Bob meets Jason Hill from New England Classic as their ready-measured and pre-cut paneling system is installed in the Manhattan Brownstone. This flat-panel classic American design is modeled after the Arts and Craft style made popular in the late 1800s. This paneling is made of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) faced with a wood veneer. New England Classic offers Oak, Maple, Cherry, paint-grade wood, or a variety of standard finishes. The entire system is designed as a kit of parts that is custom fitted to the customer's space and style. Customers can go the the Web site and download design forms that gather the measurements and product specifics for the job. An in-house design team then creates a design, an installation plan, and a materials list. Once on-site the system is easy to assemble. First the center of the room is determined and marked, then the baseboard is set and leveled. The first panel is then centered on the line marking the center of the room. Panel adhesive is used on the back of each 3/8-inch panel to hold it in place and keep it off the wall enough to push it into the slot of the rabetted stile. The panel is then tapped into place and check for level. A top rail is slash cut along the edge before being installed with adhesive and nailed in place along the bead. A top cap completes the installation, and gives this panel a true 1890s feel.
from the floor to the chair rail (or caprail). Choose a height that is proportionally important because the beadboard and the caprail rest on top of the molding. Make panel. Step 41: Measure for the caprail. Measure for the length of the
furniture and tables for that purpose, flat cap rails wouldn't be necessary. Beveling the rail on both topsides with a thickness planer made more ornamental and added a slight pitch to the caprail which will keep water from settling and possibly
Bob meets Todd Skulksy of Perfection Fence as he installs the classic New England-style vinyl picket fence. This product has a wood look and is made of mono-extruded vinyl so that it has only one layer and will not show nicks or discolorations over time. The fence is installed without mechanical fasteners and has been engineered with the crimps molded into the rails. The rail locks into the post piece and the crimp holds it in place. Perfection Fence vinyl fences come in different styles, this one with traditional New England features like the Colonial cap and ball finial for the top. Skulsky explains that these fences are moderately priced and cost less than finished wood fencing, but more than an unfinished wood fence. They are maintenance free, however, which will save money over time.
In this segment Bob watches the crew install the railing on the deck. The composite railing product comes pre-milled to accept all the railing components. As with wood decks, building codes calls for a post every six feet between the railings. The posts are pre-hollowed for wiring if the homeowner decides to light the deck with post-mounted lamps. The balustrades and railings are cut to length on site. Stainless steel screws are used to assemble the pieces. The use of stainless fasteners is an added cost, but longevity of the deck material means that uncoated fasteners would rust long before the deck might need replacing.
The new windows have been trimmed with blinds from Bali Blinds. In the kitchen, where a new patio door has been installed, the windows have a unique treatment. Dave Wahtera of Bali Blinds runs through the installation process. First the brackets are drilled into place followed by the head rail. The head rail allows the blind to traverse the rail smoothly. It is helpful to have an extra set of hands during the installation of the head rail. The veins snap into the vinyl stems. The plastic stems, if broken, can be easily replaced. Bali Sheer Enchantment fabric is then placed over the plastic stems making the closed blinds look like draperies. The sheer fabric is snapped into place over the plastic stems. The fabric can be washed if needed. A wood cornice is placed over the top of the blind to hide the head rail. The cord is screwed into place so children cannot get at it. The blind allows three options: One where everything is closed, another where the plastic stems are open and the fabric is in place to let in light but give some privacy, and the last where the blind is completely open giving a view of the backyard. Upstairs in the bedroom and dressing room, Bali Diamond Cell cordless shades were installed. They have a top-down, bottom-up feature that gives privacy and options for letting in light. In the children's room, Bali roller shades were installed featuring racing stripe colors. The basement features Bali Natural Shades made of natural products like reed and bamboo, which nicely fit the room's d�cor.