Selecting Granite Countertops

The Kitchen Gallery has a lot of granite samples for you to look at…  These samples vary in size from 3 x 3 inches to 10 x 10 inches.  However, looking at these small samples is not the best way to select your granite countertop.  Granite can be very unique from one slab to the other.  So it would be best to select your granite slab(s) from a distributor, where you can see the full slab of granite.

One granite distributor Kitchen Gallery often suggests is Boston Granite Exchange in Haverhill, Massachusetts.  They are one of the largest distributors and most conveniently located.  They unusually have around 300 different granite and marble options to choose from.  Boston Granite Exchange also distributes quartz countertops.  They carry a brand called Cambria, made in the USA.  The advantage to using quartz which is man made, is it doesn’t need to be sealed like granite.  CLICK HERE to learn about sealing countertops.

A granite distributor only sells granite, marble or quartz.  They don’t cut the granite before it goes in your home.  A granite fabricator will template, cut and install your granite in your home.  Granite fabricators will purchase the granite from a granite distributor like Boston Granite Exchange.

When choosing your stone, it is important to understand how much square footage you have for countertop and backsplash (if wanted).  Most slabs of stone will yield about 45 square feet.  So if you have 80 square feet of countertop and/or backsplash…  Then you will need 2 slabs of material for your job.  For your particular job, ask the Kitchen Gallery how many square feet you need before making the trip to Boston Granite Exchange.

Also, when you select a slab, if you need more than one slab…  Make sure they are coming from the same lot number.  Stone distributors will show lot numbers on the side of the stone.  One lot of stone can be very different from another lot of stone.

Also, before making the trip to a distributor, it would be a good idea to have some information about pricing your countertop job.  The Kitchen Gallery should give you some pricing information with “GROUP A”, “GROUP B”, and “GROUP C” pricing…  So you have a feel as to how much things cost.  Distributors will try to color code the stone slabs.  The price of the stone is base on supply and demand or how rare the stone is.  It is not so often price on the quality of the stone.  If you select from Boston Granite Exchange, you will more than likely get a good quality material for your kitchen.

When you walk into Boston Granite Exchange, reception will likely greet you and ask who your fabricator is…  You can say that you are working with the Kitchen Gallery.  They will want to know that so they can put it on their tagging paperwork.

If you like one or more slabs of granite.  “Tag” them…  When you “tag” material it is held for 7 days.  Long enough for the Kitchen Gallery to update pricing for that specific slab(s) of granite and your project.  In the case of Boston Granite Exchange, they will give you “hold” paperwork when you tag material, this paperwork will have the information needed on it for the Kitchen Gallery to update pricing.

Hopefully, the above post has given you a better understanding on the granite selection process.  If the Kitchen Gallery can further clarify, please let us know.

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from http://nhkitchens.com/selecting-granite-countertops/

Georgetown Massachusetts — Ashley and Andre

Made a video of the kitchen design
There are probably a few more measurements that need adjusting

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from http://nhkitchens.com/georgetown-massachusetts-ashley-andre/

Starmark Full Overlay Door Styles 2016

Click on the link below to have a look at Starmark cabinetry’s full overlay door styles

starmark-full-overlay-door-styles

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from http://nhkitchens.com/starmark-full-overlay-door-styles-2016/

Painted or Tinted Varnish Expectations

Below are what to expect from a painted or tinted varnish finish…

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from http://nhkitchens.com/painted-tinted-varnish-expectations/

Inset Cabinetry Considerations

A few things you should consider when ordering cabinets that are of the inset construction…

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from http://nhkitchens.com/inset-cabinetry-considerations/

Hinge Adjustment Screw

Below is an image of a cabinet hinge…  The adjustment screw in the front adjusts the tilt of the door.
Best way to learn how it works is to move the screw back and forth…  From time to time or from a change in season, because wood expands and contracts, you may need to use this screw to keep your doors in alignment.

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from http://nhkitchens.com/cabinet-hinge-adjustment-screw/

Kitchen Remodel Seating and Walkway Clearances

Often times customers want and island with seating in their new kitchen.

Below are some guidelines to consider taken directed from the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s guide book entitled “Kitchen & Bathroom – Planning Guidelines with Access Standards.

 

 

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from http://nhkitchens.com/kitchen-remodel-seating-walkway-clearances/

Houzz — 30 Design Mistakes You Should Never Make

Below is a link to some good advise if you are considering a remodeling project for your home…

So You Say: 30 Design Mistakes You Should Never Make

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from http://nhkitchens.com/houzz-30-design-mistakes-never-make/

Starmark Cabinet Construction

If you click on the link below, you will get details on how the Starmark full and partial overlay face framed cabinet is constructed.  The Kitchen Gallery has Starmark cabinets at out location if you would like to see the construction in person.  I think you will be impressed.  One unique feature Starmark offers is 3/4 thick plywood sides.  This upgraded feature is often free when Starmark is running an active promotion.

CLICK HERE for the Starmark Cabinet Specifications

The post Starmark Cabinet Construction appeared first on Kitchen Gallery -- cabinets, countertops, design and installation.

from http://nhkitchens.com/starmark-cabinet-construction/

How to Measure a Kitchen

Below is a video that takes a very common kitchen layout and presents what measurements are necessary in order to get started with a floor plan design for a kitchen.  Your kitchen might be a mirrored image of what is in the video, but the same concept applies.  Customers will record their measurements on a piece of paper with rough drawing of the room.  Then they take a photo of the drawing with their cell phone.  Then e-mail it.  If you have a kitchen layout similar to this and you would like send it over, give us a call.

E-mail — info@nhkitchens.com

 

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from http://nhkitchens.com/how-to-measure-a-kitchen/

Paint Awareness for Cabinetry

Most cabinet manufactures want to set the correct expectation level to consumers and home owners when it comes to a painted cabinet finish.

Most painted finishes sit on top of the wood… Often maple wood.  As seasons come and go, wood can expand and then shrink.  This may result in small cracks in the finish of cabinet doors and face frames where the seams meet.

To have a look at a “standard” paint awareness form CLICK HERE…

Some cabinet painted finishes can be effected more or less by climate change.  In other words, a painted finish isn’t a painted finish.  Generally, the more expensive cabinets (custom — made to order) have a better finish than a in stock cabinet.  If you would like a painted door, it would be best to select a cabinet manufacture that has a lifetime warranty.  But it would also be important to read through the cabinet manufacture’s paint awareness form, if they have one.

If you have questions about painted doors give us a call.

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from http://nhkitchens.com/paint-awareness-cabinetry/

Edge Profiles Available for Granite and Quartz Countertops 2016

Below are the edges you can get for quartz and granite countertops.  The “Group A” options are available at no extra charge as of March 2016.

 

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from http://nhkitchens.com/edge-profiles-available-granite-quartz-countertops-2016/

Group A Stone — Entry Level — March 2016

Color and photo accuracy is not guaranteed. Since granite, marble and quartzite are products of nature, we promise you will never find material that looks exactly like these photos. It could be completely different! Always be sure to select/view the particular slabs in person. If viewing in person is not possible, then digital pictures of the exact material for their job can be made.  If you can see the material in person, expect to sign a “stone view waiver” form.

If you don’t see the material you are looking for, just let us know. We have relationships with many distributors and are able to source the most unique of materials. We are always happy to assist you in finding just the right material for your project.

Azul Platino Granite 3cm (Spain)

Azul Platino Granite 3cm (Spain)

New Caledonia Granite 3cm (Brazil)

New Caledonia Granite 3cm (Brazil)

Santa Cecelia Light Granite 3cm (Brazil)

Santa Cecelia Light (Brazil)

Tan Brown Granite 3cm (India)

Tan Brown Granite 3cm (India)

Uba Tuba Granite 3cm (Brazil)

Uba Tuba Granite 3cm (Brazil)

Verde Butterfly Granite 3cm (Brazil)

Verde Butterfly Granite 3cm (Brazil)

Verde Wave Granite 3cm (India)

Verde Wave Granite 3cm (India)

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from http://nhkitchens.com/group-stone-entry-level-march-2016/

To Splash or Not to Backsplash…

A lot of folks like to do a tile backsplash that runs to the top of the countertop.  If you plan on doing a granite or quartz countertop.  I would consider doing at least a 3 to 4 inch backsplash of the same granite or quartz countertop material.  Granite or quartz offers better water protection around the kitchen sink area than a tile grouted application.  When removing old kitchens I have seen the tile and/or grout failing in that area most often.

I nice look is to bring the granite or quartz backsplash up to the bottom of the window sill at the sink area…  Unless of coarse you don’t have a window at the sink area.  Then I would plan on a 4 inch high by 3/4 inch thick granite or quartz backsplash that would sit on top of the countertop.  The installer will then put a generous amount of clear sealer between the bottom of the backsplash and top of countertop.  Then it would make it really easy to clean at the back of the sink.

After the 4 inch backsplash goes in…  You can still add the grouted tile later.

Next time I am measuring an old kitchen, I will take a few photos of where the grout is starting to fail around the sink area.

 

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from http://nhkitchens.com/splash-not-backsplash/

Kitchen Remodel in Exeter NH Julie and John