How to Select a General Contractor for My Home Remodel

When hiring a general contractor, it is very important to make an informed decision. The contractor ensures that the project takes place as you want it to, stays on budget, keeps subcontractors accountable and that the finished project is exactly what the homeowner wants. For these reasons, among others, it is critically important to ensure that the homeowner checks the credentials of the contractor.

People often question what the best way to identify a good general contractor is. There are a number of ways to do so. Here are some basic rules that one can apply to every situation.

Licensing

States have very specific requirements when it comes to licensing a general contractor. Because of this, people that have a state license are going to be a high-quality contractor. Over the years, people who masquerade as a contractor, do a terrible job and are unable to meet the stringent requirements that are essential for licensing.

One of the first questions that a homeowner needs to ask a contractor is whether or not they are licensed. The next question to ask is to see the license. Never, ever, hire somebody who does not have an up-to-date license and cannot show it to you.

Insurance

It is also critically important that the contractor has the necessary insurance. Carrying insurance is a sign of a contractor who takes their work very seriously, and will also be sure to have the safety precautions put in place. As with licensing, insurance companies have very specific requirements that a general contractor must meet in order to carry a policy.

In addition, hiring someone with an insurance policy helps to safeguard the homeowner in the event of an accident. Asking a contractor to provide their insurance information is a good way to help a homeowner decide if a contractor is right for their home remodeling project.

Estimates and timelines

One of the most critical functions that a general contractor performs is making sure that the project stays on budget, and on time. Asking a contractor to provide a detailed estimate is an important step in deciding which contractor is the best fit for a homeowner's project. A good contractor will always provide a detailed estimate with a breakdown of cost in materials, and give an estimated time frame of when the job can be completed.

It is critical not only to ask for this information but also to hold a contractor to those standards once the job has begun. It is important to understand that sometimes delays and added expenses can occur, however for the most part a contractor knows exactly how long the job is going to take, and what it is going to cost.

Finally, always try and work with a contractor that you get along with and can communicate with. This is essential when asking yourself how to select a general contractor for a home remodel. We are an experienced contractor and can provide all the information you need to be confident in our abilities. Call us today.

What are Bathroom Remodel Options on a Budget?

If you are interested in completing a bathroom remodel, give us a call and we can make recommendations for the most effective remodel. Remodeling a bathroom is an excellent idea because it is an easy way to make a significant improvement on the aesthetics and functionality of the home. While a small space, bathrooms get an incredible amount of use. The more functional bathrooms are, the easier life becomes. Unfortunately, older homes were designed with bathrooms that lack in storage and functionality. Fortunately, we have the solution.

Try to stay on a budget

Being on a budget may seem challenging, but with proper planning, a bathroom remodel can still take place. The key to saving money often comes down to knowing what the homeowner wants and working with a contractor who is willing to make suggestions on how to save on materials and labor. Bathroom remodeling projects tend to get expensive when there are cost overruns.

This happens when homeowners change their mind about what they want or decide to use different materials close to the install date. These types of changes often create the need to find things quickly. Moving too fast means that there is no opportunity to look for sales or discounts. Forward planning is critical for saving on these costs.

Money saving tips

#1. Choose materials wisely

Bathroom remodels can include a variety of materials, which make a significant difference in the cost of the project. For example, one can purchase a shower or tub surround in a single piece. This is easy to install and does not require a tile specialist. While tile is incredibly attractive, a custom tile shower can take days to install and require the assistance of an expert. This increases the cost of materials and labor, making a difference in thousands of dollars on the overall project.

Other ways to save on materials is to shop around. Discount and bargain stores will often run specials that create an opportunity to buy things like the vanity or lighting at a serious discount. Sometimes even signing up for a store credit card can reduce the total cost. Just look for a contractor, like us, that is willing to allow you to purchase the materials.

#2. Select the right contractor

The contractor one hires for a bathroom remodel is critical. Contractors set their own prices and can charge whatever they want. It is wise to get a bid up front that includes the cost of labor and materials. Homeowners need to also budget for any cost overruns. A contractor that does not acknowledge that there may be cost overruns is likely to present a surprise bill at the end.

There are always things that come up unexpectedly. On the plus side, budgeting for the unexpected equals cost savings if everything goes according to plan.

#3. Add finishing touches later

When on a tight budget, it can be wise to add certain finishing touches later on. For example, the overall remodel can be completed but beadboard can be added to the walls or larger trim can be added at any time.

These are things that increase the cost but are easy for a homeowner to do on their own at any time.

Schedule an appointment

Learn more about your options and how to complete a bathroom remodel on a budget by calling our office today.

Design Matters When Choosing Granite Countertops

For several years now, granite countertops have been all the rage with people remodeling their house or building a new home. And why shouldn't they be? Granite adds a certain level of sophistication to the kitchen and elevates the way a home looks. In addition, when a homeowner puts in granite countertops they are automatically increasing the value of their home should they choose to sell the home.

Homeowners have questions

However, for first-time home buyers or people who are in the first steps of a kitchen remodel, they often have questions. These questions can include how can they get a great deal, be sure of the contractor and know that the granite they are installing is of the highest quality?

These are great questions to ask because investing in granite is a significant investment and one that should not be taken lightly. It is highly recommended that any homeowner who is thinking about having granite installed makes sure that they work with a well reputed certified installer, and also ensure that the granite they are getting is high quality and matches the decor of the kitchen. It is too much of an investment to be haphazard about it.

Work with certified contractors

When it comes to important pieces of a home or kitchen remodel, it is important for homeowners to understand the value of working with a professional and certified contractor to install granite. While there may be some savings in do-it-yourself, the quality of the workmanship will not stand up to the value of granite countertops.

In addition, granite is extremely difficult to work with, considering how hard it is to cut and how heavy it is. Therefore, it is not a do-it-yourself job. In addition, when a homeowner works with a certified contractor who understands quality kitchen and bath installations, they can rest easy that the contractor is going to work with genuine suppliers. We can ensure the highest quality of granite for the home.

This saves the homeowner from ever having to worry about what quality of granite they are getting, but also are able to carefully price out the market to ensure that they are getting the best bang for their buck. Working with a professional allows the homeowner some peace of mind and also gives them the most professional installation possible.

Design matters

At the end of the day, the reason why homeowners want to get granite countertops is to increase the aesthetics and also to add value to the home. For this reason, design is critical, and it is important that the right type of granite be chosen. Granite comes in all kinds of colors, patterns and styles.

For the homeowner working with a professional, this decision becomes far simpler, as a professional who believes in quality kitchen and bath installations is going to work with the design scheme to identify the best piece of granite for the job while also ensuring that the homeowner can fit it into their budget.

Make an appointment to view different types of granite patterns and to select what you think will look amazing in your home.

Ways to Make Your Kitchen Remodeling in New Orleans "Kid Friendly"

As contractors, we can complete your kitchen remodeling in New Orleans, giving you the kitchen you have always dreamed of. The kitchen is very often the heart of the home, especially for anyone who has a large family and likes to cook. Children require three meals a day plus potentially three snacks and dessert. This means that trips in and out of the kitchen could be happening every hour.

It is also a place for spending time together, working together and even doing homework. As such, the kitchen can be a place that is beautiful, comfortable and fully functional. If yours is not, it is time to speak with us about remodeling.

Kitchen remodeling in New Orleans: Tips for making your kitchen "kid friendly"

We understand that "kid friendly" can have a negative connotation. People tend to assume that if it is good for kids, it is not good for adults. This is not the case with our remodeling projects. We can create a space that is beautiful but also works well for the family. In fact, incorporating kid friendly ideas into a remodel typically makes life easier for mom and dad. Here are some ideas to consider:

#1. Lower snack drawers

Every time a child needs a snack, they are most likely to ask mom and dad for help. This is mainly because they cannot reach or are asking for permission. We can install deep lower drawers that one can fill with snacks, drinks, water bottles and other treats. This way, parents do not need to run to the kitchen every time someone needs a drink or snack.

#2. Install an easy water dispenser

Giving children the ability to get their own water saves parents time while also making it easier for children to remain hydrated. Imagine how much easier it can be for children to grab their own water after playing outside or when waking up at night. This is possible with careful placement during the remodel.

#3. Select the right materials

Certain cabinetry and counter materials are easier to clean than others. We can make recommendations regarding the durability and cleanliness of various materials when discussing the remodeling project. Making the right choice at this stage will reduce the risk for little hands causing stains or spills making permanent spots on the counter or cabinets. The ability to easily clean off marks is important with children.

#4. Touchless faucets are helpful

Prevent the spreading of germs by installing touchless faucets so that children can wash their hands without needing to touch the handle.

#5. Install modern safety features

There are certain safety features that we can incorporate into kitchens via the placement of objects, use of new appliances or even "hiding" things that are dangerous.

Call us for help with your kitchen remodeling in New Orleans

These are only a few of the possible options available in a kitchen remodel. We can help find the best options to make your kitchen remodel beautiful and friendly for kids. To discuss your options in further detail, call and schedule an appointment.

What To Look for When Hiring General Contractor in New Orleans

Are you looking for general contractors in New Orleans to complete your home remodel, extension or build you a new one? If so, this could be one of the more important decisions you ever make. The skill of your contractor will directly influence how well you love your home for years to come. With that in mind, here are things to consider:

#1. Experience matters

Any contractor one hires needs to be able to show pictures of past jobs for examples. Most, including ourselves, will have a book of photos for easy access that we show to any prospective client. This is critical because it is important to see the caliber of work and to ensure that the style is similar to what the client envisions. While contractors have creative license and can certainly do things to appease clients, there are certain things that tend to be consistent multiple projects.

It is important to make sure that those things are in line with your vision.  If none of a contractor's designs are of interest, make it clear what you were looking for and ask if any samples are available that are more in line with what has been discussed. It may be that the sample book just contains things that the majority of people like but there are other examples available.

#2. Being comfortable is important

A general contractor in New Orleans is likely to be on the job for months, even a year if building a new home. Being able to openly and comfortably have discussions about ideas, taste, and materials is critically important. During initial conversations, it should be clear if this comfort level exists between homeowner and contractor. If it does not, it is best to look for someone else. Again, without the ability to speak freely, the results are unlikely to be exactly as desired.

#3. Check reviews

Find out what others have to say and what their experiences have been by reading client testimonial provided by the contractor along with reviews found online. Keep in mind that some people will be unhappy no matter what but, in general, reviews tend to provide insight into what can be expected.

#4. Ask to see their license

A general contractor in New Orleans should be able to produce a copy of their business and contractor's license. This is a critical document required by any professional contractor. In fact, someone cannot simply decide to be a contractor one day. There is a process that must be gone through with the state and that includes becoming fully licensed and insured.

=Anyone unable to produce these documents is not a legitimate contractor, even if they are doing work around people's homes. The risk in not hiring a licensed contractor is that if something goes wrong there is less legal recourse and one mus ask the question, why does this contractor not have a license?

Schedule an appointment

As a licensed general contractor in New Orleans, we would be happy to help with any home remodeling or construction project you have in mind. To learn more about our services or see what we have done in the past, give us a call.

Tips from a Kitchen Contractor in New Orleans on Preservation

If you want to remodel while preserving the architecture of your home, call to speak with our kitchen contractor in New Orleans. Preserving existing materials and architecture inside of a home is actually far more challenging than conducting demolition, tearing everything out and installing new. It is faster to demo and can often save money which is why most contractors will offer that initially instead of discussing preservation techniques.

However, it is certainly possible to preserve a lot of the materials and character of an older home. It simply requires the homeowner's patience with the process and investing in a contractor with the experience to preserve historic materials.

Preservation tips from a kitchen contractor in New Orleans.

First, there must be a plan between homeowner and contractor. In most cases, not everything will be worth preserving or capable of preservation. For example, if something is too fragile to move or rotting, we may not be able to safely move it without causing damage. This makes it important to go over all the existing materials in the home and make note of what to preserve.

It is also necessary to have contingency plans in place. Once the process begins, things will be discovered and it may require some adjustment. For example, lighting fixtures may be salvaged but require new components or wiring. Having a plan for how a situation like this will be addressed makes the process able to continue without causing massive delays.

Quality takes time

Slow and steady is the name of the game when it comes to preserving materials. It is critical to hire a contractor who can carefully remove the existing cabinetry from the walls or restore it in place. This requires extensive patience but is entirely worth it to preserve the character of an older home. Creativity is also necessary when remodeling a historic kitchen.

Finding ways to incorporate modern appliances, update plumbing and wiring while still preserving the cabinetry, flooring, look and feel of the kitchen, requires not just skill but extensive creativity. As a contractor, we have the creativity necessary to identify solutions and work toward a successful outcome.

Many of the homes we work on are historic. We treasure them and the opportunity to bring new life to spaces without taking away from the historic charm that makes them beautiful.

We can visit your home and create plans as a kitchen contractor in New Orleans.

Getting started is as easy as calling and scheduling an appointment with our office. We have experience in these types of restoration and remodeling projects and can add valuable insight to the overall process. We will need to visit the property and discuss what the goals are for the project prior to making specific recommendations.

We are thoughtful and methodical during this process, understanding that there is only one opportunity to remodel a historic home correctly. After all, once the original materials are gone, nothing can replace them as perfectly as our team.

Features to Include in Your Custom Cabinets

Custom cabinets are incredibly useful when it comes to storage and function. Custom cabinets tend to be far superior to stock cabinets. Instead of being large open spaces, we can break custom cabinets into specific sizes that are useful for the appliances, tools, and solutions one uses on a daily basis. These cabinets also make organization easier than before.

From an appearance perspective, we can customize custom cabinets for any style or design that the customer prefers, with a finish or color that best suits the design. One of our designers can provide suggestions during a consultation. In the meantime, here are some features to consider adding to your cabinetry.

#1. Spice racks

Rather than hunting for the perfect spice in a crammed cabinet space, install a spice rack that is narrow and easy to pull out. Homeowners can store more spices here and easily see what is available with one glance, rather than needing to dig for it.

#2. Create a utensil cabinet

Similar to the pull-out spice rack, one can pull a utensil cabinet out with relative ease. Essentially, we create holes in a drawer-like space so that round utensil holders can slide in and out with use.

#3. Add pan separators

Do not just throw all of the pans into one large cupboard. Instead, install separators to help the pans remain organized and easily-accessible. No more clanking pans when it is time to bake.

#4. Built-in garbage and recycling

Hide the unattractive and smelly garbage by installing a built-in garbage system. We can build cabinets that accompany the trash and recycling bins in a discrete fashion. This way, no one will have to look at the trash bin in the middle of the kitchen.

#5. Pull-out counter space.

If your kitchen is rather small when it comes to square footage, one may need additional counter space. An effective method to gain additional square footage is to install surfaces that pull out under the countertops. When doing something like baking, people can pull out the counter space to place the mixer on or the hot cookies coming out of the oven.

#6. Install organization

When a person pulls out an open drawer it is likely to be a mess because it is one large space with no possibility of separating the contents. To solve this problem, we can install parts to organize each drawer organization tp create cubby-like spaces. Then, everything can go in a specific cubby to make a convenient space.

#7. Wine storage

Designate an area in the kitchen for cold and room-temperature wine storage. When designing the layout of custom cabinets, we can create spaces for the client's current favorites.

The sky is the limit

There is no limit to what a creative homeowner, and design team, can do when having custom cabinets installed in your home. Any requirement, suggestion, idea or concern can be addressed because these cabinets are literally being created for you. The key is taking the right amount of time to consider what will be stored in the kitchen, how it will be used, and what functional elements are necessary to create a fully functional space. This is something our design team can help with. Call today to get started.

Fun Ideas for Your Next Kitchen Remodel

If a homeowner is ready to undergo a kitchen remodel but is looking for something unique and not conventional, we have several options to choose. These options add both visual appeal and higher functionality to the home. Here are some of the list of things to try:

#1. Pull out utensil organizer

This organizer is an easy way to get the utensil holders off of the counter for a clutter-free experience. Essentially, this is a narrow cabinet with holes cut out of a top shelf so that the utensil holders can slide in and out as necessary. This organizer provides a convenience that makes the entire process easier.

#2. Hidden, growing outlet

We can install a hidden outlet in the counter that people can push down when not in use. This convenient invention allows for a tour of plugins to emerge when necessary and then shrink back into the counter when not in use. For anyone that likes to cook, this can be a convenient way to plug in small appliances that an individual only uses it occasionally.

#3. Coffee cabinet

Coffee drinkers can rejoice since we can install a special cabinet for the necessary coffee brewing tools. Imagine how convenient it can be to plug in a coffee pot and have the coffee, cream, sugar, and cups directly above completely hidden out of sight.

#4. Hanging pan holders

A big complaint we hear from homeowners planning a kitchen remodel is what to do with the pans that always cause clutter. One easy solution is to create a hanging system that slides into a cupboard. Instead of stacking them on top of each other, the pans can be hanging one in front of the other for convenient storage and access. As a bonus, this will keep the pans in better condition.

#5. Install a banquette

For additional seating, install a banquette instead of just using counter seating. A benefit of a banquette is that storage can be built underneath to house things like the extra linens or kitchen appliances that are very rarely used.

#6. Hang a chalkboard

To create a space for kids to play or for the homeowner to feature the meal of the day, people can hang a chalkboard on the wall or use chalkboard paint to create a wall that can be drawn on. This is a cheap and simple way to add some fun to the house's kitchen space.

#7. Create an indoor/outdoor space

Using a large window that opens completely, people can suddenly have an indoor kitchen with access to the outside. For summer fun, have a bar built on the other side so that guests can pull up a stool and interact with you while cooking, without ever coming inside. This is a fantastic way to host a summer party since people can easily move trays of appetizers or drinks from the kitchen to the outdoor counter with no hassle.

Call for help with your kitchen remodel

These are only a few of the fun ideas we have for your kitchen. For help, schedule a consultation with one of our designers.

A General Contractor Can Pull Everything Together

Having a general contractor assist with a kitchen remodel is going to be one of the smartest and most money-saving decisions that you can make during the entire remodel process. We have the expertise and the knowledge to guide homeowners throughout the process. We can help homeowners find ways to save money and still customize the kitchen to what they want.

Saving money

As a general contractor, we know how to plan for a remodel. We can help limit the number of surprises and cost overruns that frequently happen when homeowners try to finish a project on their own. We can also continue to lower the costs by helping to acquire better deals on materials.

We can help

One of the areas, for example, where we can be of significant assistance is when it comes to installing kitchen cabinets in a brand new kitchen. Kitchen cabinets often form the focal point of the kitchen because they take up so much space. For this reason, it is important that kitchen cabinets meet a number of criteria. The most critical of these are functionality and design.

Functionality and kitchen cabinets

While it is true that kitchen cabinets do create an important aesthetic and design element in the kitchen, it is also true that they serve an important purpose. The main purpose being that cabinets store utensils, pantry stock, spices and everything else that makes the kitchen a functional space.

Due to this fact, personalizing storage spaces is wise when installing kitchen cabinets. In order to accomplish this, we will work to ensure that clients have the perfect fusion of aesthetics and storage space.

User-friendly cabinets

Cabinets often include user-friendly options such as full extension roll-out shelves. These shelves allow people to reach for items in the cabinet without scraping knuckles or bumping one's head. Other important enhancements that we suggest are things like very large, deep, drawers in the base cabinets that can hold pots, pans, and an assortment of dry goods.

We also recommend the standard pull out recycling and garbage bins. Built-in open storage systems like wine racks and china displays can work to make the aesthetic even more profound, while also providing a convenient space for wine and china.

The look matters

As a general contractor, we are used to matching kitchen cabinets with all of the other elements that go into making a kitchen aesthetically beautiful. This includes making sure that the color combinations match perfectly, so that the floor and counters go perfectly together with the kitchen cabinets.

This can often be a tricky thing to accomplish without design experience and the ability to know what exactly is going to look great together. We offer the ability to mix and match so that kitchen cabinets look beautiful with the floors and counter you choose.

Appliances

One mistake homeowners sometimes make is choosing the appliances without coordinating the exact size specifications available based on installed cabinetry. As a contractor, this is a mistake we can help you to avoid, ensuring that everything fits properly.

Start today

Begin your remodel with our help and you will love the results.

Save Money on Your Kitchen Cabinet Installation

Homeowners eventually reach that period of life in which a new kitchen cabinet installation becomes the perfect image for their kitchen. Cabinets are not only aesthetically pleasing but also provide the organizational aspect that everyone desires in their kitchen. Since the kitchen is considered to be the heart of the home for many, it is an important focal point that you need to pay specific attention to.

In the marketplace today, there is a dizzying array of choices and options to choose from. Therefore, it is important to know exactly what you wish to accomplish, what kind of colors and schemes are available, and what is the most effective way to have cabinets installed by a contractor.

Working with a contractor saves time and money

By hiring us as your general contractor, we can do the necessary heavy lifting. With our services, you can focus on the design and functionality aspect of the kitchen cabinet installation. Price is always a key concern with many people putting in new or replacement cabinets. Therefore, it is best to discuss the budget before starting the process.

A seasoned general contractor will be able to negotiate the best prices for kitchen cabinets, will be able to show price saving options for cabinet installation and can work with the design features to produce a lovely kitchen without breaking the bank. This is one of the many advantages to using a general contractor.

Custom, semi-custom or stock

By entering the world of kitchen cabinet installation, you're going to be inundated with a lot of jargon and industry lingo. One of the most important decisions, and we can help with this, is to decide whether to install stock, semi-custom, or custom cabinets installed. Stock cabinets tend to reign supreme because of the low price, quick delivery and the increased availability of accessory options.

Semi-custom cabinets are also very popular with clients who are willing to spend a little bit more because they offer a wide range of sizes, styles and finishes. Of the three, the most expensive are custom cabinets, and they can take up to 12 weeks to fabricate. The advantage with custom cabinets is that homeowners get a custom design that is specifically created for that exact kitchen space and with a particular vision in mind.

Light, dark or a combination

One of the challenges of doing a complete kitchen cabinet installation is needing to choose what color scheme to go with. There are lighter woods, like Oak and Maple, which will make the kitchen seem brighter and larger. These are especially good for smaller or older kitchens. There are also darker woods, like Cherry and Mahogany, which create a far more dramatic effect.  Kitchen cabinets can also incorporate glass and paint in order to create the perfect design for your kitchen.

Get started

Finding the right cabinets is easy with our help. Call today to learn more about your options.

A Kitchen Contractor Can Help You Plan for Your Family

From the type of counter to the cabinets, everyone has the images for their ideal kitchen. However, it can be difficult to bring that ideal dream kitchen to life with finding the supplies, tearing up the old kitchen and building the new one. Fortunately, we can help bring your dream kitchen to life in an efficient and professional manner.

Drawing up the plans

As a kitchen contractor, we can help to bring these ideas together to create a comprehensive and achievable plan. When we meet with clients, they have a variety of design ideas and things that they want to try. This can be an excellent place to start but very often these ideas do not come together. We can help determine what the client is trying to achieve overall and which design elements will flow into that plan.

The other aspect we can help to determine is what is important for one's family and lifestyle. The kitchen is the hardest-working room in the home and has to be more than functional; it has to function well. It should make daily life easier and less stressful whenever possible. While this may be a tall order, we know that it is possible. By having the right type of organization, storage, flow, and appliances; cooking dinner, packing lunches and cleaning up can be much faster than it is currently. This, in turn, will give one more time to spend doing other things that he or she enjoys, such as actually sitting down to dinner with the family.

To help clients make these important decisions, we will want to know:

Who normally cooks and are there several people in the kitchen at one time? If so, how many?

The answer will determine how much prep or counter space there needs to be and how wide the walkways should be to accommodate everyone. We can design a kitchen that allows for as much space as possible and gives multiple people enough room to use the kitchen at the same time.

What is it really like when making lunch in the morning?

Do you have three kids running and bumping into each other? If so, we can build a large center island so that they can be standing in different spots, making their sandwiches and getting lunch ready. We can take all concerns and requests into account when creating plans for the kitchen.

What type of food do you cook?

As a kitchen contractor, we need to know what the client likes to cook because that determines which appliances and storage solutions we need to build in. For example, anyone who cooks homemade pasta needs an area large enough to roll it out and a pasta faucet, so that water can fill up the pot with ease. Bakers need more storage for baking trays and mixers along with a double oven. These solutions are fully customizable.

Describe the cleanup time.

It is rare for a kitchen contractor to go into the details of what it is like to clean up after dinner. This is something that we need to know because it allows us to make cleaning up easier for the client. We can install an extra large and deep sink or two dishwashers if necessary. We can even make the cleanup area separate from where one cooks so that fewer people are bumping into each other.

We can help you to create your dream kitchen; one that is just as beautiful as it is functional and will work well for your family. To find out more information, call our office and schedule an appointment with a kitchen contractor.

 

Learn About the Types of Wood Cabinets You Can Have Installed in Your Kitchen

If you have decided to get the popular wood cabinets for your kitchen, your journey and decision-making are only just beginning. While wood cabinets are extremely popular, there are a number of different types of wood and styles that can enhance the look of your kitchen. Remember that cabinets are going to be one of the most focal points of any kitchen, so it is important to select the right wood cabinets that go with your decor.

Common wooden cabinet styles

These days, oak is the most common wood that is used in solid wood cabinets. The reason why it has gotten so popular is because it has a strong flower grain in the wood, and looks best in country settings. In addition to this, individuals can stain oak wood cabinets to virtually any color and the grain will continue to shine through the stain. For anyone looking to offset the reddish coloring that comes naturally with oak, one can choose white oak which is naturally lighter or a red oak. One can then go browner and darker with the stain selection. A cherry stain will greatly enhance the redness in oak wood cabinets.

Oak is not the only option for cabinets. People can consider cherry, rift oak, hickory, birch, ash, pine or maple. There are even more exotic options like wormy chestnut or cypress. Wormy chestnut gives a highly distressed finish, while cypress has a yellowish cast and easily pairs with gold or white tones. Below is more information on several types of wood to choose from.

Cherry wood

Cherry wood cabinets are usually for formal cabinets with raised panels. Cherry wood cabinets are typically either French or English in style because cherry is an elegant wood with a natural reddish coloring. the coloring is much deeper than that of oak wood cabinets.

Birch

Birch is a white wood with natural coloring and stainability that serve it well to make all kinds of contemporary style cabinets. It takes to stain easily and often makes contemporary cabinets as well as raised or recessed panel doors.

Pinewood

Pinewood cabinets are also increasing in popularity. Pine, which has a yellowish cast, takes distressing and antiquing beautifully. The cast is one of the reasons why it is commonly used in all three, English, French and American country settings. Unfortunately, pinewood has a drawback in that it is an extremely soft wood, which means the kitchen cabinets will have to be properly cared for since pine can break easily.

Rift oak

Rift Oak is a veneer that is often sought out by architects and designers. In order to get rift oak, the oak flower pattern is cut away and this leaves the vertical grain. Professionals use white oak for rift oak selection, so it becomes very light when it is stained. Typically rift wood cabinets are used as a flush overlay construction in which no frames are visible.

We can go over these options with you in greater detail and help you to select the wood cabinets that are right for you.