A wood porch can add such architectural character to a house, and present great opportunities for adding detailing to your home. Porches, being at a higher elevation than the surrounding grade, use masonry piers or wood posts to support the structural framing for the raised wood porch (ledger boards are used also, but they typically […]
Using the term ‘high definition’, is a great way to describe the classic look of the homes of the past, along with their outdoor spaces and yards. You could find a great deal of exterior architectural features and detailing around every corner. These classic features and intricate details gave these homes an abundance of visual […]
A trip down the fastener aisle at the hardware store can be a bit overwhelming if you are unfamiliar with the many types of fasteners. If you have guessed that fasteners and connectors for exterior use may need to be different than those for interior use, you would be correct. Exterior fasteners and connectors […]
Raise your hand if you have ever pushed open a gate that was scraping the ground. Doors and gates that have been properly installed with the correct hardware swing open, and close with ease. Why is using the right grade, and quantity, of hinges for doors and gates so important? Under the weight of a […]
One of the classic details you can add to a traditional home’s home improvement project is period hardware. Period hardware manufactured today replicates the designs that were used at a particular time in architectural history. It includes outdoor hardware like door knobs and thumb latches, gate and door strap hinges, latches, door knockers and bells, […]
This is a residential project we worked on a number of years ago. The house is a beautiful free classic Victorian and was about 90+ years old at the time. There had been some remodeling done to the house over the years by previous owners, both inside and outside. Most of which had not been […]
Mildew and algae can grow on both horizontal and vertical exterior surfaces. They can grow so slowly that you may not be aware of their presence until they become very visible by discoloring the surface, or when a walking surface becomes slippery, especially when the surface is wet. Mildew is typically black or gray […]
The beauty of any outdoor wood structure, whether it is a fence, mailbox, trellis, or arbor, decks, stairs, or railings can last for years if the right type of wood, hardware and finish are selected. However, one additional step in building any of these types of outdoor structures can not be overlooked. While all wood […]
If you love traditional style, you will no doubt be delightfully intrigued by the intricate fretwork designs, and the elegance, of the classic Chinese Chippendale design style. The style encompasses some of the most beautiful designs. The latticework pattern is just one of the fretwork patterns of this style, and I’m guessing it is probably […]
Painting my aluminum storm door proved to be a worthwhile project. It gave the door an updated look, and, not having to buy a new storm door right now, was an added bonus. Even though the door is around 20 years old, overall, it is in good mechanical condition, despite having a few dings […]
