Types of Kitchen Flooring

The right kitchen flooring can not only make your life easier, but it has the ability to set the mood for the entire room. The three main factors to consider when deciding on the type of flooring for your kitchen are durability, use, and style. We'll start by taking a closer look at some of the most popular choices in kitchen flooring.

Hardwood Flooring
With its warmth and inviting tone, hardwood flooring creates a traditional feeling in any kitchen. Hardwood floors are known for their beauty and prestige and are sturdy surfaces that are easy to clean. One of the most popular types of hardwood floors is oak which is neutral in color and very durable. Other popular types of wood used for flooring are ash, cherry and walnut.

Cookware Sets

Hardwood floors come in two types: solid and engineered. Solid flooring is cut from single pieces of wood and worked into desired shapes. Solid hardwood floors come in strip flooring which are nailed to sub-flooring, plank flooring which has wider boards, and parquet flooring which comes in squares or geometric shapes to create different patterns.

Engineered flooring is created by laminating thin sheets of wood together in a crisscross pattern for strength. They are then topped with a veneer of hardwood to add strength. Engineered flooring holds up better than solid flooring when exposed to changes in moisture and humidity. This makes it a good choice for below-ground floors. Engineered hardwood floors come in strips and planks.

When purchasing hardwood floors for your kitchen, you want to make sure that it has already been finished. Pre-finished hardwood is your best bet for several reasons. First of all, pre-finished wood flooring is less prone to damage and easier to maintain than its unfinished counterpart. Secondly, it is more durable and will in most cases come with long-term manufacturer warranties. Lastly, pre-finished hardwood floors are offered in a wide variety of stain colors and can be easily re-stained to match future remodeling projects.

Laminate Flooring
Laminate is a cost-effective choice for kitchen flooring that is both long-lasting and easy to maintain. Although not considered to be on the same level as wood and marble flooring, laminate can be created to imitate such looks. It is made of several layers and can be installed over
existing floors.

Laminate flooring has an impressive life span. In the lifespan of one laminate floor, carpet would need to be replaced 2 to 4 times, solid hardwoods would need 3 to 5 refinishing treatments, and vinyl flooring would need to be replaced 3 times. Most laminate flooring comes with a manufacturer's warranty of 25 years or longer.

Laminate flooring is extremely durable, which makes it a great choice for families with busy kitchens. It will resist damage from traffic, spills, and scrapes and it makes cleaning and maintenance very simple. Laminate flooring will not lose color over time, while flooring such as hardwood tends to fade. It is offered in many different styles and patterns, and can imitate other types of flooring such as wood, rock, gravel, and concrete.

Vinyl Flooring
Vinyl flooring is an affordable and aesthetically pleasing choice for kitchen flooring. Because of its durability and moisture resistance it is primarily used in busy areas of the home such as kitchens and bathrooms. Another reason for its popularity is that it can, much like laminate, be made to imitate other flooring materials such as stone, marble, and wood. Vinyl flooring is often referred to by the popular manufacturers' trade names Linoleum® and Congoleum®.

Vinyl is made of plastic, or more specifically polyvinyl chloride - abbreviated PVC - to which other compounds are added. It can consist of either multiple layers of material or just one layer.

It is manufactured using one of two processes: inlay or rotovinyl. With inlay vinyl, color and pattern are imbedded into the vinyl layers, while with rotovinyl only a single layer of vinyl is printed with color and pattern. Both manufacturing processes require a protective coating overlay in order to boost durability.

Inlay vinyl flooring, which is only available in tile form, offers great wear resistance since the colors and patterns go all the way through the flooring material. Rotovinyl comes in both sheet and tile form. Resistance to wear is dependent on the type of protective coating used during the manufacturing process. Vinyl floors are very easy to maintain. Sweeping or using a dust mop is often all that is needed.

Marble Flooring
Marble flooring is known for its natural beauty and unbeatable durability. Marble is a type of metamorphic rock that is formed beneath the earth's crust. Although the preferred choice for some, marble flooring is not the optimal choice for kitchen flooring as it is porous and prone
to staining.

Marble flooring comes in many styles and always adds a unique look to a room because no two slabs of marble are identical. It comes in a variety of colors such as pure white, deep green, brown, grey and blue. It is ranked in grades A through D, A being the strongest with the least natural imperfections and D being the softest with most faults. Although grade A marble is the most expensive, it is the recommended choice for kitchens because it is the most durable.

When choosing marble for your kitchen floor, there are a few things to keep in mind. Since marble surfaces can become very slippery when wet, you should choose finishes to help create traction for your floor; these include tumbled and honed finishes. Marble flooring also requires regular maintenance to last a long time. Because it is porous, marble is susceptible to stains from common household liquids so it is important to apply a sealant to protect it.

Ceramic Tile Flooring
Ceramic tile flooring is a very popular type of kitchen flooring in the United States - it is one of the oldest and longest-lasting flooring materials known. Ceramic tile is especially well suited for areas with high traffic and exposure to water and dirt, such as entryways, bathrooms, kitchens and hallways.

There are four basic decisions to make when choosing ceramic tile for your floor: size, shape, color, and finish. Ceramic tile ranges in size from 1/4" square to 12" x 12" squares and even larger. Shapes include square, rectangular, diamond, hexagon, octagon, triangular, round etc. - depending on your budget, you can get ceramic tile in any shape you can possibly imagine.

Color choices are endless, from black and white to everything in-between, and as far as finish is concerned most people opt for the glazed finish. Glazed tile is simply more water resistant and easier to clean than any other finish. It does tend to be more slippery when wet, but you can easily get tiles that are glazed with a non-slip material, which should take care of that problem. Ceramic tiles are very strong, durable, cost-effective, and require little maintenance - making it an attractive alternative to many other flooring materials.

Tile Flooring
Stone tile flooring has a natural look and is strong and durable. It comes in several textures and colors and no two pieces are the same. Stone tiles can look traditional and rustic or contemporary and elegant. Although this flooring option can be expensive, stone tiles have the potential to last a lifetime.

Stone tile floors are generally easy to maintain, usually requiring only a mop for cleaning. For extra durability, stone should be periodically sealed. Since kitchens can become busy and messy places, you should choose stone tiles that are resistant to moisture damage and staining.

Granite tile flooring is one of the better options for kitchen flooring because it is denser and more durable than other stone options. Granite is still susceptible to stains so it should be sealed and periodically resealed for regular maintenance.

Factors such as room size, layout, materials used and amount of labor required will all affect the cost of your kitchen remodeling project. Your project is going to cost more if you are starting from scratch with a complete remodel rather than just replacing a couple of items.

A kitchen remodeling project can cost anywhere from ,000 to ,000 or even 0,000 - you can regulate the cost of your kitchen remodeling project by making product choices that fit your budget.

A new kitchen is a major investment, so take your time choosing colors, finishes and features - and remember to have fun. Work closely with your professional contractor and don't hesitate to ask for help and creative ideas - this will bring you one step closer to the kitchen of your dreams.

Types of Kitchen Flooring

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Small Kitchen Appliances - As Seen On TV

There are many small kitchen appliances to help create delicious meals, snacks, and desserts in the kitchen. We see many of these handy items advertised on television on commercials and infomercials.

A few that come to mind are the Ultimate Chopper, George Foreman Grill, Ronco Rotisserie Grill, Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer, GT Express 101, and the Pasta Express. Watching the infomercials on these As Seen On TV Products makes your mouth water watching the awesome foods they create.

Cookware Sets

The Ultimate Chopper is a compact food processor that slices dices and chops. What can you do with the Ultimate Chopper? Puree carrots to make your own baby food. Pulverize peanuts into creamy homemade peanut butter. Grate hard cheese, chop onions and other vegetables for salads. Grind your own meats. Turn regular table sugar into powered sugar. Create quick snacks like salsa and other dips. Crush ice. With the blender attachment you can create exotic drinks and smoothies. These are just a few things you can do with the ultimate chopper.

The George Foreman Grill is an awesome product for making quick meals. It is reasonable priced and helps to remove fat when grilling. It is great for cooking bacon, hot dogs, hamburgers and grilled cheese sandwiches.

Here is an easy grilled chicken breast recipe. Marinate skinless, boneless chicken breast in italian dressing for at least 3 hours preferably over night. Grill on the George Foreman Grill for 4 to 5 minutes. The color of cooked chicken is not a sign of its safety to eat. Use a food thermometer to determine that chicken has reached a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F throughout.

The Ronco Rotisserie Grill is great for cooking beef, chicken and pork roasts. It is known for the slogans "set it and forget it".

With the Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer you can create very tasty healthy juices. What will be your favorite grapefruit delight, kiwi surprise, papaya magic or the very simple orange juice?

The GT Express 101 can cook meals in just 7 minutes. The GT Xpress 101 has non stick cooking chambers both top and bottom so no need for turning. Cool meals, snacks, desserts and delicious low carb food in less time.

The Pasta Express is a very basic kitchen tool for making boiled hot dogs and pasta dishes. It can also be used for storage.

These products make our lives simpler in the kitchen and can be just plain fun to use. What will be the next new kitchen appliance we will see advertised on an infomercial?

Small Kitchen Appliances - As Seen On TV

TK Healey chief editor for SurfTilYouDrop® a consumer based website focusing on As Seen On TV Products. Check out the Orgreenic Green Frying Pan for green healthier non-stick cooking.

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JC Penney Outlets

JC Penney is one of the most popular mid-range retailers in the United States. Providing quality apparel, shoes, heavy-duty work clothes, children's clothing, home furnishing and more, the company enjoys a strong position as a favorite place to shop for Americans. Adding to the attractiveness and value that can be enjoyed by shoppers are the JC Penney outlet stores and JC Penney's online outlet. Here, bargains can be found in abundance and the same great quality that shoppers have come to expect from JC Penney is also found at JC Penney outlets.

In the U.S., there are twenty actual JC Penney outlets that shoppers can visit. These stores offer an incredible array of bargains, and reviews of these stores are very positive. People find clothing from jeans to party dresses and suits, and housewares and home furnishings from coffee makers to dining sets. Price reductions can be quite extreme. If you live near or are visiting a city with a JC Penney outlet store, you'd do well to stop for an afternoon of shopping. You never know what kinds of great deals you'll find.

Cookware Sets

If you prefer to shop from the comfort of your own home, it's easy to do by visiting the JC Penney outlet online via the JC Penney website at http://www.jcpenney.com. Here you will find that same excellent discounts on quality merchandise for your home and the entire family. Shopping from the online version of JC Penney outlets is a relaxing way to spend some time and find just what you are looking for.

As a highly regarded retailer, JC Penney has a reputation for quality and value. This reputation extends to its great JC Penney outlets and outlet stores online. If it's value at a discount that you're looking for, you need look no further than JC Penney outlets.

JC Penney Outlets

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I Need Some Pots and Pans To Cook In - What Should I Buy?

If you've shopped for cookware recently, you may have gotten a headache from looking at all the choices and brands available. And all of them seem to be telling you the same things - I'm the best; I'm a great value; buy me.

What should you buy? Before you start considering your cookware options consider the following five questions.

Cookware Sets

1) Do you cook for a few people or a lot of people? This will determine how many pots and pans you need and also how big you need them to be.

2) What kind of cooking do you most often do? I like to make homemade soup so a large stockpot is essential for me. On the other hand, I never steam anything on the stovetop (I use an electric steamer) so a stovetop steamer is useless to me. Think about what you cook or what you want to learn how to cook so you can determine what pieces of cookware you'll need.

3) How important is ease of cleanup to you? If you hate cleanup you should probably buy non-stick cookware. If you want to be able to put your cookware in the dishwasher you'll need to look at the sets you're considering to see if it's advisable. For example, hard-anodized aluminum cookware is a very popular type of cookware but the outside of the pots will change color and darken if you wash them in your dishwasher. I own this type of cookware and I love it. But there are days when I don't love having to take the time to hand-wash it, but I do because I don't want it to get discolored in my dishwasher. Most professional cooks prefer stainless steel cookware. It's nice to cook with but clean-up can be fairly time-consuming.

4) What type of stove do you have? Do you have a smooth-top electric stovetop? If you do, you need flat-bottom pots and pans. I didn't think about this when I purchased my smooth-top stove. I quickly discovered my pots and pans weren't flat bottomed and that they didn't work well on my new stove. As a result I had to go buy new cookware that had flat bottoms. If you have an induction cooktop you needs pots and pans with ferrite in them, which means they need to be magnetic.

5) What is your budget? I highly recommend buying the best quality cookware you can afford. The best quality is not always the most expensive cookware available, but it's never the cheapest. If you buy a 9.99 set of cookware, you'll be getting a bargain but you won't be getting a good set of cookware.

Now that you've thought about your needs and know how much you can afford to spend, it's time to go look at cookware. You'll likely be using your cookware every day so you want something that you're comfortable working with. But the number one thing to look for in cookware is weight and heft. Heavier weight cookware won't warp over time which causes you to lose the flat, even cooking surface on the bottom of your pan; and you can control the heat better in heavier weight cookware. I'm not saying you have to buy cookware that you need to join the gym to be able to lift out of the cupboard but don't buy cheap flimsy pots and pans.

If a pan feels like you could bend it, don't buy it. I'm not suggesting you walk into a store, pick up every pot and pan and try to bend it, but look at one of the saucepans. If you push a little on the sides and that saucepan has some "give" to it, it's not going to hold up well on your stove.

To get a good quality cookware set you'll probably need to spend a minimum of 0. If you don't have that much to spend consider buying only the essential pieces you need to get you started such as a 2-quart saucepan, a sauté pan and a stockpot. Add pieces as you can afford them. Although you'll typically get the best value for your money if you buy a cookware set versus buying the individual pieces don't buy a poor quality set just so you have an entire set of cookware. You'll end up spending more money in the long run replacing those pots and pans when they get warped and ruined (which won't take long).

If you take the time to consider your needs, do some shopping around, and purchase the best quality set of cookware you can afford, you're likely to be happy with your purchase for a long time.

I Need Some Pots and Pans To Cook In - What Should I Buy?

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Glass Block For Kitchen Bars, Windows, Walls & Backsplashes

If you're looking to combine the benefits of light transmission, style, durability, and ease of cleaning in your new home or kitchen remodeling project then glass block is the material for you. This unique building product provides the dual benefit of structural stability and decorative beauty. Below you'll find 5 ideas to transform an ordinary kitchen into an extraordinary space.

Idea 1 - Kitchen Bar - The central place where company and family hangs out is around the island or kitchen bar while the meals are being prepared. Let's face it - a standard laminate top with basic wood cabinetry underneath is just not scoring high on the cool scale anymore! If you want color, interest, and functionality a glass block kitchen bar can be used in conjunction with a granite countertop. These bars are generally built 40" high and the counter is set on top of the glass blocks. The bar can be built in either a rounded, angular, or rectangular design (there are radius blocks, angled blocks, and corner blocks to accomplish this objective). If you really want the glass to stand out consider either backlighting the bar wall or using either vibrant or muted colored glass blocks (a project in Minneapolis Minnesota is planning this type of project right now).

Cookware Sets

Idea 2 - Half Wall Room Separator - In many split level homes like you see in the Midwestern United States there is a railing at the end of the kitchen to safely separate the kitchen from the family room that is 5 to 6 steps below. A project in Cleveland Ohio recently used a block separator wall to safely modernize this railing area. The wall was built 32" high by 10 feet long and used finished end and double ended blocks. It was safely tied in with anchors at the side wall (jamb) with panel reinforcing throughout the mortar joints - creating a modernized, safe, and stylish wall in a highly visible area of the home.

Idea 3 - Operable Casement Kitchen Window - If you need privacy, air flow, and a unique style all in one kitchen window consider an operable acrylic block window. A home in Columbus Ohio was built in a subdivision where the homes are only 12 feet apart and the kitchen window is on the side facing the neighbor's windows (not the best situation when you've been laboring around the house and you don't look your best). Using an operable casement acrylic block window the owner can now get air through the window and the privacy they desire. The vinyl framed block window also meets the Energy Star ratings required for this development as well.

Idea 4 - Block Up A Hard To Clean Area Behind the Stove -Have you ever used wall paper behind a stove only to find it splattered and stained from your meals overheating from your cook top? A solution to add style and ease the cleaning of these hard to get to areas is with glass tiles or glass blocks. A project near Boston Massachusetts built a colored block wall behind a pot bellied stove to contrast the old stove with the new contemporary styled block. This wall also had the benefit of transferring light through this interior wall to an adjoining bathroom as well.

Idea 5 - Kitchen backsplashes - The backsplash underneath your kitchen cabinets does not have to be boring anymore. If you'd like to move light in from the outside and add style with an easy to clean material consider using a vinyl framed glass block window system either 8" or 16" finished height in your backsplash. The blocks can be provided in clear glass, colored glass or even decorative patterned blocks (there are contemporary designed blocks, fruit patterns, and over 150 other standard and limitless custom blocks as well). In many cases the blocks can add light and reduce the cost versus using decorative glass tiles in a backsplash.

This is a just a short list of the ways glass blocks can add style, interest, and practical benefits to your next kitchen bar, window, wall, or backsplash project.

Glass Block For Kitchen Bars, Windows, Walls & Backsplashes

Mike Foti is President of Columbus Glass Block, Cleveland Glass Block, Mid America Glass Block Cincinnati, Dayton, Akron & Vice President of Eastern Glass Block New York & New Jersey - nationwide factory direct designers, suppliers & installers of glass block walls, bars, windows, and backsplashes for residential and commercial projects.

Nationwide 877-668-5888

glass block bar

glass block bars

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Learn How to Build Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets add worth to a home along with providing a lot of helpful storage space but they can be very costly. However, if you have prior experience with woodworking you can make cabinets on your own and remove the price of hiring a professional; here's how.

Required Tools

Cookware Sets

Table Saw/circular saw

A doweling jig or a horizontal boring tool

Mallet

Drill

Router

Clamps for gluing

Sandpaper

Required Materials

Cabinet grade plywood for carcass (frame)

Plywood for door, false front insert and kick plate face

1" x 6" oak for face frame

Dowels

Hinges

Knobs

Glue

Finishing nails (6d)

Self drilling screws

Drawer materials and slides (if needed)

Counter top materials

Instructions

The base for the cabinets should be 3¼ inches high and the size should be the same as the floor of the cabinets minus the sides, front and back of the cabinets. Use the table saw or a circular saw to cut the plywood to the desired length and nail it all together.

Use the cabinet grade plywood to create the floor of the cabinet and use a little glue and some finishing nails to hold it to the base. Next glue and nail the sides of the cabinet to the base, using the clamps to secure them in place while you drive the nails. Ensure that the carcass is correctly squared. You can now put in whatever shelving you plan to include.

When the carcass is finished move on to the face frame; cut the oak wood to the required length and then decide where the dowel holes will go and set out the face frame and the stiles (vertical pieces) to make sure that everything fits correctly. Use the doweling jig or horizontal boring tool to drill the required holes for the dowels you are using. Put wood glue on the stiles, dowels and in the dowel holes and then place the dowels into their chosen holes using the mallet to set them properly. Use the clamps to hold the assembly together until the glue dries and everything is dried in position.

Drill holes along the top, middle, bottom and sides of the face frame to keep it to the carcass. Apply glue to the edges of the plywood (the carcass) and the face frame and use clamps to keep the face frame in position. Ensure that the face frame is properly lined up before tightening the clamps. Next nail 6d finishing nails into the pre-drilled holes to secure the face frame in place.

You can choose to order ready-made doors or you can make them too. As with the face frame use dowels, clamps and glue to put the doors together, however, for the doors you need to use the router to create a slot for the door insert. Glue, clamp and nail the drawers together too and install the slides for the drawers and doors.

Install the door inserts and sand down all the segments of the cabinet and then put in the doors and drawers. Fill in all nail holes with wood putty and put on whatever finishing touch you desire like stain, varnish and polyurethane.

Put in the drawers, doors, knobs, handles, hinges and set the cabinet in place. Use a drill and the self drilling screws to secure the cabinets to the wall and lastly, put in the top of the cabinet and you are finished.

Tips and Warnings

Use a clamp to hold a ruler or other straight item onto the plywood when cutting to function as a guide.

Any height or width the counters are to be, build the frame about ¾ of an inch lower and narrower so that the cabinets are the designated size when the doors and counter tops are attached.

Learn How to Build Kitchen Cabinets

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Affordable Renovation With Countertop Resurfacing

Let's face it; remodeling a kitchen can be an expensive prospect. From appliances and paint to floors and countertops, transforming a kitchen completely can require quite a bit of money and time. For most of us, tackling the entire project at once is simply cost-prohibitive. But there are ways to visually transform your kitchen space without breaking the bank. The answer lies in creative solutions to kitchen renovation; and one such idea is that of countertop resurfacing.

There should be no underestimating countertops in their ability to set the tone in a kitchen. Because they cover the space that they do - and because are often the focal point of the kitchen - they dramatically change the style of an area. Changing the countertop will allow you to carry through with the design you desire and visually impact the space with just one renovation.

Cookware Sets

But as dramatic as they are, countertops can also be expensive. And sometimes, changing them completely is not within a standard budget. Luckily there are ways to transform the countertops without having to change them completely; countertop resurfacing is an affordable and easy way to change the look of your kitchen without the mess and expense of replacing the materials completely.

Luckily, most kitchen countertops come in a standard size; this can be a major advantage when it comes to countertop resurfacing as laminate material often comes ready to buy at the standard sizes of most countertops. Today's laminates come in an extensive selection of colors, styles, and textures and because they are mass-produced, they are often extremely affordable.

Laminate material is only about one sixteenth of an inch thick and, therefore, can be handled quite easily. But before you adhere the new laminate to the existing countertop you need first to prepare the countertop itself. Begin by removing the countertop and stripping it of its laminate and glue. This can be done with chemical solutions available at home improvement stores. Once the glue and laminate is removed the exposed wood needs to be sanded smooth in order to create a pliable surface for easy adherence.

Once your surface is ready you can spread the glue for your new laminate. Again, this specific glue can be purchased at a home improvement store. The most important part of this process is to make sure that the glue is spread thinly and evenly over the entire surface. Uneven glue distribution can result in bubbling of the laminate and an uneven countertop surface.

A glue spreader can assist you in making this layer of glue as even as possible. Be sure that the glue reaches the edge of the countertop in order to achieve a proper seal of the laminate to the edges. The edges are critical to countertop resurfacing as edges that are not properly glued down can fold or come loose, exposing the laminate to moisture and subsequent damage.

A heavy roller can be used to roll over the laminate to ensure even adherence of the counter top and glue. Some glue seeping out of the edges is to be expected, and can easily be wiped off before it dries.

Affordable Renovation With Countertop Resurfacing

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