Can countertops be painted or resurfaced.

By on March 28th, 2008

I am updating my kitchen, including painting the walls, stripping and painting my cabinets, and replacing the linoleum floor. My countertops are in perfect shape, but the design on them is extremely outdated. Is there a special paint or shelac or something like that I can use to change their appearance.

Insulating you garage You recently bought a house

By admin on March 25th, 2008

Insulating you garage

You recently bought a house that has a bedroom addition above the
garage but it is not insulated. Adding insulation should make those
rooms more comfortable and save on energy bills. There are several
options for insulating above the garage. Depending on the local
building codes, the size of the area, whether you decide to hire a
professional or do it yourself and maybe the most important
factor is your budget.

If you have a sheet rocked garage, the fastest way would be to have
blown-in insulation installed behind the sheetrock. A fair warning
here, the blown-in insulation may be expensive if your garage
is small. If your garage is not sheet rocked you have to install
lame-spread rated batt insulation and cover it with sheetrock. First check
your local building codes for the requirements of the thickness of the
sheetrock for garages including fire safety rules. The lack of smoke detectors in
a garage and the possible storage of flammable and combustible
liquids can cause a garage to be considered a hazardous space. This is
the reason why you should contact a local contractor to help you
in insulating this space.

Tags: new kitchen, kitchen ideas, kitchen new design, decorating, cabinetry, remodeling ideas

Garage storing shelves A garage is the

By admin on March 12th, 2008

Garage storing shelves

A garage is the perfect home for all sorts of items and activities
from storing sporting equipment to tools and machines; and
it s original purpose for car parking to activities like a home-office,
a gym or a workshop. If your garage is only used for storage rather than
other activities it really needs some shelves for organization.

Usually garage shelves can be found in two main forms: site-built
and prefabricated. Site-built shelves are usually less expensive and
allow you to adapt the sizes to the space available. You can find
everything that you need at the local home center, lumber yard,
discount store or hardware store.

One of the basics of the garage shelves is made of a simple piece of
plywood or a length of 1x or 2x lumber on a set of heavy-duty
shelf brackets. This is mounted by attaching the brackets to the
studs directly using long screws then by attaching the shelf to the
brackets. To strengthen the shelf you can add a brace at each stud.

Another type of shelves are the floor-supported ones. One method
is to run vertical 2×4s every 50 inches and resting them on the
floor and attaching them to the rafters or ceiling joists at the top. In
addition, the 2×4s are run horizontally on edge between the
uprights then a particleboard is used to create the shelve. The most
commonly used dimensions are 19-25 inches for depth and the spacing
between 2×4s is usually on 25 inches but of course, these sizes can
be changed to accommodate the size of the items that you are
storing.

For storing small items you should take into consideration the
space between the studs. By attaching a series of 1×2 strips
horizontally to the inside edges of two adjacent studs
approximately 6 inches apart, cutting some 1×4 and 1×6 pieces of
lumber and fitting them between studs and slipping them on top of
the 1×2s you can create some small adjustable shelves. These are
great for jars, cans and bottles and also for other small and light
items. The small shelves are great for organizing and storing screws
and nails.

The best choice when building prefabricated garage shelves is
Steel shelving. Plastic shelving may be enough for storing light
Weight items but in time you may need something more
resistant for storing heavier items. One disadvantage of the steel
shelving is that they cannot be cut to size so they have standard
widths, depths and heights so you have to choose something that
fits within your available space.

Adjustability is another important consideration in prefabricated
shelving. Prefabricated shelves should be adjustable to at least two
different locations within the shelving framework and also the pins
for adjusting should be heavy duty and should have something in place
for preventing them from working loose or becoming accidentally
dislodged.

Another thing to be taken into consideration when opting for
prefabricated shelves, especially those designed for heavy loads,
is that they may require a wall attachment or other support
against tipping.

-511

Tags: Kitchen Design Articles, Design Kitchen Software, interior design, remake kitchen, kitchen designer, kitchen remodeling

Home Improvement - How to Make an Informed Decision Choosing the Right Countertop

By admin on March 4th, 2008

Countertop surface choices are as wide and varied as are the considerations and costs. Top 10 Options. What do you need to consider for your specific usage? Durability, Style, Maintenance Requirements, Life Expectancy, Cost. Choosing the right countertop can be an adventure; these are some key points to consider, ensuring that your investment of time, money and energy is well spent.

Tags: remodeling ideas, cabinetry, remodeling, certified kitchen designer, Kitchen Design Articles, countertops

Kitchen Planning - 3 Simple Stages

By admin on March 4th, 2008

When you're planning a kitchen design, it can be an incredibly difficult and confusing time with many decisions that need to be taken, all with their own importance. Here is a breakdown of the kitchen planning process in the form of three very simple steps. Start out by measuring up the dimensions of your kitchen, and then do a scale drawing of the floor and wall space available.

Tags: Kitchen Design Firms, remodeling ideas, kitchen ideas, kitchen interior, kitchen remodel, kitchen sinks

Buff Up The Surface Of Granite To Make It Worth Living

By admin on March 4th, 2008

There is a process that must take place for marble and granite countertops to go from the quarry to the kitchen. The process of kitchen countertop polishing hasn't changed a whole lot since the times of the ancient Greeks, but the process has become more automated.

Tags: Kitchen Design Firms, kitchen furniture, kitchen islands, kitchen designer, kitchen backsplashes, appliances

Cooking Up A Small Kitchen Remodeling Idea

By admin on March 3rd, 2008

Remodeling your small kitchen shouldn't be a difficult task. When you put your small kitchen remodeling idea on paper, just remember your budget. Read on to find out some tips on redesigning our small kitchen.

Tags: kitchen remodel, interior design, kitchen faucets, kitchen islands, remodeling ideas, kitchen ideas

How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets and Save Money

By admin on March 3rd, 2008

If your kitchen is in need of a facelift, but so is your bank account... then why not try something else?. Why not paint your cabinets? There are so many great products and ideas out there, you can have a professional looking paint finish.

Tags: kitchen furniture, kitchen photos, Kitchen Design Articles, kitchen cabinets, new kitchen, interior design

How to Make Your Kitchen Walls Work Double Time

By admin on March 3rd, 2008

Need more space to display your child's artwork and those school permission forms? Don't like papers everywhere, thumbtack holes, or tape on your walls?

Tags: long island kitchen designer, cabinetry, countertops, kitchen design, Design Kitchen Software, kitchen ideas

Theme Ideas for Your Home

By admin on March 3rd, 2008

Choosing a theme to help in the remodeling of your kitchen can help to make the process easier. Sometimes choosing a theme, though, can be as big of a project as remodeling the actually kitchen. It should not be that stressful, though.

Tags: kitchen interior, countertops, kitchen designer, Kitchen Design Firms, kitchen cabinets, Home Floor Plans