Granite On Concrete Slab In Kitchens

GRANITE COUNTER TOP

If you are looking at getting a modular kitchen installed for your home, it is advisable to lay the granite counter after you meet with a modular kitchen specialist. In many Chennai homes/apartments, the kitchens are built with granite laid on top of a concrete slab. For a modular kitchen supplier, this is a concern because it restricts the space available for storage in base units. Also many good kitchen accessories which come in standard sizes cannot be incorporated in the design which could be a disappointment for many kitchen users. And installation is very tedious as each cabinet sizes need to be adjusted due to the height variation between the floor and the concrete slab. These kinds of kitchens are generally termed as semi-modular kitchen in India. The final output of a modular kitchen in comparison to a semi-modular is better.

Some say that a modular kitchen may not take the weight of the granite counter and hence concrete slab is necessary! Modular kitchen cabinets made with good quality plywood can support the granite counter top. Each cabinet are independent units and are joined together while installing and it will have adequate strength to support granite counter tops.

Some also say that a semi-modular kitchen is a cheaper option than a modular kitchen. If you are making full cabinets with shutters/drawers, then the costing for both remain the same. In fact the installation costs will be higher for semi-modular due to extra labour/man hours required. If you are only closing the front portion with shutters and frame work, then the costs are minimal but it cannot be considered as a semi-modular or modular kitchen.

If you intent to buy a modular kitchen, it is better to give an empty space so the kitchen designer can best conceptualise your kitchen space.

Modular Kitchen – Inside Vs Outside

MODULAR KITCHEN

How important are the finishes of inside your kitchen cabinets compared to the exterior of your modular kitchen?

This can be one of the clear indications of the overall modular kitchen quality and could be a clear differentiator. One is to have a closer look inside the kitchen cabinets displayed at the modular kitchen showroom. Many a times, we end up looking only at the external appearance and get distracted with all the accessories and ranges available. Also the more showrooms you visit and talk to people; you will be flooded with varied information and it can be overwhelming!

It is important to give attention to details. Each component like the internals, accessory provisions, hardware, exterior finishes have to be looked into keenly. The internal laminates have to be seamlessly pressed and edge banding to be fixed with machine precision for each panel. To achieve perfection the modular kitchen cabinets has to be pre-drilled with holes (for hardware and accessory fixing), and grooves done by CNC machines. This will ensure that the panels, hinges, channels and accessories are joined in perfection while installation. If these are done manually at site, it leaves pencil markings in the internals and the accuracy in fittings will be compromised. It is the fine tuning which makes a modular kitchen to stand out and seamless with perfect lines.

To make your modular kitchen perfect both in form and function, look into the details of both inside and outside of the kitchen.

WHY BUY A MODULAR KITCHEN?

There are many advantages in opting for a modular kitchen rather than all other options mentioned in my previous post. This post is to list out a few;

After many years of kitchen usage, some units may have more wear and tear (like the sink unit due to water leakage, dampness etc). In a real Modular kitchen, those cabinets or panels can be replaced with minimal disruption. Once it is done, the kitchen might look as good as new.

In a modular kitchen, the raw material which goes into the making will be of excellent quality. Hence most good brands are able to give guarantee of at least 5 years. Also due to good quality material and imported machinery the final finished kitchen will definitely look superior (both inner and exterior).

While customization, the errors are minimized due to the design software used and technical competency of the designer. Optimal storage is planned and the cabinets are pre-drilled at the factory so the fitting of hardware and accessories will be precise. This will give the kitchen perfect lines between cabinets and makes it to stand out. Also the cabinets will be designed and made accessory friendly, which make it possible to add in future.

Today many are opting for built-in appliances in the kitchen. Each appliance is of different sizes and has ventilation, inlet / outlet requirements. All those factors will be taken into account and manufactured accordingly for hassle free installation and durability of the appliances.

Another feedback recently got from a customer is that due to the perfect fixing of each modular kitchen cabinet, there will not be any crevices and it reduces the chances of cockroaches.

Finally the installation time taken is minimal and site does not get untidy. There will not be any dust, noise, debris etc.

Modular kitchen in Chennai

What is a Modular Kitchen?

ABOUT MODULAR KITCHEN

In Chennai, there is a lot of misconception about the Modular Kitchen concept. This post is intended to clarify –

In a modular kitchen, each kitchen cabinets are made as different modules and all those are brought in and assembled together to form the entire kitchen. The kitchen cabinets can be assembled / disassembled and moved to another location and reassembled again. Each cabinet itself is modular; which means if you would want to change just one unit due to normal wear and tear after some years (for example sink cabinet), it is possible. These are not fixed with nails or glue which makes it impossible to disassemble without damaging the panels.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF KITCHEN THAT IS BEING SUPPLIED IN CHENNAI;

1. One which is made in a factory with advanced machinery to make boreholes in panels which makes the kitchen cabinets – ‘Modular’. With this type, the panels are assembled with mini fixes and dowels which can be disassembled and reassembled. This is a Modular Kitchen. In this kind of factory made modular kitchens, even the holes for fitting the accessories (for storage, easy access) and hardware (hinges, handles, channels) are pre-drilled. Once the packed / finished material reached the site, the installer has to just assemble them as per instructions mentioned in the drawing. It will take only 2-3 days to install and there will be no cutting, sawing, drilling etc. The site will not get untidy with dust, debris, noise etc.
2. One in which the panels are cut to size in a factory (with basic/local machines) and brought to the customer’s place and fixed together with nails, screws, clamps, glue etc. This is NOT a modular kitchen. The installation time taken will be about a week and there will be drilling, dust, debris, noise etc.
3. All the inner boxes (carcass) are made by carpentry job at customer’s place (cutting plywood, gluing the laminate on it and fitting the cabinets). The laminated shutters are brought from a lesser equipped factory and fixed. This is NOT a modular kitchen. There will be about 3 weeks of site works and it gets very dusty and noisy during the time.
4. Complete works are done by a carpenter at customer’s place; both inner boxes (carcass) and shutters. This is NOT a modular kitchen. There will be about 3-4 weeks of site works and it gets very dusty, noisy and lot of debris during the time.

If you are looking for a Modular Kitchen, ensure that you are getting one. There are many advantages in going in for an actual modular kitchen; which we will cover in the next post. – ‘Why buy a modular kitchen?‘

Modular Kitchen in Chennai

Kitchen Design – What To Look For?

KITCHEN DESIGN

There are many facets to designing an exceptional kitchen. A good kitchen design must offer optimal storage with ease of access, efficient layout/work triangle, consider shutter design/finish options, material planning for better durability and overall heart warming aesthetics.

Typical storage in kitchens include basic groceries and essential provisions (daily use & bulk), pots and pans, dinnerware, waste disposal, water purifier, gas system, handy electrical appliancesetc. Efficient layouts should minimise movement between storage area, preparation/cooking/cleaning area and serving counter. Today, shutter finishes and designs are readily available to satisfy every individual requirement. Material planning is key, as  it has a direct implication on the durability of kitchen cabinets. Depending on the customer’s budget, kitchen designs and material options vary accordingly along with type of kitchen construction, extent of modular cabinetries, accessories, lighting etc. Aesthetics is a function of the sizes of cabinetries with drawers/shutters, shades/combination used for the kitchen fascia, handles, counter top and back splash tiles, kitchen appliances etc.

A good kitchen designer is one who has an in-depth knowledge of all above factors and who could capture each customer’s specific requirements. H/She should be able to visualise, conceptualise with clarity and present you with a lasting impression.