We found this article on cabinets and countertops from MSN – real estate to be very good at explaining some of the basics.  We hope you enjoy it.

Cabinets and countertops 101 - Part #2

Common countertop materials

Here are the most common materials used in countertop crafting.

Laminate

 
What it is: Layers of paper topped with a thin coating of plastic, then glued to plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).

Pros: Laminate resists stains and comes in a slew of colors and fun patterns, such as zebrawood.

Cons: If you slice through the top layer, you’ll need to replace the entire countertop. Laminate can buckle under high heat, and seams are visible where pieces meet.

Cost: $10 to $30 a square foot.*

*Price ranges include installation.

Solid surface

 
What it is: Molded resin.

Pros: Often referred to by the brand name Corian, it is stain-resistant and nonporous and ranges in color from bright blue to earthy beige. “Some shades mimic the look of smooth concrete,” says Melissa Birdsong, vice president of trend, design and brand for Lowe’s.

Cons: Scratches can be gently sanded out, but the material may be scorched by hot pots and marred by knives.

Cost: $35 to $80 a square foot.

Marble

 
What it is: Crystallized limestone, typically with gray or beige veining.
Pros: It’s classic. “Like the Parthenon, marble gets better with age,” says Matt Aanensen. It is heat-resistant and features a cool-to-the-touch surface that’s ideal for rolling dough.

Cons: It’s prone to chipping, and acidic foods, like lemons and tomatoes, can cause stains and deep scratches. It should be sealed annually. You’ll have to apply a poultice to suck stains out.

Cost: $40 to $100 a square foot.

Tip: Marble and granite vary from slab to slab, so if you’re particular, visit a stone yard to pick out your own piece.

Stainless steel

 
What it is: Sheets of metal.
Pros: Stainless-steel surfaces are heat-resistant and nonporous, so they will stay bacteria-free. “There’s not much you can do to hurt it, and the look never goes out of style,” says Tracey Overbeck Stead, an interior designer in Austin, Texas.
Cons: It’s generally a fingerprint magnet. However, smudges are not as noticeable on a brushed or matte finish. Stainless steel can also scratch easily.
Cost: $70 to $120 a square foot.

Concrete

 
What it is: Cement, water, sand, stone and pigment formed into a slab.

Pros: “The surface is incredibly smooth,” says Paula Flanagan, an interior designer in Chicago. And it’s customizable. Tint it to match a paint color, embed it with shells, and choose any thickness.

Cons: It may crack when exposed to extreme temperature changes. It also needs to be sealed annually and waxed every couple of months.

Cost: $80 to $120 a square foot.

Engineered Stone

 
What it is: This material is 93% quartz particles mixed with various resins and pigments. Brands include CaesarStone and Zodiaq.

Pros: It’s as tough as nails. There’s minimal variation from slab to slab, and it comes in bright colors, such as race-car red and aqua blue. It won’t scratch or scorch, and it never needs to be sealed.

Cons: Seams are visible, and the edges may chip.

Cost: $45 to $90 a square foot.

Paper composite

 
What it is: Paper pulp bonded together with water-based resins. Richlite is one of the main brands.
Pros: It’s made from a renewable resource. It’s also heat- and scratch-resistant and exceedingly smooth to the touch (you won’t believe it was made out of paper).
Cons: Red wine, juice, and mustard may stain it (they can be tackled with warm water and a scrub pad).
Cost: $90 to $120 a square foot.

Soapstone

 
What it is: A natural, porous stone, usually gray in color. You might remember it from high school chemistry class, as it was used to top those old lab tables.

Pros: It can handle hot pots and doesn’t stain.

Cons: You’ll have to smooth out scratches and help the stone oxidize (or darken) evenly by occasionally applying mineral oil. The stone is soft and thus susceptible to chipping.

Cost: $50 to $100 a square foot.

Wood

 
What it is: Solid slabs of hardwood (usually maple, oak, cherry, walnut or teak) or butcher block (pieces of hardwood glued together). Wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council comes from sustainably managed forests.

Pros: It takes on character as it ages.

Cons: It can warp, stain, burn and scratch and must be sealed annually. Wood absorbs bacteria; disinfect it after exposure to raw meat or fish.

Cost: $40 to $65 a square foot.

Limestone

 
What it is: A sedimentary rock consisting mainly of calcite.

Pros: Limestone features minimal veining and varies from slab to slab. It can withstand high heat.

Cons: It stains easily and must be sealed at least once a year. You’ll need to use a poultice of baking soda and water to draw out tough stains (such as the rust ring from your husband’s shaving can). It’s also prone to scratches, nicks and chips.

Cost: $60 to $100 a square foot.

Granite

 
What it is: One of the hardest natural stones on earth, ranging in color from basic black to pink.

Pros: Granite has become the upgrade of choice in kitchens and baths for good reason. It is nonporous and extremely durable and can hold its own against hot pots. The varieties are endless, and no two slabs are exactly alike. A few types come presealed.

Cons: Seams are visible. Most granite needs to be sealed annually.

Cost: $40 to $100 a square foot.

Recycled glass

 
What it is: Ground-up glass mixed with concrete.

Pros: This eco-friendly material can withstand heat, resists scratching, and comes in many colors and thicknesses.

Cons: Dropping a heavy pot or pan on a recycled-glass counter could cause the surface to crack or chip — and the damage can’t be repaired. Some kinds are slightly bumpy. You’ll need to seal it once a year, and it can show fingerprints.

Cost: $100 to $190 a square foot.

By Carolyn Weber, Real Simple

COUNTERTOP CLINIC AT KURTIS KITCHEN AND BATH CENTERS LIVONIA, MI – May 28,
2009 – Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers announces a Countertop Clinic “The Frosting on the Cabinets” for homeowners, 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 at all of their locations.

“Countertops are an easy and affordable way to improve a kitchen or bath,”
said Wayne Weintraub, owner of Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers.
“In honor of our 40th anniversary, we are offering special savings on all countertops.” Kurtis is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The clinic reviews the types of countertop materials available, how they are made, maintenance issues, environmental features, durability characteristics and pricing. The ‘martini factor’ or glassware friendly and stain resistance aspect is outlined for each kind of countertop including laminate, solid surface, quartz, granite, concrete, butcher block and stainless.

“We decided to host this clinic due to the sizeable number of homeowners inquiring about countertops as an option for improving their home during this economy,” added Weintraub.

Kurtis’ staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer assistance in selecting the right countertop for anywhere in the home.

Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers provide products in every category for kitchen and bath remodeling and new home construction including cabinets, appliances and countertops. Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers are located in Clarkston, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Warren and Woodhaven. For further information or to register for the open house, call
1-888-KURTIS-1 (587-8471) or visit www.KurtisKitchen.com.

We found this article on cabinets and countertops from MSN – real estate to be very good at explaining the basics. We will publish the follow-up article on countertops next month. We hope you enjoy it.

Cabinets and countertops 101 - Part #1

Are you ready to give your kitchen or bathroom a whole new look? Here's a comprehensive guide to help you choose the options and materials that are best for you.

Cabinets
Cabinetry is essentially furniture for the kitchen and the bath. It sets the tone for the entire room, while providing much-needed storage.

Before you begin
Walk around the room and consider what your needs are. Do you want to stow all your towels in the bathroom instead of the hall closet? If so, you might benefit from a few deep cabinets. Do you need a row of vertical dividers in the kitchen for all those cookie sheets?
Think about how many drawers and upper and lower cabinets you would like, plus extras, such as open shelves, glass-front doors and deep drawers.

Consider your options

Stock: Available in a limited number of styles and finishes, inexpensive stock cabinets are sold in home-improvement stores and can usually be taken home the same day. They generally come in three standard widths: 27, 30 and 33 inches.

Semicustom: These are sold in the same sizes as stock but come in a wider range of styles and finishes and offer features such as pot racks. Delivery time is four weeks and up.

Custom: With handmade cabinetry, the sky's the limit — but you'll pay for it. "Elaborate molding finish could easily add 30% to the total," says Matt Aanensen, a remodeler in Kearny, N.J. Delivery takes at least six weeks.

Keep in mind
Cabinet-box and shelving materials vary, from plywood to medium-density fiberboard (MDF) to particleboard, which may sag over time. You'll need to choose from four door styles: slab (little or no ornamentation), recessed panel (a center panel outlined with a frame; shown), raised panel (a center panel raised for contrast) and glass insert (a center panel of glass, clear or frosted, that provides a glimpse of what's inside). As for the cabinet-door materials, there are many choices, the most popular of which are featured here.

Common cabinet materials Here are the most common materials used in cabinet crafting.

Inexpensive wood

What it is: Light- to medium-toned hardwoods, such as maple (shown) and birch. Oak, which has a slightly coarser grain, is also an affordable option.
Pros: Thanks to their strength and uniform grains, these popular varieties take paint well. Maple and oak mellow in color as they age.
Cons: Birch and maple may not absorb stains as evenly as midrange and expensive woods.
Cost: Averages $2,350 for a 10-by-10-foot room (stock).*
* Semicustom ranges from $2,500 to $9,000; custom from $7,200 to $10,000.

Midrange wood

What it is: Hardwoods with a pronounced grain, such as hickory (shown).
Pros: This type of wood is very dense and extremely strong and comes in a range of colors, from cream to reddish brown.
Cons: Some cuts are fairly uniform in tone, while others are not; one piece may contain several variations of the same color. But you can use a midtone stain to smooth out discrepancies.
Cost: Around $2,500 or more for a 10-by-10-foot room (stock).

Laminate

What it is: Layers of paper topped with plastic, then glued to plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
Pros: A ubiquitous cabinet material, laminate is affordable and comes in seemingly endless color and pattern options, from hot pink to polka dots. It's a great choice if you want to redo your kitchen or bathroom in a flash.
Cons: Door fronts come in slab styles only. It is prone to scratching.
Cost: $1,540 to $2,000 for a 10-by-10-foot room (stock).

Expensive wood

What it is: Premium hardwoods, such as cherry (shown) and walnut, known for their smooth grains.
Pros: This type of wood is hard and durable.
Cons: Cherry darkens as it ages, and walnut lightens over time, so consider this when coordinating the cabinetry with other finishes.
Cost: Cherry and walnut are among the priciest species. Cherry costs about 10% to 15% more than midrange woods. Walnut can be twice as expensive as cherry.

Thermofoil

What it is: A thin layer of vinyl molded to MDF.
Pros: It doesn't warp, so it's ideally suited to humid environments. Thermofoil cleans in a snap with soap and water and is competitively priced.
Cons: Since it looks more like plastic or enamel, you won't fool anyone into thinking it's wood. Cabinets positioned next to or above an oven can sometimes peel or yellow.
Cost: $2,000 to $2,700 for a 10-by-10-foot room (stock).
Tip: Look for drawers that have sliding mechanisms underneath. They are roomier than drawers with mounts on the sides.

Stainless steel

What it is: Metal cabinets built with a sleek, frameless construction (the doors are attached directly to the cabinet box).
Pros: It is durable and won't warp like wood. Colors include industrial silver and powder-coated red, green and orange.
Cons: Stainless scratches and dents easily and shows fingerprints (unless it's powder-coated).
Cost: $3,330 to $5,900 for a 10-by-10-foot room (stock).

Countertops
From meal prep to the occasional spill, these surfaces take a real beating, so it's important to know how the different types compare.

Before you begin
Consider how you live in your kitchen or bath. If you tend to be a messy cook and want to wipe up spaghetti-sauce spills quickly — with just soap and water — look into easy-to-maintain laminate. If durability is your main concern, opt for engineered stone or granite; both are virtually indestructible. And if you're a neatnik, "you should probably think twice about marble," says Peggy Fruin, a kitchen and bath designer in East Hampton, N.Y. "It stains so easily that you'll be a nervous wreck whenever someone puts a glass down on it."

Consider your options
What type of sink do you want? If you're looking for an undermount sink, which lies below the counter, you can choose any material except laminate, which is glued together and is therefore not 100% waterproof. With solid surface, stainless steel and concrete, you can have a seamless sink, which is made of the same material as the counter.
If you prefer natural and engineered stones, remember that they can come either honed or polished. Honed counters offer a casual, matte look, but they absorb moisture, so they need to be treated annually with a penetrating sealer (about $39 for a quart, www.stonecare.com). Polished counters are glossier and require less stringent care.

Keep in mind
While shopping around, it helps to have a rough idea of how much material you'll need. (Multiply the length by the width, in feet, of the planned counter to get the square footage.) That way, you can estimate how much money you'll spend. 
By Carolyn Weber, Real Simple

The attached recall was issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with the Maytag Corp. We feel it is in your best interest to determine if you have one of these refrigerator models in your home, and if so, take the appropraite action to protect yourself from potential hazard.

According to the release, Maytag has received only 41 reports of this problem. But again, it is a simple matter to check your serial number label to determine if your refrigerator is included in the recall. We urge you to take this simple precaution.

Maytag, Jenn-Air, Amana, Admiral, Crosley, Magic Chef, and Performa by Maytag brand Refrigerator Recall

March 12, 2009   6:00pm - 8:00pm   At All Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers Locations
Click here to find the location nearest to you!

Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers announces a Do-It-Yourself Clinic “Managing Your Own Project” for homeowners, 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 12th at all of their locations.

“Homeowners are looking for affordable remodeling options in this economy and we can provide them with the education necessary to carrying out their projects on their own,” said Wayne Weintraub, owner of Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers. “In honor of our 40th anniversary and to provide additional value for do-it-yourselfers, we have partnered with KraftMaid, one of our featured suppliers, to offer anniversary savings on a special collection of 14 door styles.” Kurtis and KraftMaid are both celebrating their 40th anniversary this year.

The clinic guides them through the remodeling process for a kitchen and bath including assessing the requirements, determining a budget, choosing contractors and establishing a timeline to complete the project. Simple and easy cost-saving tips and ideas will be identified for homeowners. They include color flexibility, product selection, scheduling, savings on full versus cabinet depth refrigerators and using licensed professionals. They will also explain the cost difference between cabinets from the same and different manufacturers.

The special KraftMaid collection includes oak, cherry and maple wood species in a variety of distinct door style shapes. The highlight of this collection is the Bridgewater maple wood door available in a square or roman arched cathedral full overlay raised panel in seven standard and 17 specialty furniture finishes. Other door styles are Belwood (maple), Belmont (maple), Cambridge (oak), Glasbern (maple), Grandview and Grandview Cathedral (cherry), Hanley and Hanley Cathedral (maple), Milton (oak), Ridgefield (oak), Saranac (oak) and Stockton (oak).

Kurtis’ staff will be on hand to answer questions and offer assistance in selection the right cabinetry for anywhere in the home.

Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers provide products in every category for kitchen and bath remodeling and new home construction including cabinets, appliances and countertops. Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers are located in Clarkston, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Rochester Hills, Royal Oak, Warren and Woodhaven. For further information or to register for the open house, call 1-888-KURTIS-1 (587-8471) or visit www.KurtisKitchen.com.

Click here to find the location nearest to you!

The latest trade publications are filled with design trends and industry updates.  We have taken notice of some of the most interesting and present them here for your review:

•There seems to be a great deal of interest in faucets that turn on and off when your hands pass in front of the built-in sensor.  This was first introduced in bathroom faucets and is now showing up as a trend in kitchen faucets where it may have more “green” impact with potential water savings.  The downside of these faucets for bathrooms is that they are often not “ON” long enough to reach the desired temperature.

•The American Hardwood industry is reporting that harvesting levels are far below the levels of growth.  Across all hardwood trees (oak, maple, cherry ash poplar and others) in all American forests, there is nearly twice as much new wood growth as there is wood removed through harvesting.   These woods are effectively “green” materials in abundance and a self-renewing supply.  “Sustainability” is meeting today’s needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

•The cabinet industry (KCMA) launched an environmental certification program (ESP) in 2006 as an environmental certification program for cabinet manufacturers.  To date more than 120 manufacturers and cabinet brands have achieved certification.

• A recent industry studied consumers buying habits and the “green” trend.  While going “green” is a popular trend among the press and within the manufacturing community, consumers are not really selecting “green” materials over cost effective designs.  Price is still the overriding factor with consumers – and if that can be achieved with green materials, all the better.  But consumers are unwilling to spend more money to achieve green compliance.

• Masco Corp. , which has owned Merillat cabinetry since 1985, recently announced it will close its Adrian, Michigan factory in the second quarter of 2009 and move production elsewhere, and eliminate 330 hourly and salaried jobs.

•The top design trends in 2008 were reported to be… rustic designs, apron-front farm sinks, bold hardware, ceiling details, clean & sleek modern designs, decorative lighting, combination of textures, wood plank flooring and use of natural elements (stone, glass, grass, etc.).  While these trends may make the magazines, we are finding that clients in the Midwest are still most interested in raised and recessed panel wood doors in maple, cherry and oak with both light and dark stains.

We are seeing many clients that are interested in accomplishing a remodeling project, but they are obviously concerned about the economy, the job market and their ability to take on a “costly” project at this time. We have answers for those people interested in getting something done NOW.

1. Prices are just not going down. Appliance manufacturers have already announced their increases; cabinet manufacturers normally announce their increases in January and February of each year and we have already been alerted that they are coming. If you are serious about moving forward in the next 120 days – make your decision NOW – you will save money.

2. Consider replacing just your appliances, countertops and hardware (handles), but try and decide soon – since again, most of the appliance manufacturers have already announced their price increases effective at the end of this year. Come the end of this year, consumers will see about an across the board 12% increase on just about every appliance.

3. Kurtis has developed many programs to help homeowners save on their budget.
• Do-It-Yourself:
We will provide the design assistance and the materials. You do the installation.
• Contract-It-Yourself:
We will provide the design assistance and the materials. Hire your own installers.
• Cabinet Only Installation:
We will provide the design assistance, the materials, and the basic cabinet installation. You can provide whatever installation services you feel you are qualified to perform on your own or through someone you hire.
• Complete Installation programs:
We’ll provide all the materials - from cabinetry and countertops to plumbing and electrical – even the appliances – and we will manage the entire job through final installation. Think about it – Kurtis has the clout with the various workers to get your project done quickly and cost effectively. If you try acting on your own, you will not get the response time or have the financial impact on a tradesman like we do! And that means we can keep your costs lower than parceling out parts of the job to others.

Come in and learn about these and many other ways to save money on your remodeling project. So if you are thinking about improving your kitchen or bath, come in and talk to an expert at Kurtis. We can help you save money and complete that project in the fastest amount of time and with the least amount of stress. 

If you’re in the market for a new appliance, there will never be a better time to buy than now.  Each year around this time, manufacturers begin announcing price increases. Kurtis recently received news of an impending increase from Whirlpool Corporation, whose brands include KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Maytag, Whirlpool, Magic Chef, Estate and Amana.

Prices will change broadly across the major product categories and brands and will vary by model to an average increase of 12.09% to the consumer.  The increase will go into effect December 1, 2008.

What drives such an increase in price?  The following is a statement from Whirlpool Corporation:

“Raw material, key product component, logistics and fuel costs remain at unprecedented highs and continue to impact our cost to manufacture and deliver major home appliances to the market.  While we continue to identify and implement productivity initiatives and cost controls, these actions alone are not enough to offset historic high levels of materials costs.  Consequently, it remains increasingly difficult to fund innovation and other product reinvestments that enable us to deliver innovative, high quality, and competitively priced products to the marketplace; things that you and your customers expect and deserve.”

So if you are considering the addition of a new appliance to your home in the near future, buying before the end of the year can result in some substantial savings!

Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers announces its Eco-Friendly Open House featuring ‘green’ remodeling and new home construction, 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 25.

“All of our lines are made from materials that have a reduced effect on the environment, whether with recycled or renewable resources,” said Wayne Weintraub, owner of Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers. “We take it a step further and even recycle the cabinets and appliances from our customer’s old kitchens and bathrooms reducing the waste going to landfills.”

Kurtis will have representatives on hand during the open house to provide answers on green building and remodeling and to offer tips on selecting the right cabinetry for anywhere in the home. Literature on their eco-friendly lines will be available.

One of their key cabinetry lines, KraftMaid is certified through the Environmental Stewardship Program administered by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer's Association. They also are certified by the Environmentally Preferable Product Grademark Program, an independent certification of wood composite products. GradeMark composite products use recycled or recovered wood fiber and adhere to voluntarily lower formaldehyde emission standards than required by government regulation. KraftMaid focuses on reducing, reusing and recycling throughout every stage of the sourcing, manufacturing, finishing and shipping process.

Another brand, Wellborn Cabinetry, is also certified by ESP and incorporates leading environmental practices, policies and standards from their suppliers through final delivery to their customers. Their suppliers are selected based on their commitment to similar environmental practices including sustainable or recycled raw materials as well as low emission products.

Formica brand laminate products participate in the GreenGuard and LEED program and support the Sustainable Forest Initiative.

Energy Star qualified appliances that incorporate advanced technologies using less energy and water than standard models are available from Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Magic Chef, Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana and LG product lines.

Habitat for Humanity’s Detroit ReStore’s Deconstruction Services is paid by Kurtis to hand-dismantle their customers’ old kitchens and bathrooms. ReStore sells the salvaged building materials and home items at reduced prices. The proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity Detroit home building programs.