When you decide to undertake a kitchen remodel for your Atlanta home, there are many decisions to make. But one of the most crucial ones is what kind of cooktop you should install. After all, you do the majority of your cooking on the stove, so it will be one of your most used kitchen appliances.

If it’s been a while since you last upgraded your cooking range, however, the options available today can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, most stoves can be classified under three categories, and here are the pros and cons of each.

Gas Ranges

Chances are, this is the cooktop you grew up with. And despite being the oldest option on our list, it still has a lot of devotees, including just about all professional chefs. The crowning glory of a gas range is its impeccable temperature control; not only can you change the flame’s intensity immediately, but you also have more fine-tuned control. This feature is especially helpful with dishes that require slow simmering over a very low flame.

Pros:

• More affordable than other options
• Works with all your current cookware
  Can work without electricity

Cons:

• Can make your kitchen very hot
• Risk of gas leaks

Electric Ranges

Aside from revolutionizing the world, electricity changed the way people cook, too. In fact, about 63% of all households in America now use electric stoves in their kitchens. Such stoves have coils that heat up when electricity passes through them. Convenience is the primary draw as electric stoves are very easy to install (compared to gas ranges, for example, that require complicated piping). Speaking of convenience, they’re much quicker to clean, too, as their cooking surface is covered with glass so you can simply wipe spills and messes off.

Pros:

• Doesn’t make kitchens as hot as gas stoves
• Fairly affordable
• No specialized installation needed

Cons:

• Can be slower to heat up
• Temperature changes take a little longer to take effect
• Some cookware can scratch the glass surface

Induction Ranges

The most cutting-edge cooktop you can purchase today is an induction stove. It’s also the most unique. Unlike traditional stoves that use fuel, induction stoves use magnetic currents to directly heat your cookware. Since only your pots and pans are heated, you’ll have a much cooler kitchen. However, this also means that your cookware must have sufficient amounts of metal in them for magnetic heating to work (which renders aluminum pans incompatible).

Pros:

• Heats up faster than other types of stoves
• Much less radiant heat, so your kitchen remains cool

Cons:

• Not compatible with all cookware (must be metallic)
• Quite expensive

Which cooking range should you choose?

Of course, there is no clear “best” option as far as cooktops go. Rather, the ideal choice depends on your situation. When talking to your kitchen remodeler, take into account such factors as your budget, existing cookware, the kinds of dishes you often cook, and ease of cleaning.

The kitchen is truly the heart of the home and your cooking range is its centerpiece, so be sure to carefully consider what kind of stove you will put in. To make this process easier, Sterling Works can provide you with expert advice. Get in touch today to get your kitchen remodel started!

Sources:

10 Types of Stoves/Cooktops: A Guide to Help You Choose, PrudentReviews.com
12 Different Types of Cooktops, Rangetops, and Stoves, HomeStratosphere.com

Kitchen hoods have been fixtures in homes for a long time, but gone are the days when they merely served as functional pieces. Today, a kitchen hood also makes up an integral part of the kitchen’s design, even serving as the focal point of the room.

If you’re planning a kitchen remodeling project for your Atlanta home, don’t overlook the kitchen hood. With the right type and design, it can enhance the appeal of your kitchen and put the entire look together.

These are the most popular types of kitchen hoods to consider for your space.

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Having a small kitchen can make it difficult to keep clutter away, but it can be done with careful planning and some imagination. If you live in a condo or a smaller home in Atlanta and have limited kitchen space, these kitchen remodeling tips can help you add storage so you can minimize clutter.

1. Add thin and tall storage

In a small kitchen, every available space counts, and one of the best ways to utilize a small space is with vertical shelving. This allows you to have several shelves where you can keep a variety of items, including food, utensils, small appliances, and more. A pull out larder can maximize the use of vertical space even further. The pull out function and wide open display make it easy to find and access the things you need.

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In 2021, more than half of all homeowners in the United States spent on home renovations, including kitchen remodeling. In fact, the median spend for a kitchen remodel rose to $10,000 for a minor project and $40,000 for a major upgrade.

Countertops were the most popular feature that was upgraded. They are followed by appliances, with 35% of homeowners splurging on high-tech upgrades such as wireless and smartphone controls. More people also renovated their kitchen islands, especially as they have taken up a bigger role in facilitating work inside homes.

If you’re planning a kitchen remodel in Atlanta, there are a lot of benefits to reap after the project, the least of which is a nicer and more functional kitchen. To make sure that the process starts and ends without a hitch, make sure to secure the necessary permits. Don’t know where to start? This guide is for you.

Does your kitchen remodel need a permit?

You may or may not need a permit to remodel your kitchen in Atlanta, depending on the type of renovation and the scope of work you intend to do. Generally, making aesthetic changes does not require a permit. These include repainting your kitchen cabinets, replacing your kitchen appliances, and replacing your faucets.

What types of kitchen remodels require a permit in Atlanta?

So which types of remodels necessitate a permit? According to the Atlanta Department of City Planning, any renovation project that deals with any of the following needs a permit:

• Electrical: This covers making major changes to your home’s existing wiring, including upgrading or changing outlets and installing new electrical wires.
• Plumbing: This covers renovating the location of your sinks, sewer lines, or water heaters; it also encompasses the addition of new sinks or outdoor faucets that may require making changes to your existing plumbing.
• Structural: This covers working with structural additions or changes to doors, windows, skylights, and load-bearing walls.

Additions, such as islands, may also require a permit. Finally, if your project exceeds $2,500 in labor and materials, you may need a permit.

What happens if you don’t get a permit?

First and foremost, not getting a permit when your kitchen remodel needs one may result in serious safety risks. Without observing the technicalities of the process, you might end up endangering the structural integrity of your home. For example, if you’re moving load-bearing walls to accommodate a new kitchen fixture and you did the process yourself without submitting to the stipulations outlined in a permit, your home may very well collapse.

Additionally, failing to get a permit may void your homeowner’s insurance coverage, and make it hard for you to sell your home in the future. You may also need to pay hefty fines if the city discovers that you didn’t secure a permit for your project.

This is why it is critical to work with a trusted kitchen contractor in Atlanta. A reliable company like Sterling Works will make sure that your project adheres to the established codes in the city, as well as starts and ends successfully.

Sources:

Remodeling Activity and Spending Hit Highest Levels in Years, Houzz.com
How to Know if You Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen, Angi.com

 

Kitchen remodeling in Atlanta can be a fun and exciting experience. But make no mistake, there’s plenty of work and preparation to be done.

To help ensure a smooth and seamless project, see this checklist of things to know and do.

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