Q. What is the first item I should select for my new bathroom?
A. Surprisingly enough, it’s not the cabinets, the tile, or the countertops. It’s the shower head! Deciding if you want a single shower head, a stationary head plus a hand-held, body jets, a rain head, or a combination is very important because your decision will determine the VALVE that you need. The valve is the VERY FIRST THING the plumber will install after the bathroom is taken apart. The valve goes in with the rough-in plumbing…before the concrete board, before the tile, before anything else. Once the valve goes in and the shower is tiled, it is too late to decide on your shower head options (unless you want to tear out the tile and start over!!). So decide on your shower heads and body jets, then tell your plumbing expert. They will then know which valve you need to purchase.
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
www.constructionology101.com
www.twitter.com/renovatekate
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
How to Choose a Countertop
Q: How do I choose a countertop for my kitchen or bathroom?
A: Selecting a countertop for your kitchen or bathroom can be one of the most challenging parts of building or remodeling. The countertop is often the “crown jewel” of the room and the decision shouldn’t be made lightly.
The first step is to decide on the material. Should you select natural stone, engineered stone, solid surface, laminate, tile, glass or concrete? We’ll discuss this particular question another day. However, once the material is chosen, selecting the actual piece can be quite daunting.
When shopping with my clients, I often begin by letting them quickly scan all the slabs (I’ll use granite here as an example) simply asking them to label each as “love it” or “hate it.” I note all the “love its” and try to find some continuity in the pieces they love. Perhaps they love gold and red tones but hate greens and grays. Maybe they are more attracted to lots of veining and movement and less attracted to the tighter, more symmetrical patterns. Once you discover your preference for colors and movement, then you can begin to pair your granite with your cabinet selection. (Yet another topic for another day.)
Helpful hint: Take your cabinet sample and lay it up against your countertop. Step 10 feet away from the samples and you will see much easier which colors match and which ones clash. It is very difficult to see the colors as they really are when you are too close!
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
www.constructionology101.com
www.twitter.com/renovatekate
A: Selecting a countertop for your kitchen or bathroom can be one of the most challenging parts of building or remodeling. The countertop is often the “crown jewel” of the room and the decision shouldn’t be made lightly.
The first step is to decide on the material. Should you select natural stone, engineered stone, solid surface, laminate, tile, glass or concrete? We’ll discuss this particular question another day. However, once the material is chosen, selecting the actual piece can be quite daunting.
When shopping with my clients, I often begin by letting them quickly scan all the slabs (I’ll use granite here as an example) simply asking them to label each as “love it” or “hate it.” I note all the “love its” and try to find some continuity in the pieces they love. Perhaps they love gold and red tones but hate greens and grays. Maybe they are more attracted to lots of veining and movement and less attracted to the tighter, more symmetrical patterns. Once you discover your preference for colors and movement, then you can begin to pair your granite with your cabinet selection. (Yet another topic for another day.)
Helpful hint: Take your cabinet sample and lay it up against your countertop. Step 10 feet away from the samples and you will see much easier which colors match and which ones clash. It is very difficult to see the colors as they really are when you are too close!
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
www.constructionology101.com
www.twitter.com/renovatekate
Friday, July 24, 2009
Benefits of an Undermount Sink
Q. What are the benfits of an undermount sink?
A. There are basically three types of mountings for sinks – drop-in, flush mount and undermount.
A drop-in sink simply drops in on top of the countertop. These are more difficult to clean as you will have a small space between the back of the sink and the backsplash that collects water and is difficult to reach.
A flush mount sink (which is less common, but becoming more available) drops in but sits flush with the countertop. This is a beautiful look, but be cautious of the countertop material. Not all countertops can be fabricated to support or accept a flush-mount sink.
An undermount sink is the most sanitary option for a sink. The sink sits between the bottom of the countertop and the top of the cabinet, thus it is “mounted under” the countertop. Because there is no lip or small gap between the sink and countertop, splashed water can be easily swept back into the sink. There is also a wider space between the sink and backsplash (and no lip) making it much easier to clean. Perhaps the biggest advantage is there is no need to take a toothpick to clean the perimeter of the sink where the “gunk” collects because the sink now sits underneath the countertop. Brilliant!!
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
A. There are basically three types of mountings for sinks – drop-in, flush mount and undermount.
A drop-in sink simply drops in on top of the countertop. These are more difficult to clean as you will have a small space between the back of the sink and the backsplash that collects water and is difficult to reach.
A flush mount sink (which is less common, but becoming more available) drops in but sits flush with the countertop. This is a beautiful look, but be cautious of the countertop material. Not all countertops can be fabricated to support or accept a flush-mount sink.
An undermount sink is the most sanitary option for a sink. The sink sits between the bottom of the countertop and the top of the cabinet, thus it is “mounted under” the countertop. Because there is no lip or small gap between the sink and countertop, splashed water can be easily swept back into the sink. There is also a wider space between the sink and backsplash (and no lip) making it much easier to clean. Perhaps the biggest advantage is there is no need to take a toothpick to clean the perimeter of the sink where the “gunk” collects because the sink now sits underneath the countertop. Brilliant!!
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Designing a Kitchen? Cabinets First!
Why should every kitchen design start with the cabinets?
Every kitchen design should start with the cabinets because your cabinets are the most permanent furniture pieces in your home. Floors, countertops, faucets and certainly paint will come and go over the years, but your cabinets will more than likely be in your home for an average of 30 to 40 years!! Don’t assume your kitchen has been “designed” simply because you purchased a set of plans. More than likely, not a single thought has been placed on storage, appliance layout or accessibility!
Cabinets should be built with very specific storage needs in mind…a place for large pots and pans, spices, cutlery, dish towels and pot holders, etc. What if you want a place for a small television in the kitchen? Where does the microwave go? Will you be living in the home the rest of your life? Will it be functional for all stages of life? How will you reach items in the upper cabinets? Should your plates and glassware be in the base cabinets so every member of the family can reach them? Will the placement of your appliances meet your needs?
It is well worth the small investment to hire a professional kitchen and bath designer to ensure your cabinets are not only beautiful, but - more importantly - functional.
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
Every kitchen design should start with the cabinets because your cabinets are the most permanent furniture pieces in your home. Floors, countertops, faucets and certainly paint will come and go over the years, but your cabinets will more than likely be in your home for an average of 30 to 40 years!! Don’t assume your kitchen has been “designed” simply because you purchased a set of plans. More than likely, not a single thought has been placed on storage, appliance layout or accessibility!
Cabinets should be built with very specific storage needs in mind…a place for large pots and pans, spices, cutlery, dish towels and pot holders, etc. What if you want a place for a small television in the kitchen? Where does the microwave go? Will you be living in the home the rest of your life? Will it be functional for all stages of life? How will you reach items in the upper cabinets? Should your plates and glassware be in the base cabinets so every member of the family can reach them? Will the placement of your appliances meet your needs?
It is well worth the small investment to hire a professional kitchen and bath designer to ensure your cabinets are not only beautiful, but - more importantly - functional.
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Flooring Under a Dishwasher...Yes or No?
Q. Should you put flooring under your dishwasher or not?
A. Yes. If you set your dishwasher on an unfinished floor, then lay your flooring material, you will not be able to pull out the dishwasher should you ever need to service it. Why? The countertop will prevent you from lifting the dishwasher up over the flooring. Be sure to allow enough height (typcially 34.5") between the FINISHED floor and the bottom of your countertop to fit your dishwasher. You may need to raise up or “shim” your countertop to allow enough space. Ask your flooring installer and your countertop installer about this prior to any work being done.
If you have questions about this topic or would like advice about any of your residential or remodeling projects, write me and I'll be happy to answer you.
Contact me at
http://www.renovatekate.blogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/renovatekate
And check out my website at www.constructionology101.com
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
A. Yes. If you set your dishwasher on an unfinished floor, then lay your flooring material, you will not be able to pull out the dishwasher should you ever need to service it. Why? The countertop will prevent you from lifting the dishwasher up over the flooring. Be sure to allow enough height (typcially 34.5") between the FINISHED floor and the bottom of your countertop to fit your dishwasher. You may need to raise up or “shim” your countertop to allow enough space. Ask your flooring installer and your countertop installer about this prior to any work being done.
If you have questions about this topic or would like advice about any of your residential or remodeling projects, write me and I'll be happy to answer you.
Contact me at
http://www.renovatekate.blogspot.com/
www.twitter.com/renovatekate
And check out my website at www.constructionology101.com
Until next time,
Renovate Kate
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