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Category Archives: Kitchens

Navigating the Maze of Kitchen Remodeling

Embarking on a kitchen renovation is an exciting yet overwhelming journey, especially when faced with the abundance of options and uncertainties. Like many others, you find yourself caught in the labyrinth of online resources, desperately seeking accurate cost estimates for your dream kitchen. Unfortunately, most platforms seem more interested in harvesting your information for lead companies than providing genuinely helpful insights. The figures they throw at you bear no resemblance to the reality of kitchen remodeling costs.

Navigating through the maze of cabinet choices adds another layer of complexity. There’s a spectrum of cabinet lines, each with different qualities. Your vision is clear – a kitchen that strikes the perfect balance between opulence and functionality. You’re not aiming for a culinary Taj Mahal, but neither are you settling for a mundane cardboard box. You crave a space where visitors walk in and are immediately captivated by its beauty, a kitchen that seamlessly complements your carefully chosen backsplash, new flooring, and the state-of-the-art stove and refrigerator you recently acquired.

This is not just a renovation; it’s about transforming your house into a home where you genuinely enjoy living. Your kitchen, the heart of your home, should reflect your personality and taste. The big question lingering in your mind, and perhaps in the minds of many undertaking a kitchen makeover, is the impact on resale value. It’s a valid concern, and you’re wise to consider it. However, the key lies in striking a balance between personal style and broad appeal.

Here’s a piece of advice: steer clear of eccentric choices like hot pinks or fluorescent yellows if you’re thinking about resale. Instead, consider the timeless allure of two-toned cabinets. They add a touch of sophistication and versatility, making a lasting impression on anyone who steps into your kitchen. Imagine crown molding that elegantly extends to the ceiling, and say goodbye to soffits – your kitchen suddenly feels taller, more expansive, and undeniably luxurious.

The decision-making process can be daunting, especially when it comes to colors and styles. However, here’s a nugget of wisdom to ease your mind: whether you opt for painted or stained cabinets, you’ll inevitably please a significant portion of your audience. Roughly 50% of people walking into your home have always dreamt of a kitchen with painted cabinets, while the other half leans towards the timeless elegance of stained ones. In the end, you may only fully satisfy half the crowd, but in the grand scheme of things, 50% is a considerable victory.

So, take a deep breath, trust your instincts, and let your dream kitchen unfold. It’s not just a renovation; it’s a journey towards creating a space that resonates with you, enhances your daily life, and becomes the backdrop to countless cherished memories. Your kitchen, your home – make it a masterpiece.

Countertops: Granite vs. Quartz

Following is a quick conversation with Kopke President Alan Seeley about the difference between Granite and Quartz. They are both great countertop options, it just depends what you are looking for.

People often ask me “what’s the difference between granite and quartz?”, and I always say “great question”.

Granite, they quarry granite in slabs. Granite, believe it or not, it gets its strength because it has quartz inside of it. The rest of it is porous. Now you can take a piece of granite, and you can cut it in half, and there’s no two pieces on the planet identical. It’s like a fingerprint. The next thing about granite to let you know is, they talk about the polish on there. Why do they seal the granite, well because it’s being porous, they seal the granite to solidify it and make sure nothing can go through it or bleed through. A bleed through is more common when you buy retail like a coffee table or something else that has granite on top of it. They spit out so many of these things that the polish or the seal is not 100% like they would do when they go through a fabricator that’s actually taking the slab and doing this particularly for your home.

Then people often ask: “how do you clean granite?” Well, there’s a cleaner out there that you can spray, you can get it at Home Depot and Lowe’s, it’s called granite cleaner and sealer. You spray it, you wipe off your countertop, and it’s always sealing it and it always cleaning it. You never have to repolish it, it has a high polish on it. The polish on granite is higher than the polish on quartz. So it’s a one-and-done, you don’t have to worry about it anymore. Now they are coming out with granite that you can do a dull finish, which is absolutely amazing, and you can feel the texture inside of it. But do you see how they are both basically the same, but one has a shine and one doesn’t? But they almost look the same don’t they. Here’s what the granite looks like on its own, that’s what you get when you quarry it. And then when they polish it and spray water on it, it comes out looking like this.

The availability of the granite, that’s what justifies the cost. The more availability to a granite color, the less expensive it is. The less availability to these one-of-a-kinds, that’s when the cost factors go up. They are anywhere from a level 1 to a level 9. 9 is the most expensive. We don’t carry anything higher than a level 2. Because primarily these are the basics that are always readily available for our customers.

So quartz. Here’s the thing, quartz is really cool. Quartz comes out in these big chunks from the quarry, they’re squashed down, smashed down into little itty bitty pieces. And then they form all the different patterns that they have. These countertops are 95% quartz, 5% bonding agent. Do you ever sit on a beach and look over at the sand and see some sand glistening? That’s not sand glistening, it’s little pieces of quartz. Really really cool. Now quartz starts out with a standard pattern, that’s why they have an A. And then what they do is they’ll take this pattern (A) and they’ll add on to this pattern on another machine. And then they’ll add on another pattern on another machine. So that’s why you have A, B and C levels. Then when you get to D, E, F, as far as being the most expensive, as the ones with the ones with the most intricate patterns inside of them, and besides that it’s the most trendy, so they also add up, and make it more expensive. Intricacy and also being trendy, you’re going to pay more for it. So the more machines it hits, the more expensive it is. It’s always the same, doesn’t matter where you get the slab from, when you get it, its always going to be the same representation every single time.

Cambria is like the Bose system of the [quartz] industry. Bose speakers, no matter where you buy it from, nobody can discount it. Cambria is so into quartz, that the places that fabricate Cambria, can only fabricate Cambria, They can’t fabricate other quartz lines, it’s either Cambria or nothing. So Cambria is in a lot of magazines, they’re at trade shows, they’re very expensive, Cambria, but you kind of get what you pay for. The intricacies in Cambria are just so cool. I mean they got a lot of this stuff down pat, I don’t care if you live in Florida, they know what you want in your beach house. So, they have 2 price points. The price points are one is the smaller sticker, which is the lower of the two price points, and the larger sticker which is the more expensive of the two price points. So quartz doesn’t have a high polish like granite does because it’s not sealed to the point where granite is, so it has a duller finish on it. Just remember, some of this stuff can start getting really busy, okay, so make sure anything you pick with this, your backsplash for example, doesn’t clash with it.

If you would like to see some of these granite and quartz samples in person, our showroom/selection center is a great place to start. No appointment necessary! Find our hours and address on our website.

Transform Your Kitchen for Stress-Free Holiday Hosting

Are you tired of feeling cramped in your kitchen during the holiday season? Do you dream of having more space to prepare and serve meals for your family and friends? We know you’ve been thinking about it for a long time, and now is the perfect time to turn those dreams into reality. Let us assist you in designing the kitchen of your dreams, where you can comfortably host Thanksgiving and Christmas parties for years to come.

With our expertise and attention to detail, we will ensure that every inch of your new kitchen is optimized for efficiency and convenience. From custom cabinetry to state-of-the-art appliances, we will help you choose the perfect elements to make your kitchen a true centerpiece of your home. Don’t let another holiday season go by feeling frustrated in your kitchen – let us transform it into a space that you’ll be proud to show off to your loved ones.

Our team of experienced designers will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and preferences. Whether you’re looking for a modern, sleek design or a cozy, rustic feel, we will create a kitchen that reflects your unique style. And with our wide selection of high-quality materials and finishes, you can be confident that your new kitchen will not only be beautiful but also built to last. Don’t wait any longer – start the process of transforming your kitchen today and make next year’s holiday season one to remember.

Now is the Best Time to Plan Your 2024 Remodel

Now is the ideal time to start considering a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project. With a meticulous planning process that typically takes 2-3 weeks for selections and designs, followed by an estimated 3 months to procure all the necessary products, you can expect a total timeline of approximately 4 months before demo begins. By starting your project in spring, you can look forward to enjoying the fruits of your investment by the time summer arrives. Imagine how delightful it would be to fully embrace your newly remodeled space when next fall comes around.

Contact Us today to start planning your 2024 Remodel

The Best Christmas Gift to Give Your Spouse This Year

What did you give your spouse for Christmas last year? I bet you don’t remember!  This year, give him/her something they will remember for years to come, a newly remodeled Kitchen! You know you need to remodel anyway, so why not kill two birds with one stone? Kopke Remodeling is on standby to make you the best gift giver since Santa Claus himself.

Kitchen Remodeling: A Lasting Gift of Love

A kitchen remodel is not just a gift for the present moment; it’s a lasting investment in the future. The impact of a remodeled kitchen extends far beyond the initial surprise and the completion of the project. It becomes a daily reminder of the love and thoughtfulness that went into the gift, enriching your spouse’s life and your relationship for years to come.

Furthermore, a remodeled kitchen has the potential to increase the value of your home, providing a long-term financial benefit in addition to the emotional rewards. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, enhancing the functionality, beauty, and overall appeal of your home for years to come.

Surprise your spouse with a wrapped gift box of tile and counter samples under the tree and start construction after the new year. Call Kopke Remodeling today at 586-777-6633.

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