Black painted exterior doors… why you shouldn’t.

Most interior designers I know, self included, have a love-hate relationship with trends.  Mainly because trends don’t always apply to the design concept or work within the constraints of our client’s home, site or budget.  We hate to say, “no, that won’t work,” but frankly, sometimes it doesn’t. Black exterior doors are not for every […]

5 things I love about this space!

In a previous blog we talked about the elements and principles of good design.  This morning, while flipping through photos we’ve taken of finished projects, I stopped on this image.  It’s a beautiful space and a gorgeous photo. Like all good design, if we spend just a few minutes thinking about those basic elements and […]

It’s not winter yet! Get outside…

Once considered an impossibility in our buggy, Midwestern climate, outdoor spaces are getting a second round of consideration.  Why subject yourself to one more dreaded mosquito when the sofa lies inside waiting to be visited? There are birds! A good breeze (sometimes)!  A bonfire waiting to happen!  And at dusk…stars!  Add an ice cold beverage […]

This just in: It’s time for a new front door!

When your home improvement budget has a limit, deciding where to invest your dollars can be challenging.  A new bathroom?  A kitchen upgrade?  A finished basement?  Lucky for you, a recent research project has made your home improvement budgeting quandry a little easier. Each year, the National Association of Realtors and Remodeling magazine join forces […]

Did you see us on TV?

We had the great pleasure of welcoming Dean Johnson from the PBS television program, “Hometime,” to our plant last month. It was fun to introduce he and Miriam to our Bayer Built family and walk them through both our prefinish and production facilities. Dean started Hometime in the early 80’s when Bayer Built was just […]

Lighten UP!

In the Midwest, we are nuts about daylight; literally.  Without it we establish something un-affectionately referred to as “cabin fever.”  Talking to ourselves, becoming short with each other, sleeping for 14 hours because it’s dark at 5pm…these are the maladies of winter; some would say, “a gentle form of torture.”  In just a few weeks, […]

New front door? It’s not too late… yet!

If your Fall To Do List, included replacing the front door, it’s not too late… yet!  Mine will be replaced in the upcoming weeks and I’m looking forward to an updated and fully-functioning front door.  One that doesn’t drag on our tile floor and will keep us cozy, and heat efficient, all winter long. To […]

Tips from a designer: Space Planning

It seems we are often worried about not having enough.  Not enough time and not enough money and never enough space, “could you give me another closet?”  Architect and author Sarah Susanka calls it, “the fear of too smallness.”  Prior to the recession this concept was evident everywhere.  “Why add 10’ when we could add […]

Blue skies and clean air!

How do we keep that sky both blue and clean?  What is environmental stewardship and why do we care?  Just about everything we do as humans contributes something positive or negative to our environment.  Earth is habitable because of two cycles within our ecosystem; the carbon and hydro cycles.  Within this process the earth recycles […]

Manual? What manual, watch my video!

You’ve likely observed that the best way to teach any person born after let’s say…1980, is to set them in front of an instructional video.  Forget about 35-page instruction manuals; watch from your smart phone or your laptop or your iPad and you won’t have to try to figure out what that universal stick person […]

A Door from Scratch

Part of my children’s homework each night is reading aloud. Our current read is Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. As a kid, I too had to read the books from this series but I had forgotten all about the third book, when Pa actually begins constructing a home for their life on the prairie. When we came upon this chapter in the book called, “Two Stout Doors,” it had renewed interest for me.

Make Your Home BOOtastic this Fall

There is a chill in the air and frost on the ground which can only mean one thing – Fall is here. And with that it’s time to get your home ready for Halloween. Halloween is one of those holidays for which you should go all at. All the neighborhood kids will be out in their costumes make sure your house is one to remember.

Interior Doors 101

The style and type of interior door you select for your opening can set the tone for the space. It is important to consider the construction style of doors as well as the materials they are made out of in order to make informed decisions on which doors will be right for your home. This week we want to cover some of the basic construction styles in order to help you consider your options for interior doors.

Interior Doors – More Than Just Room Dividers

Interior doors do more than just separate rooms and provide privacy; they help to define the style and character of your home, while providing warmth, beauty, and function. From traditional and Craftsman panel options to rustic louvers, elegant French doors to modern flush there are endless options available to fit your needs. The key is in choosing a door that will meet your decorating flair, add value, and provide satisfaction for years to come.

Endless Possibilities

Your options don’t stop with our stock product lines, in fact truly personalized décor often comes from special orders…with this the possibilities for your millwork package are nearly endless. From exotic wood species, custom panel designs and unique glass styles, special orders provide you with limitless possibilities. Here id just a small glimpse of special order interior door options available from some of our vendors.

Proper Wood Door Maintenance

With proper care and maintenance your wood entry door can provide last beauty and protection for years to come. But like any home product proper care and maintenance are vital to its durability and performance. Periodic maintenance will keep your door looking great and provide proper protection against the elements.

Stylish & Reliable – Z-Series Walnut Sills

You take careful care and consideration to choose woods and finish colors that reflect the architectural style and character of your home, but it is also important to consider some of the components of your doors and millwork package that can also affect those selections. As such Bayer Built has been busy updating our selection of hardware components to bring you a wider selection of options in order to make your entry system the perfect match for you.

Acclimated Storm Doors: Installation Made Easy

As a complement to our Acclimated Entry Systems line, Bayer Built Woodworks now offers Acclimated Storm Doors. Just like our Acclimated Entry Systems, Acclimated Storm Doors offer superior components that provide superior performance and value without taking away from the doors’ beauty and character. And since all Acclimated Storm Doors come pre-hung and ready to install, with our new installation video to assist you updating or adding a storm door has never been easier.

Choosing Your Interior Doors

When selecting interior doors for your home, style is obviously important - but it is not the only factor in choosing the right door. Size, construction, and material are also important to consider. You'll want to carefully consider the intended application and use of the door so you can better assess what type of door will be right for you. Let's look at some of your options:

Entry Door Care and Maintenance

You’ve put great effort and time into choosing the perfect entry door for your home. But, like most all aspects of your home, it will require some simple, periodic maintenance to keep it looking great and provide proper protection against the elements. Here are 4 things you should do now to make sure your entry system lasts for years to come.