On the flip side, a kitchen remodel can be expensive, and if you don’t take care, costs may run into tens of thousands. So, in this post, we discuss how to ensure you stay within budget as you give your kitchen a new look.

Do some of the work yourself

If you’re handy with tools, you can embrace the DIY lifestyle and do some of the renovation work yourself. This will save you some money and you can complete the tasks at your own pace. Some tasks you should look to handle include painting the kitchen’s interior, tiling the walls, changing lights and electrical outlets, and maybe even installing a flooring. 

You will find resources online that outline the process needed to carry out the listed tasks, and most of them aren’t physically taxing, so you don’t have to worry about exhaustion. One thing to keep in mind, however, is the time it’ll take – will it affect your work or eat into your relaxation period? You need to put these into consideration before you start buying tools online. 

Retain the old kitchen layout

Once your mind is made up on renovating your kitchen, it may start to feel as if you need to gut the entire structure and start all over again. Most times, that won’t be necessary; especially if you’re trying to keep your spending to minimum. So, ignore the urge to change the L-shaped layout to a U-shape. 

Changing the footprint of the room will cost you a pretty penny because it requires breaking things and rebuilding them. Rather, focus on changing the arrangement of your cabinets, getting a new countertop, and giving your kitchen a fresh coat. 

Refurbish your appliances

Buying new sets of appliances is the most expensive line item in any kitchen remodel budget. From the microwave to the dishwasher, refrigerator, water heater, coffee maker, and so on – the kitchen has more expensive gear per square metre than nearly any other room in the house. 

Instead of replacing all or most of them at once, look to refurbish. If there are nagging faults, have a professional work on them and if necessary, buy replacement parts. Only replace appliances that can’t be fixed. 

Put functionality over aesthetics

Every remodelling process is an opportunity to unleash your inner decorator, but remember that this comes at a huge price. So, every time your mind takes you to the glossy magazine pages and kitchens in those million-dollar homes, rein yourself in by putting function over beauty. 

For example, choose a resilient flooring material over the more-expensive hardwood that soaks up stains, is harder to clean & maintain, and drains your budget. If you want to recreate the look of genuine stone and wood without any of the hassle, check out luxury vinyl flooring. 

Save some money on countertops

Still on the issue of functionality over aesthetics, countertops provide another way to save money by choosing the cheaper and more practical option. Natural stone, quartz, concrete, and stainless steel are some good countertop materials. However, in addition to being more expensive, they also require more attention and are harder to maintain. 

Ceramic tile, solid surface, and laminate are serviceable alternatives that are easier to maintain. And you’re not even losing too much when it comes to appearance, they look very good as well. 

TJ Projects provides home construction and renovation services in the Algarve region in Portugal, and we can help you remodel your kitchen without breaking your budget. We also offer luxury vinyl flooring procurement and installation. For enquiries or to book an appointment, call +351 918 348 898 or send a quick message to info@tj-projects.com. 

The post 5 Ways to Save on Kitchen Remodelling appeared first on TJ Projects.

So, how do LVT and engineered wood compare? If you were building a home or renovating your old house, which should you opt for? Below, we’ve outlined how both flooring materials match up based on 4 key features. 

Durability

LVT is built using moisture-resistant PVC; it’s durable and resistant to scratching, chipping, or denting. When installed correctly, luxury vinyl flooring can last for up to 20 years. And as long as the flooring is cleaned and polished regularly, it will retain its beautiful outlook for most of its life span. 

Engineered wood is fabricated from a combination of real wood and plywood. It is more durable than natural wood flooring, and it doesn’t expand or contract during extreme temperatures. While it has a longer lifespan (it can last up to 40 years) than LVT, it is more susceptible to scratching and chipping. 

Styles and colors

Luxury vinyl flooring comes in different styles, and it is often indistinguishable from real wood or stone flooring – it looks and feels nearly exactly like the natural thing. LVT is also available in various wood and stone colors, with flooring that mimics even the most exotic hardwoods. 

Engineered wood looks and feels like genuine wood as well. This is because it’s, in part, made of real wood. Additionally, it comes in styles that look exactly like expensive wood finishes like Mahogany, Bloodwood, and Brazilian Cherry. However, it is limited to just wood finishes, unlike LVT, which can also look like genuine stone flooring. 

Ease-of-use and maintenance

LVT is water and scratch-resistant, so it is as practical to use in the bathroom as it is in the kitchen. Similarly, it can be cleaned regularly with a broom, mopstick, or vacuum cleaner. If LVT starts to lose its luster, you can use a no-wax polish that’s made specifically for vinyl floors to restore its appearance. 

On the other hand, engineered wood can’t be used in rooms with a high probability of chipping or scratching. However, if you don’t mind a scratched surface, you can use engineered wood in any room LVT is used in. It is also easy to maintain, and you can sweep/mop it like a natural wood floor. Blemishes can be removed using wood putty and stain. 

Price

Engineered wood is significantly more expensive than luxury vinyl flooring, and it also costs more to install. Depending on the quality of the engineered wood, it may cost up to 8-times more than LVT, and the installation typically costs more than double.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. Luxury vinyl flooring looks like natural wood or stone, is more durable, more affordable, easier to maintain, and comes in more styles and colors. Alternatively, engineered wood lasts longer while also looking and feeling like real stone. 

TJ Projects supplies and installs top-class luxury vinyl flooring in the Algarve and neighbouring areas in Southern Portugal. If you’re planning a construction project and need premium LVT flooring material, call +351 918 348 898 or send a quick message to info@tj-projects.com.

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