Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wood Flooring Weekly Specials

If you’re looking for great deals on high-quality hardwood flooring, look no further than the Stone+Wood Outlet Weekly Specials. This week’s specials feature beautiful Bangkirai, smoky Birch Chestnut, and Burmese Walnut. Here are the details:

Bangkirai Natural, 2 7/8”, was $3.49/SF, now only $2.99/SF!

Burmese Walnut, 2 7/8”, was $3.99/SF, now only $2.99/SF!

Hand Scraped Birch Chestnut, 5”, was $3.79/SF, now only $3.49/SF!



These prices are available for a limited time. For more information, or to view the different wood species in person, visit any of the following Stone+Wood Outlet locations:

3424 NW Yeon Ave., Portland
6777 SW Bonita Rd., Ste. 120, Tigard
9907 SE 82nd Ave, Clackamas

You can also visit Stone+Wood Outlet online at www.stonewoodoutlet.com.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Kitchen Cabinets: Custom vs. Stock

Stone+Wood Outlet recently added high-quality cabinets to their product line, but for many homeowners in Portland, cabinet design and installation can be a confusing ordeal. There are many different types of cabinets available, and each has its benefits as well as faults. The following is a brief look at two of the main types of cabinets - custom and stock - and a few of their pros and cons. Enjoy!




Custom

Pros
1. Better use of space.
Custom cabinets are built based on measurements of your kitchen, meaning they fit perfectly in the space in which they are installed.
2. More design options.
Since customs cabinets aren’t built until you order them, you have a lot more options as far as building materials and features.
3. Easier to coordinate.
The whole point of going with custom cabinets is to be able to match your new cabinets to an existing décor. In Portland, cabinets and kitchen coordination can mean the different between an abomination and a reason to celebrate.

Cons
1. Price
Custom kitchen cabinets can run a pretty penny, especially if you choose an expensive building material such as wood or steel.
2. Availability
The availability of certain items directly affects both the price and the amount of time you will wait for your new cabinet.
3. Wait
Because your cabinets are being designed specifically for you, you may have to wait for certain parts or supplies to be ordered and shipped.

Stock

Pros
1. Preassembled
Stock cabinets take the guess work out of designing a kitchen – what you see is what you get. If you like it in the showroom, chances are you will also like it at home.
2. Price
Even in thrifty Portland, cabinets can get pretty expensive. Luckily, stock cabinets are much more affordable than their custom counterparts.
3. Speed of installation.
Because custom cabinets are premade and ready to ship, you can go from store to installation in very little time.

Cons
1. Standardized sizes.
Since you have no say over the size and shape of these cabinets, sometimes it is hard to match them perfectly to your kitchen.
2. Lack of design options.
While some may see the limited styles as a plus, many find it restrictive. If you have a grandiose, complicated kitchen design project in mind, stock cabinets probably aren’t for you.
3. Plain appearance.
Stock cabinets are usually made from very reliable materials, but they come in limited styles. Stocks work best for someone who is looking for a sturdy, attractive cabinet that doesn’t feature any frills or gimmicks.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

What To Look For In A Portland Cabinet Retailer

There are many cabinet retailers in Portland, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to pick just one. But separating the Portland cabinet wheat from the chaff isn't as hard as it seems. The best way to narrow down the options is to have a checklist of important features and services you expect from a cabinet retailer. If a company doesn't offer something on the list, out they go! Here are a few basics that are important to consider when shopping around. Enjoy!



1. Selection
Having a large variety of styles and colors of cabinets to choose from is essential. You want to make sure the look you decide on is the best for your home, and how can you know that to be true if you haven't seen a lot of different styles? Demanding a large selection from your Portland cabinet retailer will ensure that you pick a style you absolutely love.

2. Price
The best places to buy custom cabinets in Portland are discount outlets. Outlet stores carry the same high-quality cabinets home improvement and hardware stores carry, but at a fraction of the cost. You can even spend the money you save on cabinet accessories such as handles, stains and lights.

3. Customer Service
Make sure the retailer you end up choosing offers great customer service. Too many companies will happily sell you a product but refuse to offer any help with design or installation. Choose a Portland cabinet retailer that offers free layout and design help.

Don't let the large number of cabinet retailers in Portland overwhelm you! Stick to your checklist, take your time, and remember – Selection! Price! Customer Service!