Steps for Achieving a Smooth, Successful Kitchen Renovation

OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 5, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- According to an ongoing, decade-long study called HomeSight, which leverages three million home improvement projects and more than one million respondents, a kitchen remodel consumes more attention, energy, finances and complex decision-making than any other project, short of building an entirely new house.  HomeSight, conducted by CNW Research in conjunction with Meredith publications, also noted that kitchen remodels can be extremely time-consuming, with the average duration being two years (from initial concept to completion), although in extreme cases some renovations can take as long as six years.  As homeowners go through the five stages of the kitchen remodel, as identified by HomeSight, one element that delays them at every stage is choosing the right products to bring their design vision to life.

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HomeSight noted that consumer decisions about products and brands for a kitchen are the most volatile among all the home improvement categories, with selections changing more frequently during a kitchen remodel process than any other room renovation.  As verified by this research, the process is complex because there is a large learning curve involved when undertaking a kitchen remodel.

Based on the HomeSight research and independent insights, Elkay's ongoing mission has been to reduce the homeowner's time in the selection process so they can begin enjoying their new kitchen sooner.  For this reason, Elkay provides homeowners with the educational insights they need to shop the category, as well as online tools at www.elkayusa.com to help narrow down their options based on their unique needs and preferences.  In addition, Elkay also recently introduced stylish new sink and faucet product pairings to further simplify the shopping process.

SINK AND FAUCET SELECTION 101

When remodeling a kitchen or bath, the theme, decor, countertops and cabinets often take precedence in the planning process, but it is important for homeowners to remember the significance of the sink and faucet.  A home's plumbing fixtures and fittings can affect everything from the way we wash up to how we prepare a meal.  Elkay aims to educate homeowners on how to choose the right sink for their needs, which means matching the style of the individual homeowner, while ensuring they invest in a sink and faucet that will prove to be reliable, durable and functional.  

When researching kitchen sink options there are five important factors to consider, coined as the five "S's":  strength, size, shape, surface and sound.    

After choosing the sink, the next step is determining what faucet will coordinate with the style and functionality of the kitchen.  Elkay offers matching sinks and faucets to simplify this process, but the company also developed the four faucet "F's":  fashion, function, finish and feel, to help homeowners determine which faucet is right for them.  

ONLINE SELECTION TOOLS

Visitors to www.elkayusa.com can take advantage of a variety of navigation tools to help them sail through thousands of Elkay options and find the products that meet their specific needs.  Elkay provides five different product selection tools for its residential products including "meet Elkay families," "quick product selection," "product selection guide," "Elkay brand selector" and "compare your favorites".  Each search option provides homeowners with a variety of exploratory parameters, as well as imagery and information to help homeowners find their ideal sink, faucet and accessory combination.

ELKAY'S PERFECT PAIRINGS

In an ongoing effort to help increase customer confidence, Elkay further simplifies the shopping experience and reduces buyers' stress by offering new lines of coordinating faucets within several of its top-selling sink families including the Avado®, Explore™, Echo™, Gourmet™, Harmony™ and The Mystic®.  Combining sinks and faucets with similar design characteristics into style families makes it easy for homeowners to find the perfect sink and faucet pair.  "Since 1920, Elkay has been providing customers with a wide variety of high quality, stylish products that help to complete the unique look of their homes' decor.  Now, as we continually offer innovative new products, we also aim to simplify the selection process by adding easy search tools to our Web site, elkayusa.com, and mixing Elkay faucets into our existing popular sink families," notes Ann Rottinghaus, Elkay marketing communication director.

Based in Oak Brook, Ill, and part of the family-owned Elkay Manufacturing Company, the Elkay Residential brand has been providing innovative, high quality plumbing products since 1920.  Elkay is America's number one selling stainless steel sink company.  Ranked 57th in Crain's Chicago Business list of Chicago's Largest Privately-Held Companies, Elkay has more than 3,800 employees in facilities throughout the United States and select international markets involved in the company's various products, including cabinetry, plumbing and decorative surfaces.  

From Elkay's simple beginnings as a three-man shop on Chicago's North side to the company's present position as the "One Source, One Solution" supplier of complete kitchen and bath product solutions, the company remains focused on designing products and adapting the business to serve the changing needs of its customers and consumers.  Elkay is a proud member of numerous key industry associations including the U.S. Green Building Council [USGBC], the American Society of Interior Designers [ASID], the National Kitchen & Bath Association [NKBA], the Plumbing Manufacturers' Institute [PMI] and the Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association [DPHA].  

For more information, contact Elkay customer service at (630) 572-3192 or visit www.elkayusa.com.  

SOURCE Elkay