Two of the most important decisions you’ll have to make when remodeling your kitchen are deciding whether to replace or refinish your cabinets and what type of countertops to install.

Kitchen Cabinets

When updating the cabinets in your kitchen, start by deciding whether to install new cabinets or refinish your existing cabinets.

Since new cabinets are usually the most expensive part of a kitchen remodel, this decision is often determined by your budget. Other factors include the condition of the existing cabinets and the kitchen design and style you would like to achieve.

When purchasing new cabinets for your kitchen, buy the highest quality cabinets you can afford, and pay close attention to the materials used in construction and the durability of the finish.

If you decide to refinish your existing cabinets, be sure to clean them thoroughly to remove all grease and dirt, sand lightly to remove any gloss, and use a quality primer that will bond well with the old finish.

Kitchen Countertops

Kitchen countertops are available in a wide range of materials and prices including:

• Natural Stone: (granite, marble) While durable and beautiful, natural stone can stain. In addition, it’s very heavy and can crack if not supported properly. Stone is also the most expensive choice in countertops.
• Engineered Stone: (quartz, glass, concrete) Made from a mixture of stone or glass along with resin, concrete, or other binders; manmade stone is both durable and attractive. Like natural stone, manmade stone is heavy and needs to be well supported.
• Solid Surface: Durable, lightweight, and less expensive than stone; solid surface countertops can be joined together seamlessly on the job site to give a custom made look.
• Plastic Laminate: Though durable, lightweight, and inexpensive; plastic laminate countertops have been considered less desirable than other materials in the past. But improved edge treatments and realistic patterns have made plastic laminate a more attractive alternative in recent years.

Watch this video to find out more.

Further Information

• Upgrading the Kitchen in Your Home (video)
• Selecting Kitchen Cabinets (video)
• Give Your Kitchen a Facelift (article)
• How to Choose Kitchen Countertops (video)

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