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Ready to remodel your old kitchen? Picking the right materials is easy if you do your homework and there are amazing products out there. When remodeling you’re going to be looking at price point, sanitation, durability and maintenance. This means you must resist the temptation to buy the cheapest or shiniest materials available and go for durable options that can stand up to regular abuse. Keeping those features in mind, here are some materials to avoid during your next kitchen project.
There’s plenty of great laminate out there. It’s the entry-level, plastic laminate that you need to stay away from. These are the ones that look dull and are thin, as opposed to richly textured and durable. They scratch easily, and if the product underneath the laminate gets wet, it can delaminate the countertop and chip easily. For an average 10-by-20-foot kitchen, laminate will cost about $3,000. At that price point, it’s scary to think that one misplaced hot pan will result in a melted disaster zone.
At the lower price point, about $2.50 per square foot, the cheapest sheet vinyl floorings tend to be thin. If your vinyl floor is glued down and the underlayment gets delaminated, from water seeping from your dishwasher or refrigerator, you’ll get bubbles in your floor. You spend all day stepping on your floor, so quality really matters.
A nice shine can be eye-catching. But an eye-catching finish comes with a hefty price tag. High-gloss cabinetry can be in the thousands of dollars. About 20 layers of lacquer go on a cabinet for the high-gloss look. But ding it or scratch it, and it’s a multi-step process for repairing them–talk about a costly repair.
Flat paint has that sophisticated, velvety, rich look we all love. But keep it in the bedroom because it’s not kitchen-friendly. Flat paint, also known as matte paint, has durability issues. One splatter of chili sauce, and you’ve ruined the paint job. Instead, you want to use high-gloss or semi-gloss paint on your walls. They can withstand harsh scrubbing before breaking down.
Backsplashes come in glass, metal, and iridescent tiles, plus much more, which are undoubtedly fun and tempting. They can also be expensive, ranging from $5 to $220 a square foot. However, at the end of the day tastes change–it’s just a matter of when. For this reason, as well as pricing, it’s best to avoid trendy colors and materials when it comes to permanently adhering something to your kitchen walls. Stick with a classic subway tile at $2 to $3 square foot. Or, even more budget friendly, choose an integrated backsplash that matches your countertop material.
The cheaper products mentioned above may save you a bit of money up front, but in the long run they will cost way more to repair and manage. There are many high-quality products out there with reasonable costs and at Terry’s Plumbing it’s our goal to bring them to our customers! If you are ready to remodel your kitchen, schedule a consultation with us today.
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