowing tile in the area behind the sink or stove, and go budget in the other areas around it

Light It Up

Bringing in more and better lighting is a smart move in any renovation, but that’s especially true in the kitchen. Hang well-designed pendants for style and light, and make sure overhead lighting is bright and concentrated in areas where the cook will be working. Don’t forget the details: adding under-cabinet lighting won’t bust your budget but will make a big impact.

Keep Plumbing Where It Is

Another reason to work with a designer on your kitchen renovation: using the existing piping and utility layout will save you big bucks. It costs about $5,000 on average each time you move appliances like a dishwasher, sink or a gas stove.

They’ll Never Know It’s Remnant Stone

Granite and solid-surface counters don’t have to break your bank: We can go to granite supply yards and check out their remnants. Especially if you don’t have huge swaths of countertop to cover, you may find yourself a very good deal.

You Paid for It … Use It!

Don’t let the end pieces and remnants of your own materials go to waste either. The average project wastes between 5-15% of its material. If you’re conscientious, however, you can create high-end features like cutting boards from granite pieces or rollout inserts in cabinets from leftover lumber from cabinets, moldings and countertops.

Add Architectural Interest

You can get a high-end look with impact details small and large: try adding bun feet to free-standing cabinetry to give it a furniture-feel, or add some beadboard paneling to spruce up an island. Or you can get really creative with a focal point that is less expensive than mosaic tile but packs a big punch, like stacked stone on the back of your kitchen island.