Kitchen Renovations

A new kitchen. How can you afford it? The question could well be: How can you not afford it? The fact is, kitchen renovation affords one of highest return-on-investment ratios in real estate. According to Remodeling magazine's 2002 “Cost vs. Value Report,” the typical San Diego-area homeowner recouped an average 110% value on the cost of kitchen renovations. Many experts also agree that that the faster home prices are rising, the more the homeowner will recoup on a home remodel, making kitchen remodelling a sound investment in your home's value.

Before beginning your kitchen renovation, look through magazines, books, and online to find styles, colors, textures, and finishes that appeal to you. Begin a file for these ideas, and rer to them when consulting with a contractor. This file will give your consultant a clearer idea of what you desire and expect. This file will also help you make quick, sound decisions regarding your cabinets, walls, countertops, cabinets, and floors. Planning ahead will also make you aware of prices for these design elements, in order to avoid surprise hidden costs after the renovation has begun.

Most likely, your first choice to face in renovating your kitchen will be cabinets. Changes to your cabinets can be as simple as refacing them or as elaborate as installing brand-new custom-designed cabinets. Cabinet refacing generally involves covering the exterior surfaces with new laminate and installing the old doors and drawer fronts with custom-made new doors, drawer fronts and hardware. Refacing is the least expensive and most convenient option for cabinets. The more expensive option is to completely replace the existing cabinets with pre-constructed ones. The components of the cabinets are built to standard sizes, and are installed by the homeowner or by a contractor. These are available in a wide variety of styles, materials, and finishes, costs varying according to the quality of the materials. Finally, the most expensive – but the most desirable – cabinet renovation is that of replacing the existing cabinets with custom-built cabinets. These cabinets are built to your specifications concerning the size, materials, accessories, and finish, then installed by a contractor. Obviously, this option will yield the most return on your investment, because it will produce the most upscale renovation. 

Your next choice in kitchen renovation is apt to be flooring. The most economical choices for kitchen flooring are vinyl and linoleum. Both surfaces are stain resistant, easy to clean, and durable for busy families with children and pets. Vinyl, in sheet or tile form, is the most commonly used material for kitchen flooring, best known for its resiliency, which gives it its cushiony feel. Vinyl comes with either inlaid color, which goes through all layers of the vinyl, or printed patterns on a thin sheet that is sandwiched between a clear upper layer and the foam vinyl core. Inlaid is the more durable of the two. Linoleum is also an economical decision, as well as an environmentally sound one. It is made from all natural materials: felt or canvas coated with linseed oil, cork, and resins. Linoleum comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Wood and laminate flooring are also popular choices for kitchen flooring. Wood floors are typically finished in oak or maple planks, strips, or parquet squares. Natural wood floors are either oiled and waxed, which must be repeated once a year, or are treated with a penetrating sealer such as polyurethane, which will endure for as long as five or six years. Laminate flooring resembles wood or stone, but consists of plastic laminate adhered to particleboard or fibreboard. Laminate looks much like real hardwood, but without the high price of wood. Cleanup is easy and it is extremely durable.

The upscale flooring of today is tile or stone. Ceramic, porcelain, and quarry tile are all very durable, natural materials and are suitable for radiant heat. Tile and stone are very cold and hard, so throw rugs in strategic areas, such as in front of the sink, add to the comfort of those working in the kitchen. The most common stone floors are granite, marble, and slate, and like tile, are tough and durable. Stone floors require sealants to protect the stone from stains, and marble can be especially slippery, a caution for those caring for small children or the elderly. 

The third major decision a homeowner faces when renovating a kitchen is the choice of countertops. Just as with floors, materials vary greatly for countertops. The most inexpensive of these materials is laminate, plastic-coated synthetics with a wide range of easy-to-clean colors and patterns; however, laminates do chip and scratch easily. A step above laminate, solid-surface countertops are seamless, come in a variety of colors and patterns, and are stain resistant. Solid-surface countertops are custom-made to the homeowner's specifications. They are vulnerable to burns from hot pots and pans. Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean, takes hot pots and pans, and is available in a wide range of colors, textures, and designs. Tile is generally inexpensive, but hand-painted tiles can be very costly. The most expensive choices for countertops are engineered stone, composed of quartz particles, and granite. Engineered stone is available in more colors than granite, resists stains and scratches, and is easier to maintain, not requiring the annual resealing that granite does. However, granite is the top of the line in countertop material, the best choice when quality is the only consideration. Granite adds elegance and beauty to even the most modest kitchen, giving a look of permanence and stability. It also demands more upkeep, requiring the aforementioned frequent sealing. Granite absorbs stains, can crack, and is available in a limited range of colors, but is the best choice for an upscale kitchen renovation.

The wise homeowner will consider the advantages of kitchen renovation in reference to his home's resale value, considering that the kitchen is often the room that sells a home to potential buyers. That fact alone makes kitchen renovation a sound financial decision to add to the home's overall value.