Why Do So Many People Choose Cherry Kitchen Cabinets?

By Scott Dostal, CEO
Kitchen Cabinet Value

 

The most popular kitchen cabinets across all parts of the country are Cherry. Cherry kitchen cabinets are a very popular choice in luxury homes and for high-end kitchen remodeling projects. The price of cherry wood may be a factor in the selection of cherry for these homes, yet the beauty of cherry, as well as its versatility and durability are clearly the primary considerations in the choice.

glazed cherry, kitchen cabinet value

The rich beauty of cherry cabinetry is undeniable.

Cherry has been very popular for furniture, flooring, doors, paneling and cabinetry since the early days of European colonization of the U.S. because it is unique among the hardwoods. Cherry is popular in homes because its color, grain, and propensity for unique curls, streaks, patterns and even an occasional pin knot. Each of these features makes the cherry wood selected for a particular piece of furniture, etc. unique.

Cherry has two inherent characteristics that make it desirable for use in furniture, cabinetry, etc. The first is that the tight grain results in a smooth finish.  Smooth wood is ideal for stains and finishes. Cherry seldom requires stain, however. Protective finishes and waxes are typically applied to achieve either a matte or a glossy finish and to protect the wood. A protective finish is especially appropriate in the kitchen due to potential effects of heat and steam.

The second inherent characteristic of cherry that makes it desirable in the home is its tendency to darken over time when exposed to light. This natural “aging” retains the liveliness of the color and grain of cherry wood.

Because cherry is not the hardest of the hardwoods, it lends itself to carving. For this reason, cherry kitchen cabinets often are used for more design-intensive door styles and for unique carving and decorative moldings in custom cabinetry. However, the natural grain and beauty of the wood also can be showcased in the simpler or more contemporary cabinet door styles.

Cherry cabinetry will bring unique warmth to any kitchen, but it is particularly vibrant in a professional style kitchen with copper or stainless steel appliances, range hood, or other accents. In fact, when all of the characteristics of cherry are taken together, each set of kitchen cabinets takes on a particular personality. This is a highly desirable characteristic in a custom kitchen design when creating something unique is a primary goal.

The natural beauty and warmth of cherry kitchen cabinets are the main reason they are popular with so many people. If a homeowner wants to create a truly unique and beautiful kitchen design, it is hard to beat cherry cabinetry. By working with your cabinetmaker, you can choose special pieces of cherry wood that offer unique characteristics – pin knots, grain, etc. – for specific places in your kitchen. The result will be great beauty, personality, and durability. The result will be well worth the additional cost of cherry kitchen cabinets.

Home Prices Rise and Kitchen Remodeling Becomes a Smart Investment Again

By Scott Dostal

There is no denying that when home prices rise, kitchen remodeling becomes a smart investment again. During the last week, you might have heard that demand for existing homes is up about 22 percent (on average) from a year ago. Inventory of available existing homes is up only 17 percent. What is more, home prices in U.S. markets are up about eight percent (on average).

kitchen cabinet value

customized cabinetry offers the beauty and practicality of custom cabinets and a fraction of the cost

In many markets, exiting homes that offer the most desirable features become the object of bidding wars, even bidding up the price of a home by as much as 10 percent over the listing price. Not only is it a good time to sell, it is also a good time to remodel in anticipation of selling in the future. According to HGTV, the top ten features homebuyers want in 2013 are:

  1.  Central air conditioning
  2.  New kitchen appliances
  3.  A Walk-in Closet in the Master Bedroom
  4.  Granite Countertops
  5.  Hardwood Floors
  6.  Ensuite master bathroom
  7.  Kitchen Island
  8.  Stainless Steel Appliances
  9.  Eat-in Kitchen
  10.  One or more fireplaces

Many homeowners were understandably reluctant to invest in home remodeling during the recent economic crisis. However, as the demand for existing homes rebounds and prices increase due to low inventory, the investment in home remodeling begins to make far more sense. In fact, remodeling increased by 12 percent in April alone. Of those remodeling in April, 54 percent said their reason for remodeling was to increase the value of their homes.

With half of the top features buyers want in homes related to kitchen amenities and features, the first room of the house to consider remodeling must be the kitchen. According to Forbes, the average cost of kitchen remodeling is:

                Low budget remodel                      $7,133

                Mid-range remodel                        $22,390

                High-end remodel                           $54,942

A more important question for many homeowners is how a kitchen remodel will affect the price of the home at resale. According to the remodeling industry, the cost vs. value assessment looks like this:

                Major kitchen remodel                 Cost: $53,931     Resale Value: $37,139    Recouping 69% of cost

                Minor kitchen remodel                 Cost: $18,527     Resale Value: $13,977    Recouping 75% of cost

HGTV estimates the impact on resale value of the home slightly higher at 80 – 105 percent of cost.

In terms of remodeling an existing space, the kitchen is typically the most expensive room of the house to upgrade. Enlarging the space adds further cost. What makes kitchen remodeling so expensive? In most cases, cabinetry and appliances account for more than half of the cost. Kitchen remodeling costs (on average) break down this way:

  •   35% Cabinets
  •   20% Labor
  •   20% Appliances
  •   10% Windows
  •    5% Fixtures
  •    3% Fittings
  •    7% Other

Cabinets, as the largest portion of the kitchen remodel cost, are significant:

                High-end Kitchen Remodel cost                                $54,942 (average)   x  35%  =  $19,229.70
                Mid-range kitchen remodel cost                               $22,390 (average)   x  35%  =  $  7,836.50
                Low budget kitchen remodel cost            $  7,133 (average)    x  35%  =  $ 2,396.55

There are, of course, several grades of materials and workmanship in kitchen cabinets. There are also several ways to buy kitchen cabinets, including the pre-manufactured modular units now offered by some companies. Your choices will be limited, and units will come in “standard” sizes.

There is another way to buy high quality cabinets, get exactly what you want, and get custom sizes and features. What is more, they can be installed in your kitchen, with granite countertops, for as much as 60 percent less than the cost of the custom cabinets you might want. The process, called customization, takes high quality cabinets in standard sizes and a cabinetmaker resizes them to specification. They can also be fitted with organizational inserts, customized for refrigerated drawers, and used to create unique units for special items.

Home prices are rising, making kitchen remodeling a very smart investment for those thinking about selling in a year or two. With cabinet customization, you can have kitchen cabinets of higher value for lower cost, thus increasing the percentage of your investment you can recoup when you sell your home. You can increase the value of your home and increase the amount of the remodeling cost you will recoup when you sell your home.

 

What is the Smartest Way to Buy Kitchen Cabinets?

Nobody wants to spend more than necessary when building or remodeling. The kitchen is typically the most expensive room of the house (or one of the most expensive). Cabinetry is one of the largest costs in most kitchens. Whether you want to save time, save money or find a way to add specialized cabinets and organizational devices without going over budget, it is important to explore your options. This is why so many homeowners ask, “What is the smartest way to buy kitchen cabinets?”

There are five ways to buy kitchen cabinets. Your decision about buying cabinets for your home will factor in installation and assembly time and cost, prices, availability of what you want, your ability to work with standard cabinet sizes only, and the number of specialty cabinets or cabinets with organizational devices you need.

glazed cherry, kitchen cabinet value

1. Knock-down cabinets –You can usually take these least expensive cabinets home from the store on the day you purchase them. You will probably need to assemble them. They are available only in standard sizes and will have little, if any, customization and typically do not include organizers.

2. Stock cabinets – The next step in price, stock cabinets are mass-produced in a factory. Choices will be limited to a few styles and finishes (usually the most popular at the time). They are also available in standard sizes only.

3. Semi-custom cabinets – Semi-custom cabinetry is also available only in standard sizes. However, you will find more varieties in styles and finishes. This is a good option if you want a specific style in a particular finish.

4. Custom cabinets – Custom cabinets have been the traditional way to get exactly what you want in your kitchen cabinetry. As the name implies, you can have anything you want in your cabinets – any wood or material, any finish, any style, any accessories, and any sizes. This is the most expensive way to purchase cabinets, but the result will be unique.

5. Customized cabinets – By choosing the semi-custom or stock cabinets you want and engaging a good cabinetmaker to customize them, you can create the kitchen you want without paying the price of custom cabinets. In this case, you buy the cabinets in the style and finish you want. The cabinetmaker then modifies the cabinets (invisibly) to the custom sizes you need and adds the accessories, organizers, and specialty cabinets and drawers you want. This option gives you the best of both worlds – a custom kitchen at a much lower price.

Special Offer

Glazed Maple, Glazed Cherry, Shaker Natural, Shaker Espresso. No one beats our value on kitchen cabinets. All cabinets are premium grade. Features include:

  • Plywood cabinet boxes – NO particle board
  • Solid wood, dovetail drawers front and back
  • Full extension, soft close, drawer glides
  • Free kitchen designs and quotes

What do you have to lose? Already have a quote from a competitor? Come and check out our displays. Bring your plan and design and save big!

Below photos are examples of what the cabinets look like. The price includes 8 feet of upper and lower cabinets for $1750; these retail for over $4,000.

Call 586-884-8812
www.kitchencabinetvalue.com
Our Name says it ALL!

Glazed Cherry

Shaker Natural

Glazed Maple

Shaker Cherry

Glazed White

Shaker Espresso

Custom Kitchen Cabinetry

Custom Kitchen Cabinetry

Our custom kitchen cabinetry provides custom cabinetry at an affordable cost.

To the great surprise of many homeowners, it is possible to remodel a kitchen with affordable custom kitchen cabinetry. The phrase itself seems to be a contradiction in terms – affordable combined with custom cabinetry. Knowing the secret of how to find affordable custom kitchen cabinetry, however, permits you to fill your renovated kitchen with the beauty, durability and flexibility of high-end custom cabinetry for about the cost of stock cabinets in most home improvement stores.

Your reason for wanting custom kitchen cabinetry for your new kitchen might be:

  • Your preference for a particular wood
  • Your desire to have a specific wood finish
  • Wanting the beauty of the highest quality custom kitchen cabinetry
  • Wanting the durability of the best cabinet construction
  • Need for flexibility in cabinet sizes
  • Desire to include organizational inserts
  • Desire to cover specialty appliances with matching wood
  • Desire for custom placement of traditional items
  • Desire for counters either higher or lower than standard

A significant challenge in planning and designing a kitchen remodel is matching the project budget with the cost of all of the items you want to include. Custom kitchen cabinetry is commonly the first desire homeowners must sacrifice in the struggle to keep the project on budget. These homeowners, however, do not know the secret of affordable custom kitchen cabinetry.

Here is the secret you need to know to fill your remodeled kitchen with affordable custom kitchen cabinetry. Work with a very good local cabinetmaker to design your remodel and have your cabinetmaker customize high quality stock cabinets to meet your needs. All of the reasons you have for believing you need custom kitchen cabinetry can be built by a good cabinetmaker with high-end stock cabinets.

Kitchen Cabinet Value is just such a local cabinetmaker.

We can help you plan your new kitchen cabinetry in a way that involves the least modification of your stock cabinets. Next, we will work with you to determine the best places for cabinets you want modified in some way. Then we will take your stock cabinets to our workshop and customize them into the custom kitchen cabinetry you thought was only a dream.

Kitchen Cabinet Value  will be able to evaluate all of the stock cabinetry options available to you. You can then purchase the best cabinets available in the wood and the finish you want. You will be able to make your selection with full knowledge of the cost of having the cabinets customized for your remodel.

We will work with stock cabinets to re-size cabinets as necessary. The work will be invisible. When installed, nobody who sees your cabinets will know you did not spend a fortune on custom kitchen cabinetry.

We will also work with you to find or build the inserts needed to organize your drawers and to make everything in a cabinet easily accessible. We will design, build and install matching covers for appliances. Floor mounted cabinets can be modified to the desired height.

When we complete our work and install your new cabinets, everyone will think you spent a fortune on your beautiful cabinets. What’s more, you will have unique specialty cabinets designed to meet your particular needs and wants.

We have purchasing agreements with cabinet manufacturers and distributors that further reduce the cost of your kitchen by allowing us to buy stock cabinets at a deep discount and pass the discount on to you. You never need to tell your friends and neighbors that you actually paid about the same amount for your customized cabinets as they paid for lower quality stock cabinets. You can achieve this kind of savings when you remodel or renovate because you know the secret of buying affordable custom kitchen cabinetry.

 

Country Kitchen Cabinets

 

Country kitchen cabinets determine design in creating the distinctive character of each kitchen. Everyone loves the warmth of a country kitchen. Whether this feeling comes from memories of a grandmother’s (or great-grandmother’s) kitchen or the style itself, the single design element that defines any kitchen will be the combination of cabinets.

The primary characteristic of a country kitchen is flexibility, uniqueness, ease of use and comfort. Cabinets are selected for character, usefulness and personal taste. Within the country kitchen style, however, there are several types, including

  • English country
  • Victorian
  • French
  • Cottage
  • Arts and crafts
  • Rustic cabin
  • American farmhouse
  • Old World style

The country kitchen style is eclectic in many ways. This offers the freedom to express personal style and taste, to design something truly unique and to ensure the greatest functionality. Cabinets are chosen to reflect these characteristics and to express individuality.

Country style cabinets are typically built with warm natural wood, sometimes with a “pickled” or “bleached” finish, or they are painted in cheerful colors. Cabinets are typically mismatched in color/wood tone and in style and often include an accent piece that might be a free-standing cabinet or a large table that functions as a work island.

Selecting country kitchen cabinets can be great fun because you can truly express the character of your family or the nature of family life in your home. The goal will usually be to create a kitchen that is warm, inviting and accessible. Kitchens are typically the place where the family gathers and where friends and family are entertained.

Cabinets are sometimes selected for elegance, in which cases, all of the cabinets will match in color. More commonly there will be at least one major piece of cabinetry made of a different wood or painted a different color. Open shelves, glass panel cabinet doors, storage bins, wood range/cooktop hoods and the like combine with exposed apron sinks, antique-style faucets and fixtures, and rustic floor coverings combine to create a lived-in look and feel.

The freedom in selecting country kitchen cabinets permits your unique personality to find expression and an opportunity to explore variations in door styles, knobs and drawer pulls and other touches that will make every kitchen unique. Beadboard panel, square raised panel, beaded frame and panel, reveal overlay-panel and frame, and panel are very popular cabinet door style choices. These styles can all be combined freely.

When designing the layout of the room, a country kitchen generally includes many different specialty cabinets, drawers and cupboards to maximize space and function for the cook and for the entire family. Glass panel vegetable bins combine very nicely with specially fitted pull out spice shelves, refrigerated drawers, warming ovens, wine coolers and storage units.

The great freedom and flexibility presents the greatest opportunity and the greatest challenge in kitchen design, especially if the remodeling budget is limited. The first thought about country kitchen cabinets is often “custom cabinets.” For many families, however, the cost of custom cabinetry is prohibitive.

Kitchen Cabinet Value works with high quality stock and semi-custom cabinets and customizes them to your specifications. We can often create the country kitchen you want at about the cost of some semi-custom cabinetry. At an affordable price, you can have the high-quality cabinet styles you want and have them customized to serve specific purposes and make a specific contribution to the total design of your kitchen.

Country kitchen cabinets can be easier to combine and select that you might think. Kitchen Cabinet Value can save you time, money and provide exactly what you want in your kitchen.

 

Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Oak Kitchen Cabinets

Oak kitchen cabinets provide timeless beauty.

One of the most important decisions made when remodeling a kitchen is the material and style of the kitchen cabinets. Particularly in North America and parts of Europe it is natural to ask if oak kitchen cabinets a good choice. The answer is very simple, oak cabinets are always a good choice.

Oak has a very distinctive grain that is not similar to any other trees. Oak kitchen cabinets are desirable for a number of reasons:

  • Oak is very hard. English oak has a harder surface than many other varieties, making it especially popular for furniture.
  • Oak is known for its unique open grain.
  • Oak is synonymous with strength and sturdiness.
  • Oak is heavy.
  • Oak is strong and durable, making oak kitchen cabinets a very good choice.
  • Oak is often associated with dignity.
  • Oak is very desirable for furniture and for this reason oak kitchen cabinets are prized.

Types of Oak

There are nearly 300 varieties of oak throughout the world. At least 50 varieties grow in North America. Most oak is divided into one of two types or families: white oak and red oak. White oak tends to be less porous and more durable. It is believed by many to have a better color than red oak, and for this reason it is often preferred for furniture and kitchen cabinets. White oak has a finer texture and a more prominent figure. It is more resistant to moisture and fungus. This is a major reason oak kitchen cabinets are so popular. Red oak tends to have a reddish cast and a coarser texture.

Two Ways to Cut Oak

When building oak kitchen cabinets or oak furniture, it is possible to choose strait or plain cut oak or quarter-sawn oak. The difference will be very obvious. Oak has strips of a special tissue that radiates from the center of the tree or log out to the edge. These strips of tissue look a great deal like spokes of a wheel. When the log is cut through by quarter sawing, the boards will show flakes of smooth wood. The effect can be very beautiful. Quarter sawing does not produce the same effect in narrow strips, but it can be spectacular in cabinet doors.

Oak kitchen cabinets can create a truly beautiful and luxurious room. When matched with oak window and door frames, chair rail, and other trim, as well as oak kitchen stools, table and chairs, etc. the total effect can be breathtaking. Mixing the right varieties of oak can eliminate sameness and produce a result that is totally unique. This makes oak kitchen cabinets an outstanding choice for your kitchen remodel.

 

Custom Kitchen Cabinets

 

You Can Afford Custom Kitchen Cabinets!

The dream of many homeowners would be to have beautiful custom kitchen cabinets. But the cost of custom kitchen cabinets makes it impossible for many homeowners to realize that dream. Many homeowners decide to remodel or upgrade their kitchens and settle for what they believe they can afford. But settling for something less than what you want is not necessary. You can have the beauty and the flexibility of custom cabinets without the cost. Here is the secret.

There are several reasons people choose custom kitchen cabinets. They include:

  • Freedom to choose the exact wood they want
  • Custom sizes in cabinets
  • Specialty cabinetry
  • Special accessibility options
  • Special organizational features
  • Special height
  • Special door styles

Many home improvement stores carry only a limited number of woods or wood finishes. If, for example, you wanted cherry cabinets, you would be out of luck at many stores. It is rare to build or remodel a kitchen in a way that provides all of the storage options a homeowner might choose without a need for some custom kitchen cabinets. It might be that you have an extra three inches beside the dishwasher, or you have an extra six inches in a corner. You might also want a unit with deeper drawers than are available in the stock sizes.

Many homeowners today want the special features available only with custom kitchen cabinets, such as drawers that hold refrigerator units or pot racks or with either racks for canned goods or lazy Susans to provide easy access to everything stored in a cabinet. Some homeowners also need their base cabinets to be either an inch or two higher or lower for accessibility. Some families also need customized pull-out work surfaces and special cabinet depth to accommodate the needs of someone confined to a wheelchair. Finally, some people want custom kitchen cabinets in order to do something special with moldings, soffits, cabinet doors and corners to make their kitchen truly their own.

The good news is that homeowners can have many of the features of custom kitchen cabinets at a fraction of the price by working with a good cabinet maker. A good cabinet maker can install the cabinets you need by installing stock size cabinets wherever possible. When a special size is needed, he can alter a stock cabinet to fit the space and the need. Your cabinet maker can also help you find or install the organizational or accessibility features you want. And if you want a specialty cabinet, he can modify a stock cabinet to do the job for a fraction of the cost of custom kitchen cabinets.

The best news is the price. For a mere fraction of the cost of custom kitchen cabinets, a good cabinet maker can work with stock cabinets and meet almost every specification you have for your new kitchen cabinets. What is more, a cabinet maker with a direct purchasing agreement can do the job for about 40% of the cost of buying stock cabinets from a home improvement store. You can get the look and the features of custom kitchen cabinets without the cost.

 

Google+