Buycabinets.com
This megasite displays enough cupboards to make Mother Hubbard and her poor doggy delirious. Just click on “Homeowners” to get started.
• Industry links so you can locate great sites for hardware, sinks, and more
• Glossy galleries
Andersenwindows.com
Even if you decide not to use Andersen products, this well-designed website can be a gold mine of get-started knowledge.
• Overview of styles and functions in FAQ pages and a handy glossary (now we know that double-glazing isn’t just for donuts)
• Info on tax credits for energy-efficient windows
Floorfacts.com
You’ve put up with the tacky old bathroom linoleum floor for long enough. Now what to replace it with? Hardwood, tile, or carpet? Okay, not carpet.
• Straightforward primers on trends, like bamboo (they’re moisture- and fire-resistant)
• Unbiased, comprehensive manufacturer directory (so you’re on solid ground -- or oak)
Houseofantiquehardware.com
Okay, so you don’t need to be told how to select new or replacement hardware for your cabinets, but what you do need are a variety of choices, from glass knobs to drop pulls.
• Finishes reference guide, which can help guide your taste
• A well-constructed architectural timeline, which may keep you from putting a Federal-inspired repro handle on an arts and crafts cabinet
Pegasusassociates.com
Ironically, looking for lighting info online can be a murky experience. Thankfully, this site is downright illuminating. Check out the “Useful Links” provided for you at the top of the page.
• Experience-based tips section, which provides helpful pointers, such as installing under-cabinet lighting near the front to avoid creating shadows, and angling track lights at 30 degrees to avoid glare
• Product Q&As and comparison charts
Faucet.com
You could ask your plumber, but you might get an exposed crack with the info. Click on “Info Center” at the bottom of the page for fixture how-tos.
• Extensive A-Z glossary for plumbing and hardware
• Concise, illustrated guide to bathroom and kitchen faucet styles, functions, and finishes. You’ll find yourself thinking so that’s what you call that kind of sink.
by Steven Russell
7/2/08
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Home Repairs,
Real Estate,
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