This article is sponsored by Michael & Son, the leading full-service plumbing, electrical, HVAC and remodeling company serving the Washington D.C. area for over 30 years. Learn more about Michael & Son at MichaelandSon.com.
If there is one room in the house that is always worth remodeling, it’s the kitchen. A modern and up to date kitchen can breathe new life into an old home and attract buyers if your house is on the market.
Luckily, it's also a project you can tackle on your own. Ahead are a few critical but easy to follow tips on updating one of the most important areas of you home.
Today we will be walking through a few easy to do kitchen remodeling projects that even the least handy of us can complete. Let’s get started with the first thing people see when entering your kitchen, the cabinets.
Painting and Refinishing Cabinet Doors
What you'll need:
- 150 to 180 grain sandpaper
- Wood primer
- Paint brushes
- Screw drives
How to do it: Start by laying down a large drop cloth in your work area. If possible and weather permits, set up outside. Or, if space or weather is an issue, work in a well ventilated area. Take down the kitchen cabinets, rinse with warm soapy water, and then use 150 to 180 grain sand paper to remove the original paint. Once you’ve removed the paint and sanded the cabinets down to a smooth finish, apply primer and allow them to dry. Make sure to use the correct type of primer -- use oil based primer for oil based paints and shellac-based primer for latex paint. After the primer has dried, you can begin painting the cabinets. Make sure to use smooth strokes and allow drying between coats. After the paint has dried, reattach the cabinets.
Tile Backsplash
What you'll need:
- 80 grit sandpaper
- Tile
- Grout
- Mastic adhesive
- Tile cutter
How to do it: Begin by prepping the walls using 80 grit sandpaper. Once you’ve brought the wall to a smooth and even finish, use warm soapy water to clean off the work area. Next, coat the wall with mastic and apply the tiles eight at a time. Applying the tiles eight at a time will allow the mastic to dry properly which will make for a better fit. Using the tile cutter you’ve rented or purchased, cut tiles to fit around cabinets and appliances. While tile cutting may sound daunting, marking the tiles and being extra careful makes everything easier. After you’ve applied all the tiles, allow the wall to dry over night. After the tiles and wall have completely dried, apply grout between tiles on the wall and caulk between the counter tops and the tile. Make sure to allow the grout to completely dry before applying the caulk. Once the caulk and grout have both had a chance to dry, simply wipe down with soapy water and splash away.
Replacing Kitchen Floors
What you'll need:
-Sheet vinyl
- Fully bonded vinyl adhesive
- Razor Knife
- Large roll of paper
- Pencil
How to do it: Start by removing old flooring and mopping with warm, soapy water. Next, make a pattern on the paper and cut the floor to match the template. Cut the pieces of the vinyl larger than the actually space it will cover and install the floor in halves. Apply the adhesive to the flooring and roll over the entire area. Cut the vinyl to fit around baseboards and appliances. Once you’ve fitted all the corners, cut any overlapping materials and apply adhesive to seal. Let dry over night (or according to the adhesive manufactures specifications) and you’ve got new floors!
DIY projects not only save you money, they also give you a nice confidence boost. If you’re simply not a DIY guy or gal but still want a remodeled kitchen, call Michael & Son’s remodeling division. With Michael & Son, you can design a remodeling project to your exact specification, from beginning to end.
