Posted on April 11, 2012 by cbdinfo

WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT ABOUT YOUR CABINET ?

The material cabinets are made of- plywood or furniture grade particleboard – is important especially the thickness, but not #1

The drawer glides and hinges- there are definitely lower and higher quality- are important,but not #1.

The drawer construction- wood,melamine, dovetail or routed- is important,but not #1.

The thing that keeps your cabinets looking like the first day and makes them withstand the wear and tear of toddlers,teenagers and adults is the finish.

So what makes a lasting finish that doesn’t yellow,chip or deterioate?

There are some slight variations between a stain and painted finish and also between manufacturers, but there are common elements that make the finish durable.

1. The finish is hand sanded several times during the process and cleaned of particles with forced air in a dust free environment.

2. It is oven dried (at least twice) between the application of stain and sealer or primer coats and at the end.

3. A catalized paint or varnish is used for water resistance and to prevent yellowing.

All these steps provide the build,clarity, and resistance to all usual household cleaners. Warm water and a soft cloth are all you need.

Be sure to ask questions and understand the finish process because this is what will make your cabinets look like new 5,10,15, or more years from that first day.

This is Not what I thought it was going to be….

Posted on March 9, 2012 by cbdinfo

Don’t be fooled thinking you are getting a comparable quote from different cabinet companies. I learned this lesson recently on a job that I lost to a competitor.

What my client thought she was getting was: Five piece drawer heads

What she is actually getting is: A slab drawer head with a routed outside edge detail.

What she thought she was getting was a wainsot panel on the back of her island

What she is actually getting is applied doors panels to the back of her island.

Are you baffled about what you might be getting? Consult a professional who has a sophisticated sense of style and will explain every detail about what you are really getting..More to come….

Are You Getting what you THINK you’re getting?

Posted on March 8, 2012 by cbdinfo

I am often baffled these days how seemingly smart and educated people can be so fooled when it comes to details regarding the renovation of their kitchens. They are many times blinded by the cost and fail to overlook the details that make a custom kitchen truly theirs.

Recently, I worked with a client who made her decision based solely on cost. Her statement to me was that she was comparing apples to apples and that the other quote she received was identical to mine yet mine was slightly higher. And so, I lost the job. Because she is a friend, I have remained involved in her project and even agreed to meet with her cabinet company to discuss a few details. What I learned at our meeting was eye-opening. Want to know more? Stay tuned, I’ll tell you what I learned.

Countertops

Posted on February 9, 2012 by cbdinfo

The choices seem overwhelming-laminate,granite,quartz,marble,soapstone,glass,recycled glass,concrete, wood, etc.,etc.etc.

Budget is going to be a big driver in your decision making, but here are some other things to consider.

With natural stone how exotic or rare the stone will affect cost.

Marble will stain and etch with normal use so not a good choice for kitchens.

Granite and quartz will tolerate heat and wear and tear.

The thickness of the material will affect the price and strength.

Concrete does not tolerate the heat from a pot or pan from the oven or cooktop. See a job to see if seaming and sealing suits you.

Shine – Gloss or shine on dark colors show more (rings from a glass, etc.). Honed (shine removed) can be wiped with a sponge and doesn’t streak, however pattern can become muddy so solid color generally better.

Pattern- Consider how open the pattern and how it fits your design. A pattern with bold movement might look great on an open island, but not if there are several cutouts. If all the countertops are standard depth, a less dramatic pattern would be better.

*Countertop depth should be 25 1/2 deep. This allows an extra 1/2″ from the past standard dept to give better cover for hardware.

Suppliers- Like cabinets it is best if the company supplies the product, fabricates and installs it. This avoids a middle man and gives you only 1 person to go to for satisfaction if there is a problem.

Small Cabinet Shops VS Large Custom Manufacturing

Posted on January 26, 2012 by cbdinfo

A lot of us feel small shops can build cabinets much cheaper than large custom manufacturers can; however, this is totally wrong. Large custom manufacturers rely on the volume of business they receive in order to be competitive with other companies. I have been in the cabinet industry for over 40 years and have experienced small and large shop capabilities. Consider the amount of money that is invested into just the finishing of their products. In order to make a superior finish that will last, thousands upon thousands of dollars are spent on these finishing systems. Most small shops couldn’t afford that type of investment. In future posts we will highlight in detail why these systems create superb finishes and stay very competitive in todays cabinet industry.

What Do You Need to Know Besides the Price of Cabinets?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by cbdinfo

Price is important, but the bigger question is what are you getting for your money.

These are the questions I’d want to ask.

Can the cabinets vary in width, depth, and height to meet you needs and those of you space?

How are the cabinets constructed for strength and integrity?

Are the cabinets priced as frameless, faceframe or inset style?

What kind of drawer glides are included (who makes them?

Are the cabinets green?

Does the price include installation provided through the cabinet company?

How about the sales tax?

What about the kind of finish?

Do I get a warranty – what and how long?

The last and most important question is have I gotten the best cabinet for my money?

Why Work with a Designer?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by cbdinfo

Why should you work with a designer for your kitchen, bath or other rooms with cabinets? Here are some things to consider.

A designer will listen to you and about you and your family. They have the experience and knowlege to place your cabinetry so it makes the best use of your space. They can give you a variety or storage so everything has a place from the peanut butter and sippy cups to the spices and special pots or equipment. They can place the appliances so everyone isn’t running into each other as they try to get what they need.

A designer keeps learning about new products and can provide realiable resources for all parts of your project.

Do you have a dream of how your space should look? A designer can guide you there as well as let you know what trends are fading and what’s gaining popularity.

A designer is much more than someone who just puts cabinets around the walls.

CBD Designers Corner

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