Kitchens

1
Kitchens

• Elements of a well designed kitchen, common
  materials used, trends in kitchen design and
  accommodating those with special needs.

2

• What are some things that you think are important
  to have in a kitchen design?

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Well Designed Kitchens

• Adequate storage
• Lighting
• Counter space
• What else??

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Adequate Storage

• Space for
• Food
• Dishes
• Small appliances
• What else??

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Lighting

• What types of lights do you generally see in
  kitchens?
• General
• Task
• Accent?

6
Counter Space

• To cook
• To mix
• To roll out cookie dough or pie crust
• To stack dirty dishes by the sink
• To dry clean dishes
• To stack clean dishes from the dishwasher before
  putting them away

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• Flooring, Counter Tops, Cabinets and Sinks What
  materials are used?

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Flooring

• Hardwood
• Tile and Stone
• Laminate
• Vinyl and Resilient

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Hardwood
Oak is the most popular domestic hardwood and can
last for decades.
North American species like birch, cherry and
maple are timeless choices.
Global species have a regal look, rich color
tones and provide inherent hardness.
Bamboo and cork provide a contemporary decor and
are renewable resources.
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Tile and Stone
Used indoors and out, porcelain is stronger than
ceramic and has the most durable surface.
An economical choice for indoor use, ceramic is
durable and easy to clean.
For indoor and outdoor applications with natural
colors and pattern variations.
Indoor and outdoor use, bringing vibrant colors
for modern to rustic looks.
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Laminate
Features the authentic appearance of real
domestic woods such as oak.
Exotic laminate mimics unique woods, such as Pear
Wood and Merbau
With an array of patterns, laminate mimics the
appearance of natural tile.
Rustic laminate has a warm, country feel.
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Vinyl
Sold in 6 ft. and 12 ft. widths to quickly and
easily cover large rooms.
Like hardwood and tile, plank is easy to install
with no glue required.
Typically sold in 12 in. squares, vinyl tile's
self-adhesion makes installation easy.
Sometimes embossed, luxury vinyl can be grouted
for a tile look.
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Cabinets

• Solid Wood and Veneer
• Laminate and Thermofoil

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Solid Wood and Veneers

• Most cabinets are made from hardwoods, but to
  reduce costs, these hardwoods are often applied
  as veneers over a substrate, such as plywood.
• Wood warps easily as its moisture content
  changes. That's why it's important that the wood
  be finished on all sides before it leaves the
  factory. Unfinished cabinetry should be finished
  on-site as soon as possible to prevent warping.
  Veneered cabinets are more stable than solid
  lumber in high-humidity areas.

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Wood Cabinets
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Laminate and Thermofoil

• Cabinetry that is not solid-wood or wood veneer
  is generally laminate or Thermofoil, both of
  which are applied to substrates. Laminate and
  Thermofoil come in a range of colors and
  patterns, including some that mimic wood.

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Laminate Cabinets
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Counter Tops

• Granite
• Engineered Stone
• Solid Surfaces
• Ceramic Tile
• Laminates

• Wood or Butcher Block
• Stainless Steel
• Soap Stone
• Marble
• Concrete

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Granite

• Granite is the countertop material of choice when
  there are no other things to think about - like
  money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. As the
  use of granite becomes more widespread, the price
  comes down. The beauty of the stone contributes
  to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.
• Pros holds up to heat comes in a range of
  almost 3000 colors looks permanent and
  substantial will last a lifetime new sealers
  are almost maintenance-free 2nd highest hardness
  rating after diamonds has a high value to home
  buyers.
• Cons expensive, but becoming more affordable
  requires some maintenance some stones absorbs
  stains if not sealed knives can become dull if
  you cut on it can crack if stressed or
  improperly installed.

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Engineered Stone

• Engineered stone is composed of 93 quartz
  particles. It is available in a larger range of
  colors than granite and has a nonporous surface
  that resists scratches. It's easy to maintain,
  without the annual sealing required by natural
  stone. Some brands on the market include DuPont
  Zodiaq, LG Viatera, Cambria Quartz, and
  Silestone.
• Pros Resistant to stain and acid easy care.
• Cons Expensive.

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Solid Surfaces

• Because solid surface counters are just what
  they're called, solid, any scratches can be
  sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to
  your specifications by companies such as Avonite,
  Corian, and Swanstone.
• Pros comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns
  seamless stain resistant.
• Cons vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can
  damage the surface can be moderately expensive.

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Sinks

• Stainless Steel Sinks
• Enameled Cast Iron Sinks
• Americast Sinks
• Vitreous China Fireclay
• Manmade Materials
• Copper Sinks

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Stainless Steel Sinks

• Stainless Steel Sinks - the neutral color for the
  kitchen and the most popular style of sink.
  Stainless steel works in both traditional and
  contemporary kitchens and they'll complement your
  decor long after trendy colors are out of style.
  Some have integrated counter tops larger,
  deeper bowls. Though it may scratch, it's easy to
  clean with a household cleanser and soft towel.
  They won't chip, nick, crack or rust, stain or
  fade. The sanitary surface is just one reason
  healthcare facilities use them. Finishes include
  a mirrored finish which is shiny and brushed or
  satin stainless which is less likely to show
  scratches. Some sinks come as a combination with
  a satin bowl and mirrored rim. Most stainless
  steel sinks are undercoated with a sound
  deadening material to reduce noise, inhibit
  condensation and provide for better heat
  retention.

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Enameled Cast Iron Sinks

• Enameled Cast Iron Sinks are a solid cast iron
  base layered with a deep enamel surface. These
  sinks are extremely heavy and resist almost any
  type of structural damage. Due to their weight,
  these long-lasting sinks are a little more
  difficult to install. They do, however, provide
  for good heat retention and are quieter than
  other types of sinks.

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Americast Sinks

• Americast Sinks are a remarkable alternative
  that's more durable and weighs half as much as
  traditional cast iron sinks. Its insulation
  properties allow it to retain heat longer and
  emit less sound. Americast is American Standard's
  patented process that bonds the high-quality
  porcelain enamel surface with an enameling grade
  metal and a molded reinforcement material
  backing. This strengthens the sink for normal use
  and the smooth surface is very appealing.

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Vitreous China Fireclay Sinks

• Vitreous China Fireclay Sinks are a
  ceramic-based material with baked on porcelain
  best recognized for its smooth and glossy finish.
  This type of sink is often referred to as a
  county or French country style. The material is
  impervious to water, very durable and is
  available in almost any color, including
  hand-painted and sculptured designs. Damage could
  occur if a heavy object is accidentally dropped
  into the sink. It is easy to clean and is
  germ-resistant.

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Manmade Materials

• Manmade Materials - Also called Engineered Stone,
  which is an authentic solid surface. Color and
  texture run all the way through and cannot wear
  away.

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Copper Sinks

• Copper Sinks - This style of sink adds uniqueness
  to the kitchen. Most copper sinks are crafted
  from the finest quality copper. This super-thick
  copper is hand-hammered, and formed into a work
  of art that adds a touch of class to any kitchen.
  Copper sinks have a living finish, their patina
  ages and improves over time, therefore it resists
  stains and other discoloration. They are also the
  healthier choice because bacteria cannot grow on
  copper. You can choose from a natural "weathered"
  copper or dark bronze for a warm dark look. They
  are offered in "natural" or polished and finished
  in satin nickel. Most copper sinks are heavy
  because of their extra-thick casting process.
  This enables a lifetime of use while absorbing
  noise and repelling dings and scratches.

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• What are some current trends in home kitchen
  design?

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Kitchen Trends

• Trend 1 The Kitchens within a Kitchen
• "On the weeknights, they need to be able to
  navigate their kitchen quickly when they're just
  warming up a simple meal. But on the weekends,
  they need it to open up enough so they can
  prepare a fancy gourmet meal and entertain a
  large group of friends while they are cooking."

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Kitchen Trends

• Trend 2 Eclectic is In
• "Instead of having a solid bank of cabinets with
  a standard look, customers are mixing and
  matching finishes, putting cabinets up on feet to
  make them look more like freestanding furniture,
  and choosing exotic woods and hardware

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Kitchen Trends

• Trend 3 More tall, less wall
• "We've been installing a lot of pedestal cabinets
  -- these are cabinets which are taller than the
  rest, usually 42 inches or more, that act almost
  like a built-in-pedestal at the end of a long run
  of under the counter cabinets. It's a great post
  for a column or other architectural element for
  the room"

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Kitchen Trends

• Trend 4 Expanded office/work desk areas
• "Used to be, there was a desk in the kitchen so
  mom could store her recipes and work on the
  bills," Cheever said. "But as more homes got
  wireless internet access, mom didn't like being
  cooped up at a kitchen desk." Today, customers
  are forgoing tiny kitchen desks for larger desks
  that wrap around into the family room.

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Kitchen Trends

• Trend 5 Everything at your fingertips
• "Customers today are no longer satisfied to have
  cabinets that merely look good. They want them to
  work efficiently for them, too," Aufderhar said.
  Decora' was one of the first in the semi-custom
  cabinet market to offer a full line of cabinet
  storage options, from overhead wine racks, to
  pull out spice racks and chopping boards, and
  more.

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• What are some special needs that the elderly or
  physically handicapped may have when working in
  the kitchen?

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Special Needs

• Countertops
• Vary countertop heights
• Space for knees under counter
• Pull out cutting boards
• Sinks
• Wheel chair accessible sinks should be shallow
• Allow for knee space
• Insulate hot water pipes to prevent burns on legs

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Special Needs

• Wall Cabinets
• Lower some wall cabinets
• Adjustable wall cabinets are EXPENSIVE, but
  available.
• Base Cabinets
• Removal of some base cabinets may be needed to
  provide leg space.
• Doorways and Hallways
• A 36 door will allow for a wheel chair
• Lever style door handle

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Special Needs

• Kitchen Isle Width
• A width of 42 instead of 36 allows several
  people to work in the kitchen at the same time,
  as well as allows for wheelchair space.
• Appliances
• install the wall oven and microwave so they are
  approximately 31" from the floor
• For a range, look for a slanted control panel
  with recessed control knobs that are easy to hold
  and to turn

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Other Considerations

• A cranking, casement type window is easier to
  open than the standard double hung style.
• Glare-free lighting, cabinets, and low-gloss
  counter laminate improves usability.
• Switches and thermostats should be installed no
  higher than 48" off the floor.
• Place electrical outlets no lower than 15" off
  the floor.

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• By implementing an accessible design your kitchen
  can be easier for all users.