As we ring in 2012, we want to wish all of our past customers a prosperous New Year, in all aspects of your life. To our future customers, we look foward to giving you the best kitchen for your home and making it an enjoyable experience. To all you gents out there, how about a new kitchen for Valentine's Day?
For more information, contact us at (757) 397-2014 and ask for Rob or Dennis. Happy New Year!
Notice how the dark granite countertop transitions beautifully into the black cooking surface. The use of a light ceramic tile for the backsplash keeps the darker counter top from over-powering a small space.
These cabinets from Shiloh also feature raised panel drawer fronts- an economical upgrade for a kitchen of this size.
Here are a few pictures of a kitchen remodel completed in July 2009. Keep in mind that these are not the ‘staged’ pictures, but pictures we took while waiting for the electrical and plumbing inspection to be completed. It should take the homeowner a week or so to put her kitchen back together and start enjoying her new conveniences like the corner lazy susan and full extension drawers with the non-slam hydraulic.
Project Description: We provided entire kitchen design and cabinet layout, wall removal, hardwood floor repair and refinish, cabinet installation, electrical, plumbing, general carpentry, designed a new lighting plan, and helped homeowner select all material such as cabinets, countertops, appliances, plumbing fixtures, and tile.
Cabinets: Omega cabinets in Cherry wood with autumn stain on the Madrid door style.
Appliances: GE
All tile, lighting fixtures, and hardware were provided by homeowner.
Here are the before pictures-
During pictures-
Many things happened during these stages. One major wall was removed to open the space; a pantry/closet area was removed, along with all the soffits in the room. You can see by the photos below that we had to patch into their existing oak floor where the wall was removed. We also ran into lots of water damage along the window wall caused by a leaky exterior window. We had to reframe that entire wall and replace the window and casing.
Pictures of the kitchen as of today-
Granite Countertop color: Black Mosaic
Here are pictures of recent kitchen remodels by Dennis Wieckert.
Hansson Kitchen Remodel. The perimeter cabinets are by Dynasty Omega in the Plainfield Door style with an Oyster finish. The island cabinets are by Shiloh in the Square Raised Panel door style with a distressed black finish.
Fitzpatrick Kitchen Remodel. All cabinets are by Dynasty Omega. The perimeter cabinets are in the Anson door style with an Oyster finish and Amaretto glaze. The island cabinets are in a cherry wood with a Nutmeg stain and Java glaze.
What is a ‘Green Home?’
A green home is one that meets high levels of energy efficiency and water efficiency, and its design has been reviewed against criteria which range from site utilization and landscaping to the selection of materials, finishes, appliances and lighting. Most standards focus on new homes, but renovated homes can qualify as well.
Why would someone want a ‘Green Home?’
- Lower operational costs resulting from the energy and water efficiency aspects of the design.
- Tax incentives and rebates offered by electrical utility companies, government agencies and other organizations.
- Increased health and comfort from the features that control humidity, reduce chemical exposures and improve air exchange and filtration.
- Recognition that the home has been reviewed and meets specific criteria.
- Higher re-sale value.
What are the basic criteria for a ‘Green Home’?
The Criteria vary slightly from program to program but the key areas include:
- Lot design, preparation and development
- Resource efficiency
- Energy efficiency
- Water efficiency
- Indoor air quality
- Operation, maintenance and homeowner education
Environmental Programs
Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) is a voluntary program for kitchen cabinet manufactures to demonstrate that their products and manufacturing processes are based on practices and materials that benefit both the environment and the well being of society.
California Air Resources Board (CARB) Rule on Composite Wood Panels is an air quality regulation which seeks to control the emissions of formaldehyde from composite wood panels and products with such panels sold in the State of California. It covers plywood, particleboard & MDF. The rule is effective 1/1/2009, but phases all the various board products in a 4 year time frame.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and NAHB Green Home Building Guidelines are voluntary programs which sets out criteria defining what a ‘green home’ is. Builders submit their design for review, and if it earns a certain level of qualifying points it is awarded a certification plaque for display.
What role do cabinets play in a green home?
Although cabinetry isn’t a primary source for earning points under most environmental programs, your cabinet manufacturer should focus on doing the right thing for the environment. In the overall qualification program, cabinets play a very minor roll in determining a home’s ‘green’ status. The primary aspects that cabinets can help earn points on are in terms of construction materials and impact on indoor air quality.