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Month: December 2020

elegant kitchen, furnished and staged

When To Replace Kitchen Cabinets: 8 Signs Your Cabinets Have Got To Go

Written by Katelyn Mitchell on . Posted in Cabinets.

A dated kitchen cabinet is one of the first signs you may need a kitchen renovation. But when you see the same cabinets day in and day out, how do you know it’s time to replace them?

Deciding to replace kitchen cabinets is a big decision. Are you having trouble deciding if the investment is worth your time and money? If so, here are 8 signs that it’s time to replace your kitchen cabinets.

1. Water Damage

One of the most tell-tale signs that you need to replace your kitchen cabinets is water damage. In your kitchen, many surfaces are exposed to water, especially your countertops and kitchen cabinets. Check the area on your cabinets where your coffee pot sits; this is usually a high-moisture area from where the steam rises.

Above your stove and any other areas where appliances create steam are also common spots for water damage. You may even see water damage on the inside of your cabinets if you tend to put dishes away before they’re completely dry.

Water damage usually presents as swelling of the wood, dark spots or stains, and bubbling u underneath the wood. If you see any of these signs, your cabinets may have water damage beyond repair. If this is the case, it’s time to look into a kitchen cabinet remodel.

2. Mold

With water usually comes mold. However, check the corners inside of your kitchen cabinets and on the bottoms close to the wall. These hard-to-reach places often hide mold spots because they’re seldom seen or exposed to open air.

Mold in your cabinets is also a safety hazard. You don’t want to put clean dishes in a moldy cabinet where you may be exposed to spores. This is especially important for those with allergies and sensitivities. It would be best if you also treated the cabinets with a mold and mildew control spray and thoroughly clean the area before your renovation.

3. They’re Soft or Bending

Another way to tell you should look into replacing kitchen cabinets is if you’re feeling soft or bending wood. While this can sometimes be caused by water damage, it’s also common for wood to warp over time. This is especially common if your cabinets weren’t made with the highest quality materials.

When cabinets are made with plywood or particleboard, you’re more likely to face this issue. Investing in higher quality cabinets will ensure you don’t have to deal with more cash later down the line.

4. Damage or Broken Pieces

If your cabinets are damaged, you need them replaced! Don’t hold off any longer. Broken and damaged kitchen cabinets can be hazardous for you and those living in your house, including children and pets.

Missing doors, hardware, chipped pieces, or cracked structures are common damages. You can usually have these fixed or replaced at a low cost. But if your cabinets have experienced several different types of damage over the years, you’re better off replacing the entire set.

5. The Rest of Your Kitchen Has Modern Appliances

Do your cabinets stand out like a sore thumb in your kitchen? Did you already upgrade the appliances but didn’t think the cabinets were worth the investment yet? Well, this is your sign to have them replaced.

Sleek, modernized kitchen cabinets pull together the entire look of your kitchen. They’re even one of the most anchoring points in your kitchen, so for new guests and family, this will be the first thing they notice in your kitchen.

6. They Smell

If there’s a rancid, musty, mildewy, or just plain bad smell coming from your cabinets, it’s time for new kitchen cabinets. Because most cabinets are made of wood, they absorb all the smells your kitchen acquires throughout the years.

Once a smell sticks to the cabinets, it isn’t easy to get rid of. If you’re opening up your cabinets to smell something foul coming from where you keep dishes, food, and appliances, you’ll probably find it intensely unappealing.

7. They Don’t Work as They Used to

Sometimes when cabinets are on their last legs, they don’t work like they used to. Maybe the doors don’t align properly, or it doesn’t close all the way. Do you have to maneuver it a specific way to open it?

There’s no reason to fight with your cabinet to grab a mug for a cup of coffee. If you’re struggling with the day-to-day function of your cabinets, you need replacements ASAP.

8. Worn or Rusted Hardware

Another way to tell if you need new cabinets is if the hardware isn’t working correctly. Many times, rusted hardware will develop from water exposure, making it difficult for you to effortlessly open cabinet doors.

If hinges and hardware like handles and knobs are worn, you may also have difficulty accessing your cabinets’ contents. While it’s easy enough to replace the hardware or tighten a few screws, we’re referring to any non-repairable damage that comes with age and wear and tear.

It may even be more cost-effective for you to replace the entire set of cabinets than it would be to replace all the hardware.

It’s Time to Replace Kitchen Cabinets

When it comes to deciding to replace kitchen cabinets, you have to consider many things, from material to installation to color. Let the professionals at Dave’s Home Supply help you make the right decisions when choosing your new kitchen cabinets.

For more information about installation and material cost, contact us. Or, check out our blog for more helpful home renovation and supply tips.

Closeup of countertop and granite sink in brocade kitchen

The Pros & Cons of Having Granite Countertops

Written by Katelyn Mitchell on . Posted in Countertops.

We’ll go over all the pros and cons of granite countertops. From the color options to its indestructible nature, we’ve rounded up all the benefits of granite countertops for your kitchen or bathroom.

Granite is Sustainable

The earth is always working to regenerate itself. Granite is no different. Although granite is renewable, the earth takes thousands of years to make more.

Granite is also indestructible. You’ll almost never need to replace granite for any structural reason. Granite is also organic, making it a top choice for green construction.

Resistant to Heat

One of the biggest benefits of using granite is that they are resistant to heat. When you’re cooking, this is a lifesaver. Granite handles heat better than any other countertop on the market.

This means that you can put a pan on the counter right after you pull it from the oven. When you need to cook a big meal, you can place your pot or pan right on the counter without worrying that it will burn.

When it comes to the pros and cons of granite countertops in bathroom designs, resistance to heat is another pro. You can place hot irons and hair tools on your counter without any issues.

Won’t Scratch

Another benefit of granite is that it won’t scratch. While you can cut on the counter without making scratch marks, it isn’t recommended.

Cutting on granite could leave metal residue from your knife on the counter. Cutting on the surface will also dull your knife over time. The good news is that if you drop something or cut off your cutting board, granite is hard to damage.

Seamless

Granite is available in large slabs. If you have a large island, for example, you won’t see any seam lines. Slabs also come in a wide variety of sizes, depending on the color you choose. If you’re looking for that streamlined and seamless look, granite is a great choice.

When you have a slab in a U or L shape, you’ll have to have a thin seam to make the angles match up. Each of the sides will be seamless, however.

The granite is often sealed with epoxy to close the seams. This does a great job of concealing them. You won’t notice them at all when the custom epoxy color is on.

Works Well with Undermount Sinks

Undermount sinks are popular for a reason. Undermount sinks allow you to wipe food and liquid right into the sink. They make cleaning a breeze. They also give your kitchen a more updated look.

Granite works well with under-mount sinks. You can use a stainless-steel sink, cast iron, or a solid surface. Your countertop fabricator will cut the granite to fit your sink exactly.

You Have Backsplash Options

Backsplashes are beautiful and functional. You can choose the color, tile, and design that complements your cabinets and granite counters.

You can also use granite as a backsplash. A four-inch slab is often glued to the top of your counter to keep food and water off your wall.

You can also bring your granite up the entire length of your wall. This gives your kitchen a clean and modern appearance.

Granite is Virtually Indestructible

One of the biggest selling features of granite is that it is indestructible. Whether you’re placing hot pans on top or accidentally spilling water, you’re in luck. Granite is hard to damage.

The edge of your counter and the area surrounding your sink will likely be the only potential place for a chip. Even if you drop a heavy clay pot into your sink, your pot will likely break before you chip your granite.

Your granite is sealed by your counter fabricator. Although granite is water-resistant, you’ll want a seal to keep it clean and disinfected. If your kitchen gets a lot of use, granite is a durable workhorse.

Granite is Low Maintenance

Granite is one of the lowest-maintenance countertops. Once your counter is installed, you won’t need to do anything to keep it looking great. The sealer used on top will often last over a decade.

If you ever need to replace the seal on your counter, ask your installer what was used so you can apply it again. With a good seal, you can use your granite counters for a lifetime.

To clean your counter, you can use a rag or a cleaning cloth with hot water and soap. You can also use your favorite counter cleaner or disinfectant. Unlike marble or other surfaces, almost all cleaners are safe to use with granite.

The Cost of Granite

Granite is available to fit any budget. You can find a wide variety of different price points. Granite is less expensive than marble, but it is more expensive than laminate.

One of the things that makes granite such a good investment is the fact that you won’t ever need to replace it. Granite can last for decades and is almost indestructible. Updating your counters will also help your home sell faster down the road.

The Pros and Cons of Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are a great investment. Not only are they durable, but they will also give your kitchen a beautiful and updated look. When it comes to the pros and cons of granite countertops, the only limit is your imagination.

Granite comes in a wide variety of colors and price points to fit any buyer. If you’re ready to kick off your kitchen or bathroom remodel, fill out the contact form here to get in touch with your trusted home supply professional.

laminate vs vinyl flooring

7 Reasons to Install COREtec Type Flooring in Your Kitchen

Written by Katelyn Mitchell on . Posted in Flooring.

So what type of flooring are you supposed to get instead?

The answer you’re looking for might be luxury vinyl. We’ve put together this guide to show you some of the best benefits of installing COREtec type flooring in your home, so make sure you keep reading below!?

1. There Are a Lot of Design Options

COREtec is a luxury vinyl flooring, and that means you have a lot of flexibility about how it looks.

For example, you can install Luxury Vinyl Flooring that has the appearance of concrete, tile, or hardwood. But the similarities don’t stop at the surface level. Luxury Vinyl Flooring has real texture and graining, so it feels like real stone or wood as well.

You can also choose from a variety of colors when you pick this type of flooring. Want your floor to be grey? Brown? Tan? Black? COREtec type flooring has all those color options.

Keep in mind, though, that these styles may make the price go up. If you want faux wood flooring but don’t want to go over budget, you may want to look at the Luxury Vinyl Flooring that we sell instead. While it has many of the same benefits, it can help you save some money in the long run.

2. It’s Easy to Install

Most flooring materials, such as wood or stone, have to acclimate to your environment before you can install them. This prevents the flooring from expanding or contracting too much after you’ve laid it out, which can cause cupping or other damage.

Vinyl doesn’t need to adjust to the local climate, meaning you can install your COREtec type flooring as soon as it arrives at your home. In fact, you can even do the job yourself if you feel up to it. Since COREtec type flooring has a click system, it’s easy to put it together without any tools or experience.

You also don’t have to attach Luxury Vinyl Flooring to the subflooring, so the installation doesn’t take long. If you have to replace your flooring at some point in the future, it will also be easy to remove it again.

3. You Don’t Have to Do a Lot of Maintenance Work

COREtec-type floors don’t need a lot of attention to stay in good condition. All you have to do is sweep or vacuum it every few days to keep it clean. No sanding or sealing required.

Did you accidentally spill sauce or coffee in the kitchen? Just wipe it up. You don’t have to worry about the surface staining.

If you feel like your Luxury Vinyl Flooring needs a deep cleaning, you can pull out a mop and some warm water. Other than that, you won’t have to spend a lot of time or money maintaining your floor.

4. It’s Completely Waterproof

This type of material doesn’t absorb water, so it’s a good choice for rooms that get a lot of moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, etc. If water does puddle up on your COREtec-type floor, it will simply dry over time. It won’t seep into the flooring, meaning it won’t cause rippling, bubbling, or other types of water damage.

5. It’s Durable

LVT/LVP(Luxury Vinyl Tile/Luxury Vinyl Plank) is one of the most durable types of flooring out there, and this is even more true when it comes to luxury vinyl like COREtec that has a rigid core. This type of flooring can withstand a lot of heat, pressure, weight, moisture, and more.

Drop a heavy pot on the floor? It won’t dent. Push a table across the room? It won’t scratch. Leave it installed in your home for several years? It won’t misshape or peel away from the subflooring.

Since COREtec type flooring also holds up against water, it won’t start to mold underneath or on the surface, which makes it a healthy option if you’re living with young children, people with respiratory conditions, or pets.

6. The Floor Is Quiet

Tired of waking the entire house up every time you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night? Ridgid Core LVT absorbs sound, so your footsteps will seem much quieter.

This also makes this type of flooring a good choice for rooms that get a lot of noise, such as a busy kitchen. The COREtec type flooring will help soundproof the space so that electric mixers and clanking dishes won’t disturb the rest of the house.

7. It’s an Eco-Friendly Choice

You don’t have to feel guilty about harming the environment when you choose COREtec type flooring. It may have the appearance of hardwood, but it doesn’t cut down any trees.

In fact, Luxury Vinyl Flooring is 100% recyclable. When the time comes to replace your flooring, you’ll know the old flooring will be recycled and reused, so it stays out of the landfills!

Why COREtec Type Flooring Is One of the Best Options for Your Home

If you’re looking for the right material for your home’s floors, COREtec type flooring is a smart choice. Luxury Vinyl Flooring is affordable, easy to install, simple to maintain, and extremely durable. It’s a good option for any room in your home, no matter how much moisture that room gets.

And not only that, but it also looks beautiful!?

Are you ready to make the switch to luxury vinyl flooring? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We can help you choose the right material for your home and get it shipped to you as fast as possible.

A man installing tile flooring

5 Amazing Tiling Tips For Your Home: Porcelain vs Ceramic

Written by Katelyn Mitchell on . Posted in Flooring.

Have you considered tile?

Whether you’re looking for something trendy or you prefer a classic look, tile floors can beautify any room in your home. As far as materials go, you have options. Both porcelain and ceramic make an excellent choice for new flooring, but before you make your final choice, you’ll want to know about the subtle (and not so subtle) differences between the two.

Read on and explore the world of porcelain vs. ceramic tile.

1. All Tile Is Not Created Equal

It’s easy to assume all tile is made the same, after all, tile is tile. The truth is the manufacturing process, while similar for both porcelain and ceramic tile, is what makes the significant difference between the two.

The manufacturing process for both types of tile begins with clay.

Both tiles end up baking in a kiln. That’s where the similarities end, and some of the not-so-subtle differences start. In a nutshell, here is what makes them so different:

Ceramic Tiles

  • Made from a mixture of clay, sand, and talc
  • Molded into squares or rectangles
  • Fired in a kiln
  • Most moisture is removed during firing

Porcelain Tiles

  • Made from a mixture of sand, several types of clay, and feldspar
  • Formed under high pressure
  • Baked in a kiln at high temperature
  • The firing process removes almost all moisture

Porcelain tile cooks longer and at higher temperatures than ceramic tile, making it denser and harder. Next, we’ll look at why that matters when choosing between the two.

2. Which Tile Works Harder?

Maybe you’ve never thought of tile as a workhorse, like your furnace or the washing machine. Tile does work hard, especially in high-traffic areas of your home. It provides a safe and comfortable walking surface.

In terms of work, perhaps it’s better to look at porcelain and ceramic tile from the perspective of how well each holds up under the pressure of feet, furniture, and spills.

While ceramic tiles are durable, many homeowners prefer porcelain for use in kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways. Because it’s harder and denser, porcelain does a better job of withstanding wear and tear. Ceramic tends to crack or chip if someone drops a heavy object on it something that frequently happens in the kitchen.

3. Water Absorbency Matters

When planning a tile floor installation in a kitchen or bathroom, you assume water will have an impact. It’s not only the kids dripping water all over the place after a bath. Adults do it, too!

You can’t forget about the spills. Everybody has a mishap with juice or milk at least once a week.

Next, imagine the water, mud, and snow people track in on their shoes. Even if you have a mat at the door, you’re bound to end up with water on the floor.

What you need is a waterproof flooring solution!

Many people assume that’s what they’ll get when they choose tile flooring. There’s a kernel of truth there, but neither porcelain nor ceramic tile can claim to be 100 percent waterproof.

If you go with ceramic tile, you’ll have a water-resistant floor. The glaze finish on ceramic tile helps prevent water damage. Water will, however, find its way into any cracks in the glaze, where it will absorb into the tile.

Due to the low absorbency rate of porcelain tile, water and other fluids spilled on it won’t have much of an impact.

4. Low Maintenance or No Maintenance?

Wouldn’t it be fantastic if you could find a no-maintenance flooring solution? The reality is, even the most durable floors require care. We consider both ceramic and porcelain to be low-maintenance, but they do have unique cleaning needs.

Porcelain

Porcelain tiles can easily forgive scratches and spills. They’re also easy to keep clean if you sweep and vacuum 1-2 times each week. Do a deep clean once a month with either a water and vinegar mixture or a cleaning solution made for tile.

Stay away from bleach, ammonia, wax, and oil-based cleaning solutions. Also, avoid abrasive scrubbers. When you finish cleaning, rinse with hot water, and dry the tiles with a towel.

Ceramic

Like porcelain, you should sweep and vacuum ceramic tiles once per week as a prep for wet mopping. Mild dish detergent and hot water do the best job of cleaning. Use a string mop, and then dry with a towel quickly and thoroughly.

Whichever tile you choose, with regular care, you’ll have a beautiful floor for years to come.

5. The Cost of Porcelain vs. Ceramic Tile

Planning a flooring project always includes anticipating how much you?ll need to budget. When making your calculations for the cost difference between ceramic and porcelain floor tile, there are two things to consider:

  • Cost of Materials
  • Cost of Installation

If you select standard, residential-grade ceramic tile, you’ll pay less than you would if you go with porcelain. Labor for professional flooring installation doesn’t vary nearly as much as the cost of materials.

You’ll calculate your cost of materials based on the square foot of the tile, not per piece. Most tile installers charge for labor by the hour.

If you choose your flooring strictly based on cost, ceramic tile usually ends up costing less than porcelain.

Need Help Choosing Your New Flooring?

We try not to play favorites when it comes to tile floors, so we’ve touched briefly on the pros and cons of ceramic tile and its cousin, porcelain. Are porcelain tiles better than ceramic? We love them both, but we’ll let you be the judge.

There’s no better way to settle your questions about porcelain vs. ceramic tile than to see both in person! Why not come on over to our showroom and let us help you decide? We’re also happy to put together a free estimate.