KITCHEN FITTINGS AND CUPBOARDS - Leading Construction and Building Group

How often do you use the appliance? Just for an occasional dinner at home or six times a day?

Will children, elderly family members, or people with disabilities use it?

Do you prefer a free-standing or built-in design? If you build it in, you can't take it with you when you move.

Do you prefer an appliance that does the basics, or would you take advantage of optional features?

Are you low-tech or high-tech? Are you more comfortable with dials or digits?

What cubic capacity or overall size do you need? How large is your family and how often do you cook, entertain, or serve large family meals?

What are the space restrictions in your kitchen? Height, width, depth. Make sure you allow enough space for proper ventilation and opening doors.

What color and styling best fit your kitchen? Do you need to coordinate with current appliances?

Does the product have energy-saving controls or features?

Are controls easy to read and use?

Will the product be easy to clean and maintain?

What type of warranty comes with the product? Full, limited, or a combination of the two?

What is the reputation of the manufacturer and dealer?

Is the product made with quality materials?

Rust is probably the biggest enemy your clothes washer has to face. After every use leave the lid to the clothes washer open so moisture inside it can evaporate. Check to see that the hot and cold water hoses are not kinked and that the filters in the ends of the hoses are not clogged with lint.

The washer must be level for it to work properly. If the washer tilts to one side it will cause excessive wear to the bearings that hold the tub in place. A unit that is not level will also not spin a full load without tripping the out-of-balance safety switch on the washer.

Before you perform any maintenance on the machine, unplug the washer from its power source. Turn the water off at the hot and cold outlets. Loosen the water intake hoses at the back of the machine with a channel lock pliers and remove them from the hot and cold faucets.

Pull out the small, round washers containing the fine screen hose filters. If they won't come out, pry them loose with a screwdriver. If they show signs of wear or are badly corroded, take them to the hardware store to buy replacement screens. If the screens are covered with mineral deposits, wash them out and replace them in the hose. Then reattach the hose to the hot and cold faucets, making sure you connect the hot and cold hoses to the corresponding faucet.

If your washer empties into a wash sink, keep lint from clogging the drain by making a lint strainer from a piece of old pantyhose. Cut the leg off about 12 in. up from the toe and secure it to the end of the discharge hose with a 1 1/2-in.-diameter hose clamp.

To break down soap scum buildup in the machine and its hoses, run the machine through a full cycle with warm water and a cup of white vinegar. Repeat the cycle with another wash using a cup of household bleach.

1. U-shaped – this is more suited to a small kitchen

2. L-shaped – the design is functional and requires little space,,it would also lend itself to a kitchen table

3. One-wall – the basic work functions are performed in a straight line making the design suitable for an open plan area

4. Island-units – a work surface is set in the middle of the kitchen thereby forming the island. The island usually contains a stove.Special plumbing arrangements would have to be made should a sink be necessary.

The cost of a kitchen would be totally reliant on the materials used and the size of the kitchen. It is therefore impossible to quote on the cost of a kitchen in general.

Built-in cupboards can be designed in a variety of modular units to accommodate hanging space and shelving space. Cupboards can be built in wall recess openings or can be fixed against walls,then exposing cupboard sides. Built-in cupboards are normally custom made but can also be made available in knock down form.

Cupboards, shelves and working surfaces should be both practical and pleasant to look at. Various heights and depths can be used, although the overall height should never be taller than the reach of a user.

Cupboards can be bought standard or made to order.The basic price for installation is yet again dependent on the type of material used and the amount of work involved. A popular alternative is mirror doors which come in various standard sizes.These range largely in price depending on the size. The availability of wall space would form an important criteria to the cost of the cupboards.Should the cupboards require backing,a further material and fitting charge will be incurred.

Certain basic requirements are necessary in a kitchen to make it functional. Important units would include a sink, stove, fridge and ample work surfaces. Plumbing and electrical would be integral parts of the construction of a kitchen.

• U-shaped – this is more suited to a small kitchen
  
• L-shaped – the design is functional and requires little space, it would also lend itself to a kitchen table
  
• One-wall – the basic work functions are performed in a straight line making the design suitable for an open plan area
  
• Island-units – a work surface is set in the middle of the kitchen thereby forming the island. The island usually contains a stove. Special plumbing arrangements would have to be made should a sink be necessary.

The cost of a kitchen would be totally reliant on the materials used and the size of the kitchen. It is therefore impossible to quote on the cost of a kitchen in general.

Built-in cupboards can be designed in a variety of modular units to accommodate hanging space and shelving space.

Cupboards can be built in wall recess openings or can be fixed against walls, then exposing cupboard sides.

Built-in cupboards are normally custom made but can also be made available in knock down form.

Cupboards can be bought standard or made to order. The basic price for installation is yet again dependent on the type of material used and the amount of work involved.

A popular alternative is mirror doors which come in various standard sizes. These range largely in price depending on the size.

The availability of wall space would form an important criteria to the cost of the cupboards. Should the cupboards require backing, a further material and fitting charge will be incurred.

A kitchen is the heart of a home and most people spend a large amount of time there, not only cooking, but socialising as well – thus turning the kitchen into what is essentially a living area.

Modern kitchen designs take this trend into account and kitchens are fast becoming an integral part of and focal point of the home. Instead of being tucked away, open plan kitchens that are incorporated into the interior design of a home are extremely popular and incorporating a kitchen into your interior layout and décor does not have to be an expensive exercise. Whether one uses a DIY kitchen or custom made kitchen, the design is vital. Not only should the kitchen design be functional, in terms of work and cupboard space, but it should also fit in with the overall decor of a home. With this in mind, however, neutral colours are best for basic fittings, with appliances and crockery making up the colour or style.

When using a DIY kit, it is important to ensure that units are designed to international standards and sizes. Each unit should be separately packed with related hardware and hinges, along with a step-by-step installation guide and drawings.

A kitchen is the heart of a home and most people spend a large amount of time there, not only cooking, but socialising as well – thus turning the kitchen into what is essentially a living area. Modern kitchen designs take this trend into account and kitchens are fast becoming an integral part of and focal point of the home.Instead of being tucked away, open plan kitchens that are incorporated into the interior design of a home are extremely popular and incorporating a kitchen into your interior layout and décor does not have to be an expensive exercise.

Whether one uses a DIY kitchen or custom made kitchen, the design is vital. Not only should the kitchen design be functional, in terms of work and cupboard space, but it should also fit in with the overall decor of a home. With this in mind, however, neutral colours are best for basic fittings, with appliances and crockery making up the colour or style. When using a DIY kit, it is important to ensure that units are designed to international standards and sizes. Each unit should be separately packed with related hardware and hinges,along with a step-by-step installation guide and drawings.