Q & A on Showplace Cabinets

Q.

Hi Peggy... we are doing a kitchen refresh (keeping the same footprint but replacing the appliances, cabinets and countertops/backsplash)... and plan to replace our current cabinets... we found a local vendor - Kitchen Design Center - see http://www.kitchendesigncenters.net/ ... and we are working w/ them ... they offer semi custom cabinets from the following manufacturers...

 "To keep ahead of the market, Kitchen Design Center has expanded it's cabinet lines to include the wonderful cabinets of Showplace Wood Products showplacewood.com, Cardell Cabinetry http://www.cardell.com/ Woodland Cabinetry woodlandcabinetry.com ,Decora decoracabinets.com as well as our full line of Woodharbor Cabinets - RockGlen, Cast Point & Woodharbor woodharbor.com."

They recommended Showplace Wood Products for us and are preparing a proposal "as we speak"... I did some checking on Showplace and got what appears to be some mixed reviews... see http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bath/msg0110192332481.html... the comments are now somewhat dated so maybe Showplace has improved their product... but the comments gave me some pause for concern...
                                                                                               
So I did some more checking and found your blog/post on cabinets... one of the vendors who you like - Wood Harbor - is offered by Kitchen Design Centers although I don                   't know if they are more or less expensive than Showplace... or whether or not Showplace is a better choice... apparently they offer lots of options and can produce and almost custom-like "fit"...

We like the folks at Kitchen Design Centers... and they offer some nice "project management" options regarding tear outs/installation of appliances ... and "hawking" the project ... sort of what a general contractor would do for a lot less $...and since we are only doing a refresh and not moving any walls, installing new lights, minimizing any painting or drywall work, no changes to our wood floors, I don't immediately see the benefits of spending thousands of $ for a general contractor if these folks can provide the same services via subcontractors that they work w/ but of course, we would have to purchase cabinets from them to secure these other relatively low-cost services...

But if we aren't getting a good product... or we are paying more for the product to pay for the other services, then maybe we need to rethink this..

So the real question...finally... is what do you know/think of Showplace Wood Products?... and how do they compare to the 3 vendors you "like"?... and should we ask for a second proposal using Wood Harbor instead of Showplace?...

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...Best...Lenny

A.

Hi Lenny,

Congratulations on doing your due diligence before becoming a complainer on GardenWeb!

I do not work with Showplace cabinets at all.
So I can not comment on their quality.
I am familiar with Woodharbor products and highly recommend them as you have seen.

I would ask Kitchen Design Center for some references (3-5) of consumers who purchased a similar kitchen to yours, in Showplace cabinets, RECENTLY.

Then call ALL of them and ask them if you can come out and see their installations.
Ask them if they had any problems such as the ones detailed in the GardenWeb Forums posts.
Ask them if they are satisfied with the services of Kitchen Design Center.
Ask them if everything was delivered on time.
Ask them if anything was missing or damaged.

Look over the installations carefully to see if they meet your standards.
Realize that Kitchen Design Center is NOT likely at all to give you unsatisfied customers' names, so the work is likely to be their best.
If it isn't up to your standards, look elsewhere for your installation work (and perhaps your cabinets as well).

You should always go through this exercise before hiring anyone to do work in your home.
That way you won't be surprised to get substandard work or products.

Installation of cabinetry is pretty subjective.
Usually you get what you pay for.
It takes time and talent to do it well.
The best cabinet installers are usually finish carpenters, the kind who do crown mouldings and wainscoting and such.

Then there is what the installers have to work with - the cabinets.
If they are not manufactured square and true, or warped wood has been used, or there is shipping damage, or the wood is not high enough quality, or, or...
If the cabinets you are looking at (Showplace) aren't up to your standards, you might need to look at something a little higher priced. 
Your dealer probably asked you about your budget and recommended accordingly.

Then there is attitude.
Some installers can make almost anything look great, with nary a complaint.
Others expect the manufacturer to almost do their work, and whine at every inconvenience.
Sometimes it's hard for a homeowner to know whether their installer is a whiner or whether the problems with the cabinets are real.
Usually the homeowner takes the installer's word for it because that's who is in their house.

Then there is the dealer:
Most dealers are hard-working and try their best to do a good job.
The fact is that ordering a set of cabinets for your kitchen involves a bunch of decisions, any of which can be forgotten or overlooked and cause problems when it comes time to install them.
Some dealers are, at best, charlatans selling snake oil.
Obviously you want to avoid them.
But you do only one or two kitchens in a lifetime.
That's why it pays to ask for references and actually follow through.
Because you, as a novice, have no other way to judge what you are getting.

Good luck with your project and please let us all know how it goes.

Peggy

A Beautiful Day

I was invited by my Kid's Class teacher to  demonstrate  sandwich making and to tell about the goodness of eating Veggies to the kids. Now, cooking for kids and that too stressing the important of veggies, a bit tough task!!!!! That too, when you have to steal veggies, change their look and disguise them, so your own kid, doesn't find out that mama has put those veggies in his lunch box!!!!! :)

So, What to do!!!! I headed straight to Little Food Junction!!! yes, Smita Srivastava's Little Food Junction, where you can have  a healthy feast for your eyes too!!! she has a great blog, food thoughtfully presented to kids!!! Please  Visit her blog for lots and lots of Yummy, Delicious and also Beautiful Food especially for Kids :)

I was asked to bring some sandwiches for the kids and to make some and show them in the class, so they can go home and pester their mama to do the same!!!!  

Trial Run the previous Day!!!Smiley
 Fish and a Christmas tree with lettuce, choco chips
almond slices!!!!

I made some Peas-Corn Sandwich for the class. A quickie snack to make, All you need is

Bread

Cheese 

Boiled Peas and Corn

Remove the crust from the bread, cut them into four squares, Cut the cheese too into four. Take a bread square, place a cheese slice and a spoon of peas-corn, add a dash of pepper and close it with another bread square. Tadaaa!!! Sandwich is ready!!! Easy to Pick and easy to eat for the KIDS!!!!!

I made a slice for them in the class and asked a kid to taste it, said a little prayer and asked him "how is it?" He gave a big smile and said Good!!!! OMG!! Real Test of my Life!!!!


Then came the highlights/headlines of Sandwich Day!!!! LFJ's Zoo Sandwiches, featuring Fish, Dog and Traffic Light!!!

Doggy Sandwich with carrots and black grapes for the eyes
Almond nose, Carrot peel for the mush/lips and a cucumber for the mouth!!!!

Fish Sandwich, with Cucumber and Grapes for the eyes, Carrots,
peas and corn for the body and Cucumber Fin!!!!

Traffic Light, with Apple, Nectarine and Cucumber
and a blob of Nutella Spread!!!!

Smita has actually used Black Olives for the eyes of Dog and Fish, i have used Black Grapes here!!!! 

I clicked these photos at the last minute, i have asked his class teacher for more snaps, with the kids. once they come, i will load them too!!!

Thanks a ton Smita, for sharing great ideas for pleasing the tough-to impress masters of every home!!!!!

Picture courtesy : WWW

It was a great experience, seeing all the lil ones, smiling broad when the sandwiches took shape of the fav pets,  the memories of which i will cherish for a long time!!!! 

Clean Furnace Filters Are a Must This Winter

Furnace Filter Maintenance Is Great for Your Budget and Health

What's the simplest thing you can do to make sure your furnace runs efficiently this winter, costs little to operate, and doesn't break down? Always have a clean furnace air filter! Dirt, dust and debris easily accumulate in your furnace. This can impede moving parts and block airflow -- the leading causes of furnace inefficiency and damage. It can also serve as a breeding ground and launching pad for pollen, bacteria, fungi, allergens and other airborne particles that can seriously affect your health and well-being.

Furnace filters not only increase your heating system's productivity by blocking dirt and dust, they screen out unwanted airborne agents. By regularly cleaning or replacing your furnace filters, you can maintain clean, healthy indoor air quality. Furnace filter cleaning or replacement also keeps the your heating system running at peak efficiency AND prolongs its lifespan.

The Horizon Comfort Zone recommends that inspect your furnace filters monthly to see if they need cleaning or replacement. In fact, you should check even more frequently during times when your heating system is being used continuously. If you see dirt or dust accumulation on your furnace filter, clean it or replace with a new one (available at most home and hardware stores). If you don't clean or replace your furnace filter, your heating system will have to work extra hard this winter-- and this will reduce furnace performance and increase your utility bills.


How to Clean or Replace Your Furnace Filter

First, turn off your furnace and locate the service panel. You should be able to remove the panels by hand or with a screwdriver.

Locate the furnace filter near the intake-outtake blower and check the level of dust accumulation. If you have trouble seeing through, then it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

If you have a reusable furnace filter, then simply rinse away the dust particles in your sink or with a hose. Allow the furnace filter to dry and put it back in place.

If you have a disposable furnace filter, dispose of the the dirty one; buy and replace with a fresh furnace filter.


Types of Furnace Filters

Furnace filters are either disposable (with cardboard frames) or reusable (with fiberglass or metal framing). Disposable furnace filters cost less per filter, but require monthly replacement; thus it's always a good idea to have several on hand to last you throughout the year. Reusuable furnace filters are more cost-effective but require more time and elbow grease because you must manually clean them on a regular basis.

All furnace filters come with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Report Value) Rating. The MERV rating tells you furnace filter's capability in trapping particles and helps you compare the performance of different filters. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filtration performance.

Here's an overview of the different types of furnace filters that are available on the market:

Mechanical Furnace Filters: These are the most commonly used furnace filters. They are basically a net of dry, man-made or natural fibers that simply captures particles in its meshing. Most mechanical furnace filters are disposable, but some can be reused if cleaned regularly. They are not as effective for smaller particles or for homes with allergy sufferers. But for most homeowners and if you don't mind replacing them each month, they're both efficient and inexpensive.

Electrostatic Furnace Filters: These furnace filters consist of polyester strands which become charged with static electricity as air flows through them. This static electricity attracts more dust and pollens to the filter; thus, these filters have a slightly higher MERV rating than mechanical furnace filters. Most electrostatic furnace filters are bound to a metal frame They usually do not need replacing and can often go up to three months without cleaning.

Electronic Furnace Filters: Unlike traditional filters which have actual fibers or other material to trap dust and debris, these specialized filters use a grid of electrically charged wires that attract particles. In fact, electronic furnace filters are so efficient that within a few days their MERV rating may actually plummet due to excess dust buildup. Thus, if you are thinking of using an electronic furnace filter, keep in mind that it needs to be cleaned at least once a week.

HEPA Furnace Filters: HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particle Absorber. This is the most efficient of all furnace filters. It has no MERV rating because it actually exceeds MERV requirements. HEPA furnace filters have a 99% efficiency testing which is considered exceptional for filtration. However, HEPA furnace filters are more expensive than all other furnace filters. Because of their superior filtration, these furnace filters tend to only be used in high-sanitary commercial environments, such as hospitals, laboratories, and surgical facilities; it's very rare to find them residential homes. WARNING: If you decide to look for a HEPA furnace filter, read the labels carefully; there are quite a few imitation brands out in the marketplace that claim to be but may not be true HEPA products.


The Bottom Line on Furnace Filters

Cleaning or replacing your furnace filter only takes a few extra minutes or a few extra bucks each month. Trust us...it's well worth the time and money. If you have questions about which kind of furnace filter is right for you, how frequently you should replace or clean your furnace filter or how to clean or replace your furnace filter, a Horizon Services heating technician can give you the answers you need.



Related Information from Horizon Services...

• Horizon Heating Services
• Horizon's Pre-Season Furnace Precision Tune Up
• Indoor Air Quality - A Major Problem for Homeowners
• Cutting Edge Solutions For Energy Efficiency