A key ingredient in any successful new kitchen or bathroom project is the right match between the client’s dreams, the project budget, the construction of the dwelling and the materials, equipment, and surfaces specified by the design professional.
New manufacturing methods, engineering innovations, and technological advancements continually impact the materials, equipment, and surfaces available to kitchen and bathroom planners. Therefore, a book on products for residential kitchens and bathrooms must be updated periodically. This is what the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has undertaken in conjunction with John Wiley & Sons, Inc., in the second edition of this volume.
In this revised edition, we have maintained the organization found in the original edition. Seven major chapters cover the choices available to professionals.
Chapter 1 details the kitchen and bathroom cabinet industry. In addition to identifying cabinet manufacturing systems, extensive information has been added detailing storage systems integrated into cabinet interiors. This information extends beyond kitchen ideas and includes storage systems for entertainment and refreshment areas, utility rooms, and home offices.
New information about cabinet case construction materials is highlighted. Information about working veneers has been expanded as well. The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) Responsible Resource Management Program and the association’s Certification Program are detailed.
We have included a review of cabinet manufacturers’ imperial (inches/feet) and metric (millimeters/centimeters) dimensioning systems. While this information is useful, we recommend designers work closely with their chosen manufacturer to understand the cabinet sizing system the specific supplier has embraced.
Chapter 2 details appliance types and planning considerations. New information has been added to explain new heat transference methods, and point-of-use specialized appliances. Because of major innovations taking place within the ventilation category of appliances, extensive material has been added about this topic as well.
Chapter 3 covers fixture materials. In addition to new materials being used for kitchen sinks, bathroom lavatories, and other bathroom fixtures, construction and fabrication information, and ideas about how and where to use new materials are a part of this second edition.
Chapter 4 covers fixture design and planning considerations. Information has been added in the section covering new engineering technologies that have dramatically improved water usage of kitchen and bathroom fixtures. Additionally, extensive new graphics have been added to demonstrate the product choices available today.
In Chapter 5, the topics of fitting materials and engineering are covered. New information about fashionable finishes for faucetry has been highlighted. Hands-free methods of operations for faucets are explained as well.
Chapter 6 covers bathroom fitting design and engineering. Water conservation is, once again, an important topic covered in this section. The technology behind new showering fixtures is included.
Chapter 7, our final chapter, focuses on surface materials. Expanded details about domestic and imported ceramic and porcelain products are discussed. New materials are explained: concrete and glass, for example. The information on laminate surfaces now includes a discussion of the new high-definition finishes.
The overall volume is written to help new designers begin their professional path as well as to provide a resource for experienced designers interested in updating their existing knowledge about newly launched products or products recently reengineered.
Designers are encouraged to reference additional information through the resources available on the Internet. Because of the ever-changing landscape of materials, products, and surfaces available, time set aside for purposeful research should be a weekly exercise for the design professional.
We hope the material in this volume assists designers as they creatively lay out a kitchen or bathroom solution and begin the selection and specification tasks of recommending the materials, equipment, surfaces, and the products necessary to transform a beautiful drawing into a hardworking kitchen or restful and relaxing bathroom space.