A New Look for an Old Kitchen

Welcome to this week’s edition of Tool Box Thursday. This week I’m going to cover some options for upgrading your kitchen’s look, for the fraction of the cost of a full remodel. Also, this week I’ve included some great web resources that I use on a regular basis.

Introduction:

In today’s world, the Kitchen has become the most popular room in the house. It’s also the room that is most often remodeled and upgraded. A home’s value is often closely associated with the kitchen; its look, the appliances, floor coverings and overall “feel.”

Fully remodeling a kitchen is a large undertaking. The cost associated with a full kitchen remodel can be in the ten of thousands of dollars. But there are some options that will provide an entirely new look at a fraction of the cost.

Many DIY shows cover cost saving kitchen upgrades. Below I have put together some tried and true methods that not only change the feel and appearance of a kitchen, but actually add to a home’s value.

By making some relatively inexpensive cosmetic changes you can put your money into better appliance upgrades. Believe it or not the biggest portion of a kitchen remodeling budget is sucked up by the cabinets and the counter tops. Often the appliances are secondary. Stoves, refrigerators, sinks, faucets and dishwashers get used everyday. More attention and resources should go into these items rather than a $100 a square foot granite counter. That’s just my opinion. High quality, energy efficient appliances, not only make the kitchen fun and easy to use, they can save you money; whereas, new cabinets and counters only cost money. If they don’t happen to be the taste of a prospective buyer they haven’t added any value. New quality appliances only add value.

The suggestions below involve using your existing kitchen layout and cabinets. Customers often tell me they want to replace all the cabinets… perfectly good quality boxes. Often they don’t have the resources to change the layout (a very expensive option), they just crave a new look. Here are my suggestions:

Cabinets:

Older wood cabinets are actually better quality than many new “home center” bargain cabinets. But, often they appear dated, dark, and dingy. Most of you have heard or seen ads for cabinet re-facing companies. While this is definitely an option, with a little time and effort you can achieve similar results yourself.

Consider replacing the doors and drawer fronts, hinges and door hardware.

For a fraction of the cost of a new cabinet (and without the mess), doors can be changed very easily. I use two companies, Cabinet Door Shop and Cabinet Door Depot. They manufacture new doors to your specifications. They have many, many styles to choose from, and these are high quality doors.

By changing door styles you can also change a cabinet from a storage unit to a display unit by using glass doors. Adding some inexpensive low voltage lighting inside these cabinets makes the content pop! Having some glass shelves cut at a local glass supply place adds a touch of elegance.

I suggest refinishing or painting the actual cabinet boxes yourself. When painting a cabinet that’s been previously stained you’ll have to do some sanding to rough up the surface, then apply a high quality primer, before your finish coats. Make sure to fill any holes and scratches prior to applying the primer.

I use a company called Rockler for all my hinges, knobs, and pulls. They have everything you’ll need to change a cabinet’s hardware.

A note about painting the doors; I don’t recommend you do this yourself. The doors take a tremendous amount of abuse. While it may look easy on TV to prime and paint a cabinet door, I have found that over time the finish will start to show signs of wear relatively quickly. A kitchen is a very harsh environment; steam, moisture, constant opening and closing take its toll on a door. My suggestion is that you look in the yellow pages under “Spray Finishers” or “Spray Finishing.” You can take your doors to them and have a professional finish put on that will last a lifetime; sometimes this finish is better than automotive standards. They will match any color or stain you want and apply layers of clear sealant that will protect the doors.

Counter Tops:

While granite, solid surface, and natural stone counter tops are all the rage, I prefer a good old high pressure laminate. Why? High pressure laminate counter tops are still the least expensive choice, and with today’s color and finish choices they rival the look of materials costing much more. They’re durable, easy to clean and require no maintenance. Remember, all natural stone surfaces require sealing annually.

Laminate counters can be changed when you want a new look. If you invest $5000 in granite counter and you decide 5 years later you’re not happy with the look anymore, you will probably not be in a rush to swap out the counter. But a $600 counter that’s given you the same five years of service can be easily swapped out in a weekend… and you can do it yourself with some basic knowledge and tools.

“But prospective buyers want granite.”

People want the granite look; granite and natural stone counter tops convey a feeling of luxury. But they really are not practical. They require periodic maintenance and a large investment. I’ve actually installed a granite look laminate counter top in a $2 million home in the Hamptons, to rave reviews from the homeowner, Realtor, and prospective buyers.

Remember, styles and tastes change over time. That beautiful black slab of $10,000 granite may actually detract from a home’s value in the future.

Two top providers of high pressure laminate counter tops are Wilsonart® and Formica®.
Both companies often have sample chips at all the large home center chains. Also, a larger sample piece can be ordered. Something I would definitely suggest doing, once you’ve narrowed your choices down to two or three. These samples are usually 12”x12” and provide a better representation of the actual product. The samples a cost a few dollars but are worth it. Also, laminate counters can have many different options in edge detailing and back splashes.

“But, I really need granite for cooking and baking.”

I suggest that you use some granite or stone tiles in a section to create a workspace or accent area. A popular use of granite and stone tile is on an island or peninsular section. You get real granite or stone, at a fraction of the cost and you can do it yourself.

Flooring:

One of the best ways to improve a kitchen’s look and feel is by installing a new floor. I suggest either the popular laminate flooring products like Pergo® ,DuPont®, Wilsonart® or vinyl goods, whether tile or sheet goods. I do not recommend ceramic or stone tile on kitchen floors. They may look great but definitely have some disadvantages.

Ceramic and stone floors are very hard; hard to stand on, hard when something’s dropped on them and they’re cold. Unless you have radiant floor heating under them, these floors are extremely cold in the winter months. Also, these floors usually have “grout” joints. While these joints can be sealed to prevent staining, the sealant wears off over time and the joints become dirty and an eyesore.

I suggest installing floors that are seamless. Kitchen floors get wet. They get washed, mopped, spilled on, etc. The floor should not have any grooves, joints, or seams that could produce a failure in the future. The new laminate floors lock together to provide tight joints; sheet vinyl is seamless by its very nature. With a little instruction and some basic tools, laminate floors can be installed easily. These floors also have the advantage of either having foam backing or are installed over a thin foam sheet. This makes the floor extremely quiet and soft to walk on. Laminate floors are a great choice when under floor radiant heat is used. They’re very stable in nature and can withstand the changes in temperature quite well.

Some Final Thoughts and Links:

Create a budget with high end, good quality, energy saving appliances at the top of the list. Then decide what you can do to freshen up the look of the existing cabinets, counters and floors. You’ll always get your money back for the appliance investment, but not always for your choice in finishes.

With some hard work and creativity, a $5,000 investment can look like a $25,000 remodel. Trust me, I know, I’ve done it!

TIP:
The Kitchen Faucet should be one of your biggest investments in a kitchen.
It gets used more than any other item!

There are a million web sites out there offering tips and information for do-it-yourselfers. I’ve narrowed it down to some great comprehensive sites that offer “real” advice and instruction. I use these sites often.

For Plumbing Advice, Issues, and Problems:

http://masterplumber.net/

http://www.plbg.com/

For DIY Advice and Information:

http://www.doityourself.com/

http://www.handymanusa.com/

http://www.askthebuilder.com/

http://www.repairclinic.com/0001.asp

http://www.hammerzone.com/world/index.htm

Important Dryer Safety

I received this email today. I thought it was important to pass along. Please remember that when exposed to heat, dryer sheets can become transparent. The dryer screen may appear clean when it really isn't. Please pull out your dryer lint screens and WASH them! It's the only way to know, for sure, that they're clean.

INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYER

I had a wonderful morning, until the heating unit went out on my dryer! The guy that fixes things went in to the dryer pulled out the lint filter.

It was clean. We always clean the lint from the filter after every load of clothes.He told us that he wanted to show us something. He took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it. Now, the lint filter is made of a mesh material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like.

WELL......the hot water just sat on top of the mesh!!! It didn't go through it at all!!!

He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. This is also what causes dryer units to catch fire - - - potentially burn your house down with it!

He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out & wash it with hot soapy water using an old toothbrush ( or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!

How about that! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share!

NOTE: I went to my dryer & tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran thru a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water & a nylon brush & I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it and the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn't any puddle of water at all!

That repairman knew what he was talking about!

Top 4 Do-It-Yourself Mistakes…and Tips!

By Christopher Frey
Stay-At-Home-Dad ~ Master to the Apprentice
Licensed General Contractor ~ Master Carpenter
Certified Home Inspector ~ Certified Kitchen Designer

"A Home Improvement Project That’s Done Wrong -- DECREASES a Property’s Value!"

Introduction:

With the increase in DIY channels offering 24 hour home improvement suggestions more and more people are tackling home repair and improvement projects. The rising cost of hiring expert professionals is also making more people turn to their local home improvement stores for a quick fix.

TV makes it look so easy, “I can do that!”

While this increased initiative should be applauded there are some drawbacks. I’ve outlined some “pitfalls” below.

Your home is your biggest investment it should be treated as such. Remember the old computer adage, “Garbage In, Garbage Out,” the same holds true for home improvements.

There is no substitute for knowledge, skill, and quality materials. Television and magazine segments are edited after many hours of production, to fit into condensed, bite size formats. These should be used only as guidelines and concept resources, not as a substitute for actual instruction.

To prove this point, the fastest growing professional contractor specialty is Homeowner Rescuers - Contractors who specialize in fixing DIYers mistakes.

1. TIME

“It won’t take that long, we can do it in a weekend!”

Here’s an inside secret; most contractors usually estimate the time a project will take based on their own skill level, the skill level of their workers and the availability of materials and then add another 50% and sometimes even 100% more. A project I think will take me two days, I’ll quote a week. If I’m done early, great, if not, I’ve left myself a cushion of time for the unforeseen. Yes, there’s always the unforeseen. It’s what causes most time and cost overruns. Also, the lack of planning and preparedness.

Time Rule #1:

However long you think it will take you to do something… double it! (Even if you’ve done it a million times before!)

Time Rule #2:

NEVER, EVER RUSH A PROJECT!

Not only does it lead to an unwanted result, injury and in some cases DEATH might occur!

2. BUDGET

“It cost us double what we thought it would!”

Another inside secret; contractors’ always add between 10-25% on material costs. This covers damages, waste, and fluctuations in prices from the original contract date.

Many building materials are considered commodities and are traded as such. Today’s price will not be the same price this summer.

When planning to build that deck this spring (with that big tax refund) price the lumber and materials now, but beware, when you go to purchase them the costs might go up as much as 50-100%.

Items to include in your calculations:

• Materials
• Tools Required
• Protection Materials (i.e. Drop Clothes, Dust Masks, etc.),
• Additional Outside Labor
• REFUSE REMOVAL (Often a large budget item that’s overlooked.)
• Any Building Permits Required

Always check with your carting company and local municipality to see what their bulk removal policies are. A lot of times you’ll find it’s easier to rent a dumpster for medium to large projects than cart stuff to the dump yourself. But beware; the cost of refuse removal is skyrocketing as landfills fill up.

Budget Rule #1:

Whatever you estimate your project to cost add 10-25%!
Budget Rule #2:

Plan for the unexpected and unforeseen… another 10-25%!

Remember, if you don’t spend it, it’s yours. But if you need it, it’s there!

3. TOOLS

“Honey, I’ll be right back I have to run to the store to get a tool we need!”

“It’s okay we’ll just use this instead.”

Yes, tools are my favorite things on earth… well besides my wife and children. In the twenty-five plus years I’ve been purchasing these wonders you’d think I’d have them all… you’d be wrong.

This is one area that causes increases in the two categories above. Not having the right tools for a particular job causes a poor result, and is also unsafe. Additionally, using the wrong tool increases a project’s time and ends up costing more in the long run. If there’s a tool you need for a particular project, but it’s a large ticket item, look into renting instead of buying.

For example, if you’re tiling your bathroom, a simple carbide wheel tile cutter and a pair of nippers will do the job, but a tile wet-saw will make the job go much faster and the result will be much better. Not all of us need a tile wet saw (well some of us did,) they’re expensive, big and bulky, but they rent for about $50 a day. Money well spent. And some rental places will even drop off and pick up.

Planning is a big piece of this section. Look at your project, look at everything involved, and then look at what it’ll take to complete it. Do you have the right tools, if not; can you get the right tools? Do you know how to use the right tools? If the answer to any one of these questions is NO, consider hiring this project out to a professional… who has the right tools and knows how to use them. It’ll save you in the long run.

Tool Rule #1:

Use the right tool for the job!

Screwdrivers are meant for screws, not for prying… that’s why they make pry bars!

Tool Rule #2:

You get what you pay for! Don’t cheap out on your tools!

Quality tools are an investment and will give you a lifetime of service. I’ve had some $30 paint brushes for more than 15 years… they’ve more than paid for themselves.

Tool Rule #3:

Read the instructions and safety warnings from cover to cover, before operating ANY tool. Never remove or disable any safety feature and always replace broken or missing parts.

It’s easier to order a new blade guard than it is to re-attach a finger!

4. PROJECT SCOPE

“We’re so overwhelmed… it’ll never get done!”

This is the case of “our eyes are bigger than our stomachs.” Just because you replaced a vanity and painted the bathroom does not mean you’re ready to rip out and remodel the kitchen. You’re painting the kitchen and suddenly decide the dining room doesn’t match… finish the kitchen first, 100%, before moving on!

One of the most common problems I have seen with DIY projects is things left undone. People get in way over their heads and don’t know how to finish. Or in some cases have run out of money or time; see #1 and #2. This is where those contractors, I discussed in the beginning, come in. They often charge a premium to finish started projects. But mostly, those projects will remain unfinished until more money and/or more time avails itself.

Project Scope Rule #1:

Stick to the plan! Once you’ve started a specific project; finish it before moving on to something else.

Project Scope Rule #2:

Seek professional advice. Ask questions! Plan, analyze, plan and plan some more before buying a single item or picking up a tool.

I know it’s tempting… you’re in the local home improvement store picking up trash bags and batteries and you see that great wood floor you’ve always wanted… and it’s on sale. Last week, on TV, you saw two people install it in two days. Its Friday night… you say, “Great! Let’s get it!”

Slow down, go home, and look at the scope of the project. Create a plan of attack. What has to be moved? Who’ll watch the kids? Do I have all the tools I need? What’s really involved in installation?

Some last words:

I advise all homeowners to stick with projects that involve finishes, (i.e. paint, wallpaper, flooring, counter tops, etc.) Never, ever do anything mechanical like electrical or plumbing unless you’re fully trained and confident in your abilities, and even then, have it checked by a professional when you’re done.

And…stay off your roofs!

The number one homeowner accident is falling off a ladder.

It’s always interesting to me that people scoff at the price a professional contractor charges for a particular task. Yet, no one questions paying a doctor $60-$100 for a fifteen minute office visit for a sniffle.

Another inside fact; professional contractors pay liability and worker’s compensation insurance that rivals the rates of malpractice coverage. When we do something wrong many people could be injured or die. The contractor’s inside “joke” is that a doctor can only kill one person at a time. If we build a deck wrong or wire an outlet improperly we put many lives at risk.

Please comment or email me with any questions… I’m at your service.

Thanks for reading.

Tool Box Thursday 1/25/2007

Issue #1 - Multi-Tools & Silicone Lubricant

Multi-Tools (All In One Tools)

One of the most important, and popular, tools in my house is my All-In-One Tool, also called a Multi-Tool. Even though I have 400 square feet, in a separate building, dedicated to tool storage, and at last count, 57 different screwdrivers, this is the tool I use on a daily basis. A good multi-tool will contain: pliers, wire cutters, slotted and Phillips screwdrivers, cutting blades, awl, and a can/bottle opener.

The advantage of this ingenious invention is that you don’t have to search different places for all your basic hand tools. I actually have two of these wonders; I keep another one in the car, like a mini tool box it’s always ready to go. If only to open that damn plastic blister packaging that encases almost everything these days, or to clip the wire ties that attach every toy to it's box. Moms and Dads, this is a tool you should not ever be without!

Tip:

• Do not purchase an inexpensive knock-off of the original designs. These cheap imitations can often be found, blister packed, hanging in the camping sections of local discount stores, priced between $10 and $20. You will not be happy with the quality, and these tools can actually be unsafe due to their poor construction. One thing to look for is a “lock-back” feature. This prevents the tool from closing when in use. Something that could be very dangerous when using the sharp blade fold out. The less expensive units, more often than not, do not have this feature. It’s another one of those “you get what you pay for” things.
  

Remember Tool Rule #1: A tool that's never used is sad and lonely... and a waste of money!

I’ve had my original tool for seven years now and use it on a daily basis. I paid $47 and it’s more than paid for itself.

The two manufacturers I recommend for Multi-Tools are GERBER and SCHRADE. I use the SCHRADE ST1, a great all around multi-tool. Though, Gerber has a much larger selection, and has tools designed for different purposes.

Silicone Lubricant

I would never discount the wonders of WD-40; I’m more a fan of Solder Seal Gunk’s Silicone Spray Lubricant. While WD-40 certainly has its place (to be used mainly with metal parts, though you can download the 2000 uses for WD-40 at its website) a Silicone Spray works with all types of materials. It’s especially good for rubber, plastic, and nylon parts, but can be used on metal as well.

One big advantage, that I have found, is silicone spray does not evaporate as fast as petroleum based sprays. This makes those annoying squeaks stop for longer periods. Also, petroleum based sprays tend to attract more dirt and dust, often causing bigger problems in the future. There’s also the issue of flammability. While both sprays are flammable, petroleum based sprays have a lower flash point making them a second choice when contact with heat is needed (i.e. used as a coolant for drill bits when drilling into metal.)

The next time you have a squeaky door hinge, noisy office chair or stubborn kitchen drawer slide try some silicone instead of the “blue” can stuff. You’ll be pleasantly surprised, I’m sure of it.

Tip:

• Avoid over spraying any kind of spray lubricant, most will stain fabrics, woods, and plastics. Also, use disposable paper towels for clean up. Cloth rags that have been soaked with a spray lubricant are a fire hazard.

Introducing Tool Box Thursday

One of the greatest things about the blog-o-sphere is the constant exchange of ideas, advice, and tips and tricks. Today, our friend at Daddy Diary Tales is looking for content suggestions. (Update: Our friend, Jeff, has started a totally new and separate blog called Daddy Diary Tales - The Other One... check it out!) That got me thinking…[smell of wood burning]… I know, I know I should be using what brain power I have left to deal with the concerns of “the little people.”

But what if we all dedicated some space in our parenting/family/kid anecdote blogs to our “adult” talents?… you know what I mean. (Stop laughing Angel… and Joy’s!... and Wonder Mom.)

What about a weekly post dedicated to our areas of expertise outside the parenting domain?

This would give us all a chance to share our years of acquired knowledge on a particular topic, and provide us all with a “real-time” resource. We all need all the help we can get, right?

I’m not talking about providing anything that would require liability insurance coverage, just some tips. For example: product reviews, unsolicited advice, recipes, cleaning techniques, car care tips, home repair tips, computing and technology tips and links, interior design techniques, etc.

There are millions of “forums” offering advice on millions of problems, the problem with these forums is that you have to look through thousands of threads before you find the small morsel of information you need.

With this in mind, I am starting my own TOOL BOX THURSDAY’s, a place where I will provide a weekly offering of home improvement links, products, tips, tricks and energy saving advice.

I hope you’ll agree that this could be fun and informative. Also, it could take the pressure off the daily post conundrum.

Stay tuned for the first installment of Tool Box Thursday!