A refrigerator is a serious investment, and you need to get it right. Believe it or not, you have a lot to think about before selecting one. You may think it’s really simple picking a fridge that keeps food fresh and looks good, but it’s a lot more complicated.

Here are five things to keep in mind;

1. Size

It is vital to check that the refrigerator you select will fit into your kitchen or home. Measure up and keep a note of all the dimensions before you buy. When in doubt, measure again.

They come in various widths, heights, as well as food storage volumes. There should be one to suit every single kitchen.

2. Storage capacity

Also, think about your grocery buying habits and determine how much storage space you’ll need inside your fridge freezer.

Some things to consider include;

• Amount of door space inside

• How many fridge shelves would you like to have?

• Number of salad boxes

• Bottle holders and wine racks

• Integrated ice trays

In the same vein, you´ll want to consider the freezer capacity or how many freezer drawers the chosen appliance has and how much foodstuff each of them will take. Storage capacity is typically described as the food storage volume´, and it is measured in liters. When the amount in liters is higher, the storage capacity will be higher.

3. Style

Even though traditional white fridges are still common, there are so many other choices to think about if you like trying something a bit different. Black and silver fridges are both becoming a lot more popular, and for people who need bigger capacities and have sufficient space, side-by-side fridges are an ideal option with a very distinct style.

4. Energy efficiency

The original cost of a fridge isn´t the sole factor to consider when deciding on what you can afford; think about how much it’ll cost to use it in the long term. When you get a more energy efficient model, you’ll save money because it uses less electricity. All freezers and fridges are rated A+ to B with A+ rating as the most energy efficient.

5. Additional features

While you will be buying a fridge mainly to keep drinks and food frozen and chilled, there are some extra features that could come in handy – it is your decision.

Other popular extra features include;

Frost free function – this allows for an easy appliance implying that you will never be made to spend time defrosting your items.

Chilled water dispenser – generally linked with the side-by-side style fridge freezers. However, there are more inexpensive combo-fridges available that also have them.

Thin model types – these save space in kitchens with limited space.

 

One of the many options you have when designing your new custom cabinets in Green Bay is the type of doors. One door choice in particular is “inset” or “overlay”cabinet doors. So what is the difference?  Have a look at the photos below. Notice how on the inset cabinet doors, the door literally sits inside the cabinet box, flush with the cabinet’s exterior. On the other hand, the overlaid cabinet doors lay on the outside of the cabinet box.

 

 

For the most part, the choice between the two door styles is aesthetics. The inset cabinets give a very clean and modern look to cabinets, while overlaid doors are more traditional. Both styles have their place, and both can be sleek and beautiful. So it’s mostly a matter of which look you prefer.

However, while the choice usually comes down to looks, it is important to note a few differences in the door choices. First off, inset cabinets require more precision and thus are more difficult to construct. As a result they are usually a bit more expensive to build compared to overlay doors. In addition, since inset doors nest within the cabinet boxes, they are prone to sticking and jamming as the wood doors and cabinets expand and shrink over time (due to humidity). Thus inset cabinets may need additional adjustment over time. Lastly, if you are looking to maximize space, overlay doors are the way to go since they do not require taking up space within the cabinet boxes. While you don’t gain a lot of room with overlay doors, you do maximize your cabinet space.

If you are looking for more examples of overlay or inset doors, or if have questions about which style is right for your kitchen or bath, give us a call. We’d be happy to talk it through with you.

 

Spring cleaning is a time-consuming task that homeowners must undertake if they’re going to maintain their homes properly. Although the inside of a person’s house can require a deep-cleaning session, the outside typically requires the most physical work. Nature’s various elements attack a home’s exterior throughout the year. Rain, snow, hail, winds, cold spells, heat spells, and fallen foliage all have their negative effects on a home’s overall ability to operate properly.

First and foremost, homeowners, especially those in the Green Bay area—because of the constant weather fluctuations—should be sufficiently prepared for the home maintenance period. Gas-operated equipment should be inspected, cleaned, tuned and adequately fueled. There’s nothing more irritating than getting into the cleaning spirit and ending up face to face with a lawnmower that has run out of gasoline.

One of the most important aspects of preserving a home’s integrity is ensuring that the siding is in good shape. A homeowner can rent or purchase a standard pressure washer and give the entire house a decent wash. Not only does doing this enable an owner to decide if the house needs a new layer of paint, but it helps keep mold from growing.

Homeowners need to thoroughly clean downspouts and rain gutters if they are going to function properly during the next storm. Clogged gutters can allow accumulated water to cause unsightly erosion to the nearby soil. Gutters and downspouts that are clogged with debris are also prone to encouraging mold growth. These molds can then expand to the wood beneath gutters and cause unwanted rotting.

Windows and window screens should be given a complete washing. Although a pressure washer can be used on most glass windows, the screens should be washed with a garden hose and allowed to air dry. Windows that are cracked need to be repaired or replaced immediately to prevent further damage to the home and belongings. Window screens that have even the slightest hole can allow bugs and foreign objects to enter the home. If the screens are more than ten years old, sun damage has likely made the protective fibers exceedingly brittle. It is then a good idea to replace them.

A house’s roof is undoubtedly the most important part of a home’s defense against the elements. Leaks can allow water to seep through and cause extensive water damage. Gaining access to the roof can be a dangerous task, and some homeowners aren’t physically capable of doing so. Green Bay residents should schedule an appointment with one of the many roof maintenance services. Individuals who inspect their own roofs need to look for cracks, decay and vulnerable spots. These problems are easily repaired but can lead to expensive damage if they’re left unaddressed.

Adequate landscaping is another component of completing spring maintenance chores. Homeowners should trim hedges that are near the house; otherwise the overgrowth can scratch paint and puncture the siding. One of the most common forms of damage that occurs to a house is caused by fallen tree limbs. Tree branches may not appear large, but they can weigh hundreds of pounds. A small amount of trimming can save thousands of dollars in home repairs. If climbing to extreme heights is required to effectively trim the problematic limbs, homeowners should call a professional tree trimming service. Even though their services might seem expensive, they will save time and money in the long run.

Next, a homeowner should meticulously inspect the home’s foundation. Cement slabs should be free of cracks and clutter. As a rule, if a standard coin can fit inside a crack, the foundation needs to be inspected by a professional immediately. A flawed foundation can literally reshape a house, causing irreparable damages to the frame. Because safety is paramount, foundation damages should be assessed by a qualified professional.

On the list of priorities, fence posts and fencing materials need to be tested to confirm they’re still operational. In many instances, fences are purely decorative, but functional models help prevent stray animals from wandering into a person’s yard. Families with young children should look into installing a protective fence if they haven’t already done so.

The last of the major outside maintenance chores is to make sure that the sprinkler system operates properly. Damaged sprinkler heads and broken water lines can cause flooding. Floods can quickly run up utility bills and kill patches of grass. It’s also a good idea to have the septic tank assessed if it is beginning to present critical problems such as backing up and overflowing.

The homeowner also has a few indoor maintenance requirements to address. Because wind and mold have a habit of damaging wooden spaces, cupboards and shelves inside the garage should be monitored. Decayed cabinets need to be replaced. Often, it’s quicker and cheaper to have an experienced carpenter install new cabinets and shelves. They can also inspect the rafters that hang over many garage floors. If these areas have suffered extensive termite damage and decay, they can deteriorate at unpredictable rates and cause the stored contents to fall atop vehicles. Damaged vehicles typically exceed the cost required to repair rafters and storage spaces.

With all of this in mind, Green Bay homeowners, as well as homeowners across the nation, can feel confident about their homes’ defense systems during the winter months. The only thing for an owner to do is sit back, relax and admire the work.

Refinishing the look of your kitchen can be as simple as a new coat of stain or paint on your cabinets, but there are many different types to choose from. Whether you have brand new wood in your kitchen, or you have older cabinets you are trying to refresh, each type of stain has its advantages. At Distinctive Cabinets we can help you choose which type of stain is right for your home and family.

Eco-Friendly Stains

Eco-friendly means that these methods are better for the environment and the air inside of your home. These types of products also tend to be the most traditional types of natural finishes. Products such as linseed oil, beeswax and safflower oil are all healthy for your home environment, however these finishes can be an undertaking. There are also synthetic options that mimic these natural results, however be sure to check the label to make sure it is low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound). These are used on unfinished wood to bring out the natural grain and give the wood some protection, but not necessarily from scratches.

Wood Stains and Dyes

Wood stains and dyes add color that sinks directly into unfinished wood, however it does not add scratch protection by itself. If you’d like to change the color of your existing cabinets, this is an option, however remember that since this sinks into the wood grain itself, it can be hard to remove or go any lighter once applied. This does mean you can customize the color of your cabinets to fit the décor you desire. There are natural, water-based and oil-based types of these stains, but be sure to use one that is for indoor use. Coats of clear protective products can also be added once your stain is dried to give different sheens and protection from scratches and dings from your kiddos running around the kitchen.

Varnishes

Varnishes can come in all tints, textures and are made from all different materials. What they all have in common is that they are all a hard protective coat that can either save your older cabinets’ characteristics or protect and enhance the new finish you just added. Multiple layers of varnish can be added to either create a different look or to enhance the durability of the coat. Remember though that the more coats of varnish that are applied, the more difficult they are to remove. Water-based products are low odor and easier to apply, while oil-based are more durable but can be difficult to work with.

Alternate Options

If you’re looking to change the look of your cabinets without actually stripping and staining them, there are other options. One of the easiest and quickest ways is to paint your cabinets. While this can be a fix for many homes, you will lose the characteristics of your wood grain and color. You can make the paint style glossy, flat, distressed or antiqued, so your options are many. Be sure to properly prep and clean all surfaces and use an indoor paint. Another advantage is that you can keep extra paint of the same lot on hand to cover up any scratches that may happen over the years.

Glazes on already finished cabinets can add a unique look too. A glaze is a semi-transparent wash of color applied over the existing finish that offer a less consistent finish. Where the glaze sinks into depressions in the wood it creates a darker spot creating contrast in the look.

Remember, when choosing the type of stain or finish for your cabinets, or redoing your cabinets to refresh your kitchen, the needs of your kitchen and family come first. From gorgeous natural, hand-rubbed finishes to durable varnishes, there are many options, and Distinctive Custom Cabinets of Green Bay can help you choose yours!