little kitchen "refresh" project in the works

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
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we're looking to refresh our kitchen - new countertops, new backsplash, update hardware and floors.
Let me say too that we have a small kitchen in an 80 year old house. So this isn't a modern "open kitchen" with an island etc.

for the countertops, unless there are some glaring reasons against it, I think we're going with Solid Surface. The price is right and the quality is right as well. Quartz and Granite are nice but entirely unnecessary in our house and kitchen.
we're actually looking at going with one of these new(er) composite sinks - in black of all colors as my wife loves it. seems that the durability and upkeep on these sinks is pretty well regarded.
for the backsplash, it seems odd, but in effort to save some money and time/labor, and for something a little "different" (we don't like "normal" stuff) we're looking at shiplap. It will be slightly cheaper than a lot of tile and a lot less labor for me to install. The only concern is around the sink obviously due to water, but in reading, it seems that as long as you seal the wood and don't have water splashing everywhere all the damned time you should be ok.
the one question that keeps coming up is if we "need" to have the little 2-3" border of countertop running vertically on the backsplash. This seems to be a (dated) aesthetic more than anything really fucntional.
for the floors we're just getting some cheap(er) laminate to throw down. we're not too fussy with that - just as long as it's water resistant I think we should be fine

any thoughts or ideas or input?
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
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we're looking to refresh our kitchen - new countertops, new backsplash, update hardware and floors.
Let me say too that we have a small kitchen in an 80 year old house. So this isn't a modern "open kitchen" with an island etc.

for the countertops, unless there are some glaring reasons against it, I think we're going with Solid Surface. The price is right and the quality is right as well. Quartz and Granite are nice but entirely unnecessary in our house and kitchen.
we're actually looking at going with one of these new(er) composite sinks - in black of all colors as my wife loves it. seems that the durability and upkeep on these sinks is pretty well regarded.
fine choices.

for the backsplash, it seems odd, but in effort to save some money and time/labor, and for something a little "different" (we don't like "normal" stuff) we're looking at shiplap. It will be slightly cheaper than a lot of tile and a lot less labor for me to install. The only concern is around the sink obviously due to water, but in reading, it seems that as long as you seal the wood and don't have water splashing everywhere all the damned time you should be ok.
use large tile, makes the room look bigger, cheap, still waterproof.
that "shiplap" is usually mdf or similar and will look terrible after a year behind a sink, and it will be terrible to clean. we used 12x24 tiles and it cost us like 2 dollars a sq foot. 1/3 overlap. super easy to install and looks like a high end finish. installed, before grout so you can see the tile clearly.

20160228_093436.jpg

finished:
shelves.jpg

the one question that keeps coming up is if we "need" to have the little 2-3" border of countertop running vertically on the backsplash. This seems to be a (dated) aesthetic more than anything really fucntional.
nope, no need for this. the shiplap will look terrible at this joint after a few counter top spills though.
for the floors we're just getting some cheap(er) laminate to throw down. we're not too fussy with that - just as long as it's water resistant I think we should be fine
get stuff that is 100% plastic, do not get anything that has a wood or mdf core, no matter how waterproof they say it will be, it wont be. the life proof stuff at depot is well regarded.
 
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Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
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fine choices.


use large tile, makes the room look bigger, cheap, still waterproof.
that "shiplap" is usually mdf or similar and will look terrible after a year behind a sink, and it will be terrible to clean. we used 12x24 tiles and it cost us like 2 dollars a sq foot. 1/3 overlap. super easy to install and looks like a high end finish. installed, before grout so you can see the tile clearly.

View attachment 42271

finished:
View attachment 42272


nope, no need for this. the shiplap will look terrible at this joint after a few counter top spills though.

get stuff that is 100% plastic, do not get anything that has a wood or mdf core, no matter how waterproof they say it will be, it wont be. the life proof stuff at depot is well regarded.

Your kitchen looks great!

The shiplap we've looked at is all solid wood - no MDF. Obviously it's important to have a solid seal between countertop and wall I can't think of the last time we had a spill that would affect the wall, but I get what you mean. I think she's already got her mind set on it. I think we'll end up that route. We'll just have to be more mindful. Can't really go the bigger tile route as we don't have open shelving like that so the big tiles just would not fit.

life proof is exactly what we were looking through at HD the other day.
 

herm0016

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Feb 26, 2005
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it still looks good when its just the spot under the uppers, as the first pic shows. use the best paint you can buy, i would use Sherwin Williams pro classic for that application. and prime it. and finish all 6 sides well.

you could do 4x24 tiles long ways for a similar look and price.

that kitchen made us 35k over asking on that house when it was finished. we also had put in solid hickory floors on the whole main level. cost about 15k for the whole project not including our labor. was the original dark 80s cabinets and had walls where the island is now. island is refinished bowling ally. before and after.

be136496d1cae01bf37a1599237dce67l-m6xd-w1020_h770_q80 (2).jpgIMG_1248.JPG
 
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Homerboy

Lifer
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it still looks good when its just the spot under the uppers, as the first pic shows. use the best paint you can buy, i would use Sherwin Williams pro classic for that application. and prime it. and finish all 6 sides well.

you could do 4x24 tiles long ways for a similar look and price.

that kitchen made us 35k over asking on that house when it was finished. we also had put in solid hickory floors on the whole main level. cost about 15k for the whole project not including our labor.

yeah - won't skimp on the paint/primer for the shiplap. Good idea on all 6 sides. you think paint on all 6 sizes? or just primer? They make a sealant too for such applications.

well, even though prices are currently SKYROCKETING in our neighborhood, we don't plan on selling any time soon
 

herm0016

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Feb 26, 2005
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prime and paint all 6 sides before install, glue to wall.

i would not top coat with anything, just the high quality paint. if you clear coat with something, it will be impossible to touch up.
 
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echo4747

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Jun 22, 2005
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should be fines choices... only thing I would like to add is:

-I've noticed over the years both Home Depot and Lowes offer some of their best promotions around Memorial Day (Labor Day too) for things like cabinets,countertops, window treatments,& paint. Dont know what your time frame is.. but maybe you could save some $$
 
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Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
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should be fines choices... only thing I would like to add is:

-I've noticed over the years both Home Depot and Lowes offer some of their best promotions around Memorial Day (Labor Day too) for things like cabinets,countertops, window treatments,& paint. Dont know what your time frame is.. but maybe you could save some $$

Good point. But I think the wife will want to start like ASAP.
At best I could imagine like 10% off the countertops which would be a couple hundred bucks. And by the time Memorial Day hits I will be more focused on the outdoors (hey, we only get like 4 good months here).
 

Homerboy

Lifer
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prime and paint all 6 sides before install, glue to wall.

i would not top coat with anything, just the high quality paint. if you clear coat with something, it will be impossible to touch up.

I figured glue, but no nails?
 

herm0016

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a couple pins if you must while the glue dries. saves time with filling holes and touching up.
 
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bbhaag

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Jul 2, 2011
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fine choices.


use large tile, makes the room look bigger, cheap, still waterproof.
that "shiplap" is usually mdf or similar and will look terrible after a year behind a sink, and it will be terrible to clean. we used 12x24 tiles and it cost us like 2 dollars a sq foot. 1/3 overlap. super easy to install and looks like a high end finish. installed, before grout so you can see the tile clearly.

View attachment 42271

finished:
View attachment 42272


nope, no need for this. the shiplap will look terrible at this joint after a few counter top spills though.

get stuff that is 100% plastic, do not get anything that has a wood or mdf core, no matter how waterproof they say it will be, it wont be. the life proof stuff at depot is well regarded.
That looks sharp man and the whole project looks like it turned out great. @herm0016 do you travel and what is your going rate? My kitchen needs redone to.:)

EDIT: Also @Homerboy are sure about a black sink? I'm sure it would look beautiful and is super trendy but black shows everything. I had a black car once and keeping it clean was next to impossible and we had black appliances at our old house and it was the same issue. Anyway, since you and your wife are still in the planning faze just something to consider.
 
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Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,237
6,432
136
we're looking to refresh our kitchen - new countertops, new backsplash, update hardware and floors.
Let me say too that we have a small kitchen in an 80 year old house. So this isn't a modern "open kitchen" with an island etc.

for the countertops, unless there are some glaring reasons against it, I think we're going with Solid Surface. The price is right and the quality is right as well. Quartz and Granite are nice but entirely unnecessary in our house and kitchen.
we're actually looking at going with one of these new(er) composite sinks - in black of all colors as my wife loves it. seems that the durability and upkeep on these sinks is pretty well regarded.
for the backsplash, it seems odd, but in effort to save some money and time/labor, and for something a little "different" (we don't like "normal" stuff) we're looking at shiplap. It will be slightly cheaper than a lot of tile and a lot less labor for me to install. The only concern is around the sink obviously due to water, but in reading, it seems that as long as you seal the wood and don't have water splashing everywhere all the damned time you should be ok.
the one question that keeps coming up is if we "need" to have the little 2-3" border of countertop running vertically on the backsplash. This seems to be a (dated) aesthetic more than anything really fucntional.
for the floors we're just getting some cheap(er) laminate to throw down. we're not too fussy with that - just as long as it's water resistant I think we should be fine

any thoughts or ideas or input?
I've used one of the composite sinks. It had a hairline crack from the factory that no one noticed until the fellow doing the quartz tops saw it. Had he missed the crack we would have ruined $6k counter top getting the sink out.
You don't need the 4" splash on the tops. Personally, I think it will look cheesy with the siding on the wall.
Unless the ship lap you use is of unusually high quality, you're going to need some nails or trim head screws. Keep in mind that if one end of the splash is exposed, you'll need to return the siding back to the wall or put a piece of trim on it. A return is a cleaner look, but a tougher to do. The inside corner can be tough to get right. You can cheat by putting a 1x1 piece of material in the corner and butting against it. It's a clean look.
Take a look at LVT for the floor. I assumed it was just another junk flooring when it first came out, I was wrong. I've used it a couple times and really like it. Cheap, easy to install, waterproof, durable.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
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Notice his rollout shelving ;)
We did that in our kitchen remodel also.
You don't realize how useful and convenient it is until you do it.
Rollout shelving is my #1 recommendation for ANY kitchen remodel.

We already have that in a few cabinets and yeah, it's nice.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
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That looks sharp man and the whole project looks like it turned out great. @herm0016 do you travel and what is your going rate? My kitchen needs redone to.:)

EDIT: Also @Homerboy are sure about a black sink? I'm sure it would look beautiful and is super trendy but black shows everything. I had a black car once and keeping it clean was next to impossible and we had black appliances at our old house and it was the same issue. Anyway, since you and your wife are still in the planning faze just something to consider.

We have a white sink now and THAT shows every thing too - I don't think there's any way around "showing everything" in a sink.
They aren't a glossy finish, so I think that helps to hide a little.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
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I've used one of the composite sinks. It had a hairline crack from the factory that no one noticed until the fellow doing the quartz tops saw it. Had he missed the crack we would have ruined $6k counter top getting the sink out.
You don't need the 4" splash on the tops. Personally, I think it will look cheesy with the siding on the wall.
Unless the ship lap you use is of unusually high quality, you're going to need some nails or trim head screws. Keep in mind that if one end of the splash is exposed, you'll need to return the siding back to the wall or put a piece of trim on it. A return is a cleaner look, but a tougher to do. The inside corner can be tough to get right. You can cheat by putting a 1x1 piece of material in the corner and butting against it. It's a clean look.
Take a look at LVT for the floor. I assumed it was just another junk flooring when it first came out, I was wrong. I've used it a couple times and really like it. Cheap, easy to install, waterproof, durable.

yeah - there's 1 (possibly 2 depending on how we decide to do it) locations where the end of the shiplap would be exposed. I think we're going to "extend" it past the countertops in a few locations and do the rest of the wall with it - like the entire space behind the fridge. I've seen people just rip down a section to about an inch and butt that up against the exposed end.

Noted on the LVT as well.
 

herm0016

Diamond Member
Feb 26, 2005
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i have done a kitchen for a friend with the dark composite sink, and they do look nice and don't seem to show bad. I prefer a large stainless, but that would be my second choice.

if you were around Denver, i would help out.
 
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Homerboy

Lifer
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i have done a kitchen for a friend with the dark composite sink, and they do look nice and don't seem to show bad. I prefer a large stainless, but that would be my second choice.

if you were around Denver, i would help out.

yeah - I can't imagine it being worse than the white porcelain Kohler we have now. That thing shows grey "smudges" no matter what you do. Requires some serious scrubbing all the time for it to look decent (though you can get it to shine perfectly again)
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
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I think my biggest concern is the plumbing switching from a double sink to a single sink. I mean I'm pretty sure I can get it done, it just seems like work :)
 

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
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I think my biggest concern is the plumbing switching from a double sink to a single sink. I mean I'm pretty sure I can get it done, it just seems like work :)
That's a cheap and easy job, all plastic compression fittings. The parts are cheap enough that if you screw it up 4 dimes you're out the cost of dinner for two at Mickey D's.
 
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snoopy7548

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Black composite for the sink is good. I installed one a couple of years ago and it has held up very well. It will show white spots/deposits if I let it go a few days without wiping it down, but other than that it doesn't really show much. Much better than stainless steel, though glasses break more easily so you have to be careful.
 
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bbhaag

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You might want to consider LVP for the flooring. It's a lot more DIY friendly versus LVT.
 
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herm0016

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That's a cheap and easy job, all plastic compression fittings. The parts are cheap enough that if you screw it up 4 dimes you're out the cost of dinner for two at Mickey D's.

buy some pipe and the fittings you need, glue them together with a hub p trap. I am done using that cheap shit with the compression fittings that never quite works out with proper slope/angles/etc. doing it with real pipe you can make it so that it takes up less space and will never leak or have a vent issue.

 
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