Author: w00dWisE12

Cabinets are one of the biggest investments you make in your kitchen remodel. So choosing the right ones is important. The world of cabinets has changed dramatically from even 15 years ago. Previously, custom-made cabinets that were made in a local woodworking shop were thought to be superior. Factory cabinets were not well made and lived up to their low expectation of being flimsy. Cabinet companies woke up and made the necessary changes to improve their product. Factory-made cabinets now boast of great features such as all-wood boxes with dovetail construction, full-extension, self-closing drawers, concealed adjustable hinges for optimum door alignment, and much more. The cabinets come with a fine furniture finish that brings out the beauty of the wood that is sturdy. Wood Wise is a dealer for KraftMaid and Waypoint cabinets, both offering many door styles, woods, finishes, and storage solutions. We have found today’s factory-made (often called “semi-custom”) cabinets are the best choice for homeowners. Our cabinet expert, Kathy Walker, makes it easy for you to choose the cabinets that will make your home both beautiful and convenient.

This existing bathroom was dated and tired. The closet was small and dark. The homeowners asked Wood Wise to help find solutions to the layout, lighting, and selections. After considering several options, the homeowners chose this up-to-the-minute look that includes double-vanities and a large shower with half-glass wall all in beautiful shades of gray and white. The closet is convenient and full of light. This remodel has transformed the daily lives of these homeowners.

We all know how to shop for a car. We look at the quality, reliability, features, price point and more as we make a decision on which car to buy. Shopping for a remodeler isn’t quite the same. The typical advice on getting bids from three remodelers gives you a price but doesn’t take into account that just as cars come in different levels of quality, features, reliability, etc., so do remodeling projects.

Going with the remodeler you trust with good references will yield the best remodeling experience and end results for you. Wood Wise Design & Remodeling is a full-service remodeling company that has been in business for over 25 years with over 500 completed projects. We excel at good design, top-notch project management, quality construction materials, reliable subcontractors, completion of projects on time, and stellar results. And we give you contact information for dozens of our past clients for you to contact about their experience with Wood Wise. We think you will find we are worthy of your trust to deliver the best remodeling experience with the best finished project.

The master bathroom is usually the last place we see at night and the first place we see in the morning. It can affect our outlook and attitude for the day. These homeowners realized that their inefficient and poorly arranged bathroom was affecting their lives and needed some help. They turned to Wood Wise designer Kathy Walker who came up with the perfect plan to best utilize the space. Taking out some walls and moving the door from the bedroom freed up room for a double-bowl vanity, a large spa-worthy shower, and a convenient walk-in closet. Now starting off the day in this beautiful space gives these homeowners a positive boost.

Kitchens, outdoor living spaces, bathrooms – these are just some of the areas being improved by Wood Wise. Homeowners count on Wood Wise for good design and high-quality construction. Check out a few of our latest projects:

by Hank Wall

When home prices went south in 2008 it sent a shockwave through the nation. Everyone thought our homes would remain steady despite the economic ups and downs. Economist Michael Walden said that the decline in housing values which started in August 2008 was the first time in fifty years that real estate in the U.S. lost significant value across the board.

When your retirement is in part dependent on your home equity you can’t afford another dip in housing values. Likewise, you can’t put all your eggs in the stock market or mutual fund basket since those are even more volatile than real estate. Years of accumulated retirement funds might be at risk if the stock market plunges.

As a risk-averse “older guy” I have more confidence in Triangle real estate than ever before. This is a booming sunbelt region with years of steady growth projected. People are moving here for many reasons from many places. Triangle real estate value is gaining 5% annually on average and even more in some residential markets. If I can get 5% with very low risk of a real estate collapse I am feeling secure with my home’s equity.

I think of my recent home improvements as part of my investments. My wife and I will enjoy a very good return on these improvements, most of what we spent. Our home looks so nice after last year’s kitchen renovation that we may postpone moving to enjoy it another year or two. It will still look new in a few years when we decide to sell and we get to enjoy it week to week until we do move.

Investing in your home in the Triangle has big advantages. You enjoy your investment, unlike your shares of some company stock. Fluctuations in value are less likely. Raleigh real estate is limited and will continue to increase in value, especially closer to town. Living in the After (remodeled) version of your home will give you the feeling of success more than some up and down number called your net worth. Your home equity is increasing and is safe. Your home improvements benefit you now since your life enjoyment increases.

Call Wood Wise when you are ready to improve your home. We can help you enjoy your home as your personal refuge from the busy world and as a solid investment.

   Granite, quartz, or marble? Choosing the right countertop will impact your daily living for years. Making the right selection goes beyond just color and style. Here are some tips for making the decision that is right for you:

• Quartz: Engineered by combining about 90% ground quartz with about 10% resins and polymers, quartz has a very hard granite-like surface. Quartz countertops are zero-maintenance. Sealing quartz is not necessary since it is non-porous. Color choices include uniform looks as well as selections that look more like natural granite. Quartz is usually more expensive than granite.
• Granite: By far the most popular choice is granite. It is beautiful and durable and every slab is unique. Sealing is recommended every two years and can be easily done by homeowners. Color choices are almost endless with some having lots of veining or “movement” and others not as much. Granite is sold by levels, level 1 being the least expensive to level 4 being the most expensive. The levels are determined by availability of the granite, not durability. You go to the stone warehouse to choose the actual slab that will be used in your home.
• Marble: With an old world look, marble has emotional appeal for some homeowners. Marble is naturally a softer stone and will stain and scratch more easily than granite. Marble can be sealed but this will not prevent etching. Homeowners who choose marble embrace the marks and aging as added patina.
• Quartzite: Like granite, quartzite is a naturally occurring stone. It is mined, sliced, polished, and sealed for beauty and durability. Quartzite is harder than both granite and quartz plus it withstands heat very well. Like granite, quartzite requires sealing. Quartzite is similar to quartz and level 2 and 3 granite in cost.

There are numerous factors when making the best countertop material decision. When you choose Wood Wise for your remodeling project, you are not alone in making your selections, including countertops. Designer Kathy Walker works with you to make sure your choices look great and work well with your lifestyle.

Showers can become a cluttered place with all the personal products homeowners use daily. From shampoos and conditioners to shower gels and razors, tubes and bottles seem to multiply in that small space. When designing a bathroom, Wood Wise designer Kathy Walker works with our clients to design shower niches and spaces to hold those containers in an organized way. She aims to locate these product holders so they are not easily seen from outside the shower. Here are a few examples from Wood Wise projects of shower niches that are good-looking and convenient:

Choosing the right backsplash for your kitchen is an opportunity to make a statement, bold or subtle. Because of its permanency, you will be looking at it for a long time. Wood Wise designer Kathy Walker accompanies our homeowners to Byrd Tile where she helps coordinate a beautiful backsplash to go with the selected cabinet and countertop choices. Often a homeowner will decide on a focal point behind the cooktop. Here are some recent choices homeowners have made:

So you’ve dreamed for years about getting that kitchen makeover or building an addition to your home. Now you are ready to get moving on it. But where to start? Call a remodeler? Talk to a designer? What comes first? It can become confusing and overwhelming.

Over our 25 years in business, we have refined and improved our remodeling process. We’ve brought the design process “in-house” to make remodeling with Wood Wise one-stop shopping for you. And we’ve taken the best of what we’ve learned to come up with four main steps to take your home remodeling project from concept to reality:

• First meeting: we come out on a free first meeting to hear your remodeling goals, see the space, and tell you about us.
• Design phase: this step involves accurately measuring your home to create an “as built.” Our talented designer, Kathy Walker, then works with you to come up with several options. Once a final design is determined, we take our electrician, plumber, project manager, and other trades as needed to come up with a fixed price.
• Construction phase: Wood Wise project manager Ben Toney heads up our team to get permits, do tear out, rough-ins, trim-out and coordinate all the trades needed to provide you with a turn-key job.
• Follow-up: we check in with you periodically during that first year to make sure everything is working just right.

With the same professional team with you from beginning to end, we work hard to make the remodeling process stress-free and as easy as possible for you. Get started by giving us a call at 919.783.9330 or emailing us at [email protected]. We look forward to taking that first step with you.

To read more about our design/build process:

https://woodwisedesign.com/what-we-do/our-process/