TCB Tips Blog

More choices are on the docket this week for your kitchen remodel. When choosing your flooring, which comes first, beauty or function? While we are now gathering where we live and making the kitchen the focal point of entertaining, we certainly want it to be beautiful. Why do we entertain, anyway? To show off to our friends, of course. However, function is important for all the traffic that results in a gathering space.

Ceramic tile is stunning and is low-maintenance. It can be swept, vacuumed or mopped, and a light color does not show the dust or dirt. The grout must be kept clean, though, and this can be a tedious task – picture yourself on the floor with a toothbrush. Ceramic tile flooring is not for the clumsy – it’s an unforgiving surface. Glasses and dishes shatter in thousands of pieces if dropped, and falls on a ceramic tile floor are quite painful.

Wood flooring offers a uniting presence, as well as a softer touch on your feet. It contributes an element of warmth to the room and is also easy to clean. It does, however, scratch easily or become marred from dropped glasses or utensils. Dog owners might think twice about hard wood maintenance, due to scratches from the dog’s nails. Although, if scratches and dents are not deep, they can easily be made to look new with another application of a poly sealant.

For the softest touch on your feet and warmth – cork anyone? Cork offers a resilience unmatched by other flooring, as well as versatility and durability. It’s priced between wood and tile, and cleaning is a bit more challenging. Cork can’t be wet mopped, and spills must be cleaned promptly so they don’t stain or get absorbed by the cork.

All in all, we need both beauty and function in any area of a home addition. With the right materials and design, your kitchen remodel can be everything you hoped it would be.

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If you’re considering a bathroom remodel, you know one of the “WOW” factors in real estate is a sunken tub, or soaking tub. Picture it: water jets, fancy faucets, fluffy towels and candles. It’s an amenity that the advertisement always mentions -- the mark of luxury. You can just imagine the time you’ll spend relaxing in the tub with a good book and a glass of wine.

Really? Instead of bubble bath, that tub is more likely to house the laundry basket or the magazines you have good intentions of reading. Do you really need that tub or can you use that space more efficiently?

While it’s a personal preference, you can soak very comfortably in a standard length tub that’s a little deeper than normal. Take that giant space allotted for a soaking tub and instead of covering it with plywood, tile and a deep tub, install a spacious shower. Using tile, you can create any shape and size you like. And you’ll like the usability even more.

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Are you keeping a file of all your remodeling ideas? If so, you've probably made a section just for countertops. Whether you're doing a kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel, countertops can be the focal point of your room. But what to choose? Granite, Silestone, solid surface, laminate... the choices can seem endless and confusing. If you consider your habits and family lifestyle, you'll be able to narrow the material choices.

For your kitchen, evaluate the extent to which you actually cook. If you do a lot of food preparation, you may want to consider material with antimicrobial protection, like Silestone. If you hate using pot holders or trivets, preferring to put hot plates or pots directly on countertops, look for heat-resistant surfaces like granite, concrete or Silestone. For both kitchen and bath countertops, low-maintenance and stain-resistant surfaces are often a good choice for families with children. Cambria, Silestone, Lexton solid surface and laminate are all scratch-resistant and stain resistant for families who are hard on their countertops. These are, for the most part, low maintenance and easy to clean.

After you've chosen the material, there are still more decisions - edging, color, consistency. For color and design, you can actually go to the top fabricator to choose your slab of material that will become your countertop. If you see inconsistency in a piece, you can request that the pattern not cover that particular part. Edging finishes your countertop, reflecting a little personality. From flat or bullnose to beveled or triple waterfall, the edge makes yet another design statement.

The best words of advice: Consider what compliments your home best, and choose what you'll love when your remodeling project is complete.

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The latest trends in kitchen remodeling aren’t Jetson-esque robots or pop-up appliances in a cold, stark environment. They do include concealed appliances for a sleek look, or stainless steel in the newer, finger-print-free finish. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) Design Competition, kitchen remodeling includes color that makes a statement in backsplashes and paint. The designers also showed trends in dark cabinetry – espresso and chocolate – detailed ceilings, inlaid floors and walk-in pantries.

Although you can get many different opinions on “trends,” in our kitchen additions and kitchen remodels throughout Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax and Manassas, we’re seeing dark and natural-finish 42-inch tall cabinetry and wood floors surge in popularity. Countertops in natural stone and quartz continue to be in demand, and customers are asking for more lighting and electrical outlets. Most importantly, your kitchen should be functional for your family’s lifestyle – trends notwithstanding.

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So you've decided to remodel your kitchen -- one of our reasons hit home for you! Before you get started, look at your schedule and get in sync with your custom remodeler. Ask for a time line so you can plan ahead! Don't get caught having to choose your faucet or appliances within 24 hours. A good schedule will start from step one -- design -- and go all the way through finished construction.

Once the physical kitchen remodel starts, you'll have to find creative ways to get through each day. Here are a few of our tips:

1. Be prepared to remove everything if you are replacing the kitchen cabinets. If not, consider removing all your plates and glassware to prevent them from getting dusty during the construction process. Otherwise, you'll be washing everything before using your new kitchen.
2. For meals, think EASY. Prepare dishes in advance and refrigerate or freeze them, or scour your local supermarket for prepared foods that require only re-heating.
3. Relocate the old refrigerator, microwave and toaster and use them to store and cook prepared food.
4. Hang up your dish towel for a while. Buy lots of paper plates, cups and plastic utensils.
5. Eat out or order in. Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax and Manassas all offer great options for every budget.
6. Use your outdoor grill. Meats, vegetables and potatoes can all be done on the grill.
7. Plan your first meal in your new kitchen and look forward to the finish date!

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5. It's winter in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax, VA, and you need a project. This is a great time to do an indoor project like a kitchen remodel. Many people shy away from remodeling near the holidays, but contractors and painters still need to support their families. See if anyone is offering a discount to fill a slow period. Or, if you are taking a winter vacation, have the work done and then and voila! You arrive home to a brand new kitchen!

4. Your counter space still consists of three square feet of bright orange 1970's plastic laminate. It's time for an update. Not only will it increase the value of your home if you ever sell it, but it will also give you a new look -- worth the price, if your kitchen has given its all. Be humane and put it out of your misery!

3. You can't open the refrigerator and the oven at the same time. You have space issues. Consider letting a remodeling contractor redesign the space to add features and accessories that stretch the space. Often, opening up a wall is surprisingly economical, and the effect can be a huge "bang for the buck" move.

2. You had a party and everyone ran to the living room. You're missing the boat on hospitality. We all live in the kitchen and family room. We gather at the table and islands, we cook dinner while helping with homework, and we watch the toddler while we wash lettuce. If your kitchen doesn't welcome this multi-tasking or entertaining guests, maybe it's time to get a home addition.

Number 1: When you say "island" you mean that far-off summer vacation. A kitchen island or peninsula can greatly change a space, directing traffic flow and adding storage cabinets. It draws people into the area, and also adds extra counter space. You can even get a food prep sink to share the load.

Let us know your top reasons for kitchen remodeling by calling Thomas Custom Builders for information on home additions and remodeling .

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Internet searches and visits to specialty stores in search of the perfect lighting solutions for your home can be overwhelming – and that’s an understatement.  We’ve heard countless stories of the stresses associated with selecting the fixtures and styles that will make you and your family happy for years to come.  Do the colors coordinate with the paint and furniture currently in-place?  If you’re renovating your home and replacing lighting altogether – which type of lighting will fit that room?  Which styles are ‘in’ and which styles are well past their trendy expiration date?  If you’ve decided on a home renovation, you may find it helps to ask the contractor for recommendations or references for designers and decorators.  When you have chosen to take the time, effort, and money to renovate, make sure your selections (like light fixtures) will keep you happy!    

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Why wouldn’t someone just visit the “big box stores” and get some general advice, buy the tools and the material, and go ‘whip-it-out’ like on HGTV?  Well, if you have moderate skills, with hand tools, understand math, sizing, proportions, on-centers, aesthetics,  perhaps some structural elements – no problem!  Oh yes, I forgot to mention, you might need a month of weekends to complete your project.  For example, my daughter and son-in-law decided they wanted new laminate flooring in their family room in lieu of carpet at their home in Woodbridge, Virginia.  They did just what most ‘do-it-yourselfers’ would do – they went to the big box store, spoke with a flooring representative, bought the materials, and knew Dad had the tools to do the job.  When my son-in-law explained to me and my partner David what he was looking to do, we had a few questions.  At the end of that brief 5-minute conversation, it was determined that it would be a good idea that Dad went by and did all the layout, all the math, checked for appropriate materials, and bring much better tools (along with his 30-some years of construction experience) to help with the job.  We completed the floor in about 7 hours (all 3 of us).  That was on New Year’s Day.  I believe they’d still be working if I hadn’t been there.  My daughter told me she was amazed at how complicated the project actually was, and she couldn’t have completed the job without help.

Flooring is relatively simple when it comes to construction projects.  Imagine trying to renovate a kitchen, remodel a master bath, or add a sunroom or deck.  These projects are far more involved because they include many trades (such as concrete, carpentry, drywall, electrical, plumbing, and duct work).  Not to mention, floors and other finishes (windows, doors, paint, hardware, exterior trim, etc.)  The answer to the initial question really boils down to:  do you have good basic skills, tools, or friends and family that have worked in the construction trade that you’re attempting?  If the answer is “no,” you need a general contractor!

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Brings to mind a great party song…but we digress – that’s for somebody else' blog. 

Recently, we’ve been noticing a lot of searches for ‘brick house’ and ‘brick homes’ while reviewing our website data.  This got us thinking – what’s with the brick?  Perhaps homeowners in Northern Virginia are looking to go with brick exteriors – makes sense, right?  Most people like brick – it’s low maintenance, attractive, durable, and won’t burn.  Great stuff.  Why don’t we see more brick?  There’s a good reason – it’s more expensive than most other exterior finishes.  For comparison:  standard vinyl siding is ~$5/square foot.  'Hardie' cement siding and premium vinyls are ~$8-$10/square foot.  Brick is ~$15-$25/square foot.  This must be why we don’t see more brick – or you only see it on one side with 3 sides finished in something else. 

P.S.  Let us know if YOU ever do a ‘brick house’ search – we’re curious!

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Typically at this point in the year, most of us are able to take a break and reflect on what we've accomplished, what we wish we had, and what we'd like to make happen in the New Year.  While it's common to aspire to a healthier diet, more exercise, and an overall body makeover, let's also look at renewing our surroundings.  A home remodel, new master bathroom, or updated kitchen can be just what we need to invigorate our environment and make us feel great all year-long...and for years to come!  Your guests will notice the change in your home, and the family will enjoy the facelift and luxury that comes with renovating your living space.

As always, Thomas Custom Builders is happy to help you get started on the path to a fresh renovation in your home.  We wish you a safe and happy holiday, thank you for your support, and look forward to hearing from you soon.  Happy New Year!

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