The Best Pest Control Is A Clean and Hygienic Home

When newcomers to Queensland are asked what they like most about living here, the universal answer is the climate. We enjoy mild winters followed by long summers, plenty of sunshine and intermittent rain. Unfortunately, this climate is also the perfect breeding ground for household pests.

Cleanliness and Regular Checks Keep Pests At Bay

Pantry Accessibility

With no harsh winter to control their numbers, it can be a year-round battle to keep these nasties under control. However, cleanliness and regular action will keep them out of your homes and especially out of your cabinets. Even the beautiful, new cabinets made and installed by Craftbuilt Kitchens need regular attention to keep them pest free.

Food hygiene is vitally important so a great place to start is the pantry. Pests such as flour and meal moths and tiny beetles arrive as eggs in packaged goods, then burrow into soft packeted foods like flour or grains. Working one shelf at a time, empty the pantry and check for powder on the shelves or wriggling or web-like larvae inside packaging.

Seal Packaged Items In Plastic Containers

Throw out any contents that are already infested. These types of pests don’t carry disease, but you probably will not want to use anything they have crawled around in. Clean storage containers and shelves with warm water to dislodge any pupae or eggs that have fallen into tiny cracks, then seal the remaining items in plastic containers.

Use Insecticides or Natural Remedies Regularly

Most people are hesitant to spray insecticide into cabinets where food is kept, and many people prefer not to use it at all. This is good news for cockroaches that are notoriously difficult to eradicate if they get a foothold. However, it is possible to keep them safely under control and out of your cabinets.

Householders who will tolerate some insecticide remedies can use residual sprays in laundry cabinets and follow up with baits placed in the warm, moist areas cockroaches love. Place them under refrigerators, stoves and washing machines, in cabinets under the kitchen and bathroom sinks and replace them every three months. There are also natural remedies that may be effective.Keep Pests Away From Kitchen

Pests Need Food and Shelter – Don’t Give It to Them

None of these will work, however, if the area is not kept clean. Cockroaches feed after dark and just before dawn so any food scraps left on a kitchen bench or in the sink are an open invitation. Keep rubbish bins covered, emptied daily and cleaned regularly. Check cabinets for holes or cracks then seal them to deprive cockroaches of daytime hiding places.

Ultimately, it is up to the home owner to keep everything clean and hygienic so there is nowhere for pests to live. For the best kitchen cabinets maintenance and advice, contact our designers at Craftbuilt Kitchens today!

Which Material Is The Right One For Your Countertop?

If the kitchen is the busiest part of a home, then we could say that the countertops are the hardest working part of the kitchen. Just take a moment to think about what they are subjected to every day. Small appliances heating water and food, sharp utensils, baking tins and trays, frozen items waiting to thaw and food in different stages of preparation are just some of the things the average countertop handles in a day.

Old Style Countertops Needed A Lot of TLC

It’s a small miracle that when the activity is finished and the countertops are cleaned, they still look as good as new. This was not always the case, as the early materials used to construct the kitchen, as we know it today, were not as durable as they are now. Counter tops in those days needed extra care as they were easily scratched, dented, marked by heat or cut by a carelessly wielded knife.

We still recommend that you take reasonable care of your new counter tops but we also acknowledge that the materials used nowadays are much more resilient than their predecessors. Craftbuilt Kitchens has a large showroom where we have many kitchens on display featuring different countertops.

Engineered Stone A Cost-Effective Substitute for the Natural Product

There are many materials used to make countertops but there are several stand-outs in terms of durability and popularity. Natural stone is a favourite in high-end kitchens but needs careful maintenance as it is porous and easily stained or scratched. Engineered stone, however, is a good value-for-money alternative. It can be ordered in any size, shape or colour; it is robust, does not mark easily and gives that wonderful stone look for a fraction of the cost.

Stainless Steel and Timber Both Durable

Stainless steel is popular where the sought-after look is ultra-modern industrial. It is hygienic, easy to clean, durable and stain proof but shows streaks and finger marks easily. For a more natural look, it is hard to overlook timber. Hardwood is more resilient than a soft timber and can be coated to resist moisture.

Long-lasting Laminates Still Popular

Laminates have stood the test of time and those manufactured today are much improved on the originals. Available in an amazing range of colours and designs, laminates are inexpensive when compared with other surfaces, are durable, resist stains and scratching and are a breeze to clean and maintain.

Can’t Choose? Ask for Professional Guidance

Polished concrete, marble, granite, acrylics and other materials are also modern counter top choices with their own unique properties. If you are struggling to make a final choice, our showroom team are always available to help you get a product that suits your lifestyle and budget. Visit our showroom today at Underwood, or call us at (07) 3341 9166 to set an appointment.

Why Choosing Stone is Best For Your New Kitchen

There are many fantastic options available now for bench tops. The different options vary in price, longevity, looks and colours. Choosing a bench top simply comes down to what you think is practical, what your preference is and what your budget allows.

If you are considering stone bench tops then you will be pleased to hear that at Craftbuilt Kitchens we can offer stone bench tops fully installed with your new kitchen. There are many benefits to stone bench tops and if this style is on your shortlist you might like to keep reading to find out more.

Durable

Stone bench tops are incredibly durable. Taken care of properly these will keep their good looks for many years to come. They are very easy to clean and extremely resistant to scratches that can easily happen during food preparation in kitchens.

Other incidents that can happen in kitchens are hot pots on benches. Some materials will stain or get damaged from heat easily. Stone bench tops are resistant to certain temperatures but still can be damaged by extreme and/or sudden heat changes so while your stone bench top is capable of dealing with some high temps it’s still recommended you place hot items on appropriate places such as wooden cutting boards etc.

Good Looking

Stone bench tops add a certain appeal to a kitchen. There are various colours and patterns you can get to suit your unique kitchen and style, but whichever you choose you are guaranteed that they will offer a sense of class to your kitchen like no other bench top.

Easy To Care For

As mentioned previously, stone bench tops are easy to clean. If like so many others you have a busy lifestyle you will want a kitchen work space that does not take a lot of work to keep tidy and clean. Because a stone bench top is one piece void of crevices, tile grout or pores you can easily wipe this down with a sponge and some dish detergent.

It is highly unlikely you will ever get a stain on a stone bench top so you won’t spend excess time scrubbing or wiping clean.

All in all, a stone bench top is affordable, looks amazing, will save you time on cleaning and will last many years. Of course the only way to have a stone bench top installed is by a professional. At Craftbuilt Kitchens we have a team of highly qualified professional installers who get the job right first time.

Visit us today at our showroom or online to organise a time to discuss your new kitchen and stunning stone bench top.

Kitchen Lighting To Compliment Your Home

Lighting is a very important feature in our homes, particularly in the kitchen. Lighting is used to make a kitchen look warm and inviting but most importantly, lighting is important so you can see clearly as you prepare meals. There are a few different types of lighting you can consider for your kitchen. What you are probably aiming for is an attractive kitchen lighting that is functional. Any kitchen, however simple, can be beautiful with the right lighting. In this article you will read about the kitchen lighting styles and how these can be used in your kitchen.

Kitchen Lighting And Essential Planning 

It may seem obvious but planning is an important factor in kitchen design. Having a good look at your kitchen layout before deciding on where to place lighting is crucial. The kinds of lighting you can consider are task lighting, accent lighting, decorative and ambient. In the areas you will be doing most of your preparation you will require task lighting. Areas such as stoves, sinks and benches will benefit greatly from task lighting. A small light in the kitchen that can be left on overnight, such as a fluorescent light, may be helpful if you tend to get up in the night or if you have children who might. If there is an island bench in your kitchen where some or all meals will be eaten, you may like to consider ambient lighting. This lighting will give a feeling of homey warmth.

Decorative lighting and accent lighting will add dimension to your kitchen. Adding small ambient lights to glass kitchen cabinets will illuminate your glassware and plates giving your kitchen a chic and stylish look. Decorative lighting is fantastic when you are entertaining guests. Once all the work in the kitchen is completed you can turn off your task lights and switch on the decorative lights. This lighting will help change the mood and atmosphere to one that is more relaxed. It is not necessary for you to use accent or decorative lighting if you don’t wish. If you do, you certainly don’t want to go overboard and have your kitchen looking like a UFO.

A professional kitchen designer with firsthand knowledge of kitchen design and kitchen lighting will be able to guide you on the right path to owning a beautiful kitchen. What you will have in the end is a kitchen that looks fantastic whatever kind of lighting you decide to use. A place where every meal is a pleasure to prepare.

Classy Alternatives To Granite

Granite benchtops are without a doubt an opulent and classy addition to any kitchen. Although it’s not always an option, especially for those who are on a stricter budget. There are also some homeowners who are executing kitchen renovations who just don’t wish to have a granite benchtop in their home yet still want something that looks fantastic.

The good news is there are quite a few alternatives to granite benchtops and all look amazing in the right style of kitchen. Choosing the style of kitchen that will work well with your chosen benchtop and add some wow factor to your home is easy with a professional designer and a team of kitchen specialists who knows their stuff.

Wood

Wooden benches have been around for many years and this material is currently a front-runner in choices for today’s kitchens. Wooden benches add great amounts of warmth to your kitchen and home and are not only for the traditional style kitchens. They are easy to maintain and never go out of style. For a more natural look, it is hard to overlook timber. Hardwood is more resilient than a soft timber and can be coated to resist moisture.

Wooden Benchtop Countertop

Stainless Steel

Originally only found in commercial kitchens, stainless steel is now very easily found in modern homes and for good reason. They are incredibly stylish, look fantastic and are hardwearing. Stainless steel is popular where the sought-after look is ultra-modern industrial. It is hygienic, easy to clean, durable and stain proof but shows streaks and finger marks easily. Another bonus of stainless steel benchtops is they are extremely hygienic, hence why they began in commercial kitchens.

Laminate

No longer a rejected throw back from the 1970s, laminate benchtops has proven its worth in more ways than one. One of the cheaper options, laminate comes in a great range of textures and colours, not just the bawdy bold oranges and greens from your grandparents’ kitchens. Laminates have stood the test of time and those manufactured today are much improved on the originals. Available in an amazing range of colours and designs, laminates are inexpensive when compared with other surfaces, are durable, resist stains and scratching and are a breeze to clean and maintain.

Plus, laminate is cost effective. It won’t burn through your budget unlike granite and other stone materials can. If you’re looking to install a benchtop in your kitchen that is affordable, then laminate is just the thing for you. Plus, it’s easy to install because it weighs considerably less compared to other materials used for kitchen benchtops.

Laminate Counter Bench Top

Caesarstone

Caesarstone is manmade and consists of approximately 95% quartz. The remaining 5% is colouring and polymer resins. Extremely durable, particularly against the kinds of liquids that other benchtops may falter under such as deep coloured spices and lemon juice, Caesarstone is a great choice.

When you visit the Craftbuilt Kitchens showroom, you can easily find out about more options not mentioned here or more information on the availability of those discussed. Visit our showroom today at 2958 Logan Road, Underwood QLD 4119 for more alternatives to your kitchen renovation planning.

Choosing Between Tile and Glass For Splashbacks

When it comes to splashbacks in the kitchen we all know by now the important role they play. But choosing them can be a difficult task; you want these to last a lifetime and so it’s important to choose the right ones.

Our friendly and experienced team at Craftbuilt Kitchens can easily discuss the options for splashbacks with you and help you decide which is best. We highly recommend you come into the showroom to view some samples and displays of what is on offer.

In order to help you get an idea ahead of your visit, we have compiled a list of benefits for each type. If you need any further information on either materials, then our showroom staff can answer your questions.

Benefits of Glass Splashbacks

Resistant to heat

Glass splashbacks are incredibly resistant to heat, which is perfect, considering they are placed near hotplates.

Ease of cleaning

Because glass splashbacks are flat and sleek they are exceptionally easy to clean. If you splash food, water or oil against the surface during preparation in the kitchen you simply need to clean with a damp or soapy cloth, depending on the substance.

Great looks

There is a great range of colours to choose from in glass splashbacks. This means that you can easily find a match for your colour scheme. Glass splashbacks also look very classy and modern. The light reflection they offer can give your kitchen a more open and light feel.

Benefits of Tile Splashbacks

Tile splashbacks can offer a more traditional look rather than modern to your kitchen, depending on what you go for.

Decorative

Tiles can come in a range of colours and patterns. Feature tiles make a nice addition to kitchens and add a nice touch to a plain wall.

Easy to clean

Tile splashbacks are also easy to clean as long as you take care to clean them properly and take care of the grouting. Using a toothbrush to clean grout regularly can keep them looking fresh.

Moisture protection

Tile splashbacks offer great moisture protection for your wall, which makes a great splashback for areas behind stoves and sinks.

There are many more benefits of each splashback and you only need to visit our Craftbuilt Kitchens showroom to find out more. Our showroom staff and professional kitchen designers will listen to your preferences and work together with you so that the kitchen you end up with is the kitchen you always dreamt of.

How to Choose Cabinets For Kitchens

If you are having your kitchen replaced or made over, there are many different aspects to consider and each decision needs to be made carefully in order you to end up with the kitchen you envisioned. Each part of your kitchen that you choose is an opportunity to not only create a space that is functional and enjoyable to spend time in, it is a chance to show a bit of your own unique style and taste.

Kitchen cabinets are one of the things that are very crucial to the right kitchen design as they make up quite a large part of your kitchen. This means of course that you want them to look good as well as fit in with your needs. It is easy enough to feel overwhelmed with all of the choices that present themselves in kitchen cabinets however with the right plan and the best advice you are sure to choose the perfect ones for you.

Consider Your Budget

Naturally one of the first things you need to take into consideration is your budget. There really is no sense in falling in love with kitchen cabinets that you can’t afford. If your budget has a few constraints on it, there’s no need to lose heart. There are plenty of budget friendly cabinet materials that still look fantastic. Whatever your budget, ensure that the cabinets you choose will be durable. Lots of spills, bangs and dings happen in kitchens with pots and pans and cooking. Some materials are always more hardy than others but you will be able to find one whether your budget is small or large.

It Depends On The Lay Out

The layout and space available in your kitchen will determine a lot about your kitchen cabinets. It is wise to have the larger cabinets closest to your oven as this would be where you can easily access your pots and pans. By having the positioning of the cabinets well placed you can save yourself a lot of storage space. A kitchen that is well planned and laid out well can prove to make your cooking experiences a whole lot more enjoyable.

If you find your kitchen is in desperate need of some new cabinets, seek out the advice of a professional designer who can point you in the direction of the best products available to suit your individual style and budget. The kitchen is quite often considered the heart of a home so make sure it’s in good working order.