Construction

Whether you’re someone who stays in often or you’re simply looking to enjoy the moments you do spend in your home, having a relaxing space can do wonders for your overall well-being. Many people want a more cozy, luxurious environment but don’t know where to begin. If you’re hoping to transform your home into this type of setting, adding rustic furniture could prove the change you’re looking for.

Rustic home designs often give the atmosphere a calmer, more positive feeling. The fittings associated with this style also offer a variety of benefits, including being versatile, durable, and eco-friendly. Of course, making the change to a rustic design will require you to seek out natural materials like wood and stone. Still, the extra effort is well worth the rewards. Here’s how you can get started creating the perfect rustic home.

Lighting

If you’re trying to achieve a rustic atmosphere, it’s advisable to keep curtains and blinds to a minimum. With sunlight regularly beaming into your home, the place will have a brighter, more natural feel to it. In fact, the increased sunlight won’t just add to the rustic appearance; it could also brighten your overall mood. If you do choose to add curtains or blinds to your design, try looking for minimalist colors, like white or grey. Anything too dark will take away from the sunny, calming feel a rustic environment should have.

It would be best to keepthe brightness in mind when choosing paint or wallpaper to adorn your home. Sticking with light colors — such as white, light blue, light grey, and similar shades — will have the same effect as choosing pale curtains. Lighter shades will make your home feel more spacious and natural, giving you the perfect starting point for a rustic makeover.

Decor

When picking out décor for your rustic home design, you should aim for simplicity. Everything from wall décor to clocks to lamps and vases should have a minimalistic look. This means you should avoid choosing adornments with loud colors or complicated patterns. Instead, try adding decorations made of wood or stone, and look for furnishings with natural colors, like brown and grey.

Choosing these new items to embellish your home offers an opportunity to visit sites like Etsy and check out handmade décor. Many handmade items have exactly the look someone striving for a rustic, simplistic design is looking for. (Purchasing from Etsy also means you’ll have plenty of unique pieces to show off when people visit!)

On the topic of décor, you should also avoid going overboard with embellishments. Keeping decorations to a minimum is a must. After all, the entire point of changing your home to a more rustic look is to create a more calming environment. It’s hard to achieve that peaceful atmosphere with clutter lining your home. Keeping things neat and minimal will eliminate loads of stress from your daily life.

Couches and Chairs

What’s a home without somewhere to plant yourself after a long day? Picking your sitting furniture is one of the most important parts of redecorating. And whether you’re looking to add couches or chairs to your new environment, you’ll want to ensure they’re in line with your rustic theme. For one, you should choose sitting furniture that has a natural color to it. It’s also crucial to find couches and chairs that are comfortable — not just passable, but trulycomfortable. Creating a relaxing, luxurious environment is about more than the way your home looks. If you aren’t cozy while sitting on your new furniture, you won’t enjoy your leisure time. That in itself goes against your entiregoal.

Shifting the theme of your home to a rustic design can offer many benefits if done right. Not only will your new environment look great, but it can eliminate stress and unclutter your mind. Coming home to a clean, natural atmosphere is enough to make anyone feel a bit more cheerful and relaxed. Do yourself a favor and look into making your home more rustic. Your motivation and well-being will thank you in the long run!

Known for their natural beauty, warmth, and variety, wood countertops are a wonderful choice for any home’s style. But much like anything else, this type of countertop has its pros as well as drawbacks you may encounter after installation. Before you consider whether wood countertops are right for your home, take into consideration the pros and cons before you make a final decision. 

The Pros of Natural Wood

As stated above, wood countertops are stunning; they match any home’s style and bring warmth and comfort to one of the most popular rooms in your home—your kitchen. When you’re choosing which type of wood is right for your home, the possibilities may seem endless. They come in a variety of options, including hardwood, maple, pine, red and white oak, cherry, and many more. 

These recyclable countertops are an eco-friendly option for your kitchen as they are increasingly made from salvaged wood and repurposed into a green option. Wood countertops are sustainable and durable, which is perfect for food preparation. Lastly, this is a budget-friendly countertop choice and is available for a wide range of prices. 

Though sealing your wood countertops may seem like a challenge, it’s important to know they can be sealed easily by using walnut or mineral oil. To keep your countertops sealed, every month, apply a layer of oil and rub it in with a cloth. The oil will collect any water on the surface, preventing damage caused by water seeping into your porous wood. 

Cons of Wood Countertops

Depending on the time you have to put into proper care for your countertops, wood may not always be the most fitting option. To extend their longevity, they need routine care such as regular coating. You need to seal your wood countertops immediately after installation and continue to do it monthly afterward using walnut oil or mineral oil that’s food safe. 

Wood is a porous material that easily attracts stains that will rapidly grow. To prevent stains, you may need to remove them regularly by refinishing your wood countertops every 10 to 20 years. Refinishing means sanding down the wood and removing the scratches, dents, and stains, in addition to further wear and tear that may occur over time. 

Your wood countertops will have a bad reaction to excess water, which is why it’s recommended by professionals not to install them in bathrooms. Instead, these countertops will be a wonderful addition to your kitchen. If exposed to water, the wood may warp, grow mold, or gather germs that will be harmful to your family. 

Are Wood Countertops Right for You?

When considering whether wood countertops are right for you, only you know the best option for your home.  Wood countertops come with a variety of pros and cons. When considering wood countertops, you may consider the time spent maintaining them regularly and refinishing them when the time comes. However, if taken care of properly, they can be a wonderful addition to your home, adding comfort, warmth, and style that matches your personality. Give Eastern Atlantic Carpentry a call to see how we can help.

Your garage has the potential to be the place you love spending time in or the place you dread spending time in. We put some of the most valuable items in our garages (cars notwithstanding), and it should get the same love as the rest of the house, yet homeowners are likely to skimp when it comes to improving their garage. Storage optimization and organization are essential for making your garage a functional and attractive space, and custom garage cabinets are the way to get there.

Make Better Use of Your Space

Most garage space is already at a premium, and if you’re stuck using store-bought wire racks, you’re sacrificing valuable room. Each garage is different in terms of what you’re ideally using it for, and only custom cabinets can make use of every square foot. It may seem like a splurge in the beginning, but it will be well worth it over the life of your home. Custom cabinets can be personalized to your unique needs, whether you plan to use the space to work on your car, as a woodworking shop, or as a crafting space.

Safer for Your Family and Your Property

Family garages tend to be catch-alls for clutter, but they also house expensive tools, outdoor gear, not to mention your cars. With family members going in and out, you want to ensure your possessions — especially expensive and potentially dangerous tools are stored safely. By having custom cabinets, everything will have its place and be less likely to fall over, rust, or collect dust. Wall-mounted custom shelving brings items off the floor where they’re less likely to be damaged or cause injury.

Versatility, Strength, and Durability

Custom cabinets can last the lifetime of your home, and though the upfront cost may be more than store-bought solutions, in the end, you will reap the benefits whether you stay in your home for the next thirty years or sell in five. Because they’re made by professionals whose only job is cabinetry, you know you’re getting the best product for your dollar. Custom cabinets will be able to hold heavier loads and wall mounts keep the space looking clean by freeing up floor space.

Improves Resale Value

Buyers are always interested in storage space and a custom garage cabinetry system can be what seals the deal with a potential buyer. Showing a clean, orderly garage improves your home’s overall look and allows potential buyers to envision the possibilities. It’s also an indication that you value quality craftsmanship and that will bleed over into how they view the rest of the house.

Find Things Easier

If you’ve ever been without power clumsily rummaging through your garage with only your phone’s flashlight, you’ll appreciate knowing where you can find things every time. Having a well organized garage also allows you to keep an orderly and productive workspace where you’re not wasting time looking for the right tool, or spending time reorganizing after every project.

Contact us today to get started on your custom cabinetry project.

As you may already know, you have several materials to select from when it comes to installing your backsplash area. Wood is a timeless material that provides a flexible option for attractive designs. Depending on the tone that you’re trying to set for your living or cooking area, you can opt for a wood backsplash or improve the look through staining or painting.

If you’re more interested in setting a traditional tone in your home, then you can decide to use exotic wood for the backsplash. You can also select from the different kinds of finishing treatment to give the area its best look as it won’t be continuously exposed to food items.

Knowing Your Backsplash

If you’re like most people, then you probably don’t consider the entire wall behind the kitchen countertop to be part of your backsplash. You need to consider all the areas that form the barrier between the drywall and the entire cooking or washing area. This area is usually easy-to-clean, and the color of the material used is meant to blend with the decor of the space and even the appliances there. The oil, grease, and water particles that find their way to the backsplash should not leave permanent stains there.

Advantages of Wood Backsplash

The wood backsplash is excellent as they allow for easy cleaning without damaging the material. Besides, they can accommodate several types of finishes like staining, painting, or priming to improve its look and blend with the decor of the interior space. You can also use laminate wood for surfaces as they don’t require much expertise to install and can be maintained easily. Their durable finishes are great for protecting walls and ceilings from wear.

You can give your kitchen a more antique look by adding a wood backsplash to complement the walls, cabinets, and appliances. In the case of stains penetrating the wooden finish, you can conveniently eliminate the discoloration with a hand sander.

Disadvantages

The main disadvantage of wood backsplash remains the flammable nature of the material. This is especially important when considering installing them in your cooking area. To prevent a case of combustion, you should ensure that the structure is installed at a reasonable distance from the stove or burners. Using a good sealant for the finishing can also reduce the risk of the wood getting damaged.

Areas Of Application

While you can carry out the installation of wooden backsplash by yourself, it’s in your best interest to allow a professional carpenter to get the job done. Not only will it save your money otherwise spent getting the necessary tools and materials for the job, but you’ll also be conserving time and effort.

If you’re looking to improve your bedboard or get a new one, you can decide to opt for a more traditional wooden bedboard. They’re quite affordable and simple to install as well. Your flooring is another area of your home that can be improved by installing exotic or laminate wood with best-suited finishes for easy cleaning.

Custom trim molding is a unique and valuable upgrade you can choose to incorporate into your home. This article is going to explore some basic principles to get you started in selecting your very own custom trim pieces. Let’s get started by looking at types of custom trim molding, and then go on to learn about the materials available and their pricing. I’ll include some bonus tips at the end to help finalize some decisions. For more tips or help from your local Carteret County carpenter, feel free to reach out to me!

Types

Chair rail trim wraps around the lower third of the wall. Its original purpose was to protect the walls from furniture, and while it is still functional in that way today, it is mainly decorative. Chair rail also adds an element of dimension to the walls, making them look their full size, or perhaps even bigger.

Baseboard is the trim whose function is to create a nice transition where the bottom of the wall meets the floor. A general rule of thumb with the baseboard is that it should be at least 2 inches taller than the case molding is wide.

 Case molding, also known as a door casing or window casing, is the accent trim used to frame around windows and doors. It is functional and can be as decorative or as simple as you like.

Wainscoting refers to a wood panel trim used to cover any section of the wall. A common version of this, similar to chair rail trim, is to cover the bottom third of the wall.

Crown molding, similar toa baseboard, is the trim that functions as the transition from the top of the wall to the ceiling. Crown molding can become highly ornamental if desired.

Materials

When choosing what material to use for the custom trim molding, there are generally two directions you can go.

The first is known as MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). It is machine-made, so the pieces of trim will come in standardized shapes and sizes. It is economical, and it is relatively easy to work with. MDF bends, so this is useful for walls that are not perfectly flat. The most important thing to understand about MDF is that it is not recommended for use in high-moisture areas, like the bathroom. It also can be damaged more easily than solid wood, so it needs a bit more care than wood during installation. It can be nicked easily as well.

Solid wood is the more natural option for your home. It is a popular choice, but a bit more costly. Solid wood can come with natural imperfections. Because of this, it can be a bit of a trick to find pieces that are uniform. Wood can split during the installation process. However, solid wood is easier to install than MDF.

Bonus Tips

You can mix it up with both MDF and solid wood pieces. Use the same material consistently in each room, but feel free to vary it up from room to room. No one will be able to tell the difference!

A tray ceiling is another type of custom molding, the ceiling’s center raised about a foot higher than the perimeter of the ceiling. This can be a neat trick for hiding ductwork while making the ceiling look more ornamental.

Be extra careful when installing chair rail trim to make it exactly one-third of the ceiling height. If you install it higher than this, it can trick the eyes into thinking the walls are shorter than they actually are.

Custom trim molding can certainly raise your home’s value, but do it for the decorative, custom look. Have fun with it!

Many homeowners will face the struggle of wanting to build an addition onto their home, but not having the space to do so. While building outwards may not be an option, there’s always the possibility of building upwards with a custom attic conversion.

When you think of an attic, you likely picture all those Christmas-labeled boxes and old junk you wish you could just throw out.. An attic conversion will allow you to transform that wasted space into a fully-functional room.

Before you start looking into a carpentry project of this size, there’s a wide variety of things you should take into consideration.

Benefits of Custom Attic Conversion

An attic conversion will bring you and your family a variety of short-term and long-term benefits to enjoy. At the forefront, it’s giving you an extra room to design however you’d like. Looking further ahead, the extra room will help increase the value of your home.

Many contractors will look towards an attic conversion before an addition due to its simplicity. Already having a majority of the structure in-tact, a majority of the job will be spent finishing the walls, floor, and ceiling. This means a quicker and cheaper job.

An attic conversion will give you a wide range of options when deciding what to do with the room. They make for excellent home offices, bedrooms, recreational rooms, home theaters, and walk-in closets. If you feel comfortable enough, some homeowners will rent the room out for extra income.

Is Your Home Ready for an Attic?

Just because you have an attic, doesn’t mean it’s ready or even able to be converted into a functional room. You’ll have to ensure you follow code and meet the requirements set by your local municipalities. It’s best to have a professional take a look at your attic before getting too far ahead of yourself.

Two of the major drawbacks to an attic conversion will be with ceiling height and temperature. Many attics won’t clear the 7-foot minimum ceiling height requirement, while others will struggle to maintain a temperature of 68 degrees. You might have to raise your roof, lower the ceiling below the attic, or re-do the insulation.

Outside of that, your professional will also be double-checking the structure of the attic and whether or not you will have room for easy access to the attic.

Designing & Building

Once you’ve been cleared to start your project, the fun begins. First, you’ll have to put together a design that exemplifies what you were looking for. The design will include five main talking points — the floor, the walls, the ceiling, the windows, and the stairs.

Space will typically be limited, but creativity can make up for that in a heartbeat. For example, utilizing built-in shelves, drawers, and cabinets will help you add storage without sacrificing space.

The stairs will typically present a difficult decision. Some attics will have enough room for an actual staircase, some will work well with a spiral-staircase, while others might have to settle for a folding staircase. Either way, you’ll need some way of getting up there if you want to enjoy it!

There’s a lot to consider when converting your attic into a functional room, but our professional carpenters in Swansboro, NC and the entire Carteret County area can give you all the necessary advice and help you need for a job well done. You’ll be surprised when you realize that space has been there this whole time; it just wasn’t being utilized properly.

Building a deck on your home is an excellent way to improve the overall value of your property. It’s also just a fantastic addition to make for entertainment and relaxation purposes. Before you get started, there are some things you should consider. Let’s look at some points you should ponder before you dive into building your deck.

Set Your Budget

A deck is no different than any other construction project. Before you start buying or building anything, you MUST have a budget set. Entering a store like Lowe’s or Home Depot when you are contemplating a project is just as bad as going to the grocery store without a list while you’re hungry. You will think you need to buy tons of things you don’t actually need. Set a budget before you go into any type of home store.

Also factored into this would be the quality of materials you plan to use, and how much you plan to pay your contractor if using one. A rule of thumb with construction projects is to set your budget, then add 20%. There may be overruns and delays. If you build in that potential upfront, you won’t go over budget.

Check To See If You Need Any Permits

This will vary widely based on where you live. Not every city/county/state will require you to have a building permit to add a deck onto your existing property. Some do require building permits to expand an existing structure. Contact your city/town to see what the laws are for this style of construction project. You don’t want to run afoul of the law because that will cause your project to get shut down.

Will This Be a DIY Project Or Will You Hire A Contractor?

For individuals with construction know-how, building a deck onto their home isn’t a particularly difficult project. For those who are novices to construction, this is not the best project to try. It is possible that you know enough about construction to stain/paint your deck, or do other projects in that vein. But the building part may be best left to the professional deck contractors in your area. Be honest with yourself about your abilities.

Consider The Purpose You Want Your Deck To Serve 

When you think about your deck, ask yourself what purpose is this deck going to serve? Do you plan to entertain large groups of people on this deck? Will you be using it for cooking outdoors? Is it primarily for relaxation? Once you know what you want your deck to do, then you can properly design it. The amount of space available for you to build on will also factor into how you design your deck.

Questions to Ask Yourself

1. What type of materiel do you want to use? There are many new options out there.
2. Do you have a design or plan? You will need plans for a permit and to receive a quote from a contractor.
3. What is your time line? Most contractors need lead time.
4. IS YOUR CONTRACTOR LOCAL or FLY BY NIGHT? GET REFERENCES! Go look at their work, in person.
5. Check with the local lumber yards. Many times, they have great quality, prices, & options.

To Sum Everything Up

A deck is a terrific addition to any home. But before you jump headfirst into this project, make sure you have crossed your t’s and dotted your I’s. Outline a budget, consider your deck’s purpose and design, check about permits, and consider if this is a DIY project or a project for the professionals. Once you have those points covered, you are set to begin your home improvement project!

Whether you’re building a deck on a seaside home or repairing a boat to go fishing, the materials used to make your fasteners may be the most crucial component of your work. Below is a review of the types of fasteners that best fit a seaside environment. Consider this information the next time you’re looking to build anything that will exist near or in a saltwater environment.

Typical types of fastener material

When choosing fasteners to use in a near-ocean water environment, there are typically three different materials to consider: stainless steel, aluminum, and hot-dip galvanized (HDG). There are pros and cons for each and each of them has a different scenario with which they are best used. Let’s review each type.

Pros and Cons

Hot-Dip Galvanized

HDG fasteners can often be found as the most cost-friendly choice of fasteners used near,. This is the case because they are coated in non-corrosive material rather than built completely out of it. The option of coating also allows for more flexibility in how they look, which can be good for builds that will be more visible, like road signs. However, being simply coated with the material leaves HDG fasteners susceptible to a shorter lifespan than the others. This means you will find HDG fasteners more commonly used on shorter life-span builds, such as motorized tools. HDG is also not always the lightest material as the coating can add a weight to each fastener. In general, HDG are best served for aesthetic-necessary projects that are trying to also be cost-efficient.

Stainless Steel

Along with being a more cost-efficient material of the bunch, stainless steel fasteners have many other benefits. For starters, they are typically made completely out of stainless steel, not just coated in it. If the stainless steel is treated than it can be corrosion resistant for an incredibly long time. This is the case whether it is submerged in water or not. However, if it is not coated properly, stainless steel can have less of a lifespan. Because they are typically made of stainless steel, the aesthetics are limited to the material itself. The weight of stainless steel is typically middling between coated and aluminum. The best scenarios for using stainless steel are builds that need to be cost-efficient without sacrificing lifespan above look or anything else.

Aluminum

Aluminum is the most expensive option on the list, but the benefits can be worth the price. Like stainless steel, aluminum fasteners are built out of a solid piece of material, giving them a much longer life span. It is also the lightest material of the group, which makes it incredibly easy to work with. Though light, it is incredibly durable and will withstand a saltwater environment for many years. You can find aluminum used in projects that will need to last a long time, such as docks or other large builds that are submerged in water. When you want to ensure the lifespan and durability of your near-saltwater project, you should look to aluminum above all else.

 Potential Watchout – Mixing Materials

Regardless of what material you use, be sure to use the same material for all parts. In projects that mix materials, it can create a process called galvanic corrosion, which can greatly lessen the lifespan of your fasteners.

One of the most important decisions that you can make as a homeowner is the type of siding that you put on your house. After all, your siding is responsible for keeping weather out of your home and for protecting the surfaces underneath. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right material type. Many homeowners struggle with the decision and have trouble deciding between masonry siding, wooden siding, and vinyl. Each option can be found on homes around the country, and each has its purpose. Below is a quick look at each of those popular options to help explain the value of each and when they should be utilized.

When Vinyl Siding is the Answer

Vinyl siding is made from a plastic composite material and offered in a wide range of colors. It’s one of the most popular types of siding because it’s affordable and quick to put on, but that doesn’t necessarily make it the best option. Vinyl siding is a more affordable solution, but it’s susceptible to impact and scrape damage. It’s also the least environmentally friendly option out of the three options for buyers worried about sustainability.

It’s the best option for buyers looking to save money while keeping their maintenance requirements to a minimum. It doesn’t age very well, though, and can begin looking cracked or worn sooner than wood or masonry, even when high-quality vinyl is selected.

Pros

• Affordable
• Available in many colors
• Low maintenance
• Simple installation

Cons

• Weak against impact damage or scrapes
• Cannot be refinished
• Not environmentally friendly

When to Use Masonry Siding

Masonry siding or brick siding is a thin layer of masonry that’s added to the exterior of a house. It’s by far the most expensive of the three siding options, but it’s highly durable and does the best against impacts and is the most fire-resistant siding option. Masonry siding is more maintenance than vinyl siding is to keep in good shape, but it’s generally easier to care for than wooden siding is. It’s also heavier and more difficult to install, which accounts for some of the added expense over wood siding. It’s one of the best long-term siding options and it ages well.

Pros

• Low maintenance
• Better for the environment
• Fire resistant

Cons

• The costliest option

When Wood Siding Makes Sense

Wood siding was by far the most popular form of siding a few centuries ago, and today it’s still a leading option. Generally it’s more costly than vinyl but more affordable than masonry siding is. Wooden siding is an excellent insulator and can help weatherproof a home in a cool climate effectively. This form of siding is simple to install and can be put on efficiently. It’s the most difficult to maintain, though, and requires regular upkeep to protect it from weathering, rot, and insect damage. Wooden siding is the most fragile option when not cared for, and it’s only good when maintained carefully.

Pros

• Can be refinished
• Better for the environment
• Excellent insulator

Cons

• High maintenance
• Susceptible to fire damage
• Prone to rot and insect damage

Conclusion: Which will it Be?

Each of the three siding types hasits own benefits, but one option will likely jump out for you over the others as you read through the information. Vinyl siding is the lowest cost option and also the easiest to maintain. Wooden siding is the most environmentally friendly and the best insulator, but the most work to maintain. Masonry is the most durable but also the most expensive of the three options. No matter which you pick, all three options will protect your home well; just invest in quality siding that you like, and you can’t lose.