Synopses & Reviews
Ultimate Guide to Kitchens guides the reader through the process of designing and doing the work involved with remodeling a kitchen or building a new one from scratch. Homeowners will find inspirational information on layout and design, but most of the book covers step-by-step instruction in installing sinks, faucets, countertops, appliances, and floor and wall finishes. General construction projects, such as building walls, adding windows, and completing electrical and plumbing work are also covered. Homeowners can use the book to do the entire project or pick the parts that interest them.
Synopsis
Ultimate Guide to KitchensAll the information you need to design and build your new dream kitchen. Over 700 photos and illustrations to guide you through your project.
Step-by-step projects on installing cabinets, sinks, countertops, appliances, and more
Tips for selecting the best fixtures and finishes, and creating the ideal design and layout for your new kitchen
The basics of plumbing, electrical, and finished carpentry for a professional-quality job
Synopsis
Planning a new kitchen is a challenging and exhausting task. But its well worth the effort. Not only does one gain a new kitchen that is more efficient and attractive than the old one, but a new kitchen is also a strong selling point when a house is put on the market.
Ultimate Guide to Kitchens guides the reader through the process of designing and doing the work involved with remodeling a kitchen or building a new one from scratch. It offers 60 of the most popular remodeling projects. Homeowners will find inspirational information on layout and design, but most of the book covers step-by-step instruction in installing sinks, faucets, countertops, appliances, and floor and wall finishes. General construction projects, such as building walls, adding windows, and completing electrical and plumbing work are also covered. The Money Matters” section works as a useful guide to achieving the desired kitchen while cutting costs, choosing the right professionals, along with do-it-yourself tasks that help homeowners save on labor.
Ultimate Guide to Kitchens provides readers with an extensive glossary of all the components needed in designing and building their new kitchen.
Table of Contents
Ultimate Guide to KitchensTable of Contents
Introduction- 6How to Use This Book- 8
Chapter OneCONSTRUCTION- 10Taking Apart Your Old Kitchen- 12Removing Walls- 14Removing a Nonbearing Wall- 16Building a Wall in Place- 17Installing Drywall- 22Taping Drywall- 24Windows and Doors- 26Installing New Windows- 32Installing a Skylight- 34
Chapter TwoCREATING A DESIGN- 38Developing a Style 40Color Basics- 44Revising a Layout- 48Creating Layouts- 52Measurements for Planning- 62Creating Custom Floor Plans- 66
Chapter ThreePLUMBING & WIRING- 70Plumbing Basics- 72Cutting and Joining Plastic Pipes- 74Soldering Copper Pipe- 76Installing Faucets and Drains- 78Fixing Water-Heater Problems- 80Wiring Basics- 86Stripping Cables and Wires- 87Running Cable- 88Adding a New Circuit- 92Installing Switches and Receptacles- 94
Chapter FourCABINETS- 100Cabinet Styles and Options- 102Storage Options- 106Installing Wall Cabinets- 114Installing Base Cabinets- 116Installing an Island- 118Reviving Old Cabinets- 120Repairing Doors and Drawers- 121Installing Cabinet Accessories- 122Refacing Cabinets- 124
Chapter Five COUNTERTOPS, SINKS, &FAUCETS- 126Countertop Materials- 128Sinks and Faucets- 132Making a Laminate Countertop- 138Installing a Prefab Countertop- 140Installing Backer Board for Tile- 142Tiling a Countertop- 144Installing a Self-Rimming Sink- 146Hooking Up a New Faucet- 148
Chapter Six APPLIANCES- 150Food Preparation- 152Installing a Waste-Disposal Unit- 158Installing a Dishwasher- 160Installing a Gas Range- 162Installing an Electric Cooktop- 163Installing a Range Hood- 164Appliance Options- 166Installing a Water Filter- 168Installing a Hot-Water Dispenser- 170Installing an Ice Maker- 171
Chapter Seven LIGHTING- 172Lighting Options- 174Installing a Surface-Mounted- 178Ceiling FixtureInstalling a Recessed Ceiling Fixture- 180Lighting Options- 182Installing Track Lights- 184Installing Under-Cabinet Lights- 186Installing A Chandelier- 187 Chapter Eight FLOORING- 188Flooring Types- 190Insulating Crawl Space- 192Reinforcing Old Floors- 193Installing Underlayment- 194Installing Vinyl Floor Tiles- 196Installing Vinyl Sheet Flooring- 198Flooring Options- 200Ceramic Tiles- 202Laying Ceramic Floor Tiles- 204Installing a Laminate Floor- 206Installing Wood Strip Flooring- 208Refinishing a Wood Floor- 210
Chapter Nine WALLS & CEILINGS- 212Wall Treatments- 214Preparing for Painting- 216Preparing Plaster for Painting- 218Painting Walls and Ceilings- 220Wallcovering Basics- 222Using Wallpaper Paste- 223Hanging Wallpaper- 224Wallcovering Options- 228Installing Wood Trim- 230
Chapter Ten LIFESTYLES- 234Kitchen Options- 236Eating Areas- 240Secondary Work Centers- 245Safety Considerations- 250Universal Design- 252
Chapter Eleven MONEY MATTERS- 256Creating a Budget- 258Working with Professionals- 260
Resource Guide- 262
Glossary- 264
Index- 266
Photo Credits- 271