Kenneth Lewis Blog

If you are deciding on whether or not to remodel your kitchen, remember you get the best bang your your buck if you choose to move forward. But you don’t need to spend a lot. That’s right, remodel your kitchen for less. How?

New countertops are often the best option when you want to change or remodel your kitchen. Replace your existing countertops with granite, corian, cambria quartz or other quality material and make big difference in your kitchen. If what your really need is a new look and feel, an update, new counters are the solution.

Kenneth C. Lewis Cabinetry can guide you in your selection of countertops. Contact us about replacing your existing countertop.

We all know that a kitchen make-over is money well spent. If you need a kitchen face lift, think about replacing your countertops. New counters can help revitalize an older kitchen, or give a kitchen a new look and feel.

Many homeowners just are not interested in a whole kitchen remodel because of the disruption to daily life. The solution is granite countertops. Kenneth Lewis spends an average of 3-4 days in your home.

Kenneth C. Lewis can offer alternative solutions to your kitchen remodeling project. Your entire kitchen can get a new look just by replacing the counters. If it is storage space or surface area that you need, add a kitchen island.

Countertop replacement is usually the best option when you want to totally change or remodel your kitchen. We can guide you in your selection of countertop including granite, corian, cambria quartz and other quality materials for replacing your existing countertops.
 
If you are interested in updating the look and feel of your kitchen with new countertops, contact Kenneth C. Lewis.

Countertop replacement is usually the best option when totally changing or remodeling your kitchen.

A beautiful countertop can really stand out in a kitchen. Consumer Reports tested 14 different countertop materials like granite and quartz, recycled glass, bamboo and soapstone. They applied things like tomato sauce and grape juice and let them sit overnight.

The bamboo surfaces stained badly.

They also tested the counters for heat, by placing a 400 degree pot on them: the bamboo counters scorched, and 2 recycled glass countertops cracked within 12 minutes.

When all the tests were done, quartz and granite countertops came out on top!

Kenneth C Lewis uses granite, corian, cambria quartz and other quality materials for replacing existing countertops.

Homeowners are moving away from tile countertops, which are difficult to maintain, in favor of natural stone, solid surfaces and environmentally friendly 'green' products.

Granite countertops are still the biggest thing out there, but less common materials like marble, limestone and soapstone are becoming more popular countertop choices.

These materials are much more durable than we have been led to believe especially with the advent of greatly improved sealers and a routine maintenance schedule.

For homeowners looking to jazz up their modern kitchens with bright, bold countertops, we suggest quartz.

Quartz counters may not be as durable as granite but it comes in colors not typically seen in natural stone, like lime green and electric blue. For those who may not appreciate stone's natural pigment variation, quartz offers consistent color from top to bottom and side to side.

Natural stone countertops that combine different textures are a new trend. For this look, installers use stone with two different finishes, one sandblasted to a matte finish, the other polished to a smooth gloss. Lindsay says that a typical application might be to use one finish for a kitchen island and the other for the rest of the kitchen countertops.

Wood adds a warmth and beauty to kitchens that no other material can match. So recently more homeowners have been opting for wood countertops over stone.

Another great kitchen island idea for homeowners is a beautiful butcher block island that you can actually cut on.

If you are thinking of redoing your kitchen, you know you can spend thousands on new countertops. Kitchens are one of the biggest remodeling expenses, so how can you be sure that your counters will hold up over time?

You can double the price of a kitchen makeover by throwing in new countertops. So with that kind of money on the line it's important to get the right ones for your lifestyle.

A beautiful new kitchen countertop can really stand out. However, with so many different types to choose from, how do you know which is best? Consumer Reports tested 14 different countertop materials to find out.

"We checked out popular surfaces like granite and quartz. New to our tests we have recycled glass, bamboo, and soapstone," said Consumer Reports tester Chris Regan.

To see how well a countertop resists stains, Regan applied 20 common substances, like tomato sauce and grape juice, then let them sit overnight.

"We tested bamboo countertops with a mixture of a beeswax and mineral-oil finish. Both countertops looked great out of the box, but not so much after our tests," said Regan.

Both stained badly, even coffee and tea, which most other surfaces could handle - stained the bamboo.

Consumer Reports also tests to see if counters can take the heat - literally. Testers set a pot of 400-degree oil on the countertop for an hour. There were scorch marks left behind on each of these bamboo counters.

"We also found a problem with some of the recycled-glass countertops," said Regan.

One of the recycled glass countertops cracked within 12 minutes. But recycled-glass countertops from two other manufacturers did not crack. When all the tests were done, quartz countertops and as well as granite came out on top. And while either surface can chip, getting a rounded edge helps minimize this.

If you decide to go with natural stone, like granite or quartz, be aware their look can vary widely, even within the same slab. So pick out the sample you want and reserve it.

Original article on ABC local – Michael Finney

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it's also the most popular room to renovate. The average kitchen redo costs about $15,000.

When it comes to remodeling a kitchen almost everyone has something they might have done differently.

When you're cooking up a kitchen renovation there are so many places where it's easy to goof. Storage space is one of them. Consumer reports says, don't skimp!

"Carefully plan how much storage you'll need and where to put it," said Bob Markovich with Consumer Reports.

For instance, dishes and glasses need four to six linear feet of cabinet space above or near the sink and dishwasher. Pots and pans need the same, and store them close to your cooktop. If you have kitchen cabinets that already provide enough storage space, consider refinishing them instead of replacing them.

Center islands can be tricky too. Make sure they are the right size, too big is a common mistake.

The countertop should be three feet wide to no more than ten feet. As for depth, you want one that measures at least 26 inches, and up to 48 inches.

As for countertops, choosing one that stains easily is another mistake people make. Skip oil-rubbed butcher block for kitchen counters - it's one of the surfaces that stains easily. Corian and Granite work nicely.

With careful planning and attention to detail you can sidestep these mistakes and get the kitchen you've always wanted.

Original article on ABC local

Summer is the busiest time for home improvement projects and, after a few years of a down economy, it looks like more people will take the plunge in the summer of 2011.

Kitchen remodeling is the number one project that people take on.

It is also the best return for your investment.

You can get as much as an 85% return on your money and it can cost as little as a few thousand dollars for things like re-facing cabinets and a fresh coat of paint.

A good rule of thumb is never spend more than 20 percent of your home's value on any re-modeling job, especially if you are thinking about selling in the next few years.

"Understand exactly what the market is, do they have granite countertops, do they have stainless steel appliances, because the last thing you want to do is price yourself out of the market because that is going to cut into your return," Hicks, from Angies List, said.

In general, you can expect an 85% return on your kitchen re-model when you sell your home.

In the meantime, you get the benefits of a better kitchen, which for most families is the "heart of the home."

Kitchen remodeling on a budget
Just about everybody can make their kitchen their own dream kitchen space without breaking the bank or causing a divorce. Here are some suggestions to do kitchen remodeling on a budget.

1.   Add a fresh coat of paint  
2.   Order new doors or fronts for your appliances  
3.   Refacing your cabinets or replacing the doors  
4.   Replace the cabinet hardware with high end hardware  
5.   Replace your sink or just the faucet

Original article on 9news.com Written by Jack Maher

There is nothing stating that a kitchen remodeling project needs to be more than you can afford and let's face it; remodeling a kitchen can be an expensive endeavor. Appliances and paint to floors, cabinets and countertops, completely transforming a kitchen requires quite a bit of money and time. Often, doing the entire project at once is cost-prohibitive. But there are ways to transform your kitchen without spenging too much. How? Creative solutions to kitchen renovation, like countertop resurfacing. You can save a lot of money and hassle with countertop resurfacing as opposed to replacing them. Countertops are heavy and cling to everything, including the kitchen sink. By just resurfacing, you can avoid the labor and cost of completely removing them, let alone replacing them.

In resurfacing your countertop, one option is to remove the old laminate and replace it with new laminate. But, there are other options for countertop resurfacing as well. You can install ceramic tiles over the old countertops. You can also polish existing old stone or other solid material countertops to give them a brighter and fresher look. The countertops are a focal point for the eye when you enter a kitchen and they dramatically change the style of an area. Changing the countertop will allow you to carry through with the design you want while visually impacting the space with just one renovation. Countertop resurfacing can transform your kitchen into something cozier and more stylish without killing your home remodeling budget.

Kitchen renovations are among the most expensive home-improvement projects. However, it's possible to refresh a tired kitchen without feeling financial pain. For the most inexpensive yet still dramatic make over, walls can be painted, cabinets can be refinished and the cabinet hardware can be changed to freshen the look. An entirely new kitchen is possible with Cabinet Refinishing by Kenneth C Lewis. Kitchen cabinets can be dressed up, revitalizing an older kitchen, or giving a newer kitchen the look and feel you dreamed of.

The next level, still less expensive than a total remodel, but effective and dramatic, you can upgrade your appliances within the same footprint, which saves the expense and hassle of moving plumbing and electrical lines. Even investing in one great feature such as a granite countertop, a deep freeze refrigerator, or a pro grade range can have a big impact. A nice and well done cosmetic upgrade will more than pay for itself at resale time. So if changing styles or wear and tear has you in need of a kitchen face lift, consider a less expensive kitchen makeover through cabinet refinishing.

When deciding on home remodeling projects, you get the most bang for your buck out of a kitchen remodel. You will get the most return on your investment in the way of home value and resale value if you have a new and updated kitchen. But what if the kitchen remodeling project is too costly? Or perhaps you are concerned with the disruption to your everyday life. There is a solution. Kenneth C. Lewis can help you with your kitchen remodeling project without breaking the bank, by offering alternative solutions. Did you know that your entire kitchen can get a new look just by replacing the counters? Perhaps you could add a kitchen island, to increase work space and home value. The average actual time we will spend in your home on a kitchen remodel is only 3-4 days with minimal interruption to your normal life.

Countertop replacement is usually the best option when you want to totally change or remodel your kitchen. We can guide you in your selection of countertop finishes. We use granite, corian, cambria quartz and other quality materials for replacing your existing countertops. If it is not a kitchen remodel you are after, but you are interested in updating the look and feel of your kitchen. Speak with us about refinishing your existing countertop. Let us help you revitalize an older kitchen, or give a newer kitchen the look and feel you dreamed of.