Posts Tagged "carpentry"

Perfecting Faux Finishes Every Time

June 2, 2014

Some of the oldest architecture in the world remains some of the most beautiful. The meticulous care and restoration processes that we use to restor historic homes helps preserve that heritage and workmanship. Europe is full of historic homes, monasteries, and castles that have been well preserved throughout the ages. Some of the preservation work is absolutely overwhelming. We can reproduce some of the paint and stone finishes to nearly flawless replicas using today’s technology.

Faux Leather Wallpaper

Leather wallpaper became popular in the 1700s in Europe. The hand-made leathers were intricately designed and represented a workmanship and skill that very few people possess today. The cost to reproduce leather wallpaper would be extremely high, and out of the range of the average homeowner. Fortunately, we have the ability to reproduce the look without the cost.

Intricate Woodwork

Historic homes are usually full of intricate woodwork like crown molding, window sills, furnishings, and staircase banisters. Our expert woodworkers and carpenters work diligently and patiently to restore or replicate the original woodwork in the historic homes we restore. We always strive to restore the original woodwork in historic homes.

Painted Ceilings

Some of the most impressive paintings ever painted have been on the ceiling. Consider the paintings on the ceilings of Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Sistine Chapel for example. We don’t claim to have the talent to reproduce something so incredible, but faux finishes and paintings on the ceiling are absolutely within our scope of expertise. Check out our faux painting work.

Historic Restoration in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT

Our area is full of historic homes which have been restored and renovated. We’re proud to say that we’ve helped restore and renovate hundreds of historic homes with great success. Our carpenters and contractors have the experience necessary to create the perfect restoration, including faux paint finishes as needed. The carpenters here at Gerety Building and Restoration utilize some of the same techniques that woodworkers used in the original building of these homes.

We specialize in restoring historic homes using the best cleaners and restoration techniques. Many people dive head first into historic renovation with the idea that today’s modern cleaners are okay for antique finishes. They quickly learn that most of today’s cleaners are too harsh, and create more problems than they solve.

Don’t go blindly into restoring or renovating a historic home. Take the time to research the era in which your historic home was built. This will go a long way in helping you choose how to restore, and whether you want to renovate it to be more modern.

If you live in the Westchester, NY or Fairfield, CT area and own a historic home that you’re considering restoring to its original beauty, give us a call to discuss your project at (914) 248-1300.

Keith Gerety
carpentry

Enclosed Porch Project In Westchester NY

October 29, 2013

Do you have a porch (or want one) but don’t like to use it because of bugs and bad weather? Enclosed porch is the four-season solution. Below are pictures of a recent enclosed porch project. The enclosed porch features pre-finished engineered flooring.

Learn more about our carpentry services here.

Keith Gerety
Greenwich CT

Hire the Best Contractor for Your Home Remodeling Projects

May 17, 2013

Now that summer is here, it is the perfect time for you to start planning and executing your home remodeling projects. There are so many ways you can improve upon the structure and appearance of your home. If you take some time to assess your home’s condition, you may find that there are some things that need to be addressed from the winter. No matter what projects you ultimately decide to start, make sure you do your homework so that you hire the best and most qualified professionals for the job.

While you may be all too eager to get started with your home remodeling projects, you need to realize that if you are on a budget, you need to be careful. Things can quickly become expensive if you don’t select the right contractor that will do the job right the first time around. In fact, instead of rushing to get things done, start doing some research on what needs to be done. Even if you plan on hiring professionals, it doesn’t hurt for you to learn about the different materials that can be used. Keep in mind that you should not sacrifice any professionals’ credentials and experience in hopes of saving money. When it comes to your home, you need to remember that it is an investment and you don’t want anyone who is not properly qualified or licensed to work on it.

If you are going to use contractors for your home remodeling projects, keep in mind that even though you aren’t doing any of the construction, you still have control over what is done. Don’t hire anyone that makes you feel intimidated or uneasy. You need to hire professionals that are open to communication and respect what you say. They will make sure that you are included every step of the way towards your project’s completion. They will respect your wishes and any preferences you have. If you have any questions or concerns, you should be able to present them and the contractors should respond and resolve any issues you may have.

Before any work can begin on your property, you and your contractors need to come to a legal agreement about the work that is going to be performed. This agreement needs to be drawn up in the form of a contract. Everything pertaining to your home remodeling project needs to be included. Payment schedules, fees agreed upon, who is responsible for purchasing supplies, how much you are going to be charged for supplies and when your project is expected to be completed are some of the things that need to be included in your contract. Once you have worked out the details of the contract and it meets everyone’s approval, all involved parties can sign it so work on your project can begin.

Keith Gerety
Home Remodeling