Posts Tagged ‘kitchen sink’

Gauge and Chromium Nickel Content of Stainless Steel Sinks

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Q What is the Chromium/ Nickel content?

A Chromium (Cr) is an alloying element that is used in stainless steel to deter corrosion. (Luster & durability) Nickel (Ni) is an alloying element used in stainless steels to enhance ductility and corrosion resistance (hardness & strength). The chromium nickel content is the percentage of chrome and nickel in the stainless steel. Our stainless steel is 18/10 chromium nickel content which means it contains 18% chromium and 10% nickel. This is the same chromium/nickel content of all premium and fabricator grade sinks.

Q What is the gauge of your sinks and how does the gauge affect the quality?

A The gauge is the thickness of the stainless steel. It is important to remember that the lower the gauge, the thicker the stainless steel. Our thickest, sturdiest bowls are 16 gauge, a high quality bowl is 18 gauge and a standard bowl is 20 gauge.

GAUGE NUMBER

stainless-steel-sheetBasically GAUGE refers to the thickness of the stainless steel sheet used for the fabrication of sinks. It has nothing to do with the chromium/nickel contents in the stainless steel.

Technically speaking, the gauge number refers to the number of times the stainless steel material has to go through a series of narrow gaps. Each subsequent gap is smaller. So a lower gauge number indicates the sheet is thicker.

Typically 18 gauge is used to fabricate most standard sinks. 16 gauge or lower is used for square or apron-front sinks. 20 gauge is often used for small bar sinks which do not require a thick material to stay strong enough.

CHROMIUM/NICKEL CONTENTS

Chromium/nickel contents are mentioned almost always together. 18/10 steel means that chromium content is about 18% and nickel about 10%, which is usually the case for T304 steel that is used for almost all the sinks out there on the market. The chromium content controls the lustre, durability and corrosion protection properties of the steel, while the nickel content affects the hardness and strength of the steel. For more information on Cr/Ni contents, please click here.

Note that T304 steel is surgical grade which should last a life time if you do not intentionally subject the steel to harsh chemicals for a prolonged time. That is why most stainless steel sink manufacturers or suppliers can offer at least 15-year warranty if not lifetime warranty. If you know the skill, you can literally restore the freshness and lustre of any stainless steel sink to its original state. That explains why stainless steel sinks are superior to sinks made of other materials, including the increasing popular Silgranite or Moenstone.

Best of all, stainless steel is chemical free and much safer than any other materials that are made with resin. Remember the fact that all stainless steel sinks are made of T304 steel which is surgical grade? If you want to stay away cancer, stay with stainless steel and away from silgranite or acrylic materials.

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LEED And Your Home

Saturday, March 13th, 2010

LEED Kitchen Renovation
Ever wondered what the acronym LEED means?

Learn what these guidelines are, and how they are forging the way for a new philosophy in urban planning, green building, and how we live.

Have you ever heard of LEED?

I’d heard of it and seen it in ads for new buildings trying to prove their “green-ness”, but I didn’t really know what it was, let alone what it would mean for me.

But then, a few weeks ago I was talking to an engineer friend when he happened to mention he was working towards being a certified LEED member.

Talking about LEED with this friend, he shed some light on what exactly the government entity really does. The more I looked into it the more I realized LEED really is relevant to the everyday homeowner.

LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a set of guidelines made by the government to create a benchmark standard for green building.

Sure, some of the guidelines are just complicated technical things, but what really interested me about it was how many of the guidelines were very simple and encompassed issues beyond just the construction world – it’s more involved in creating a shift in philosophy, a philosophy that is moving towards making buildings and communities that are move livable and useable for everyone.

Here are some aspects of the LEED guidelines that interested me the most:

Home Placement for Better Living and Protection of Land

Many of the guidelines refer to the placement of homes. This can involve many aspects of the location and the site including protecting the surrounding land by not disturbing prime soils or endangered species.

Meeting LEED requirements also calls for home sites to be placed in socially and environmentally responsible ways in relation to the larger community.  Basically this means you want to place your home near already existing resources and infrastructure. Living in an existing neighborhood with close grocery stores, libraries, and churches is good for you because it means you can live a lifestyle where you can walk, bike or take convenient public transportation to things without getting into your car and having to drive. Which for me, would definitely improve my quality of life! And save resources!

Creating Connections with the Outdoors and Maximizing Free Resources

Another LEED guideline is to use materials and building techniques that maximize energy efficiency. In itself this is always smart whether your house is LEED certified or not. One way that LEED emphasizes energy efficiency with smart building design is illustrated by their use of windows.

By installing windows that maximize solar intake you don’t have to use electric lighting as much as you would in a home with few windows. It can also help in winter by encouraging daylighting, or passive heating, from the sun. But the benefits aren’t just about reducing your energy usage.

I have always been happiest in homes which I describe as being “flooded in light.” Homes that have big windows that let in lots of natural light make your home feel bigger, more airy, and allows for people to feel a connection with the outdoors which can often be lost in the day to day shuffle of life. Using natural light in home design seems like a no-brainer, since ultimately the more sunshine a person gets, the happier they tend to be.

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The 13 Basic Steps Of Kitchen Renovation – Do You Know Them?

Friday, January 29th, 2010

A kitchen renovation can cost anywhere from $2,000 for minor updates to $20,000 for a full renovation. Before you begin your renovation it is important to know some of the basic steps when planning your design:

#1 Design
Whether you are designing the kitchen yourself, using a designer or going with a kitchen renovation specialist the first thing you need to do is decide on how you are going to use your kitchen. Will your new kitchen be just a place to prepare meals or do you want to design an eat-in kitchen? Are you looking for more storage space or a bigger work area? Or is an eco-friendly design what you are after? Once you understand your goals you can start designing the layout of your kitchen.

#2 Budget
Besides creating the plan for your design, budget planning is one of the most crucial steps to a kitchen renovation. It is very easy to go over budget for any type of home renovation project, and this is almost always the case when it comes to kitchen renovations. The best plan when deciding your budget is to set a buffer of a couple thousand dollars for occurrences that may arise.

#3 Color Scheme
Once you have the layout and budget in place it is now time to start picking your overall color scheme. For kitchens it is always recommended to stick to neutral, light colors, something that will always look clean and fresh and not quickly go out of style.

#4 Workspace
In your design you will have to decide on how much work space you want in your new kitchen and how to incorporate that into the design. One of the easiest ways to add more workspace is to include an island. As an added bonus an island can also be used as a place to eat and as an extra storage area.

#5 Countertop
There are many options when it comes to selecting materials for your countertop, from the most expensive types, which are made from natural stones such as granite and marble to the mid-range priced custom-made concrete countertops that resemble stone. You can even find environmentally friendly products made from recycled glass or even recycled paper, although these can also be expensive. The most affordable countertops are laminates, and although they’re not as durable as the ones mentioned above they are also not as expensive and thus can be easily replaced.

#6 Backsplash
If you are planning on installing a backsplash you have many options to choose from, the best however will be water resistant and easy to clean. There are many popular choices when it comes to backsplashes, from different types of tile, such as ceramic, vinyl, metal, mosaic and even glass to installing a granite backsplash or even one made from stainless steel.

#7 Storage
Adding additional storage, such as a pantry or walk-in closet to your kitchen design is a great idea. You will now have a place to store all those only ‘used once in awhile’ oversized appliances that take up so much room in your cabinets. Installing overhanging racks to hang pots, pans and even stemware is another way to free up some cabinet space.

#8 Cabinetry
Are you going to strip and refinish your existing cabinets or install new ones? Are you going to have them custom built or opt for prefabricated ones? These are some of the questions you will have to ask yourself and your answer will help to determine your overall budget, as the least expensive route is keeping and refinishing your old cabinetry.

#9 Hardware
Picking the right hardware for your kitchen is really what makes or breaks your kitchen design. You can go all out on marble countertops and cedar cabinets but if you adorn it all with cheap looking hardware the look will be lost. Polished nickel and antiqued bronze add a nice touch.

#10 Lighting
Lighting is important in any room, but more so in the kitchen. You of course want to make sure your main lights are on a dimmer switch and have adequate lighting throughout the kitchen. One way to accomplish this is by adding recessed lighting in strategically placed areas. It not only looks really good but done correctly it can make sure that all the work areas are properly lit.

#11 Flooring
Just like many of the areas of the kitchen, flooring is no exception when it comes to the amount of choices available. Your choice will all depend upon yourkitchen renovation goals. You can go with the traditional hardwood or the more modern ceramic tile. If cost is your motivation you can opt for vinyl or linoleum, and an eco-friendly design there are materials such as cork tiles, bamboo tongue-and-groove strip flooring or eucalyptus wood flooring.

#12 Appliances
When it comes to appliances, energy efficient is the way to go. That should be your first motivation for buying new, and of course you want to also make sure the colour scheme fits into the overall design. Stainless steel appliances are still pretty popular; they are easy to clean and can give your kitchen that professional look.

#13 Contractors
If you are planning on doing the bulk of the kitchen renovations on your own, it may still be in your best interest to hire a professional to take a look at your design. It can be easy to overlook things and a professional may even be able to give you some design ideas that you didn’t think of. If you are planning on hiring a contractor it is a good idea to get at least three different quotes and make sure you ask for references. You should take the time to call the references and if at all possible ask to see the finished work.

Creating a design for your kitchen renovation, whether you are going at it alone or are using the support of a professional home renovations specialist can be fun. Just keep in mind the steps from above when choosing the different aspects of your kitchen renovation and you should not encounter any costly problems down the line.

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Five Things To Make It Go Smoother When Remodeling Your Kitchen

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Are you tired of the wallpaper in your kitchen? Does your floor need a face-lift? Are your cabinets worn out? Is it time to completely remodel your kitchen?

If you answered “Yes” to any or all of these questions, then it is time for a change. It is time to remodel your kitchen. Now is the perfect time to remodel your kitchen because the construction industry has slowed down a bit. That means that everyone you need to help you remodel your kitchen will be able to give you unbeatable prices and undivided attention.

Here are few must do’s to ensure that your kitchen is remodeled the right way.

1. Start with a Plan. The most important thing you can do before beginning such a large process is to create a plan. Are you going to redo the entire kitchen or just the cabinets? What style do you want? Do your research. You must spend adequate time researching the best suppliers and contractors in your area. Carefully decide who is going to do the best job with the bounds of your budget. You must also make sure that you meet with these specialists often to make sure that everyone is on the same page. This will save time and headaches down the road.

2. Create a Workbook. All major projects require a workbook of some sort. Your workbooks should contain everything related to the remodeling project. It will save you time to keep everything associated with the project in one place; receipts, color swatches, pictures of styles that you like, etc. Your vision for the project will most likely be transferred to the contractor if you have something to show him or her.

3. Establish a budget. Another important step to take when it comes time to remodel your kitchen is to create a budget. Also, your budget needs to be realistic. For instance, you cannot establish a budget without first knowing realistic prices. Spend time researching actual prices for new appliances, the cost of new cabinets, and anything else associated with your remodel. A good rule to follow is to set your budget 20 percent below what you can actually afford. This will allow a buffer for any unexpected costs or problems that you might run into.

4. Understand the difference between Cabinet Price and Cabinet Performance. When it comes to remodeling your cabinets, you cannot sacrifice performance for cost. You need to understands the components of cabinets that you can scale back on and the ones you can’t afford to undercut. For instance, the components of cabinets that get used the most are drawers. Thus, you need to make sure that you use top-quality products to build the drawers (drawer glides and more). On the other hand, you might be able to use particle board instead of plywood. Plywood is more expensive and really doesn’t serve any added functionality to particle board.

5. The countertop doesn’t need to be “top of the line.” A common misconception is that in order to get the most beautiful and functional countertop, you need a “top of the line” countertop. Quartz and granite countertops are the top performing countertops, although you might be surprised to know what laminate countertops can do. Laminate countertops are more versatile and economical. Additionally, there are more options when choosing a laminate countertop (more styles, more colors, more finishes). Although the new “High Definition” laminate finish is more expensive than the standard finish, it is still more economical than a quartz or granite countertop. Similarly, the high definition finish performs well and would be a great choice for normal home use.

If it is time to remodel your kitchen, then it is time to review these steps. Don’t start the remodeling process without understanding as much as you can about the process of remodeling. Follow these steps to ensure that your remodel is quick and smooth.

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Single or Double Bowl Kitchen Sink

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

Kitchen is the most important place in our house and in a single day we enter it several times so it should look like the way we want. When we buy a house then it usually happens that we are not satisfied with the way kitchen is made if this is the case then you should opt for kitchen remodeling and not the small changes but you should change the whole kitchen. When it comes to kitchen remodeling, you will find that, as a homeowner, you have an unlimited number of options. If you choose to do so, you could remodel everything, right down to the kitchen sink.

Speaking of kitchen sinks, there is a good chance that you if you are unhappy with your kitchen, you may want to purchase and have a new kitchen sink installed. Always choose the new sink according to your taste. When searching for a new kitchen sink, you are urged to check out one of your local home improvement stores.  There is a good chance that there is at least one kitchen sink that you may want to have.

Although there is a good chance that you may find the kitchen sink of your dreams at one of your local home improvement stores, there is also a chance that you may not.  If this is the case, you may want to think about shopping online.

You can buy from anywhere but its required to but the right thing for your kitchen like size of the sink should be right. If you want to install the new sink without any hassle or without breaking the counter then you have to buy the sink according to the pre-made space. Sink size should be considered before making your purchase otherwise your remodeling project may give you large expenses with much time consumption. However, if your kitchen remodeling project includes new kitchen cabinets and new countertops, you may not have to be as concerned with sink sizes.

Style of kitchen sink should also be taken into consideration while buying. Choice is between single and double basin sink. This you have to look which style suits you. Before buying the sink weather single or double you should first look out your requirement. If you have dishwasher then single basin is fine for you but in case you don’t have then double basin sink is required by you to wash and keep dishes in sink only. Though single basin sinks looks attractive and small but double basin sinks are always spacious and convenient. You can also go for apron front kitchen sinks such as stainless steel apron sink if you need an attractive look.

Speaking of being attractive, the style of a kitchen sink not only includes how many basins it has, but it also includes the color.  While most kitchen sinks come in a stainless steel color, there are other kitchen sink colors. Other popular colors include white, granite, biscuit, and almond. In all honesty, the color of a new kitchen sink may be more important to you than whether it has one or two basins. If you are changing all the kitchen flooring, cabinets etc. then buy kitchen sinks according to them so that everything matches.

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What Will it Cost to Remodel Your Kitchen

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

The first question most people ask is: How much is it going to cost?
What you end up paying depends on three things that you can choose and one that you can’t.

First, the material you select for your kitchen plans will have the biggest impact on the price; it’s also where you have the most choices.

Then there is the cost of installing the materials you have selected. For this you can take the lowest bid.

Finally, how much you pay will vary with where you live. You can’t do much about this! Construction costs vary widely throughout the country so the geographic location you are in will pretty much dictate the going rates.

When doing a remodeling project figuring out how much to spend can be the big question.

Some things to consider would be:

What condition is the house in and what era does the current style suggest and what would you like it to be?

What is the current market value of your house before remodeling and what is the average market value of comparable sized homes in the neighborhood? How long do you actually plan to stay in the home? Is it a flip? Are you planning to live there for 2-4 years? 10 years? Forever?

Whatever amount you feel comfortable spending…or that your budget will allow…you should keep in mind that your home is still an investment…possibly your biggest investment…and you want to have the highest return possible on your investment, especially if your turn around time is sooner rather than later.

You don’t want to remodel all of your equity away. Some projects add value to the home and others just eat away your equity with no return at all. Fortunately a kitchen remodel is something that recaptures nearly 100% return if you stay within the maximum 15% of the home’s current market value.

It’s always a good thing to check out other homes in your neighborhood and see what the competition is with comparable homes so you can stay in the game and even have an edge when it comes time to sell. You want to make sure yours compares best to others in the same price range, however, your net profit is still the end game.

But on the other hand, if this is the home you plan to be in for many years to come, the pleasure you would receive from having your perfect dream kitchen, experiencing delight and appreciation on a daily basis, should never be underestimated either.

I personally believe we should all do things that bring us pleasure and joy into our lives on a daily basis….but it’s all a balancing act so the purpose of your remodel needs to be taken into definite consideration.

The 5% to 15% Rule is a handy tool to help determine how much you spend on your kitchen project.

Basically, the rule states:
The entire kitchen project (including cabinets, appliances, Countertops, flooring, lighting, trim molding, & wall coverings) should cost no less than 5% and no more than 15% of the current value of your home … with approximately 50% of the total cost allocated for kitchen cabinets (including accessories and trim).

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How to Buy an Stainless Steel Undermount Kitchen Sink

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Stainless steel undermount sinks, as the name implies, mount under the sink or countertop so that the counter totally covers the edges of the sink. These sinks are unlike the older, traditional sinks in which the edges of the sink clamp over the countertop and are visible. Undermount sinks are attractive and stylish and, if you mount them properly, they seldom leak. If you have decided to purchase an undermount sink for your kitchen, you may be overwhelmed by the number of choices available. You’ll need to examine several factors to ensure the final selection blends with the rest of your kitchen décor.

  1. Step 1

Measure the opening for the undermount sink with a tape measure. Measure both the length and width from one edge of the countertop to the other.

  1. Step 2

Examine the function of the undermount sink. Determine how you will use the sink and how often. For example, choose a double bowl sink if you will be doing your dishes in the sink or if you use a garbage disposal frequently. Or select a one-and- three-quarter bowl reversed sink if you use the sink often to prepare fruits and vegetables.

  1. Step 3

Select the style of undermount sink, taking into consideration your other kitchen décor. Select a color and style that will complement your countertops and cabinets. For example, if you have a black granite countertop, don’t select a black granite undermount sink. Rather choose a stainless steel sink that will draw more attention to the gorgeous countertops. If you have a light-colored countertop, don’t select a white porcelain sink. Perhaps choose a black granite sink or a stainless steel model.

  1. Step 4

Choose the faucets and sprayer for the undermount sink. You have a wider selection of faucets to choose from than you do sinks. Faucets are an individual preference. Stainless steel or pewter faucets look sophisticated with nearly any type of sink, while brass and gold- or silver-plated faucets tend to require more cleaning and upkeep.

  1. Step 5

Visit more than one store before making your selection. When you have narrowed your choices to two or three, compare prices at different stores selling the same models. Ask if they will cut you a deal if you buy the sink, faucets and sprayer at the same time.

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