Kitchen Materials: Man-made Flooring and Carpet Tiles (Flor)
Flooring has been manufactured for many years going back to the old patterned linoleum floors of the forties made of a mixture containing linseed oil in a binder. If you are removing or working in a house with these old floors, bear in mind that many of them contain asbestos and should only be removed […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Materials: Moldings and Trim
Even an architecturally challenged room can be made interesting by the judicious use of quality moldings and door and window trim. On the other hand overblown fancy chair rails, picture moldings and crown moldings can turn a simple kitchen into a rococo nightmare. Well designed trim work installed by a skilled finish carpenter is one […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Materials: Wall Coverings and Paint
Wall Coverings
Printed and textural wall coverings are popular in kitchens and the range of choice is truly mind-boggling. Bear in mind when considering wallpaper or vinyl wall covering that they will be exposed to smoke, grease, steam and other corrosive elements that can cause them to fail or become dingy over time. Choose wall coverings […]
Kitchen Materials: Fabric
Fabrics are an important part of the material world although in most kitchens they are kept away from work areas because of staining and fire considerations. However upholstery, window treatments and carpeting all contribute significantly to the overall look of many kitchens and should be in your design palette. You can use the colors in […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Materials: Glass
Glass doors, particularly on upper cabinetry give a kitchen an added source of light and provide display options. Glass is available in many finishes including modern clear safety glass, sandblasted finishes, molded finishes like ripples and other patterns, antique glass with its charming imperfections, acid-etched and many other choices. Mirrored glass can be used to […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Materials: Concrete
In the last ten years, partially driven by the industrial loft movement, concrete has become a popular material in kitchens for both floors and counters. Properly finished concrete has a high polish and should not be porous. Concrete floors can having heating systems embedded in them to warm the room and take the chil out […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Materials: Solid Surfaces
Man-made Solid Surfacing Materials
There are many man-made substitutes for stone counters. Known generically as solid surfacing materials, they are found under brand names like Corian. Worked like solid wood with routers, saws and drills and assembled with special glues, they offer a seamless, hard, solid material that resembles marble or granite. Stains can be cleaned […]
Kitchen Materials: Metals and Metallic Laminates
Kitchens are full of metal both as a surface material and in cookware. Common metals and finishes include stainless steel, enameled steel and cast iron, cast copper and brass hardware and anodized aluminum. Anodizing is a durable, transparent colored stain finish for aluminum. You’ll find metal on appliances, as hardware, as cabinet material, on counters […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Materials: Stone
Stone has been used in kitchens since the beginning of time, appearing on floors, work surfaces and as a material for sinks and wood or coal stoves. It is durable and has a timeless, natural look that will hold up virtually forever. Popular types of stone used in kitchens include marble for floors and counters, […]
Read More..>>Kitchen Materials: Ceramic and Glass Tiles
Ceramic Tile: Best for Back-splashes and Floors
Ceramic tile appears in kitchens as flooring, counters, wall surfaces and back-splashes. Tile requires an extremely rigid and strong substrate, usually cement or a special backer board made of concrete material. Without this rigid backing, tile and its grout can crack and tile repairs are very difficult to match […]
