Tag: Kitchen Design

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Selecting the right benchtop – Laminate

Laminate benchtops consist of layers of paper with a decorative overlay. Textured laminates are among the hardest-wearing and most affordable benchtop materials. High gloss laminate can easily scratch and is difficult to repair. New types of edges are available to give laminate benchtops are more modern profile and can provide an inexpensive and stylish solution.

The laminate industry has responded to the popularity of stone with an amazing range of photographically reproduced stone, woodgrains and designer laminates for the budget conscious client who wants the look of stone or timber, but whose budget only allows laminate.

There are many very good brands available, such as Laminex, Egger, Formica, Polytec and Wilsonart to name some of the better known.

Most of the best quality laminates are around 1mm thick, and have the capability of being “postformed” or rolled on the edge with a very tight radius which gives the benchtop a more modern square edge which is quite different from the rounded bull nose edge most associate with laminated benchtops. There are some limitations. Not all laminates can be rolled so square and this profile only works with benchtops with straight lines.

Another option to get a square profile is with use of ABS edging. The edging hides the dark line that typifies laminate benchtops and allows a benchtop to incorporate any shape. The range of edging colors has not yet really caught up with the range of laminates, but there are more than enough to satisfy most people.

The difference ABS Edging can make to Square Edge Laminate bench top
The difference ABS Edging can make to Square Edge Laminate bench top
Egger Laminate bench top with edging
Egger Laminate bench top with edging
Egger Benchtop with Edging
Egger Bench top with edging

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pros:

  • Economical
  • Hardwearing
  • Huge range of colours, textures, woodgrains and styles
  • Is installed with the cabinet – no waiting as with stone
  • Kitchen is operational at least 2 weeks faster

Cons:

  • Can’t be so easily shaped
  • No fancy edge profiling
  • At risk of water damage
  • Can be scratched, stained marked more easily than stone.
  • Very difficult to remove scratches & stains.
  • Doesn’t help resale in the same way stone does.

Overall, when the budget is tight it’s a great choice and can give a good WOW factor without the WOW cost.

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What is the Allstar Kitchen Renovation process from start to finish?

Step 1- Design and Planning consultation

The first step to your new kitchen is careful design and planning with Allstar Kitchens in our showroom at Maroochydore which will help you with ideas, colours and designs. We follow this up with a free in-home consultation where we can advise you while you are developing your kitchen design. This allows us to look at your kitchen’s design and plans in the context of rest of your home and gives us a better understanding of your needs and lifestyle.

 

Step 2- Quote

Based on your design consultation with us, you will be presented with an obligation free quote for your new kitchen. This includes a plan that takes into account your design ideas and requirements, as well as meeting your budget. We recommend an appointment in the showroom to ensure you have a full understanding of the finishes and options in the quote so you can make an informed decision. An Allstar Kitchens quote is a full-cost quote for the entire project from manufacturing through to installation. It will also advise you of costs for potential upgrades to finishes as discussed through the consultation. This is all you will be charged for your kitchen unless you specify modifications during the process.

 

Step 3- Working drawings

Once you have finalised and approved the design and pricing, you can pay a deposit so we can schedule your job into our Sunshine based factory for manufacture. Once the deposit is paid, you will receive all finalised working drawings, designs and the specifications of your impending kitchen and cabinetry.

 

Step 4- Onsite measure and assessment

Measure twice, cut once. Your kitchen design will be double checked with an onsite measure and assessment to ensure that the manufacturing and installation process runs as smoothly as possible. The second progress payment is due at this step to allow for the ordering of the materials for manufacture of cabinetry.

 

Step 5- Manufacturing process

The careful planning and design process plus the extensive experience of the Allstar Kitchens team makes the manufacturing process quick and efficient. Your kitchen in manufactured right here on the Sunshine Coast under the watchful eye of the Allstar Kitchens team.

 

Step 6- Co-ordination with tradesman

To make the installation of your kitchen as quick and smooth as possible, the Allstar Kitchens team co-ordinates with the other tradesmen involved to take pressure and stress off of you. You can either use our recommended tradesmen or we are happy to work with your preferred tradesmen – simply provide their details as well as access to site at the right time, and you can sit back and watch your new kitchen come together right before your eyes. The third progress payment is due prior to installation.

 

Step 7- Installation

Allstar Kitchens take pride in being among the most efficient and cleanest installers of kitchens on the Sunshine Coast. More than 90% of standard kitchens cabinetry is installed in less than 2 days, including disconnection and pull out of the existing kitchen. Stone benchtops and splashbacks are installed after the cabinetry.  Please see the Allstar Kitchens Renovation Guide for more information. The final payment is due at the completion of the full job.

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Thank you for a fantastic kitchen

Just a quick email to once again  say thank you for a fantastic kitchen.
Please pass on our thanks also to the cabinet installer, plumber and electrician for their very professional work and great manner.
The whole process was very smooth and stress free.
Everyone who has seen the kitchen are amazed and impressed with the whole job.
Wishing you all the best with the business and I will certainly recommend you to any friends and work mates.
Thank you also for the lovely cookbook.
Warm Regards
Maree and Dan, Buderim

M&D Buderim

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Splash Back

Just a quick note to let you know the kitchen & glass is in & looks fabulous.

Just wanted to say thank you as your expertise in the colour selection assistance was first class.

Regards

T & B  – Mountian Creek

 

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Kitchen Renovation

Thank you for a most fabulous kitchen renovation.   I knew it would be really nice but the finished kitchen is superb.   It has brought our house up to date and we love it.   The design works really really well and everyone that sees it is very impressed.

M & S – Mountain Creek

 

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New Kitchen

Just want to say thank you for the great work installing our new kitchen. You have very professional staff, time lines were kept, and there was minimal disruption to our lifestyle.

Thanks
John & Sharon – Buderim

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Wonderful Experience

Thank you for the wonderful experience we had with you and your team putting together our new kitchen. Right from the start we were blessed to have expert opinions given to us by all members of the team. The end result was a brand new kitchen that exceeded all our expectations and needs.  All the tradesmen that came into our house were friendly and helpful, they turned up on time every time which meant minimum disruption both to ourselves and the other tradesmen working on the project.  The finished job is really beautiful and a credit to your company. We have no hesitation in recommending Allstar Kitchens to anyone thinking about replacing their old kitchen.  We look forward to dealing with you all again when we renovate our bathroom

Kindest Regards
Tony & Ellie – Bli Bli

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Highly Recommend Allstar

Allstar kitchens have designed and built kitchens and cabinets for a number of projects for us and I commend them to anyone building, renovating or rejuvenating their kitchens and bathrooms.

Terry and Roylene have become trusted friends following our first kitchen with Allstar – their wealth of both design & functionality with the structural elements of the cabinet making process leaves larger kitchen companies far behind.  The process they have taken us through on a number of projects now is personal, tailored, professional and focussed on the best design and layout for your needs.

I highly recommend Allstar to anyone setting out on the journey of kitchen and/or cabinet making design and construction.

Jeff – Buderim

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Sunshine Coast Kitchen Design

We cannot recommend too highly the professionalism and personalised service provided by Allstar Team in the course of planning and installing wour new kitchen – a kitchen which is not only eye-catching but is also purposefully designed and built to meet our everyday requirements.

Both Terry and Roylene proved to be caring, “switched-on” consultants during the planning and design stage. They displayed initiative in responding to all our requests and their well-informed suggestions were always most welcomed and readily integrated within the conceptual design of the kitchen

The quality of materials used and the workmanship of all contractors involved in the kitchen’s installation was first class by any measure.

All in all we are ecstatic and could not be more pleased with the resultant outcome – an outcome we attribute to the experience of the committed and dedicated team at Allstar Kitchens.

Les & Betty – Image Flat