Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen remodel can be a fun way to improve your home, but it can be a costly process. If you want to set your budget, you may end up asking yourself if you should replace your appliances during your remodel. Aesthetics While price is an important factor in your remodel, you do need to think about how your current appliances will impact the overall aesthetics. There is no point in going to the expense of new cabinets and countertops if the eye will be drawn to tatty, old appliances. Unless you are planning on putting your appliances behind cabinetry, you will need to take an honest look at the appearance of your appliances. Most kitchen appliances can have a tough life, and this can show in the finish. So, if your white appliances are looking a little yellow or the shine has gone from your stainless steel finish, it could be time for an upgrade. You also need to think about the new look of your kitchen. If you’re going for a more traditional look, contemporary appliances will look out of place. Functionality You also need to consider the functionality of your appliances. If your oven struggles to get to the desired temperature, your fridge tends to run hot or your dishwasher is prone to leaks, these appliances have no place in a new kitchen. You should also think about whether a new appliance with the latest features will add to the functionality of your kitchen. If your appliances

Built-In Appliance Packages from VikingWe recently featured a Viking Appliance Package designed to help you save money on appliances to replace a standard kitchen, i.e. 30" Range, Dishwasher, Refrigerator and Microwave/Hood. (click below to see details) Viking appliance package - freestanding range.Here's a different spin on a Viking package featuring built-in's - cooktop, oven, vent hood, dishwasher, and refrigerator.Viking Built-In Appliance PackageIt's easy to get just the Viking appliances you need with this flexible package program. For example, the two packages above feature either a gas range or a gas cooktop. However, if you need an electric range or an electric cooktop we also have a similar Viking package in electric that will work for you. We've got more packages for you to choose from including upgrade options with double ovens and 36" cooktops. Contact the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center for professional help with Viking or other major appliances and plumbing fixtures, and visit us here over the coming days for more Viking package promotions. 

Special Viking PackagesViking Appliances for Basic Kitchen RemodelIf it's time to remodel your kitchen, maybe you should think about upgrading to a luxury brand such as Viking as a replacement to your existing standard appliances. Here's why:You've always wanted to have luxury appliances in your kitchen for the quality and performance that you can get from high end brands. That's a great idea, and it's a reason so many homeowners in homes from small bungalows on up are choosing top brands rather than the standard appliance brands you'll find at the big box stores.You want your new kitchen to make a statement. When guests arrive or even in-laws ;-) you want to show off just a bit. After all, you splurged on the farmhouse sink and the granite countertops, it only makes sense to have appliances that fit with those high end finishes.Finally, you're making an investment in your new kitchen, at some point you may sell your house, and you'd like your home's increase in value to reflect the investment in the kitchen remodel. Their is just not a better way to get that added value than to add a gourmet kitchen complete with a chef's brand such as Viking.If you only have room for a standard kitchen appliance configuration, eg. range, microwave, dishwasher, and refrigerator; here's a great Viking kitchen package that will work just fine and save you nearly a thousand dollars. In fact, the price is so good on this package that you'll find some of

Frigidaire Professional Appliances at Affordable Prices We've been to this year's KBIS and IBS (Kitchen and Bath and International Builder Show), and more recently the PCBC (Pacific Coast Builder Conference). So, we've seen a LOT of new appliances. One of the most impressive and practical is the new Frigidaire Professional Collection. It may be true that everybody has Pro-Look appliances these days. But outfitting your entire kitchen with this "look" can easily begin with a budget breaking $50,000. Frigidaire had a different idea with it's Professional Collection by offering professional styled kitchens starting at $4,999. Of course, you can easily double that with some of their more deluxe models, but I think you get what I mean here. When describing the Frigidarie Professional Range the reviewer below called it:"A great looking range for the rest of us."-James Atchison, Reviewed.comFrigidaire All Refigerator and All RefrigeratorThe all refrigerator and all freezer combination that Frigidaire offers is unique among the mass brands, and offers some real possibilities for a refrigerator and freezer wall or even a completely separate location for refrigerator and freezer. Here are the details:Frigidaire Professional® All RefrigeratorFPRU19F8RFClick on model number above to go to the UAKC link with additonal features and pricing. PureAir® Filtration System removes up to 7 times more odor than baking soda by eliminating odor particles with fast-acting, highly absorbent carbon technology2. The SpacePro™ Shelving System offers quick access to fresh ingredients with organizational solutions designed for space optimization

Kitchen Remodel Before and After Photos by Ever and Anon Photography Here's a before and after kitchen that caught my eye. It was recently featured in Country Living Magazine. The home owner, Kaylor Little has a furniture repair/refinishing business Fisherman's Wife Furniture, and manufactures some pieces herself. Ms. Little conceived this new kitchen and did much of the work herself. I'd call the kitchen Basic Builder Standard -1990's. It's a simple, compact U-shaped kitchen with builder grade everything. It really caught my eye in the before/after photos that the owner appeared to have changed out everything, but left the layout untouched. However, the original cabinets were not changed out, but were painted white. The accent color, a robin egg blue, is carried from the kitchen's blue subway tile backsplash to the adjacent room. Very simple, very nice, and a very needed touch of color. Countertops were replaced from a standard builder laminate to DIY made butcher block. Photos by Ever and Anon Photography Light fixtures were updated to a retro diner look, and all appliances were upgraded from white to stainless steel. The range was upgraded to a double oven range, and the new refrigerator is a counter-depth French Door model with ice and water dispenser through the door. This DIY owner rightfully gives herself a big pat on the back for choosing a counter-depth refrigerator for more aisle space in the kitchen. She also enclosed the refrigerator to give it a built-in look, added some crown moulding, and replaced

Budget Kitchen Remodels 3 Great tips - 1 Bad idea I've been searching online for good ideas to remodel a small kitchen on a budget. Not necessarily a full redo, but just a few things that might help perk up the room. Below are three of my favorite tips, and one that I really don't like much at all. 3 Great Tips Paint can solve a lot of problems. Need some contrast or brightness in a drab kitchen?Want your backsplash to stand out? Visit a paint store. Take photos of the kitchen and bring in samples. I really prefer the freestanding paint stores over the big box stores. These guys really know paint, and can give you good advice. Of course, if your working with a design professional she or he will be your color expert. Cabinets dominate the space in your kitchen, but replacing cabinets can blow your budget. Think about painting those wood-stained cabinets. White is very popular these days, and will give your kitchen a bright, updated look. Here are some other ideas that can add some drama to your kitchen. If you can spare the storage or move it elsewhere, consider removing some or all of your upper cabinets. It's amazing how much volume your kitchen will gain. For many of us who are...ahem, vertically challenged, those upper cabinets aren't practical anyway. Consider installing some shelves in the free space or even wall brackets to hand pots on. Another idea is to just remove the cabinet

Food Waste Disposers at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center When shopping for kitchen appliances it is easy to overlook the disposer. Yet, this is an essential appliance for the kitchen. At Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center you can choose from these top brands: Franke, Frigidaire, GE, KitchenAid, and Whirlpool. When buying new or remodeling, a disposer should be part of the kitchen package. Also, whenever you are replacing a dishwasher, it's usually a good idea to replace your disposer at the same time (unless the disposer happens to be quite new). By replacing the disposer along with the dishwasher you can save on a second trip charge, and it is an easy switch out since the plumbing is being worked on at the same time. Disposers have motors of 1/3 hp, 1/2 hp, 3/4 hp, and 1 horsepower. Naturally, the disposers with higher horsepower will cost more. The larger hp disposers are also likely to have larger chambers meaning they will chop up more food quicker. Other features to consider are stainless steel disposer blades and chambers, and anti-jamming capabilities. There are two types of disposer systems - continuous feed and batch feed. A continuous feed disposer will have a separate switch usually located on a nearby wall. In a batch feed disposer, the motor is actuated by a locking cover on the disposer. While continuous feed disposers are by far the most common, some people prefer the safety and convenience of having the disposer only start when the disposer

Planning Your New Appliance Purchases Considerations for Buying New Appliances Here's a New Year Resolution list for planning your appliance purchases in 2014: Take inventory of your potential appliance needs by determining the age and condition of your existing appliances. If your washing machine is 12 years old, and has been making funny noises, you should anticipate that you'll be needing a new washer sooner rather than later. Budget for appliance replacement. Begin setting aside money to replace that clunky old washing machine. Even if you can fund part of the purchase from this appliance reserve fund, it might mean the difference between getting a "bare bones" product versus the one you really want and need. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) carries most major brands and models. For example, you can select a new washer from among great brand names such as Frigidaire, GE, LG, Maytag, and Whirlpool. Some appliances get replaced before they have failed, such as in a new kitchen remodel project. Here too, you can do some advance planning. If you're working with a design firm, they can help you get started. The professionals at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) are always there to answer your questions and guide you through the process. Appliances are a big part of a kitchen remodel. Don't blow your budget on granite countertops and fancy cabinets only to find out you can't afford the appliances you've always dreamed of. Allow sufficient upfront order and delivery time for special orders.

Finding the right size cooktop The vast majority of cooktops sold in the U.S. are either 30" or 36" in width. However, there has been a very good market over the years for cooktops ranging from 42" - 48", with a 45" width being the most common size in this X-Large cooktop category. In an effort to reduce their model lineups, some manufacturers have discontinued 45" cooktops. This has created a problem for consumers needing to replace their old 45" cooktop since there is now a very limited selection of cooktops that will fit the hole left when the old cooktop is removed. Here are some suggestions and workarounds if you find yourself in this situation.The Viking Range Company does still make a 45" wide electric cooktop model RDECU2566BSB. Dacor makes a 46" wide gas cooktop model SGM466, and Miele makes 42 1/2" wide cooktops in both gas and electric. While these options may or may not provide the perfect fit for your existing cooktop there are some workarounds for you to consider. If you are replacing a 45" wide cooktop with a 46" wide cooktop, you may be able to just cut the existing whole a bit wider to accommodate the larger unit. On the other hand, if the replacement cooktop is not quite wide enough to fill the hole, there are companies that make filler kits such as Micro-trim. Also, It might be feasible to just

Updating Knob and Tube Wiring If you are doing some kitchen remodeling in a pre-1950's house that has not been previously remodeled, you will most likely have Knob and Tube Wiring. This is an obsolete form of wiring. Though it is not inherently dangerous, it is often considered hazardous, and you should seriously consider replacing it. Local codes might even require it once you open up the walls. Of course, you should always have electrical work done by a licensed electrical contractor. Knob and Tube (K&T) wiring is insulated copper wire which passes through holes drilled in studs. The wires are protected from chafing by porcelain tubes. Periodically, the wires are supported by and passed through porcelain knobs that are nailed down and keep the wire suspended. These are single copper wires so current passes through in one direction, the hot wire, and returns through a separate neutral wire. There is no ground wire.During the first half of the twentieth century, homes were wired with electricity primarily for electric lights. The only appliances found in most homes consisted of small appliances such as tea kettles or toasters. Therefore as refrigerators, televisions, and other electrical devices came along with their increasing electrical amperage demands homes often received a patchwork of modifications to their K&T wiring as each new device was added. Many of these modifications were improperly done, resulting in shock and fire hazards caused by reverse polarity, crossed neutrals, and overloaded