Medicine cabinets are specially useful in bathrooms with pedestal sinks, because storage is often limited. If you've grown used to doing battle with an old medicine chest recessed into the wall, you might be surprised to see the new generation of wall cabinets now on the market. Features include doors with ribbed glass or no-fog mirrors, built in electrical outlets, and pull out make up mirrors.
Medicine cabinets are either surface mounted or recessed into the wall. A recessed cabinet intrudes less into the room while still providing ample storage, it may look just like a mirror that's been hung on the wall. Service mounted cabinets, on the other hand, or more dominant visually. With either type, style range from elaborately decorated the plain and simple in painted or natural word or metal. A surface-mounted medicine cabinet can add style to any space, and is one easy way to update a bathroom. In addition, speciality retailers and architectural salvage shops are a good source for period cabinets. Search Google for "vintage medicine chests" for example, and you can find everything from 1920s era steel chests plated in brass, copper or nickel, to antique Chinese cabinets. Always choose a kitchen garbage disposal with a sturdy motor - at least 1/2 horse power. A less powerful one will clog easily and will need replacing after a few years. High-quality models have stainless-steel interior parts, an anti-jam feature, and plenty of insulation to keep noise down.
The fatter the unit is, the quieter it's likely to be. A good garbage disposal will run anywhere from $100 and up to $300 - anything cheaper is not worth buying. There are two types of disposals: continuous and batch-feed. Continuous-feed models are activated by a wall switch. Batch-feed models start up when you turn the lid. Batch-feed types are quieter and safer, because they can't be run unless the lid is in place. The mechanism also prevents silverware from falling into the running disposal. However, they're less convenient and come with fewer options. A disposal should have its own 120-volt electrical circuit. The connection can either plug-in or hard-wired, though some communities require hardwired. Check your local code before doing anything - some building codes prohibit the use of disposals, while others require them. Gypsum blocks are hollow units made of gypsum and a binder of vegetable fiber, mineral fiber, or wood chips. Never used where they would be subjected to moisture, they are suitable for non-load-bearing, fire resistant interior partitions.
Another use is as a fire proofing material around structural steel beams and columns. They are usually finished with a plaster coating. Easily cut and light weight, gypsum blocks are relatively inexpensive to install. Differences with Stone: All types of stone are used in buildings. The most important ones used in the construction industry are granite, sandstone, slate, limestone, and marble. Building bricks are small masonry blocks of inorganic non-metallic material hardened by heat or chemical action. Building bricks may be solid or may have core openings to reduce the weight. Bricks are produced in a wide variety of colors, shapes and textures. Many builders use gypsum blocks in their construction projects for added flair and protection. A properly installed tile floor offers several advantages for kitchen use: It is attractive, low maintenance, water resistant, and offers superior durability. However, it has a hard surface that will shatter dropped glassware and cause feet to ache. Shiny tiles are generally too slippery in the kitchen; look for matte finishes or choose small tiles (the extra grout lines will provide more traction).
A tile floor needs frequent sweeping and damp-mopping so that it won;t scratch, and grout lines will darken no matter how often you clean. Unglazed quarry and terra cotta tiles look beautiful in the kitchen, but they must be thoroughly sealed for kitchen use, and even then they will stain and darken with age. A tile floor is also cold and will make it difficult to keep the kitchen cozy. Consider installing radiant floor heating, which works very well under tile. Mosaic stone tiles can be used on an entire kitchen floor or just along the edge. Stone is a durable and beautiful choice for kitchen flooring, but it needs to be sealed to resist stains. Tile is installed on a solid, water-resistant underlayment - typically plywood topped with cement backer-board. Some installers still use a thick bed of Portland cement atop a base of exterior-grade plywood, a traditional practice that works extremely well when properly executed. -Source A standard range, with burnes on top and an oven below, provides a homey, traditional touch and is more affordable than separate cooking components. Rangers come in three varieties including gas-fired, dual-fuel and electric. Standard-size ranges are 30 inches wide, but you can get them as narrow as 21 inches and as wide as 48 inches - or even wider if you're buying a commercial range.
Freestanding ranges, as their name implies, can stand anywhere. Slide-in types are made to fit between cabinets and so have no side panels. Drop-in models are also installed between cabinets, but they're made to rest on a wood platform, and their integral rims cover the gap between range and countertop so food won't fall in. All-in-one ranges offer the same features as separate cooktops and ovens including self-cleaning mechanisms and touch controls. Midrange models sell for over $1,500 in some cases. These high priced models may include extras such as a bread-rising or browning fixture. Look for ranges with special features, such as an indoor grill and dedicated wok burner, which can be converted to handle boiling pots. If you're shopping for commercially adapted ranges, look for sealed burners, porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, and an anti-tipping device that helps to keep these heavy units level and stabile. |
Remodeling Tip Blog
Archives
March 2023
Recent bathroom and shower articles: Basin Buying Tips | Toilets and Bidets | Shower Choices and Styles | Sink Taps and Fittings | Choosing Flooring & Lights | Flooring tips for bathrooms | Bathroom Wall Tips | Designing With Tile | Dimensioned Stone | Piping Tips | Bathroom Lighting | Learn More About Hiring Bathroom Remodeling Contractors | Bathtub Removal How-To | Japanese Bathroom Tips | Building Contractors vs. Remodeling Contractors | Removing Shower Walls | Mosaic Tile Installation | Cabinet Ideas | Bathroom Fixtures | Tampa Shower Tips | Boston Shower Remodeling | Seattle Shower Remodeling | Sacramento Shower Remodeling | San Antonio Shower Remodeling | San Jose Shower Remodeling |
Indianapolis | Jacksonville | Staten Island Shower Remodeling | Colleyville Kitchen Remodelers | Provo Bathroom Remodeling | Charlotte | Fairview TX Tree Trimming | Categories |