Renovating
a Kitchen
from Fine Homebuilding
Softcover
215 x 275mm
156pp
Published by The Taunton Press, Connecticut, USA.
R.R.P.$24.90
ISBN 1-56158-540-8
As reviewed in House & HOME Issue 68
Renovating a Kitchen offers expert advice on ways to remodel your kitchen with an emphasis on planning and design using quality construction methods. An editorial collaboration from Fine Homebuilding magazine, the book is divided into three parts - Cabinets, Countertops and Planning a Kitchen Remodel.
Within the three main parts, the design, construction and installation of face-framed and European-style frameless cabinets, countertops, lighting, appliances, layout and finish in the domestic kitchen are detailed with photographs to illustrate particular construction styles or installations.
Part One deals with cabinets assembled from stock components, hybrid methods of construction, installation, the benefits of building on site and ways to conceal appliances. If you are looking to remodel on a budget, Joel Wheeler and Sven Hanson suggest prefabricated, factory made cabinets and because they are frameless - the doors cover the carcass - upgrading the look is as easy as changing the doors.
Once the cabinets have been selected, Kevin Luddy outlines the steps for installation such as marking out starting lines, joinery, allowances for plumbing, electrical wires, connections and switches and ensuring correct levels of the carcasses, benchtops and doors.
Benchtop selections are considered in Part Two and there are many different types of materials to choose from. Which material is best is a matter for individual tastes and needs. Some people may prefer the natural wooden look of end-grain or edge-grain butcher block - resilient, easy to work and repair but also scorches easily and susceptible to moisture damage, particularly around sinks.
Another recommendation for benchtops is Corian, a synthetic solid surface that is non-porous, easy to clean and comes in a wide range of colours and patterns. This surface suits those with a busy lifestyle who prefer a quick wipe-over and low maintenance benchtop. The only drawback with synthetic solid surfaces such as Corian is that they can be damaged by high heat and sharp knives.
Plastic laminates such as Laminex are another inexpensive suggestion. They are durable, easy to clean and low maintenance. Plastic laminates are also available in a wide range of colours and patterns but can be damaged by sharp objects and high heat, and are not able to be repaired.
In Part Three, the different categories of manufactured kitchens - stock, semicustom and custom - are discussed. One of the best bits of advice in this section of the book is on how to select from the different cabinet types - 'take a careful look at the many differences in construction, hardware, finish and materials.' Jane Langmuir also offers tips on Ten Ways to Improve Your Kitchen and David Getts finishes with ways of Getting Appliances to Fit.
If you are considering remodelling your current kitchen or designing a new one, Renovating a Kitchen will help you make an informed decision based on the experience of these professional cabinetmakers, builders and designers.
Photos: Colour
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
Introduction
Cabinets
Kitchen Cabinets from Components
Hybrid Cabinet Construction
Installing Kitchen Cabinets
Building Kitchen Cabinets on Site
Faux Fridge
Front
Installing Kitchen Cabinets
Simple Frameless Cabinets Built on
Site
Countertops
Making a Solid-Surface Countertop
Making Concrete Countertops
Making Plastic-Laminate Countertops
Counter Act
Tiling a Kitchen Counter
Tiling over a Laminate Counter
Planning
a Kitchen Remodel
An Inside Look at Kitchen Cabinets
Choosing Kitchen
Countertops
Ten Ways to Improve Your Kitchen
Getting Appliances to Fit
Credits
Index