General Woodcraft Blog

As we’ve been spending more time at home these past couple of years, some of us have been longing for more space and for a more organized, peaceful house to help us reset as we strive to separate work and personal time. But that isn’t an easy feat if your living space doubles as your workspace.

Here here are some home improvements that can be implemented to turn our houses into healthier retreats for our minds and bodies:

Build a Deck or Patio to Get Your Daily Dose of Fresh Air

Invite the outside in by adding a porch in front of your house or a deck overlooking your backyard. Not only do these features add curb appeal to your home and increase its value, but they can also expand your living space by providing additional room for eating, playing, relaxing, or simply looking at the view.

If you live in a region that enjoys mild temperatures year-round, you’ll be able to use that added space almost every day. Mataverde decking and siding products will deliver beautiful results whether you’re building a new structure, adding a deck to an existing patio, or building a rooftop deck.

So take your lunch break on your sundeck or invite your friends over for a game night under the stars, and welcome the outdoors while staying home.

Turn Your Existing Bathroom Into a Spa-Like Haven

Nothing says relaxation like a luxurious bubble bath in a clean and serene space. But if your bathroom is cluttered and disorganized, or if it looks outdated and is in dire need of a revamp, that space may feel anything but relaxing.

When you’re ready to tackle this home remodeling project, look for professionals to help you redesign the room and maximize your square footage: an Italian shower will make the bathroom feel more open, and a freestanding bathtub will make a bold statement while delivering a great spa-like experience.

For added comfort, think about installing a heated tile floor system that can be programmed to heat up your bathroom floor at specific times of the day or night, taking the cold out of the room before you start your morning routine or warming up the space before you indulge in a relaxing evening bath.

Transform a Bonus Room Into a Home Gym

If you have space above your garage or in your basement, or if you have a spare bedroom that gets little to no use, turn it into a home gym. Spruce up the space with a fresh coat of paint on the walls, enough storage for your gym equipment, floor mats, and a full-length mirror to keep you motivated while you work out on your own time and at your own pace.

You can even invest in a large-screen TV and a sound system to bring some fun into your routine.

If you need help financing your home remodeling projects, consider taking out a home equity loan. You can calculate your home equity by subtracting the amount you owe on your house from its current market value. That amount will determine how much of a loan you can get for your home improvements. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) will give you access to cash to fund important projects.

Invest in your home and in yourself with home improvements that carry health benefits. Opt for natural, environmentally friendly materials that are long-lasting and always in style. Transform a room with your needs in mind, and you’ll be able to enjoy your interior for years to come.

Looking for beautiful, practical, and premium wood decking and siding for your home projects? Our expert team at generalwoodcraftinc.com is committed to delivering you the best wood siding material, decking material, and the best service. 

General Woodcraft has been providing marine grade lumber to marinas and boat builders for decades.  Our New London, CT warehouse stocks all the common solid woods for marine use, such as teak and mahogany.  We also stock a wide array of marine grade plywood from fir to Okume in sizes from 1/8” to ¾” to satisfy all your boat-building needs.  In addition, we are one of the largest distributors of tropical hardwoods which is perfect for docks, boardwalks and for siding of boathouses and outbuildings.

Boat builders and marinas have relied on the high quality lumber of General Woodcraft for years.  We supply white oak of varying thicknesses for structural framing members.  We have substantial stock of both genuine and Philippine mahogany which works, glues, and finishes well making it ideal for interior and exterior work, from ribs and planking to finish trim.  For inside the cabin we have a wide array of hardwoods like cherry and walnut, both traditionally used as interior woods.  And, of course, we have teak to make your boat look oh so pretty.

Plywood is used all over a boat from floors and partitions to hulls and transoms.  Whether you’re building a boat from scratch or just doing some repairs, we have the plywood to suit your needs.  Where strength and durability are a concern, we have various thicknesses of marine grade fir.  If weight is an issue, marine grade luan plywood is a good, economical choice.  Okume plywood has become the go-to ‘gold standard’ for the boat building industry.  Its combination of beauty, flexibility and light weight makes it the perfect choice for everything from hand made kayaks to hydroplane racing boats.

MORE ABOUT MARINE PRODUCTS

Not only do we have you covered on the water, but we have what you need around the dock or marina as well.  As one of the leading importers and distributors of tropical hardwood in the North America, we have in stock hundreds of hundreds of thousands of feet of Ipe, Cumaru, Garapa, and Machiche.  These woods are ideal for decks and docks.  They are extraordinarily durable as well as low maintenance.  Our decking can be found around the country from NYC to Sarasota, Los Angeles to Seattle on everything from marinas to boardwalks, residential homes to high rise apartments.

Tropical hardwood is not only ideal for decking but makes amazing siding as well.  The same low maintenance and high durability found in our decking can be applied to your walls as well.  It is an easy to install, elegant solution for any restaurant, office or outbuilding.  Whether it’s for a marina, pier or your own back yard, we have you covered.

DOWNLOAD IN-STOCK MARINE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES LIST

It’s almost time to get the boats in the water.  Let us know how we can help with your project.

I saw this construction safety tips and thought it would be a great reminder for construction professionals, tradespeople and do-it-yourself'ers alike. Work safely and have a great day.

Courtesy of www.USAhoist.com  

Do you have an old or dated fireplace or mantel? Nothing says welcome home like a hearth. Especially in the winter. And definitely in New England. If you live within a one-hour drive of New London, CT, we can help.

Master craftsman Art Sylvia has been carefully creating new fireplace surrounds and mantels for decades. And he loves it. He is meticulous and does careful, quality work that many of our clients absolutely love. You can too.

 Before- older fireplace with a dated, rustic look

This renovation project started with an older brick fireplace. When it was originally built, it probably looked great. Not anymore.  It looks dated and out of style. It doesn’t fit the homeowner’s design scheme of the 21^st century.

Art patiently met with the clients to learn exactly what they were looking for.  He offered options that met their needs.  And then he went to work.  Carefully selecting the wood. Meticulously planning his process. Game on. Measuring. Re-measuring. Jointing. Cutting. Carefully fitting. Clamping. Gluing.

First the basic frame components. Then the precise detailing. Then assembly. Need your project painted or stained? We can do that, too. This client wanted their custom fireplace surround painted.

 After - Custom Shaker style fireplace surround, painted and installed

 Here's another angle of the custom fireplace installation in coastal Connecticut

We hope you enjoyed this article. Please CONTACT US if we can help you with a custom fireplace surround.

Of all the places we can spend our renovation budget, once again kitchen remodels and deck projects are at the very top of the list of cost versus value. Kitchen remodels and deck projects provide the best return on investment of all remodeling projects. When you invest your remodeling dollars in these two spaces, the paybacks are the greatest.  Not only do these two projects top the list of best remodeling investments, they are definitely the most fun! 

Think about it. If you are entertaining guests during beautiful weather, where does the party usually end up? If you have one, outdoors on the deck is typically the “go to” gathering spot. Cookouts, delicious food, cold beverages, great music and fun for all.  Being outside and at one with nature and the great outdoors is only a few steps away. Some of the best memories can be created right outside the door of your home. With today’s fast paced lifestyles, peace and relaxation can be yours without having to travel at all.

Kitchens are often called the ‘heart of the home’ and for good reason. Kitchens are where families gather together and spend the most time with one another.  Kitchens are intimate and personal. When you have friends and family over for dining or entertaining, where does the core group often end up? In the kitchen of course! Even if the gathering doesn’t start in the kitchen, it will often end up there because kitchens are a fantastic place to gather. Kitchens evoke a feeling of warmth and hominess like no other place on earth.  It’s no wonder kitchen remodels top the list of best renovation values.