Can I Install a Granite Countertop in a Kitchen With An Uneven Floor?

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You may be planning to install a granite countertop in a kitchen which has an uneven or unlevel floor. This isn’t that unusual in many kitchens, especially in older homes with foundations that have settled. In any case, you only need to worry about the cabinets themselves being level. If properly installed, the cabinets may not be a problem, especially if they are relatively new. So yes, you can install a granite countertop in a kitchen with an unlevel floor. You just need to be sure that the counter itself is level.

So, what if the cabinets aren’t quite level enough? If you have older cabinets, it’s not all that rare for them to settle along with the rest of the house. But obviously, you want your granite top to be as level as possible. Installing countertops on an unlevel surface can cause crevices between different sections. This can lead to water seeping in, which can cause multiple problems, such as mold growth or the harboring of germs. It also puts stress on the cabinets because the weight of the counter not being distributed evenly. All that aside, uneven counters just don’t function very well or look very good. Having an even surface is important for both practical and aesthetic reasons. Not to worry, this issue is easily resolved.

One common solution is to use plywood shims on the tops of the uneven cabinets. This should alleviate any leveling problems and any good countertop installer should know how to do this if it’s necessary. If you don’t want to see the shims, you can use trim between the counter and the cabinets. For style reasons, trim is already commonly used when installing countertops to give the kitchen a more finished look. If you’re planning on re-staining or painting the cabinets, then the trim will look natural and won’t be much extra work anyway. Even if you don’t use trim, shims are usually only obvious if you’re looking at the connection between the counter and cabinets from below.

These steps are actually true for other types of countertops, as well. But it’s especially important in the case of granite due to the weight of the slabs. Over time you can end up with seams between the different sections of the counter. Also, some parts can put extra pressure on the joints that hold the counter onto the cabinets. This will cause more damage to the cabinets than the counter. Either way, these problems are fixable. But as you now know, these problems can be mostly preventable in the very beginning when they are installed. Well-built joints and/or shims, as well as solid cabinetry, should allow you to have a perfectly level granite countertop that you can enjoy for years to come.

Hilliard Ohio Kitchen Remodel

Hiring an experienced contractor from the start can help ensure this is done properly. This is true in all countertop installation scenarios. However, experience is especially important when working with uneven surfaces. Be sure to discuss the situation with your contractor right away so that everyone is on the same page. This also helps ensure you’ve hired the right professional.

Open Concept Kitchens for Columbus OH

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Once home owners were simply told not to remove a load bearing wall and forget about that wide open space. But now with so many homeowners are looking for the open floor plan concept, even that load bearing wall is coming down.

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Kitchen & Bath Remodels Yield a Great Return on Investment in Ohio

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When looking to sell a house in Ohio, the greatest concern for many homeowners is the value their house is likely to fetch in the market. Many will be left pondering whether undertaking some renovations on it will pay off by increasing its resale value. And if it will, what specific areas of renovation are more likely to raise the value and by how much. Fortunately for homeowners, various remodeling projects have been known to raise the resale value of a house and also offer the potential of a high return on the re-structuring investment, ROI.
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What Makes a High Quality Kitchen Cabinet

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When it comes to choosing kitchen cabinets, considering how long they will last is an extremely important factor. Finding options using high quality materials, such as solid plywood construction, is usually worth the added cost over less expensive stock cabinetry options. Laminates and thermofoil are often used as budget-conscious options, and these options are known to occasionally experience issues down the line. So then, what makes a high quality kitchen cabinet? Read more

Kitchen Cabinet Crown Molding Styles

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Crown molding is a design element that is popular as a finishing feature to many rooms in both older and newer homes. It also adds a degree of old school style to any traditional or transitional kitchen when installed on the tops of cabinets. While they can prove tricky to install, the finished look they provide cabinets is worth the extra effort.

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Remodeling Your Kitchen To Cook Great Recipes

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Have you ever read some recipes, such as those found in the Life and Entertainment section of the Columbus Dispatch, and thought to yourself, how would I ever cook these in my kitchen? Ever found that cooking holiday meals is more of a nightmare than it really should be? It comes down to having a kitchen with a good workflow and ample counter space to make sure things don’t get cluttered out of control. If you find your kitchen is too cramped or inefficient, there are plenty of ways to improve your space.

Maximize Counter Space with Storage Cart

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Especially in smaller kitchens, counter space is at a premium. If there isn’t sufficient storage, items can tend to find “homes” on the counter, even if they don’t really belong there. One solution is to find a portable cart that can be used while preparing meals or offering extra space for other reasons – sort of like a mini breakfast bar.

Improve Workflow With Design or Arrangement Changes

Sometimes your kitchen layout simply isn’t working. This is one of the more difficult things to change because cabinetry configurations get involved. It can be as simple as simply rearranging your existing units. If you have good, solid cabinets, this is the best option. If your cabinets are already fairly large, you can get organizational systems for your cabinets to make better use of your existing space.

Double Wall Ovens Save Space and Time

Not only are double wall ovens affordable, but they can be major space savers, eliminating the need for a toaster oven or an extra wide appliance. Imagine being able to bake and cook at the same time. Have a complicated meal that requires different temperatures for everything? Double wall ovens can save preparation time in these and other instances. Also, when the double oven is installed in the wall, it leaves more room for extra storage or counter space. The best meals are made when you’re able to cook with ease.

Keep Most Used Items in Plain View and Within Easy Reach

Think of all the items you use most often and make plans with your contractor for the best storage options. For instance, utensils can hang above the stove or be stored in canisters on the counter top. The most used pots and pans can hang in easy reach or be stored within plain view, such as on a rack or stand. Consider removing the doors from some or all cabinets for easier access to everything you need in order to cook.

Use Wall Shelving or Other Easy Access Storage for Larger Items

Floating wall shelves can really free up space on the countertop that may normally be taken up by small appliances. Try placing the toaster, blender, can opener, and small dishes on the floating shelves. These shelves can be aligned throughout the kitchen wall space and customized for your specific usage. Built-ins, suspended ceiling racks, and countertop racks are also great storage solutions that are more convenient for easy cooking.