Accessibility - Kitchen RemodelingBeing confined to a wheelchair and using a kitchen can be a daunting task. The common kicthen designs and layouts create all sorts of use problems and obstacles for anyone in a wheelchair. This article provides an overview of the basics of creating an "accessible" kitchen.

Accessories - Free Kitchen Accessory Plans

Woodworking and craft projects related to kitchen conveniences and accessories. Many are suitable for woodworking novices or teaching children the art of woodworking and make excellent family projects.

Appliances - KitchenPurchasing Kitchen Appliances

Cooking Appliances

CooktopsNice and efficient kitchen appliances make your kitchen the most lovable place to prepare food for the household. Frozen or canned food from the refrigerator or the preparation of a gourmet meal for holidays will all need the right choice of kitchen appliances to make cooking easy and efficient.

BacksplashPebble TileInstalling a tile backsplash in a kitchen is not a difficult home improvement project for the DIY home handyman. It is a great addition to a kitchen on its own or as part of a complete kitchen remodeling project. Kitchen backsplashes allow the homeowner to be creative, make clean-up easier and enhance the value of the home.

Budgeting - Kitchen Remodeling

Your kitchen is aging and you and your spouse have decided to consider remodeling it. The problem you are facing is how much will it cost to remodel your kitchen? How do you create a budget?

Building PermitsMost states, provinces and local municipalities have bylaws that require homeowners, or contractors working on behalf of a homeowner to obtain permits for many building and remodeling projects. A complete kitchen remodeling home improvement, because it usually includes work on plumbing and electrical, as a general statement, will require a building permit.

Butcher Block - Chopping Board MaintenanceA butcher block is a type of wood chopping/cutting board. It is made up of solid pieces of hardwood, usually maple or oak. Butcher blocks or wood chopping blocks and boards are not inexpensive and to keep them in sound and in good condition they require some tender loving care.

Kitchen Cabinets Glossary
Terms And Definitions

Need help with some cabinet terms? If "MDF" sounds like a government agency to you, maybe we can help. The terms below are typical words used in the cabinet world. They're listed in alphabetical order.
                             

                                 

• PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick) General Contracting & Design,LLC  is a full-service building contractor and general contractor, specializing in both residential construction and commercial construction. We’re home grown in Central Florida and have over 40 years’ experience in the construction industry. Contact us for unparalleled quality and service.

  
  

  We’re known in the construction industry for our honesty, promptness, professionalism and ability to get the job done on time and within budget. Let us enhance the value of your new home or home remodel!

  
  

  Home owners, we specialize in:

  • Custom new home construction
  • Home additions and home remodeling
  • Premium home renovations
  • Kitchens — New kitchen or kitchen remodel
  • Baths — New bathroom or bathroom upgrade
  • Pool Houses
  • Garages

  
  

  Warranty

  PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick) General Contracting & Design,LLC  offers all clients a warranty on materials and workmanship up to one year after project completion.

  
  

  
  

  Commercial Construction

  As a professional full-service, design/build construction company,PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick) General Contracting & Design,LLC works with you before, during and after the actual construction, customizing our services to meet your needs. We offer preconstruction services to save you time and money — We assist in making early decisions about your design, materials and overall construction plans; streamline your construction project from the start to limit change orders that drive up costs up and/or cause delays; and provide competitive labor and materials estimates. We manage your entire commercial construction project with both office and field efficiency and expertise.

  
  

  Interior Construction

  PDQ (Pretty Damn Quick) General Contracting & Design,LLC  also will construct within your main building shell or will remodel your existing space. Our construction methods and systems allow us to work effectively with modifications to your existing space while protecting your ongoing operations. We strive to minimize disruption to your business while providing new interior space as quickly and as cost effectively as possible. We specialize in:

  
  

  • Tenant Build Out
  • Renovating your existing space
  • Expansion
  • Steel buildings
  • New commercial construction

  
  

  Our Building Process:

  • We take our customers through the step-by-step process of design. We obtain approvals from architectural review boards and historic preservation review boards as well as from your HOA (homeowners’ association).
  • We provide competitive estimates on building materials and labor based on your design needs, budget and time frame.
  • We oversee the details of your project with consistency and efficiency, keeping your satisfaction in mind.

  
  

   

• Base cabinet - the cabinet box that sits on the floor. These units usually support the countertops.

   

• Carcass - (sometimes referred to as "carcase") The "box" or elemental parts that make up the basic structure of a base or wall cabinet piece.

   

• Concealed hinge - a hinge that is not visible on the front of a cabinet door. Concealed hinges are attached to the inside surface of the door.

   

• Custom - custom cabinets are cabinets made to a designer's or customer's specifications, with no limitations on sizing, materials and options. They are made-to-order.

   

• Dado - a groove that is cut into a piece of material so that another piece may slide into it. The inside surface of cabinet drawers may be 'dadoed' with a groove to accept the drawer bottom panel which helps make for a stronger joint between the drawer side and bottom panels.

   

• Dovetail - a method of wood joinery used to connect two pieces that join each other,typically at right angles. The edge of each piece is cut with a number of V-shaped notches that interlock with the adjoining piece forming a very strong joint.

   

• Drawer face - The panel that is attached to the front of a drawer box. It is also referred to as the 'drawer front' and is the visible front part of the drawer that the handle is attached to. On some cabinet drawers the drawer face is the front part of the drawer box.

   

• Engineered wood - A wood product that is manufactured to enhance the overall qualities of the wood material itself or, to salvage byproducts of wood processing into useful material. Plywood and MDF are two examples of engineered wood products.

   

• Exposed hinge - a hinge type that is visible on the outside edge of the cabinet door when the door is closed.

   

• Face frame - the wood frame that is attached to the front edges of the top, bottom and sides of the cabinet box. This frame helps provide rigidity to the box. Cabinet designs that incorporate this feature are called "framed" or "face-frame" cabinets.

   

• Finish - the surface coating that is applied to a wood cabinet surface. The finish is typically made up of several layers of different materials such as a stain, sealer and clearcoat. The finish is a key element in maintaining and protecting the beauty and durability of the wood surface.

   

• Flakeboard - another word used to describe a form of particle board. You may also see the term "furniture board" used which means the same thing.

   

• Framed - a cabinet design that uses a 'face-frame' which is typically a wood frame attached to the front edges of the cabinet box.

   

• Frameless - a cabinet design that does not use a frame on the front outside edges of the cabinet box. The front of the cabinet box is formed by the edges of the top, bottom and side panels of the cabinet box. The cabinet door typically covers the these edges when closed.

   

• Full-inset - a cabinet design whereby the doors fit inside of the face frame when closed (rather than overlapping and sitting on top of the face frame).

   

• Full overlay - A cabinet design whereby the cabinet door or drawer front covers all of the face frame so that only the cabinet door is seen with no part of the face frame visible. (Also see "overlay").

   

• Furniture board - furniture board is another term for particle board. The term was coined in reference to the particle board that's used in the furniture industry. You may also see the term "flakeboard" which means the same thing.

   

• Glaze - a coating applied over the cabinet stain that enhances or changes the color of the base coat.

   

• Medium density fiberboard (MDF) - a wood-based product that's produced by the combination of very small wood fibers and a glue, resin or similar bonding agent. MDF can be more easily shaped than products like particle board due to the consistency of the material formed by the small fibers. MDF can be used for shelves, doors (typically painted or covered with melamine) and other cabinet parts.

   

• Melamine - a plastic-based, sheet material similar to laminate that is applied to the exterior of cabinets. The substrate or material underneath the melamine is usually medium density fiberboard, particle board or plywood.

   

• Mortise and Tenon - a means of wood joinery that involves part of once piece being inserted into a notch or hole in the mating piece. A typical mortise and tenon joint has a square protrusion coming off the end of one piece that fits tightly into a square 'hole' or notch in the piece it's joined to. The pieces that make up the outer frame of a cabinet door might be joined using this technique.

   

• Overlay - Overlay refers to the amount of face frame that is covered by the cabinet door or drawer front.

   

• Partial overlay -A cabinet design whereby the cabinet door or drawer front partially overlaps the face frame. When the drawers/doors are closed part of the face frame remains visible. (Also see "overlay").

   

• Particle board - a wood product made up of very small wood pieces and fragments that are fused together with a glue or resin under mechanical pressure. Particle board is used for cabinet boxes, shelves and drawers.

   

• Plywood - a wood product made up of several layers of wood with the grain direction running at different angles with respect to each other. This orientation gives plywood greater strength and stability in comparison to solid wood.

   

• Rail - the horizontal pieces or members of a face frame or door frame (in contrast to a "stile" which is the vertical member of the frame).

   

• Semi-custom - cabinets manufactured within a range of specific sizes and styles but with a greater number of options and customization available as compared to straight stock cabinets.

   

• Stile - the vertical pieces of a face frame or door frame (in constrast to the "rails" which are the horizontal members of the frame).

   

• Stock cabinets - cabinets that are manufactured in standard sizes with a fixed range of options such as available wood types, etc. Stock cabinets are pre-manufactured and "off the shelf" products.

   

• Thermofoil - A thin vinyl sheet that is formed over a wood or wood-product substrate and bonded to the substrate. Thermofoil provides a surface that's easy to clean due to the low-maintenance requirements of the vinyl material.

   

• Toe kick - the bottom piece of a base cabinet that is recessed several inches from the front surface of the cabinet to allow room for a person's feet when standing in front of the cabinet.

   

• Varnish - A typically clear paint-like material applied as a coating to provide a protective finish.

   

• Veneer - A very thin layer of real wood that is applied over another substrate material such as particle board or plywood. Veneers are used on the sides of exposed cabinets (for example, on the end of a run of cabinets) and on the interior surfaces of the cabinet boxes.

   

• Veneer - a thin layer of material (typical reference is to wood) that's applied and bonded to another material. Wood veneers are thin layers of real wood that are literally peeled off the log using special cutting techniques. In cabinetry, wood veneers are used to cover plywood or particle board on external surfaces to provide the outward aesthetics of solid wood without the cost or other drawbacks associated with using solid wood.

   

• Vinyl laminate - a composite material made up of paper and resin that have been fused together to form a relatively hard durable surfacing material. Vinyl laminate is used on cabinet surfaces by bonding the laminate to the substrate.

   

• Wall cabinet - cabinet boxes that are mounted to the wall.

Kitchen cabinets come in a vast variety of materials and finishes. Kitchen cabinets can be purchased as a DIY assembly, preassembled (standard sizes) and custom manufactured or you can build your own.

Contractor - Kitchen Remodeling

Whether you are looking for a general contractor or a specific trade to help you with your kitchen remodeling project, determining who you should contract can be a very frustrating experience. Reference checks are a critical part of the exercise. Kitchen remodeling is an expensive exercise, and if you are not a diy home handyman - it is important that you choose your contractor wisely.

Countertops - Kitchen

Concrete Countertops - Kitchen

Countertop Materials - Kitchen

Countertop Cost & Edging - Kitchen

Build Your Own Countertops - Kitchen

Countertops are a primary focal point of any kitchen. You have many choices of material, edging and cost, each has advantages and disadvantages – learn which is best for you! If you are remodeling your kitchen with a tight budget, learn how to build your own counter tops.

Design / Layout - Kitchens

Design Software - Kitchens

Guidelines - Kitchen Remodeling

A total kitchen remodel, with the exception of adding additional living space, is by far the most expensive and most complex home improvement that one can undertake. With the new 3D kitchen design software packages that are available you can see your finished kitchen in 3D before you start.

Dishwasher Installation

Installing a dishwasher is a project that most home handymen should be able to accomplish with ease. There are four primary considerations:

Drilling Holes - Ceramics

Drilling Holes - Porcelain, Stone, Marble, Granite

Drilling holes in ceramics, porcelain, natural stone, marble, granite, and glass is not difficult, it requires some patience and as with most projects, the proper tools for the job.

Electrical Considerations For A Kitchen Remodel

Outlets (Receptacles) Relative To Countertops

The kitchen area requires more power than any other area in a home. If you have an older home, you may face the problem of not having enough additional or spare circuits available to properly supply power to your new and remodeled kitchen.

Faucets - Kitchen

Faucets & Aerators - Cleaning & Polishing

Kitchen faucets come in a variety of styles, finishes and quality levels. These kitchen faucets can be one piece or three piece construction. In the vast majority of cases the one piece construction uses holes in the sink itself on four inch centers. Three piece, separate hot and cold valves and a separate spout, generally use eight inch centers for the holes in the sink, or counter top.

Flooring - Kitchen

Tile Patterns, Designs & Layout

Flooring Index

When considering the flooring material for a kitchen remodeling project there are two major considerations; safety and the material's ability to stand-up to moisture. There are many choices for your kitchen remodeling project including man made tiles, laminates, vinyl and natural stones.

Hardwood Flooring

Yes, hardwood flooring can be used in your kitchen remodeling project. In fact, hardwood flooring is an excellent choice for almost any room in your home with the exception, due to high quantities of humidity, of full bathrooms (those with showers) and laundry rooms.

Heating - Radiant Electric - Kitchen

Heating - Radiant Hydronic - Kitchen

There are so many beautiful flooring materials for kitchens, yet most have a major drawback. They are cool and sometimes very cold to the touch. Before you commit to the design of your new kitchen consider the different flooring materials and whether you should install radiant under floor heating.

Hot Water - Kitchen

On demand or tankless hot water systems have been in use in Europe and Asia for over 40 years, although the vast majority have been fueled by natural gas or propane and were installed in locations within the home that required hot water, primarily kitchens and bathrooms, as they did not use a central hot water tank for an entire home. Tankless water heaters have a number of advantages. But installing one as part of your kitchen remodeling project can become expensive, especially if your current electrical service cannot delivery the necessary power.

Islands - Kitchen

Kitchen island counters can provide much needed storage space in their cabinets and drawers as well as adding to the working countertop area within a kitchen. Consider a kitchen island for your kitchen remodeling project.

Kitchen Lighting

In the kitchen, florescent lighting, unless you use the very expensive "full spectrum" bulbs, has a tendency to change the colors of objects. Standard florescent bulbs come in two different whites; cool white which enhances cool colors such as gray and blue and warm white which enhances colors like yellow, red and beige. The warm white bulbs also provide a superior reflection for wood cabinets.

Layout - Kitchen

Over the years kitchen designers have developed what they consider to be the optimum work center for a kitchen and transformed that into numerous layouts depending on the overall size and shape of the kitchen area.

Pass Through - Kitchen

Constructing a kitchen pass through is relatively simple if you follow these 7 steps.

Painting Kitchen Cabinets

Many homeowners believe that painting kitchen cabinets are the poor mans method of performing a kitchen remodeling project. This couldn't be farther from the truth! As with most home improvement projects, the difference between a true quality finished project and one that is sub-standard is the prep work, tools and materials used.

Pictures - Kitchen Design & Layout

More than 50 pictures of kitchen designs and layouts showing all aspects of a kitchen remodel. Cabinets, Flooring, Lighting, Appliances

Planning a Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen remodeling is by far the most expensive and most complex home improvement that one can undertake, with the exception of adding additional living space.

Porcelain Repair:

Many homes have porcelain on steel and porcelain on cast iron plumbing fixtures. This manufacturing technique is commonly used for bathtubs, laundry sinks and tubs, kitchen sinks and bathroom basins. The problem is that these materials chip, scratch and fade and either need to be replaced or repaired.

Range Hoods & Exhaust Fans

Makeup Air

Exhaust Fan Performance Graph

Noise

Air Quality

Exhaust Fan CFM Chart

Exhaust Fan Hood Sizing

Kitchen exhaust fans come in many noise levels, sizes, shapes and configurations. It is important that the ventilation system meets the needs of the square footage of the room that it is to ventilate. If you are planning to undertake a kitchen remodeling project, steps should be taken to minimize pollution from sources inside the home. In addition, homeowners should be alert to signs of inadequate ventilation, such as stuffy air, moisture condensation on cold surfaces, or mold and mildew growth and use the kitchen remodeling project to correct underlying problems. While all of our general recommendations may not apply to your home, you should be aware of the issues, from radon gas and lead paint, to ventilation, and good work practices.

Sinks - Kitchen

Kitchen sinks should be chosen for their functionality as well as their aesthetic value in the kitchen. There are literally hundreds of styles of sinks and numerous materials and mounting methods available.

Small Kitchens

North Americans have been spoiled, most of us grew up in homes with large kitchens, with plenty of counter space. However, things are changing more and more homes have much smaller kitchens, especially in duplexes, four-plexes, apartments and condominiums.

A kitchen remodel will add monetary value to the home should you decide to sell. The quality and appearance of the kitchen is the number one driver of resale properties.

New kitchen appliances, are more energy efficient each year and they provide increased efficiency for the cook and those who work during the day and still prepare a quality meal every evening.

If you are considering remodeling any part of your home, the kitchen is the area that should be considered first. Although kitchen remodeling is a major undertaking, it is a home improvement project that can be undertaken by the diy home handy person, saving major labor expense and adding true value to your home.