April 28, 2008
If you're lucky enough to have the space and money to build a cool wine cellar, then you'll probably want a cool wine cellar door to mark the entrance (or keep the kids from wandering down and sampling your priceless vintages). Sure, any old door from the home improvement store will do, but you could have something that suggests grapes be within! by installing one that is custom made for the wine room.
Spokane's Crafted Northwest Doors will do custom wooden doors for wine cellars. You can get grapes (or whatever you want) carved into the wood, and you can also get grape-inspired grills to mount on the wood or go over a little window in the top of the door.
This way, if guests wander through your house during a party, they'll know just what room they've reached without even opening the door.
April 18, 2008
A relatively simple home improvement is replacing door and window trim. It can really improve the look of your home, and though it does take some time to cut, nail, paint, etc, it doesn't cost a lot for the materials.
You have several options when it comes to door and window trim, so lets look at the pros and cons of each.
Wood Trim
You can find species such as pine, fir, cedar, spruce, and redwood (pine and fir should be treated with a preservative to prevent decay), and it will cost you 75 cents to $6 per linear foot (costs for wood trim vary a lot depending on species, size, etc.).
Pros are that wood looks good, appeals to many, can be inexpensive, and is readily available at most home improvement stores. Cons are that you need to seal and refinish natural wood about once every five to ten years.
Engineered Wood Trim
A little different than traditional wooden millwork, engineered wood trim is made by heat-pressing hardwood fibers into various widths, thicknesses, and lengths. It costs $1.35 to $2.50 per square foot (uninstalled) and is a little more durable than regular wood.
Pros are that it resists warping, and factory priming adds durability and reduces maintenance. Cons are that engineered wood will still need to be painted every five to ten years, and decorative trim pieces generally aren't available.
Vinyl/Cellular PVC Trim
PVC is sold in long 18- and 20-foot lengths, so using it means less waste when installing window and door trim (as well as gables, soffits, and corner boards), and it's fairly easy to install with no knots or joints to work around. It can be painted but doesn't need to be. Costs depend on the type and size of trim piece but will run around $2 to $10 uninstalled.
Pros are durability and ease of maintenance (you can get a 25-year structural warranty--10 years on the finish). It can be easily cleaned with a garden hose, soft cloth, or soft brush and a household cleaner. Cons are few with the only real downside being that you may not think the look as sexy as wood.
Fiber-Cement Trim
Another trim option is fiber-cement, which is made from portland cement, sand, wood fiber, additives, and water. This stuff is noncombustible, won't rot or crack, is termite-proof, and is stable through temperatures and humidity changes. It can be painted or stained, and the trim can last up to 50 years (paint jobs should last 15+ years).
Pros are its extreme durability and low maintenance. Cons are that fiber-cement trim is typically only available along with a purchase of siding. Also you may not be able to find decorative trim/millwork.
Urethane Trim
For this type of trim, a high-density polyurethane foam is molded to a smooth, white finish and then treated with a UV-inhibiting primer. Unlike some of the other man-made materials, it can be easily shaped to resemble hand-carved wood or multilayered trim. Urethane is lightweight and shouldn't shrink, warp, or decay, though it is temperature sensitive.
Pros are that the trim should last the lifetime of the building, and even paint jobs will last longer since moisture doesn't penetrate as it does with wood. Cons are the price, which ranges from $4 to $25 per linear foot uninstalled.
Source: 2008 Exteriors magazine "Trim and Accents"
April 7, 2008
If you're planning to replace your entry door, you'll have to decide on which material appeals most to you.
Wood doors are attractive, speak of quality, and add to curb appeal, but they're also more work to maintain than other options, since they require care to stave off cracking and splitting as seasons pass. Another downside of wood is that it doesn't offer all that much insulation, so if saving money on energy is important to you, an efficient well-insulated door may be something consider. For example, take a look at fiberglass doors.
You might think of the material as looking plastic-like and lacking the authenticity of wood, but fiberglass has come a long way in the last twenty years and some of today's options are quite handsome. This fiberglass entry door from the Feather River Door Company is one example. You probably thought it was wood when you first looked at the picture.
As well as being low maintenance, fiberglass generally has better insulation properties than wood. Most of these doors are made using two fiberglass skins that are filled with polyurethane foam, which can give you up to five times the insulation that wood doors give you.
Fiberglass doors also feature much of the strength and security of metal, so if home security is one of your considerations in choosing a door, the material should satisify your needs.
Of course, if you prefer the look and security of actual metal doors, we've looked at some cool ones of those too:
Architectural Charcoal Metal Doors | Custom Metal Doors
April 2, 2008
All it takes is a stroll down any neighborhood street to see that wood doors (or doors that look like wood) are the most common for houses, but if you'd like to buck the trend with something more modern (not to mention fire retardant), then you may consider checking out metal.
Architectural metal doors can really stand out too. The ECO205D model shown here (cool door, forgettable name) is made with fused graphite and has a mirrored finish.
It's one of the "Eco-Etch" doors from Forms + Surfaces. "Beautiful etched designs are applied to Architectural Metal doors using an ecologically responsible physical etching process that doesn't use acids or other harmful chemicals."
The company has a number of pictures of metal doors they've done, so check out the page if you're looking for ideas:
Forms + Surfaces
March 16, 2008
If you're looking for ways to add a feeling of grandeur and luxury to your master bedroom, then consider replacing the closet doors. Although doors take up quite a bit of wall real estate (wall estate?), they're often plain and boring. People tend to forget about them. But with custom work, you can add interest and make the room feel more posh.
You don't have to go crazy. Wood is always a handsome choice. The red oak doors shown here are fairly simple, but they stand out because they're nicer than typical closet entrances.
There's no limit to what you can do with custom doors, but do make sure you get something that matches the style and era of the house.
From Jim Illingworth Millwork
