Benefits of Refacing Kitchen Cabinets

Renovations are a great way to add value to any home. Kitchen renovations tend to be particularly popular for homeowners. Despite the initial cost, these projects are usually well worth all of the effort put into them. Most kitchen renovation projects include refacing kitchen cabinets, since it is less expensive to do this than to replace them.

Process

Cabinet refacing can update and transform any kitchen in a matter of days. New doors, drawers, accessories and hardware are relatively easy to design and install, particularly by experienced professionals. Styles can range from understated to extravagant. Expressing and reflecting personal style is possible with an endless array of choices and finishes.

Professional installers will remove old cabinets and drawer fronts before installing beautiful, newly designed doors. Most installers are highly trained so that services are performed in a timely and professional manner.

By maintaining cabinet frames, plumbing and electrical, customers save on costs while also being more environmentally responsible since there is less waste. Cabinet refacing projects are generally suited to accommodate any budget.

Finishing

Finishing options can include a variety of processes. For example, rigid thermofoils (RTF) are composed of a vinyl foil that is molded through pressure onto fiberboard. The RTF may then be shaped into raised panels or arches and finished into realistic looking wood grains or solid color finishes.

Laminates are slightly more costly than RTF, but they cannot be shaped. Additionally, plain front doors are necessary in order to do laminate work.

The most realistic and also expensive finish is the real wood veneer. Since they cost 10 to as much as 25 percent over laminate or RTF, they are longer lasting and offer the richest look.

Timeline

Refacing cabinets generally takes from two to four days, depending on the number of cabinets. Replacing and then reconfiguring the cabinets can take a period of several weeks, particularly when custom ordering is required for made-to-order applications. Replacing cupboards can also require sanding, patching and painting surrounding walls.

Procedure

Generally, customers can expect to receive a free in-home consultation. Once the design is planned, professionals will measure the kitchen cabinets. Then they will schedule an installation date. The removal of current drawers and doors is usually directly followed by installing the materials.

Regardless of the time involved, kitchen cabinet renovation is the best alternative to replacing entire cabinets. Design consultants make it easy for customers to plan these makeovers for the least amount of expense and disruption. 

Using Deadbolts To Secure Your Home

To ensure that your family is safe while at home, you must make sure that you trust in the equipment used to keep the family safe. The equipment that you must trust comes in the form of deadbolts, security systems as well as other means like locking windows.

Your standard door lock is not as secure as other door locks are and will not work as good as other door locks when compared to a higher priced, better quality dead bolt. You will want the door frame and door to be fitted properly to help guarantee that your deadbolt will do its job. The deadbolt lock is going to be locked and unlocked manually by using a key and manually using your key to open the door. There are a variety of deadbolts on the market however the single cylinder deadbolt is most common and popular. The dead bolt is also ideal for more than just homes since it is quite popular for businesses as well.

The use of deadbolts is ideal for the front door as well as your backdoor. If you have more than one lock on your door, with the right dead bolt, you can install the dead bolt to better secure your home and only be responsible for one door lock and one door key rather than numerous keys for numerous doors.

The deadbolt chosen for the home can coincide with a variety of colors and styles. If you are remodeling your front entry way or your back yard, you will want to take the colors of paint that you are looking to and the color of the siding to the store or website that you are using to improve your security to make sure that your new dead bolt is going to match your new décor well.

If you do not know how to install a dead bolt, you might want to consider using a locksmith who is able to come and set up the door lock the proper way to give you piece of mind that your door lock is going to work properly. In many cases, even though you have the door lock, the locksmith company is usually only going to charge you for the time spent rather than for the cost of materials.

How to Install a Screen Door Lock Set

Many homeowners mistakenly assume that they will need the help of a professional locksmith to change their home's locks and latches. In fact, the task of replacing your home's lock sets is relatively easy, especially for screen doors and storm doors. Before you begin, you should make sure that the strike plate from your old set will work with the new one. Screen door lock sets are made to be compatible with all screen doors and storm doors, so this should not be an issue. On rare occasions the old strike plate is found to be incompatible, so it's wise to check before you get started. The process won't take long at all if you can follow a few simple instructions. For this project all you will need is the new latch with a strike plate, a pencil, and a Phillips screwdriver. Some homeowners may require someone to help them during instillation, but this project can usually be handled alone.

1. First, you will need to remove your old or broken lock set from the screen door. Behind the screen latch there are two screws. These are the screws that hold the inside and outside handles to the door. Use your Phillips screwdriver to remove these and you will be able to pull the old handles off of the door.

2. Next you need to remove the strike plate if you will not be using the same one. Simply remove the two screws holding the strike plate to the door frame and pull it off.

3. Now it's time to install your new lock set. Align the outside handle with the three holes left by the old lock set. Hold the door steady as you place the inside handle over the outside handle's spindle that should now be sticking through the door.

4. The rest of the set instillation will be done from the inside of the screen door. Place the two screws into the mounting holes on the inside handle, and through the holes that are threaded through for the outside door handle. Make sure that the screws are tightened into place.

5. Next you need to align the latch mechanism on the door with the strike plate in the door frame. Make sure that the latch mechanism fits tightly with the strike plate. Use your pencil to mark its position.

6. Screw the strike plate into place using the mounting holes. The job is complete after you make sure that the screen closes and locks properly. 

Find screen door lock sets here.

Deadbolt Locks: Types And Safety

A deadbolt lock is an excellent type of lock of any outside door. It is better than an ordinary spring loaded type of bolt block. A deadbolt lock can only be turned to the open position from outside with the right key rotating the lock cylinder. A spring loaded bolt lock can be opened without a key as long as some type of pressure is applied to the bolt itself.

It is alright for a home or business to have a spring loaded bolt lock. For a home or business to be more safe from an unwanted intruder, all its outside doors should also have a deadbolt lock. A deadbolt lock can make it more difficult for an intruder to gain entry into the structure without the right key. It can be done, but it takes longer without the right key, which will in turn draw attention to the intruder. An intruder does not want to take long gaining entry, therefore a deadbolt lock can make them go elsewhere for their bad intentions.

There are two common types of deadbolt locks. One is a single cylinder deadbolt. The single cylinder uses a key to gain entry from the outside, but on the inside it uses a twisting type of doorknob. A double cylinder deadbolt lock uses a key to on both sides to be able to open the door. Since the double cylinder one uses a key no matter what side the person is on, it usually will not have a twisting doorknob on either side of it.

A not so common deadbolt is the vertical deadbolt lock. This type of lock is rarely used, even though it does not allow for the door to be jammed with something, like a pry bar, for an intruder to try to open. A few other types of deadbolt locks that are offered but rarely used are: single cylinder with a removable thumb turn knob, classroom function knob where the thumb turn only will unlock the door, exit only function knob where there is no external cylinder since the door is only used for exiting and not for re-entering a building, and a push button deadbolt which uses a mechanical or electrical entry instead of a key.

The only safety hazard there is with a deadbolt lock has been with the double cylinder type of lock. This type of deadbolt needs the correct key to be able to open no matter what side of the door the person is on. This has caused the death of a few people in house fires because the key was not in the door on the inside of the house.

Find deadbolts here.

Updating Your Kitchen with a Simple Cabinet Knob Update

If you are looking for an easy way to give your kitchen a makeover, consider changing out your cabinet hardware. When you choose to change the knobs on your existing cabinets you can easily give your cabinets a fresh new look.

Changing your cabinet knobs is a great way to provide a new look that doesn't require spending a ton of money. If you have always had old tarnished looking knobs on your cabinets, you may wish to change to something that is a little more modern or chic. You might choose to go with glass cabinet knobs so that you kitchen takes on a more vintage look.

You'll have no problem finding the perfect cabinet hardware that can turn your kitchen into a kitchen that you love spending time in, entertaining guests in or just hanging out in with the family.

Perhaps you have an antique buffet in your kitchen; you can use the same knobs on the buffet that you use on your cabinets so that they compliment each other nicely and look great together.

To spruce up your drawers, you can choose matching drawer pulls just like you chose for your cabinets. You won't find a more affordable, faster or easier way to give your kitchen the facelift that you have been hoping for.

You can also use the cabinet hardware to change the looks of your bathroom cabinets and drawers. You'll be able to update the look of your bathrooms just as easily as you updated your kitchen.

Let great hardware for you cabinets help you give your home a mini renovation.

Refacing Your Kitchen Cabinets

Refacing your kitchen cabinets is a fast, affordable way to update your kitchen in as little as three to five days. The process of refacing involves removing the existing doors of your kitchen cabinets and replacing them with new doors of your choosing. This is also a great time to make any structural changes to the cabinets as needed. When you are done, you will be amazed how much refacing can dramatically improve the look of the entire kitchen. Refacing your kitchen cabinets rather than replacing them can save you up to half of the cost of brand new cabinets.

One great benefit of refacing cabinets is that little time is needed to complete this transformation. This is not a major project and will minimally impact use of the kitchen area. The cabinets stay in place while the doors are removed. As a result, you will still be able to use the kitchen for regular meal preparation while working on the cabinets.

When making the decision whether or not to reface the doors of your kitchen cabinets, it is important to know what your vision is for the new kitchen. There are three main types of cabinets to choose from: plastic, veneer or wood. Wood is the most expensive of the three materials. Wood cabinets require more upkeep such as waxing, dusting and polishing to be performed on a regular basis. Wood cabinets can appeal to any and every style. Popular wood options will include: oak, maple, poplar, pine and cherry.

Veneer cabinets can easily fit into any budget. Veneers are quite durable and many types of them can be made to resemble wood. Veneers are a great option for those who desire a wood look but may find it out of their budget. Plastic cabinets are another option for the budget conscious re-decorator. Plastic cabinets offer all the style and a fraction of the price of other cabinets.

Cabinet refacing is a great way to add value to your home. With hundreds of styles and just as many finishes to choose from, you can create your dream kitchen. There has never been a better time to start refacing your kitchen than today!

New Emtek Sandcast Bronze Hardware

We are pleased to announce new style additions to Emtek's Sandcast Bronze hardware line:

Tubular Handlesets:
Laramie Style
Sheridan Style
Creston Style

These tubular handlesets are also available as Grip By Grip Handlesets.

Mortise Handlesets:
Morgan Style
Rockford Style

Interior Leversets with the #4 Rosette:
Aurora Lever
Cimarron Lever
Montrose Lever

#4 Style Deadbolt

These Sandcast additions are available in Deep Burgundy, Medium Bronze, Silver Patina, and Flat Black