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Kitchen Remodel

Latest Trends in Kitchen Remodeling

kitchen renovation

Stirring the Pot—
The Latest Trends in Kitchen Remodeling

They say the heart of a home is the kitchen. It’s the place where families spend time together preparing and sharing meals. In terms of construction, kitchens are one of the most important and expensive areas of the house. Did you know that even a minor remodeling of the kitchen may give you up to an 80% return on investment? Kitchen trends keep changing, just as our tastes and preferences for food. Here are some of the latest trends in kitchen remodeling you might want to consider when building new or renovating an existing kitchen.

Backsplashes

Adding a backsplash helps cover the gaps between the countertop and the wall. It also helps protect the wall from water. If done well, it can add a finished and stylish look to your new kitchen. Kitchen backsplashes trends keep changing. Natural stone is making a comeback, and you can choose from a variety of options. The best part about these is that they are durable, affordable and can go with any style. Another option is pebble tiles, to give your kitchen a three dimensional look, and is the perfect combination of rustic and modern. Chalkboard backsplashes provide a casual look. Lastly, glass tile backsplashes can make the kitchen look bigger and brighter. Designers are also using a combination of colors and materials to create unique patterns filling the area from the counter top to the bottom of the cabinets.

Kitchen Island

Industrial style kitchen islands are both practical and popular. Since kitchen islands are placed in the center of the kitchen, they deserve the utmost attention. The latest trends are all about mobile kitchen islands that can be easily moved in order to give extra space whenever needed. The island can include sinks, stove top or just open prep space.

Counter Tops

The counter top is still a major focus of the kitchen design style and granite never seem to go out of fashion. Not only is granite low maintenance, but it is durable as well. The latest trends include a variety of detailed edging styles, such as bevels and bullnose, or more complex edges such as coves, dupont, and waterfall patterns. Keep an eye out for quartz being used as a counter top material option in a variety of neutral colors.

Appliances

Stainless steel appliances are still as popular today as they were 10 years ago, and they are not going away. The only downside of stainless is how easily finger print marks show up. Stainless steel appliances continue to be popular because they are tough and durable. They look good in traditional or contemporary style kitchens. They also look good with any wood type or color used in the kitchen. Most manufacturers make stainless finish appliances, so it is easier to match than colored appliances.

Cabinetry

2016 will be the year of functionality and minimalism. In order to keep the kitchen simple, stylish and uncluttered, designers and contractors will be using cabinetry with rollout drawers, and multi-tiered drawers. The new designs incorporate the appliances in such a way that it will look as if they are an extension of the cabinets. Other trends include creating hydraulic cabinet door openings that fold and lift out of place with a push button.

These are just a few of the ideas for your kitchen planning or remodeling. Weston Construction can give you an estimate on your next kitchen renovation. Give us a call.

 

Home Renovation—the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

renovation

Common Problems In Renovating Old Homes

Renovating an old house can be rewarding, but it’s not an easy job.  The trouble with renovating old homes is that they may seem in good condition but underlying problems can develop during the remodeling or renovation process. That is why it’s a good idea to hire a professional building contractor; they are always ready to expect the unexpected. Here are some of the common problems found when renovating old homes:

Plumbing
Plumbing problems are a common issue with old homes because galvanized pipes either get clogged or corroded. This issue is not only limited to the pipes in the house, but extends to the sewer lines as well. Galvinized pipes were used before the 1960s and should be replaced with copper or plastic.

Mold
Old homes usually have a stale smell which is caused by mold that usually develops due to water leakage from pipes, walls or the roof. Hire professionals to tackle mold problems during construction — they can detect the source of the leakage and fix the problem.

Dry Rot
A lot of homes have the problem of dry rot which sometimes is not visible until the renovation work starts. This is because dry rot is actually a fungus that grows in wood that has been wet. The wood becomes crumbly and soft. Sometimes it appears to have white stains. Even if the original leak has been repaired, dry rot can continue to spread and damage more wood. If the wood in question is involved in structural support, this is not something you want to tackle yourself.

Foundation Problems
Old houses were constructed in a way that did not allow proper grading for water runoff, which usually leads to mold in basements. Foundation problems can be detected from cracks on the floor, in the walls, and by sticky windows and doors.

Electrical Wiring
Electrical wiring in old homes can be a problem because the system back then was not well equipped to power modern day appliances. Also, the old wiring systems were usually not grounded. You can evaluate this by examining your outlets —two pronged outlets are not grounded—three pronged outlets are usually grounded. Old, brittle and faulty wiring can cause short circuits that can turn into a house fire. Have a professional renovation company check the wiring of your house. This may be a good time to update the wiring system, with a ground fault circuit interrupter, which cuts off power as soon problems are detected, before a fire.

Asbestos
One of the leading problems of homes that were constructed at least 40 years ago is asbestos. It is a fire retardant product that was extensively used in earlier construction. It is found in HVAC system, flooring, insulations, duct work, and roofing. Asbestos isn’t harmful if it is in good condition. The trouble starts when it turns into powder (due to sawing, cutting, and scraping) that can be inhaled, as it causes severe lung damage. That is why it is imperative to have a professional abatement company detect and remove asbestos in your house.

Lead Paint
If the house you are renovating was built before 1978, there is a high chance that there is lead in the paint. Lead is released into the air when leaded paint is sanded or heated. The dust from chipped or peeled lead paint is very hazardous to pets and children as well as adults. Have a professional examine and test the house for lead before you start any.

These issues are just the tip of the iceberg of why it is important to hire a professional contractor, such as Weston Construction, to assist you when you planning a home renovation. If you are considering a home renovation, give us a call. We’re happy to meet with you to discuss your project.