OVERVIEW of Kitchen Cabinets:
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen countertops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Kitchen Cabinets:
If you are going the do-it-yourself route for installing your kitchen cabinets during your kitchen's renovation's, here are some helpful tips:
- Plan to do the installation after the wiring and plumbing is complete, but before flooring is installed
- Unpack your cabinets and have all of the supplies nearby
- Label any parts that are removed during the installation process
- Do not add any doors, drawers or shelves until after the cabinets are installed
- Check the wall backing the cabinets to make sure it is level and smooth
- Remember that upper cabinets are heavy and need to be fastened securely to the wall stud
- Fasten the screws to a a strong part of the cabinet, like a support rail along the back
- Fasten each cabinet with at least 3 screws that penetrate the wall by at least 1 1/2 inches
