Remodeling a bathroom is much different than remodeling a kitchen in many respects. First the space is usually much smaller than a kitchen. This presents a number of challenges. The tear out can be a lot more difficult. Imagine removing a large fiberglass tub/shower unit. It won’t fit through the door or window. Many tubs present the same problem and the installer must resort to cutting things into smaller pieces for removal. In fact, all of the debris removed must be taken away by hand in small pieces or in 5 gallon buckets. This slows down the work and adds to the final cost.

This smaller space also has an impact on the new products you will select for your remodeled bathroom. Again, they must fit through the existing door or window. New construction can avoid this issue if the products are moved into place before the walls are finished, but a remodel doesn’t have that convenience.

Another restriction caused by the confined space is not being able to have different trades working at the same time. Your carpenter, plumber, electrician, flooring installer, and countertop installer cannot possibly work at the same time – there just isn’t enough room. Each trade will have to be scheduled into the space individually and be coordinated with each other. For example, the plumber and electrician need to perform some of their work while the walls are still open. Then they must return at a later time to install the sink, toilet, or lighting fixtures. There just is no “wiggle room” and each needs the small space entirely to themselves to complete their particular work.

Cabinet Discounters’ experienced designers understand the process and can assist you with the necessary planning to make your job run as smoothly as possible. They can help you with the selection of products for your project and warn you of potential pitfalls, both in product selection and installation. Whether you use Cabinet Discounters’ installers, your own contractor, or do it yourself, your Cabinet Discounters designer is there to help you through the entire process. And remember, when you purchase your products from Cabinet Discounters, there is no additional charge for the design services.

Cabinet Discounters has everything you need to create a spectacular new bathroom in your home. You can find contact information for Cabinet Discounters’ showrooms on the website Showrooms page. Stop in any time or better yet call for an appointment for your free consultation.

Tags: bathroom cabinets, bathroom countertops, Bathroom Remodeling, cabinets, countertops, DC, maryland, md, Remodeled Bathroom, va, virginia, Washington DC

When remodeling your kitchen, be sure to include lighting in your planning. In many older kitchens, the whole room was lit by one fixture placed in the center of the ceiling. This may seem logical and efficient, but the fact is that wherever you stand in the kitchen at the countertop, you will throw a shadow on the countertop right in front of you. This does not make for efficient or comfortable working conditions. All of your work areas need to be well lit.

One solution is to install recessed light fixtures immediately over the countertops. This prevents your body from throwing a shadow on your work space. Using the new compact fluorescent spotlights, you can enjoy a lot of light without the electrical expense or heat given off by old-fashioned incandescent spotlights. And, the new compact fluorescent lights have a much warmer color, not the cold blue light as in the past. The modern compact fluorescents also light up more quickly, although they may take a minute to come to their full level of illumination.

Another solution is to install under-cabinet lighting on your wall cabinetry. This places the light directly on your work area without shadows and without lighting any other areas. There are many options from which to choose. Fluorescent is cooler and more efficient, and modern fluorescents have a warmer color than in the past. Halogen gives off a great deal of light from a very small bulb, but it also generates quite a bit of heat. LED lights are the coolest and most efficient choice of all, but work is still being done to improve the color quality of the light it gives off.

Pendant lighting can add beauty as well as illumination. Equipped with stylish shades or globes to avoid glare, they are ideal suspended from the ceiling over kitchen tables, counter tops, or other work areas. The main thing to remember is to light the working areas and avoid casting unwanted shadows.

When planning your kitchen remodel, you can get a lot of ideas from the photo gallery on Cabinet Discounters website CabinetDiscounters.com. For even more good ideas, stop at one of Cabinet Discounters showrooms.

Tags: cabinets, countertops, DC, Kitchen Lighting, kitchen remodeling, maryland, md, va, virginia, Washington DC

The answer to this question is both yes and no. A better question might be – “should” anyone install cabinetry. Although the installation is not terribly difficult for anyone with basic carpentry skills, you can really mess things up if you do not know what you are doing. Also, there are some very specific tools to aid in proper installation. While not absolutely necessary, they make the process much easier and produce much better results.

This article is not meant to be an instruction for installing your own cabinetry. There are many excellent references for that purpose. Just remember that your cabinetry will not function properly (or even look good) if they are not installed square, plumb and level. Since the walls in most homes are not perfectly square and plumb, and floors are not perfectly level, you have to compensate by using shims while the cabinetry is installed. In addition, it is necessary to determine the high and low points on both the ceiling and floor, and factor those points into your installation scheme. The same process applies to the walls in order to avoid problems that would be caused by curves in the wall.

It is always the safest choice to hire an experienced contractor – one who has actually installed cabinetry in the past. But, if the above admonitions have not discouraged you, and you have the necessary tools, you can certainly expect to do a good job as long as you research, read and acquire the necessary knowledge.

When planning your kitchen remodel, you can get a lot of great ideas from the photo galleries on the Cabinet Discounters website CabinetDiscounters.com. For even more good ideas, stop at one of Cabinet Discounters showrooms. Call ahead to schedule a free consultation with an experienced designer

Tags: cabinets, Cabinets Annapolis, DC, Installing Cabinetry, kitchen cabinets, md, mt airy, va, virginia, Washington DC

If you are considering a major kitchen remodeling project,you have a wonderful opportunity to completely rethink and redesign your kitchen. You have a lot of choices to make: cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, paint and wallpaper just to name a few. But, the most important choice you make will be the layout of your new kitchen.

If you are unhappy with your current kitchen, you certainly don’t want to duplicate it with new cabinetry. You really must step back and assess what you dislike and what you desire. Make a list of things you don’t like or that don’t work very well in your old kitchen. Then make another list of things that you would like your new kitchen to do for you and your family. Consider functionality, storage, entertaining, and traffic flow in your new kitchen.

Now step outside the box and dream about what is possible. Maybe adding or removing a door, moving a window or knocking out part of a wall. Small structural changes can give you a lot of new possibilities. My own kitchen is a prime example. By eliminating a peninsula and a small pantry, we increased our storage space and countertop area by more than 50%.

In addition to making the lists suggested above, consider using the lifestyle survey available at CabinetDiscounters.com. This survey will help you consider many aspects of how you live in your home and can suggest many things you might not otherwise consider. You can bring your survey to any of the six convenient Cabinet Discounters’ showrooms in Maryland and Virginia. An experienced designer can give you great advice and show you the many quality products from which to choose. When you purchase your cabinetry and countertops from Cabinet Discounters, there is no charge for the valuable assistance you will receive from our experienced designers. We are happy to coordinate with your contractors or we can install it for you.

One caution when you consider structural changes – be sure to work with a professional designer, a qualified contractor or an architect. If you plan to modify walls or remove a soffit, remember that there could be concealed plumbing, venting or electrical wiring in those spaces. You may want to cut some inspection holes in the walls involved to be sure that you do not have an expensive problem before it’s too late. A professional can help you to avoid many problems.

Tags: Annapolis Cabinets, cabinets, DC, kitchen cabinets, kitchen remodeling, maryland, md, va, virginia, Washington DC

Computers and digital technology have taken the manufacturing of granite and quartz countertops firmly into the 21st century. The first effect of technology is in the measuring and templating process. New digital devices allow for microscopic accuracy in the field and automatically produce digital drawings which are directly compatible with the computer controlled devices that actually cut and shape the finished product. The virtual elimination of measuring errors and the errors of humans transferring numbers from one system to another has reduced the cost of mistakes to nearly zero.

Just when you thought things could not be better, along comes the Slabsmith. This system integrates digital photography with the digitally controlled manufacturing process to further reduce costs and waste. First, a digital photograph is taken of the whole slab which has been selected by the customer. The Slabsmith calculates the most efficient cutout of parts from the whole slab and displays this for review on a monitor. This alone makes the process much more efficient.

But, Slabsmith goes much farther. By displaying the digital photo of the slab on a large screen monitor and overlaying the cutout shapes of the various parts in the project, the customer can visualize the actual cut pieces against the grain and color variations of the slab of granite. Some granite has very pronounced grain and variations in color, and the Slabsmith will show a picture of the finished countertops with the pieces in relative position so that the customer can evaluate whether they like the way the seams align the different color patterns. The cutout positions can then be changed to assess the effect it has on the grain and color patterns at the seams. This assures that the customer gets a finished product with which they are thoroughly pleased.

You can see the whole process of manufacturing a countertop, including the use of the Slabsmith, in a video on our website – just click this link. Cabinet Discounters has always embraced cutting edge technology to give their customers the best results. You can see some examples of finished projects in the photo gallery on our website CabinetDiscounters.com.

Tags: cabinet discounters, countertops, DC, kitchen countertops, maryland, md, va, virginia, Washington DC

The kitchen has gone from being a remote room in a house, amounting to barely more than a pantry, to being the heart of the modern home. Food brings people and families together, and your kitchen best represents that new way of thinking. Your new kitchen cabinets will be the single biggest factor in deciding the look of your kitchen; more than the flooring, appliances, or even the lighting.

You owe it to the investment you’ve already made in the value of your home to choose cabinets that not only have the look you want, but have the craftsmanship and solid structure that will endure with your home, improving its real and practical value over time.

But not every house or budget is built alike. How can you choose the cabinets that are right for you? The process goes well beyond how they look, although that’s crucial.

It’s hard to avoid the expense involved with new kitchen cabinets. Unlike many things we’re used to in our commercial culture, kitchen cabinets are generally a custom product. Even if the style has standard stock components, the cabinets themselves have to be designed to fit your space perfectly, or you’ll find that the results can be disappointing. This means costs that might be higher than you’d like. Cost, however, isn’t the only factor worth considering.

Grabill Cabinet Company is an excellent brand, providing an old-school hand crafted finish to every one of their stylish cabinets. They practically define the category, with a commitment to craftsmanship that you might have thought belonged to a by-gone era. Beautifully combining looks and durability, it’s hard to go wrong with Grabill cabinets.

Brighton Cabinetry is also an excellent manufacturer, with a variety of woods and finishes to complete your look. While their selection is somewhat more focused, they’re able to deliver their cabinets at a highly competitive price, an excellent option if your needs and budget are a match for what Brighton has to offer.

Homecrest, Apple Valley, and Aristokraft are also excellent manufacturers with a broad range of styles and materials to choose from.

Look at your cabinet purchase as a rare opportunity to buy something that’s uniquely fitted to your style and living space. Even if your taste turns out to be popular, nobody will have cabinets that are quite the same. You’ll be delighted and amazed what new cabinets will do to transform your home.

Tags: annapolis, cabinets, Cabinets Annapolis, kitchen cabinets, maryland, md, va, virginia, Washington DC

Follow this helpful guide to help choose the countertop that’s right for your home.

There are many things to consider when purchasing new countertop. How large is you kitchen or bath? What material best suits your needs and price range? Will you require a sink or other appliances installed? Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be ready to start shopping for your new countertop.

Kitchen countertops generally measure between 25 to 26 inches wide and are seated on top of storage cabinetry. Easy access to your counter’s surface and cabinets is important to the overall functioning of your kitchen, so it is important to carefully plan the size and placement of your new countertop.

Today, countertops come in a wide variety of materials from a number of manufacturers. With so many choices, and prices varying so greatly, it can be quite intimidating to shop for a new countertop. Lucky for you, we’ve outlined all the major materials and manufacturers available for you!

Countertops are now available in
• Corian
Corian is a synthetic solid surfacing material developed by DuPont that is outperforming many natural stone materials in durability and affordability. It offers a seamless, non-porous, and easy-to-clean surface.

• Granite
Granite countertops is an American manufactured natural stone. It is among the most resilient and elegant surfaces available for countertops.

• Cambria
Cambria is a natural stone surface that provides a safe and practical surface for food preparation. The material is also particularly resistant to bacteria, making it especially sanity. Cambria counters are available in a variety of colors and styles.

• Silestone Natural Quartz
Quartz is a popular and beautiful engineered stone that is known for its versatility. It can be used to surface kitchen countertops, bathrooms, bathtubs, and backsplashes. Quartz is especially durable as well and will likely never need replacement.

• Caesarstone Quartz
93% natural quartz material, Caesarstone quartz offers the reliability and elegance of natural quartz with a more modest price tag. Caesarstone quartz is more stain and crack resistant than either marble or granite and can be used to surface most any room.

• Meganite
Meganite synthetic surfacing technology provides amazing quality tiling and surfacing at great prices. Meganite counters are available in a variety of colors and styles, and are guaranteed to stand up to wear.

• Zodiaq
This quartz based surface offers the clarity and durability of natural quartz at a very affordable price.

Tags: Bathroom Countertop, bathroom vanities, countertops, Granite, granite countertops, Kitchen Countertop, maryland, virginia, Washington DC

Whether prepping your home for sale or renovating for your own comfort and satisfaction, a well appointed bathroom remodel can add both value and beauty to your home. From simple and small changes to all out additions and tear downs, a bathroom renovation of any size should always be carefully planned before beginning.

Things like color choice and types of fixtures as well as appointments and placement of tub, sink and toilet are all crucial to the design and comfortable layout of your bathroom renovation project. Also be aware of choices in flooring, vanity and backsplash options. Many of these items, in particular, are available in solid surface materials such as granite, quartz, stone and manufactured materials like Corian and acrylic.

Cabinetry cannot be overlooked when remodeling your bathroom. From more modern style options which offer smooth and seamless doors and drawer fronts, to more traditional or classic styles in natural wood tones with inlaid accents resembling built in furniture pieces, the once simple and sterile bathroom design has become a model of comfort and retreat.

After primary choices of the above have been done, the choice of using a qualified contractor or tackling the project yourself should be considered. For large bathroom remodels involving complicated plumbing replacement, electrical work or wall removals, a licensed contractor should be used. For smaller projects such as vanity, sink and toilet replacement along with simple painting and lighting tasks, a do-it-yourself job, with maybe a friend or two, is completely feasible.

If unsure of your remodeling choices, turn to professional trade magazines which specialize in bathrooms and remodeling. Look for color choice and styles of fixtures, lighting options and overall layout. If need be, consult with a design specialist and contractor experienced in bathroom remodeling and renovation to better judge your choices.

After your design choices have been made, plan an alternate bathroom for everyday use. Depending upon the amount of renovation being done, you could be without this room anywhere from a few days, to several weeks. It’s best to plan ahead before remodeling begins to avoid any problems along the way.

Once larger items like the tub, toilet, sink, cabinetry and vanity have been applied, you’ll be better able to judge the smaller appointments such as lighting and knobs as well as wall color. Choosing these smaller details will truly add a distinct and personal style to your newly remodeled bathroom.

Tags: bathroom countertops, Bathroom Remodeling, bathroom vanities, Cabinetry, cabinets, maryland, md, va, virginia

This is a question in the minds of most homeowners as they consider the prospect of a kitchen remodeling project. Kitchen remodeling is not only a sizeable investment, it is also a commitment of time and energy. It makes sense to know the reasons for doing it!

The good news is there are many reasons to remodel a kitchen and most of the time, the benefits of the completed project far outweigh the cost, both in terms of finances and in terms of effort, energy, and dust!
These reasons can often be broken-up into two categories, financial investment and lifestyle improvement.

The Financial Benefits

A well done kitchen remodel can reap many rewards financially, such as:

Improved Resale Value – It is very common for folks to remodel the kitchen with plans to move out the day it’s done! They know that a modern kitchen with an updated look will mean extra money at the closing table.

Faster Time To Sale – in the modern housing market, sometimes the issue isn’t as much about the total amount of the sale price as it is to do with how long it takes to sell. Realtors say that two of the most important components in a buyers reaction to a home are the kitchen and master bath. In a competitive market, having a nice kitchen could be the leg-up you need!

Reduced Energy Cost – This is a financial benefit to the owner remodeling with plans to stay put. Older appliances sometimes are grossly inefficient. A new kitchen will often include new and much more efficient appliances. This is good for both the owner’s bottom line, and for the environment overall. A real win-win.

The Lifestyle benefits

Often, the financial return is a great thing to know about, but it isn’t the real reason for the remodel. The most common reasons for a kitchen remodel are much more personal. They have to do with living in and using the kitchen every day.

There is a great list lifestyle type reasons to remodel a kitchen at this website: http://www.cabinetdiscounters.com/get-started/

These ideas include things such as:

-Lack of storage in the existing cabinets
-The need for improved traffic flow and work patterns
-A place for family and friends to relax – kitchens are the social hub of the home after all!

And of course there is the look! Sometimes that’s all you need!

Tags: cabinets, DC, Discount Cabinets, kitchen cabinets, kitchen remodel, kitchen remodeling, maryland, md, va, virginia, Washington DC

It seems that many people immediately think “kitchen” when you mention cabinetry. But with custom-made cabinetry, nothing could be further from the truth. That’s because custom cabinetry can be made to precisely fit your needs and your space. If you go to a furniture showroom, you have to choose from their selection and try to find, for example an entertainment unit, which comes closest to fitting your space and holding all of your equipment. But with cabinetry, you can design a piece to precisely fit your space and exactly accommodate your equipment, and best of all, you can arrange it in a manner that best fits your taste and use. You even get to select your own wood species, style and finish. Surprisingly, you’ll find that the cost of a custom solution is about the same as a good piece of furniture which only comes in standard sizes.

Use your imagination. You can design floor to ceiling bookshelves, dining room hutches, custom wet bars, desks and workspaces, fabulous entertainment centers, perfectly fitting corner cabinets, wine racks, laundry rooms, storage benches, bedroom dresser-wardrobes – you name it! We can even combine custom-manufactured granite or quartz tops to finish your special project. See some of the projects we’ve done in the “Other Rooms” Gallery on the Cabinet Discounters’ website.

At Cabinet Discounters, an experienced designer can give you great advice and show you the many quality products from which to choose. When you purchase your cabinetry and countertops from Cabinet Discounters, there is no charge for the valuable assistance and custom designs you will receive from our experienced designers. You can see many of the projects we have done on our website CabinetDiscounters.com in our Photo Galleries. Find the address and phone numbers for our six convenient Cabinet Discounters’ showrooms in Maryland and Virginia. We are happy to coordinate with your contractors or we can install it for you.

Tags: bathroom cabinets, Cabinetry, cabinets, cabinets maryland, kitchen cabinets, maryland, md, va, virginia, Washington DC