All residential and commercial structures will consist of architectural features that are classified as millwork. Traditionally, millwork products were defined as those components that were woodmill produced, including doors, trim, and crown moldings. Today, architectural millwork products include items made from wood alternatives such as plastic polymers and high-density polyurethane (HDP). Polyurethane (PU) has become a preferred architectural material over plastics and supports green initiatives by reducing our dependence on the country's dwindling timber reserves.

In the past, a home's front porch served as the main outdoor gathering place for social visits and family relaxation. As a matter of fact, the history of our changing culture can be seen through the various architectural forms and purposes of the front porch. Why was the front porch so significant to family life during colonial times? A University of Virginia thesis on The Cultural Significance of the American Front Porch supposes that the front porch was the family's connection to their land, and to nature - in a country where the wilderness was still yet to be tamed:

In essence, the porch served as a vital transition between the uncontrollable out-of-doors and the cherished interior of the home...In many ways, the front porch represented the American ideal of family. The porch, in essence, was an outdoor living room, where the family could retire after the activities of a long day.

"My favorite word for greek revival houses is capacious. They are not colonials," says historian John Crosby Freeman, who grew up in one. They were built well into the 19th century, but they are unornamented, not gingerbread darlings. Greek Revival is the style that arrived between eras. At first used in public and civic buildings, Greek Revival became the overriding style for houses during the 1830's and 1840's, and did not fade until after the civil war. The rather obvious architectural model was the Greek temple. Besides columns - barely discernible as corner pilasters on many houses - Greek motifs define the style. These buildings were not seen as replicas, though, but as an innovative and politically appropriate form.

Did you know there is a big difference between restoring a house and rehabilitating one? Restoring your home involves faithfully repairing and re-creating a building's original architectural elements so that it closely resembles its appearance at a previous point in time. Rehabilitating your home is more interpretive - it involves making the structure sound and usable again and retaining whatever original features are possible to save, but not necessarily restoring things that have gone missing. For new owners of old houses, deciding which approach to use is the first logical step in helping map out repairs. These basic rules for sensitive historic rehabilitation - based on the secretary of the interior's standards used to enforce the Federal Rehabilitation Incentive Tax Program - office sound advice.

When you think curb appeal the last thing most people think of is architectural products. Not only can products such as window heads, entrance systems, and pergolas add value to your home they can add far more value than just adding a few bushes to your lawn. Although you can maximize your home value and curb appeal by doing both.

A Montana builder set out to improve the country's employment rate by sourcing American-made building materials throughout an entire home.

Everyone is always looking for ways to add value to their home.Especially if they are trying to sell their home. We have come up with a few ways that you can add great value to your home without spending to much money. Be sure to get the full Ebook for more in depth discussions.

1. Is your company bonded and insured?   

First let’s break down the two items in the questions.  

Click this link to download a guide to better understand each part of an Entrance System:

Entrance System Guide