Kitchen Countertops Archives - MastersKitchenBath.com

3 Things You Need to Know About Choosing a Kitchen Sink

Kitchen sinks come in all shapes and sizes. Choosing a kitchen sink may sound easy; however, there are a few things to consider. Are you keeping the same countertop and just replacing the sink? If so, then you will have to go with the same style as your old sink. If this is a kitchen remodel and you are going with a completely different look, then an apron sink or undermount sink could be an option. You must also keep in mind that drains and faucets are separate costs, so consider your overall budget when choosing the whole look. Let’s dive into the three most popular options and talk about the pros and cons.

Topmount Sink

Topmount sinks are considered to be more traditional and often cost-effective. They can also be referred to as drop-in sinks. The lip around the entire edge of the sink rests on the top of the counter.

Pros:

Overall drop-in sinks are less expensive and typically cost $200 less than an undermount sink.
You don’t have to have a solid surface for a drop-in sink. Drop-in sinks work with all styles of countertops.

Cons:

Unless your topmount sink is practically seamless to the counter, it can be hard to clean. Food crumbs and counter debris can get stuck. Routine cleaning is necessary to avoid excess build-up.
Topmount sinks are a more traditional look, and it could be hard to find a modern looking style.

Undermount Sink

Undermount sinks range from $100 to $1000 or more. There is a wide variety of types and styles to choose from. You’ll likely have to consider installation costs as well, which can range from $50-$100.

Pros:

Undermount sinks do not have a lip, so they are easier to clean. You can sweep the crumbs off the counter and into the sink, and you don’t have to worry about food getting stuck under the lip.
The overall look of an undermount sink looks sleek and clean. They have a stylish and aesthetically pleasing look.

Cons:

Not all counter types are intended for undermount sinks. Granite, marble, and limestone work well with undermount sinks. The laminate countertop is not an option.
Installing an undermount sink isn’t for the new DIYer. We recommend contacting a professional to help with installation.

Other Sink Options

Bowl types is another factor when choosing a sink. You have the choice between the double bowl and a single bowl. Some bowls are divided evenly, 50/50, or you can find them 60/40 and 70/30. You’ll also have to consider the depth and determine how much space you have beneath your sink. Think about your current dishwashing routine, do you wash on one side and rinse on the other? Do you need a large sink for washing large dishes (think holidays and family gatherings)?

Apron sinks or farmhouse sinks have become very popular in the past few years. They have a modern and sleek look with the front-facing surface exposed. The basin of the sink is typically deeper, so they accommodate more substantial dishes. Apron sinks generally are more on the expensive side, and you’ll also have to hire a professional for installation.

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage development, ordering, and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their homes with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations where our seasoned project manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs and considerations, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.

We are proud to offer beautiful, and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.

Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights.

October 21, 2019/by Goran

Kitchen Remodel

Complete Kitchen Remodel – Final Steps

For the past six weeks, we have discussed kitchen remodeling from why you should remodel your kitchen, design and planning to flooring and cabinet installation.

We are on the final steps of the complete kitchen remodel. In this last blog, we’ll walk through appliance installation, wiring fixtures, and plumbing. We’ll finish with inspections which will round out all the steps for a kitchen remodel.

Appliance, Plumbing, and Fixtures

A plumber or a DIYer can do the appliance installation. You’ll need someone that has experience connecting the water supply to the refrigerator, dishwasher, sink, and faucet. An air gap must be installed for your dishwasher and countertop. Run a few tests to ensure installation is complete and there are no leaks. Contact your electrician to finish out the receptacle plates, fixtures, and ductwork. Electrical work can be an easy job for a homeowner. If you called in the professionals for initial wiring and plumbing work, its a good idea to have them come out for the final tasks.

Final Inspections

It’s time to go through the checklist and ensure all the tasks are complete. If you worked with a general contractor, make sure you perform a final walk-through. Keep note of the things that still need attention. Carefully inspect every aspect of the project. If you feel confident and satisfied with the work, there is one final step – inspection.

Your general contractor would make arrangements for final inspection and permits. If this were a DIY project, you would need to contact inspectors yourself.

All your kitchen needs is a good cleaning. Once the cleaning is done, you’ll have a brand new kitchen to break in. Whether it was a grueling eight weeks or several months, you will celebrate your decision to remodel your kitchen.

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage construction, ordering and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their home with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations. Our seasoned Project Manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.

We are proud to offer beautiful and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.

Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights

August 21, 2019/by Goran

Blog, Kitchen Remodel

Kitchen Flooring and Cabinet Installation

For the past few weeks, we have been working through the steps of a kitchen remodel. We started with why it’s a good idea to remodel your kitchen, to the design and planning phase. We dove into what life would look like living without a kitchen, and last week, we discussed plumbing, wiring, and HVAC.

At this point in the process, we are more than halfway through the steps involved in a kitchen remodel.

Let’s discuss flooring!

Before cabinets, appliances, and fixture installation, the flooring must be complete. Flooring installation can take a week or so, especially if you have subcontractors doing the work and the type of flooring you have chosen is considered.

Flooring Options

Sheet Vinyl – If you are going with a less expensive type of floor, sheet vinyl is a great option and typically takes 1-2 days. It’s perfect for the DIYer, and not a lot of labor is required.

Ceramic Tile – Another good option for a DIYer is ceramic tile. Doing it yourself can save time and money; however, it requires some patience. To properly adhere the tile to the floor, you will need a cement backer board so the flooring can adhere to thin-set mortar. Hiring a professional for this job could cost you a lot with substantial labor expenses.

Engineered Wood – The industry has come a long way, and one of the most popular flooring options is engineered wood. It looks and feels like solid hardwood but a much more affordable option. This flooring option is relatively easy for DIYers to install.

Laminate Flooring – Another popular option as it’s relatively easy for someone looking to install it themselves. It’s also on the lower end as far as pricing. Great for moisture-rich areas as it’s easy to clean.

Solid Hardwood – Many people steer clear from solid hardwoods as they can be a lot to keep up with over time if not correctly cared for. Installing hardwoods requires a lot of equipment, and we suggest contacting a professional to do the job.

Cabinet and Countertop Installation

After the flooring installation has occurred, the next step in the kitchen remodel is installing the cabinets and countertops. If you are doing the kitchen remodel on your own, this would be a good time to call some friends to help you out. Depending on where you purchased your cabinets, the supplier should have a crew that can help with installation.

Countertops can be tricky as it seems easy to do. However, if you have chosen tile for your counters, it’s best to hire a professional to do the work. Silestone, Formica, and Corian will most likely need to be installed by the supplier. Most suppliers will require a contractor to purchase the materials so it would be difficult for the DIYer to buy. Granite, marble, and quartz are extremely heavy, so your best option is to hire a professional.

In the next blog, we will be discussing appliances and fixtures, and then we will be on closing out with a fully remodeled kitchen.

About Masters Kitchen and Bath

Masters Kitchen & Bath has been providing top quality construction, cabinetry, and design on kitchen renovations and remodeling since 2004. We coordinate and manage construction, ordering and installation. Masters help homeowners get more enjoyment from their home with new kitchen designs that blend beautifully with their new or existing home decor. Visualize your complete kitchen remodel by visiting our showroom. We also offer consultations. Our seasoned Project Manager will inspect your job site, listen to your specific needs, and offer you design suggestions that best meet your needs.

We are proud to offer beautiful and American made Decora and Kemper Cabinets.

Masters Kitchen & Bath serve the following areas: Addison, Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Norridge, Northbrook, Northfield, Oak Park, Palatine, Park Ridge, Prospect Heights

August 14, 2019/by Goran