For the Art History majors among you, please feel free to skip ahead--you already know all about Greek architecture and math and the ubiquitous acanthus leaf. But for the rest of us--who don't know our Corinthian from our plinth--here's a translation of the language of architectural columns, so that you can talk to your carpenter about why your preference is for a Doric capital and an Ionic shaft.

Are you looking for an easy way to add more character and "pop" to your home without breaking your budget? Many homeowners, besides architects and contractors, are discovering the advantages of using polyurethane beams. Here are a few of numerous benefits of polyurethane beams, along with some creative ideas on how homeowners are using these products in their homes. 

Basic Benefits of Polyurethane Beams 

One of the most varied and creative options for enhancing your property's landscape is the pergola. The definition of this outdoor living beauty is simple: An open-roof gazebo with slats across the top. From there, though, pergolas offer endless opportunities for personal expression.

Artisan home builders and homeowners both have a deep appreciation for fine products. But for all the artisan building products that exist, there are plenty of knockoffs with poor quality and construction. Worthington Millwork delivers on its promise of modern, stylish architecture and durability. Here's why you should consider Worthington Millwork products for your next artisan building project:

One of the best ways to beautify a yard and make it more functional is by adding a patio pergola. Basically, a patio pergola is an outdoor living space that consists of cross rafters and no walls. it's an outdoor room that provides a pleasant place for relaxing, dining or enjoying a yard. Besides serving as a patio cover, a pergola can be used as a garden trellis or provide shade for walkways. In some cases, a pergola is built simply for decorating a lawn. Here are five patio pergola ideas, along with a few considerations and warnings.

The problem with most houses these days (like since the 1980s) is that, for one reason or another, they all look pretty much alike. So you can rant at the real estate fairies about why can't you have an English country home on two acres with a lily pond or a tennis court, when in reality you've got a third of an acre and the only way you know it's your driveway is because you recognize your kid's bicycles. Settle down, and get thinking about ways to customize your entrance--and go back thousands of years to ancient architecture for your inspiration.

It's no secret that the floor plan of a home can make it or break it for many people. They have something in mind when it comes to the layout of their home and this is either what they envision when creating the blueprint or what they look for when viewing homes that are already built. One thing that may not be thought of as commonly, is just how important it is for the architectural millwork to be customized along with the floor plan. Good architectural millwork can make all of the different in the world when it comes to improving a floor plan and really catching the eye of a potential buyer. Here are some great ways to improve your floor plan design with architectural millwork. 

One of the great things about living in the United States is the huge variety of choices you have in the marketplace. You have almost unlimited option when it comes to picking out cars, and clothes, and your choices say a lot about who you are, what your taste is, and how you spend your money. The one big purchase where your options are the most limited is in your home--unless you can afford a truly custom build, the details you get to choose in your home are in inverse proportion to the money you spend. It's a little unnerving when every house on the block is so similar you're not entirely sure which driveway is yours. 

If only you could wave your magic hammer and give your home a facelift--change up some details and add some architectural interest to the facade and the interior--without raiding the kid's college funds.

When you're ready to renovate, the exterior of your building can matter just as much as the interior. There are a variety of factors to consider when it comes to exterior appeal, including color, style, material, and architectural elements. An exterior cornice is one such element, which can be added to the outside of a building for an immediate and long-lasting impact.

There are few architectural styles that are more distinctly American than that of Craftsman style homes and bungalows. Since the beginning of the 20th century when Craftsman style homes were introduced, they have been the most popular style of home for working-class homeowners. Let's take a brief look at the history of this unique form of architecture, what makes a Craftsman home a Craftsman home, and why they became so popular.

Most people don't think of decorating their ceilings--but maybe they should. Or you should--start a trend.

If you're looking to make some changes to your house, install some decorative ceiling beams--they're dramatic and impressive addition to your home's architecture. For hundreds of years, beams were exposed--both the wall supports and the roof trusses. As building methods and materials improved, walls were plastered over, and eventually the roof beams were also covered by wood or plaster.

If you think that exposed beams are not for you--your ceilings aren't high enough, your house is too modern, beams are too rustic--think again. You can source beams in a variety of materials, colors, and finishes, and integrate them into just about any home's architecture.

Wood, like all organic materials, will rot over time with exposure to the exterior elements. Water close to the base and or ice buildup are very hard on columns. The natural propensity for wood to act like what it was - a tree. Through osmosis, water is graduated upwards from the base of the shaft cell by cell to the top of the column. Even though the wood has been kiln dried, it still wants to be a tree again! As time goes on, the bottom of columns will absorb more water and will begin to rot; thus weakening the support of the columns. There is little that can be done to repair existing columns as the rot usually progresses extensively up the shaft. The type of wood is important as well. Pine works outside but a cedar or redwood is much better. Other species like maple or oak woods poor exterior woods.

Columns have been a viable option for adding design and structure to buildings for centuries. The history behind columns goes back to the beginning of architecture, and so does their customization features. Columns can be built round or square, plain or fluted, tapered or non-tapered.

One of the best ways to spruce up your home is to incorporate columns--indoors or out, custom columns add style and elegance in a relatively small project. When you look at Pinterest or home magazines for inspiration, you'll notice that columns come in a huge range of options, from simple round spindles to layered and decorative designs. The more ornate columns are all custom made--something that seems extravagant but in reality is nothing more than mixing and matching.

When investing in a space, it's important to know the differences in what you're potentially purchasing, as well as the reasons you might choose one over another. One common choice in the decision-making process is choosing between millwork and casework.