The Basics for Picking Out Your Kitchen Sink
If you are planning a kitchen remodel (or building your custom home), one of the items you’ll consider is what type of kitchen sink you want. Believe it or not, the kitchen sink will speak volumes to the look and feel that you are trying to create and play a significant role in the overall functionality of the room.
Here are some kitchen sink basics you need to know when making this selection.
Sink Materials
Sinks are made from different materials: stainless steel, cast iron, fireclay and composite. Let’s take a look at each one.
Most of the sinks that you will find in stores are going to be made of stainless steel. When considering a stainless steel sink, remember the lower the gauge (16 gauge is thicker than 20 gauge), the more resistant it will be to heat and dents.
Cast iron sinks are extremely durable and are not prone to staining; however, you will find that these kitchen sinks will be more expensive to purchase and install (because they are so heavy).
For those who want to create a classic kitchen look, a fireclay sink may be a top contender. It is created when clay and glaze are fused together after being fired at an extremely high temperature. The result is a very hard and extremely durable material. It resists chips, heat, acid and discoloration, so it will withstand heavy use over time.
Another possibility is a composite sink. These come in a variety of colors so you can match your sink to the other elements of your kitchen. These sinks are durable and easy to take care of.
Selecting Your Sink Style
Before you select your kitchen sink based on looks, consider what you will be doing with the sink first. This should greatly help you determine which style is the best for you.
The single-bowl sink is a wonderful option if you do not have a lot of space. It can also be a great choice if you have large pots and pans to clean. For those who love to cook, the double-bowl sink may be the right style because it affords you different bowls for multi-tasking, and you can select the size and depth of each bowl.
If you want a sink that makes a statement, take a look at a farmhouse sink – where the sink front actually replaces part of the countertop. It is a great look for cottage- or country-style homes, like those here in Lancaster, but because of its unique look, it is often found in modern-style kitchens, too.
There are two ways that sinks can be mounted – under or top. An under-mounted sink gives that area of your kitchen a cleaner and finished look, but it is a bit more expensive than a top-mount, or self-rimming, that sets into the countertop from above.
As you can see, there are a few factors to take into consideration when selecting a kitchen sink, but if you take your time and think through how you cook, how durable you need your sink to be and what look you want for your kitchen, you’ll be prepared to make a selection that you’ll be happy with for years to come.
Home Maintenance Checklist – November 2015
Winter will be here soon, so now is the time to check around your house to make sure it is ready for cold and blustery weather when it arrives.
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Gutters. Do one final check of your gutters to make sure it is free of leaves and other debris, as it can cause water to dam up and freeze. Keep in mind that if you are unable to safely check them yourself, hire a professional who can take care of it for you.
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Shrubs and Tree Limbs. When the wind is blowing, the trees and shrubs close to your home can scrape against the exterior of your home. Besides keeping you awake at night, they can also cause damage. Trim them back so that they aren’t hitting your house.
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Furnace. Your furnace is what keeps your home and family comfortable all winter long, so make sure you keep it in good working order. If you haven’t already done so, have your HVAC professional do a furnace check-up where he can clean it and detect any potential issues.
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Outside Items. If you still have patio furniture, flower pots or garden hoses outside, move them back inside. Also, make sure that your outside spigots are drained and turned off from the inside. This will prevent potential pipe bursts from happening in below-freezing temperatures.
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Kitchen Sink. Before holiday cooking and baking get in full swing, clean your garbage disposal and also your faucet aerator.
Family-Focused Holiday Projects
As we enter into the holiday season, here are a few fun ideas to keep this time of year festive and family-focused.
Thanksgiving Decorating Idea: A Gratitude Tree
As you reflect on your blessings this Thanksgiving season, consider this fun activity for the whole family – making a “Gratitude Tree.”
Making a gratitude tree is quite easy. First, gather some small sticks and place them in a decorative vase. Then you and your family simply list some things you are thankful for – each on a separate piece of paper – and hang them on your “tree.” With a little creativity you can make a nice piece of thanksgiving décor to brighten up your home.
We found dozens of neat ideas on Pinterest (follow this link) or if you want a free printable Gratitude Tree, we found one on SomewhatSimple.com.
Advent Calendars
A favorite holiday tradition is an Advent calendar. “An Advent calendar is a special calendar used to count or celebrate the days in anticipation of Christmas. Many take the form of a large rectangular card with ‘windows’ of which there are usually 24: one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day. The calendar windows open to reveal an image, poem, a portion of a story (such as the story of the Nativity of Jesus) or a small gift, such as a toy or a chocolate item. Some calendars are strictly religious, whereas others are secular in content.” (Source: Wikipedia)
Here are two creative Advent calendar ideas for you and your family to consider:
- Kindness Focused – A random act of kindness can be revealed each day. Some ideas include bringing a hot beverage to an outside worker, feeding a parking meter or giving food gift cards to the homeless.
- Family Fun Focused – Make the “gift” be the gift of family time. Some ideas include watching a movie, playing a game or going to a tree-lighting event in your town.
Project Spotlight: Custom within a Community
Moving to the area and in search of a quality builder, Kevin and Sue found a community that Metzler Home Builders was building in, The Hamlet at Bird-in-Hand. Their previous experience building a home had left them with some reservations and low expectations before their initial meeting with Metzler Home Builders. However, they quickly generated a feeling of trust and comfort when meeting with Dan and Janet Metzler to start their design / build process.
Kevin and Sue had developed their own plans for their new home and brought them to the initial meeting to review with the Metzler team. They were surprised at the level of interest and excitement that the Metzler’s displayed when reviewing the plans. They also enjoyed the process of Dan Metzler making suggestions and options for enhancing their design.
As the construction process played out, they were delighted with how everything came together and were thrilled with the finished product. They were extremely pleased that their search for a quality custom builder led them to Metzler Home Builders. Ultimately, Kevin and Sue were excited to be able to have a positive home building experience in a quaint community setting, and feel they received exceptional value for their dollars spent.
Halloween Safety Tips To Keep Your Family Safe
Halloween is such a fun holiday for the entire family. Both kids and adults love going into the costume section of stores and giggle at the wide-variety of fun, cute and spooky holiday accessories. But the Halloween season can be a bit dangerous, too. Here are a few tips to keep your family – and visiting trick-or-treaters- safe.
- Be mindful of candle and light bulb placement. This time of year, many of us like to burn candles to make our homes feel more comfortable and welcoming, but loose clothing, especially the arms of costumes, can easily catch fire. Additionally, the fall decorations we use inside the house – straw, dried flowers and crepe paper – are all highly flammable. Same goes for light bulbs because they are hot when they are on, and any of the above-mentioned decorations can also heat up to the point they catch on fire.
- Keep entrance to your home clutter-free. Young and anxious trick-or-treaters often trip over their own feet – particularly when their slight is limited with masks. On trick or treat night, If your walkway or porch are cluttered with fall decorations, think about widening the path to your door, so trick-or-treaters are less likely to hurt themselves.
- Remove tripping hazards. Because of the extra excitement (and sugar rush), kids often don’t take the logical path from house to house and race through your yard instead. Put away anything they could trip over, such as garden hoses, tools and bikes.
- Outdoor lighting. Strobe lights and other scary lights are fun, but make sure that any electrical devices you put outside are safe for outdoor use.
- Use reflective tape on costumes, shoes and loot bags to keep your trick-or-treaters highly visible.
- Look both ways. If your kids are walking door-to-door, remind them to look both ways before crossing the street, and if you are driving your kids from house to house, be extra careful when you pull out from the curb. Kids are everywhere!
The team at Metzler Home Builders wishes you an enjoyable Halloween season!
Home Tip: Sump Pump Testing, Smoke Alarm
Sump Pump Testing & Maintenance – With fall just around the corner and the potential of heavy rains and snow melt, take the time to test your sump pump and make sure it is working properly.
To test your sump pump, start by filling a 5 gallon bucket of water and dumping it into the sump pit where the pump is located. If this activates the pump and the water pumps out, then you know everything is operating correctly.
It is also very important to make sure the outlet pipe in your yard is free and clear of debris.This will keep the water from being trapped in the pipes and potentially backing up into your basement. Additionally, make sure that the discharge happens far enough away that it drains away from the foundation. If it is too close, it simply seeps back into your basement.
Smoke Alarm Maintenance – It is very important for you and your family’s safety to make sure your smoke alarms are working proper. Checking the batteries is one of the easiest things you can do to ensure the alarms are working properly. A great way to remember to check the batteries is to do it in the fall when you change your clocks back from daylight savings time. Be sure to also vacuum dust and dirt off your smoke alarms to keep them from malfunctioning – they can be set off from dust building up around the housing of the alarm.
Home Maintenance Checklist – October 2015
October is a good time to take a look around the outside of your home to make sure everything is put away and in good working order before the cold winter air sets in. Take notice of anything that may need your attention and be sure to take care of it now before it has the potential of turning into a much larger issue.
- Disconnect garden hoses from your house and store them. To minimize the possibility of a pipe burst, turn off the water to the pipes that leads to the outside spigot (from the inside).
- To keep your furnace in the best working order, contact your HVAC company to schedule a furnace checkup. Besides giving your furnace a good cleaning, they will also inspect it to see if there are any parts that may need replaced so that it stays running all winter long.
- Check the weather stripping around doors and windows. These naturally break down over time, so to minimize drafts, replace them, as needed.
- An on-going fall chore is to clear fall leaves from gutters and downspouts to keep the water moving away from your home.
- October’s cool nights and warm days are a good time to aerate your yard and reseed and/or patch areas. This is the first step to creating a fuller, healthier lawn to enjoy next spring.
- Inspect your wooden deck and stairs for loose/cracked boards. If you have boards that are worn, warped or cracked, replace them now. This could prevent someone from slipping during the icy winter months.
- Check your roof. Your roof is your home’s first line of defense, so if you notice anything, contact a professional roofer. A little money invested now could save you a bundle later.
Project Spotlight: Distinctive Ideas
Matt and Karen’s home had met their needs for many years. The number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the compact kitchen were sufficient through the early years. Even the basement that was finished by a previous owner was livable. As their family grew, the needs for their home grew as well. It became evident the existing spaces needed modification. The only thing that stood in their way was tackling a whole house renovation.
When Matt and Karen contacted Metzler Home Builders, their list of criteria and ideas was plentiful. For the first floor, they wanted a larger kitchen with space to gather, an eating area for six to eight people and an expanded garage topped the list.
For the second floor, four bedrooms, a play room, storage space and another bath were essential. To meet their needs, we added additional space above the existing garage. Blending the existing and new, both on the interior and exterior of the addition, were also important.
After completing this whole-house renovation project, the homeowners contacted us a few years later to update the basement, and their ideas for modifying this space were abundant, as well. Unique craftsmanship and inventive techniques were used throughout the project. Be sure to check out the pictures found on our website. They may spark some additional ideas.
How to Care for Your Small Kitchen Appliances
Over time, the average person will spend hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on small kitchen appliances. While some of the smaller items aren’t too expensive to replace, some of the larger ticket items (such as food processors and high-end mixers) can be costly. Taking proper care of these items is easy and takes little effort.
Here are some tips to help extend the life of your appliances and keep that cash in your pocket.
- Always clean and dry kitchen appliances as soon as you’re done using them.
- Pay special attention to drying anything made out of metal, such as blades found in food processors and blenders. This will prevent rust.
- For toasters, make sure to clean the slide-out tray located near the bottom. Keeping this space clear of crumbs will reduce the chance of fire or attracting bugs.
- The best way to clean a microwave is to boil a mug of water in it. The steam from the water will help to loosen any food that has been stuck to the insides. Using an abrasive-free cloth or sponge will allow you to easily wipe away old food or residue.
- To clean the inside of appliances such as the blender or food processor, a simple solution of water mixed with vinegar does a great job. Generally, a half-cup of vinegar to one gallon of water works best. This cleaner also works well for floors and even windows.
- Vinegar works best with coffee makers (including your Keurig). Run a cycle of vinegar-only through the coffee maker, and then flush it out with two additional cycles of water-only. If you use your coffee maker often, you may want to do this every month.
- While not technically a “small appliance,” to keep the garbage disposal clean, put a little liquid soap into it, turn it on and run the cold water on high for about 3 minutes. Keeping the water cold will help to solidify any grease and then allows the disposal blades to break it up. If you’re looking to get a fresh scent for the disposal, cut a lemon in quarters and drop it in, then turn on the disposal. The fresh scent of lemons will last for several hours. In addition, one of the best ways to keep the garbage disposal in good working order is to use it frequently. This allows the blades to rotate and the keep the unit from rusting since it is constantly exposed to water.
Remember that with any item you are cleaning, make sure to keep the cords away from water. It is also important to remember to keep appliances unplugged for safety.
Using these tips will help to keep your appliances in good working order and looking good as well, but remember to always read the manufacturer’s instructions that come with each appliance when purchased. Some units have pieces that come apart and others do not. Knowing exactly how your unit works helps to keep it working properly.
Home Maintenance Checklist – September 2015
September is one of the best months to take care of a few items around the house. While the season is turning, it still is quite nice outside, yet it is pleasant enough to open up the windows and let some fresh air back into the home after running the air conditioning most of the summer.
Here are a few chores you should tackle this month, in between football games:
- Check weather-stripping around your doors and windows. Weather-stripping comes in a variety of forms: foam, plastic, felt or metal are the most common, and over time, it deteriorates. To keep air from coming into your home, inspect the weather-stripping and caulking around your windows and doors, and if it is cracked or torn, replace it.
- Attic insulation. Now that the outside temperature is a bit cooler, you can get up into your attic to inspect the insulation. If you have pink insulation, the pink side should be facing you, not the reflective side. If you see areas where the insulation is compacted, that is where you’ll want to add more. Also look for wet spots, which are a telltale sign that you have a leak in your roof.
- Check gutters. Do a quick visual inspection of your gutters and drains to make sure they are still solidly attached to your home.
- Keep critters out. Mice can squeeze through an opening as small as ¼ inch, and autumn is the time they are looking for a winter home. Make sure your vents are screened and that there aren’t any gaps around the garage door. Mice, and other critters, like to enter through pet doors, too.
- Clean dryer vents. The best way to clean your dryer vent is to move it away from the wall, unhook the vent and use a vacuum. But that’s only half the job. Now go outside and use your Shopvac to clean the outside vent. This is something you should do every spring and fall – to prevent lint from clogging up your vent, which makes your dryer run longer, and to prevent a fire hazard.
- Schedule furnace maintenance. To keep your furnace in the best working order, have your HVAC company do a “preventative maintenance” check on your furnace. Your gas fireplace should also be vacuumed before you use it for the first time this season.