Category: Uncategorized

By Hank Wall

Every house has some version of a master bathroom although some are dinky and some are grand. According to a recent homeowner study by Houzz, less than 50% of master bathroom renovations include a bathtub. Choosing to omit the tub sounds like a wild and crazy idea but it is neither – people want a larger shower or expanded storage and countertop space instead of a 5-times-a-year bathtub.

If you are a “tub person,” you are in the minority if you did not know. Most people shower. Few people take regular baths. Remodeling your bathroom for a tub-person may involve a redesign which:

ditches the jetted tub,

gives up the monster corner tub

Includes an elegant freestanding bathtub.

Even in upscale neighborhoods, homeowners are spending money saved from no tub on nice fixtures and frameless glass shower enclosures. Shower enclosures with metal track are usually semi-frameless, with ¼” thick tempered glass. Frameless enclosures use ⅜” thick or ½” thick glass so no metal track is required and the door can swing in or out. Pivot hinges on frameless doors rest the door in the proper position.

Definitely take a drive to Carolina Glass & Mirror (in Wake County) or any nearby showroom before you decide. A typical semi-frameless shower enclosure costs $1,200 – $2,000. The cost jumps up to $2,600+ for the same shower with thicker glass and the frameless look.

A larger shower (once the tub is gone) may not need any glass such that you just walk in. No door. Taller tiled walls are necessary (60” – 72”) to keep shower spray from escaping. Wood Wise often uses half-walls with glass above for new showers with shampoo & conditioner niches hidden from view at the upper section of the 42” wall. Matching tile or even granite may be placed on the top surface of the half-wall with either frameless or semi-frameless glass sitting on it.

Curbless showers allow wheelchair access. Newly developed shower pan systems like Schluter, make the curbless shower easier than ever. Typical curbs are 4” – 5” tall with a sloped shower floor down to a center drain. Curbless showers have a very slight slope up from a center drain.

If you are not ready for the complete bathroom renovation, new countertops ( bargain priced remnant granite) with undermount sinks and nicer faucets may be the “lite” fix – with a large framed mirror and a new vanity light fixture. Add to this some new towels and you can get a fresh look without the multi-week renovation project.

Master bathrooms are the first place we go each morning so improvements here are particularly beneficial to a positive mindset as you head into your day. Wood Wise has completed over 200 bathrooms in 25 years so please call us when you decide your next project involves a bathroom remodel.

Opening up is one of the most dramatic remodeling changes that can be made to a home. This Raleigh home suffered from small closed spaces that kept the cook isolated and discouraged entertaining. During the kitchen renovation, Wood Wise took out the wall between the kitchen and dining room along with opening a partial wall to the living room. The result is a light-filled area for easy living and entertaining. For more photos of this space, go to: https://woodwisedesign.com/kitchens-portfolio-2/

Most Wood Wise homeowners want some seating at their new kitchen islands. We have designed islands to seat as many as eight people. This recently remodeled Raleigh kitchen features a large island with seating for one. It provides a convenient place to work on an iPad, enjoy a cup of coffee, or do homework. It’s also the perfect place for mommy’s little helper to participate in food preparation.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”

This familiar quote sums up what we try to convey to every homeowner we interact with. It’s tempting to go with the lowest price. But there are more important things to consider in hiring a contractor than just price. Finding the remodeling company you can trust ranks higher, as does their reliability, experience, and responsiveness.  At our first visit with homeowners, we bring a reference list of over 30 past clients with contact information. We encourage you to check us out by talking with these references who can provide you with their own remodeling experiences with Wood Wise. The Wood Wise team is confident that when you choose Wood Wise to renovate your home that you have made the right decision.

Outdoor living areas are very popular with homeowners who come to Wood Wise for remodeling. Often they have an existing deck or old patio that is underused and isn’t inviting. A beautiful porch can add enjoyment daily and make entertaining easy. Here is an outdoor living space that offers three options for enjoying the outdoors: an open deck, covered porch, and screened porch:

The 2016 Remodelers Home Tour was a huge success! Our tour home this year featured a gorgeous Wood Wise remodeled kitchen designed by Kathy Walker that elicited lots of “oohs” and “ahhs.” Over 250 tour attendees also saw other projects Wood Wise has completed for these great homeowners such as the covered porch with stone floor and fireplace designed by WW owner Hank Wall. Many thanks to our wonderful homeowners, George & Susan Miller, for graciously opening up their beautiful home. It was inspiring for our many visitors to see just how wonderful a Wood Wise remodeled home can be.

Banquettes are a popular option with Wood Wise homeowners for providing comfortable seating in a smaller space. Special detailing, windows with a great view, and removable cushions make this banquette both kid-friendly and guest-worthy. The newly remodeled kitchen features white KraftMaid cabinets and granite countertops that are elegant against the soft gray walls. It’s the perfect place to relax with family and friends.

Mark your calendar now: April 23-24^th is the date of the 2016 Remodelers Home Tour! Make plans to see Wood Wise’s entry, located in North Ridge, which shows the Cinderella difference of a kitchen going from dark to light. Better lighting, incorporating space from the utility area, and lighter cabinets make the space feel open and inviting. You can also see the other remodeling projects Wood Wise has completed for this homeowner, including the national award-winning porch overlooking the golf course. Come by and we will personally show you around. Hope to see you there!

For more information on the tour: http://wakeremodelers.com/remodelershometour/homesontour

Clutter can cancel out the appeal of a space, even a newly remodeled room. So we invest time in our design process at Wood Wise to make sure there is, as the saying goes, “a place for everything and everything in its place.” The options for attractive storage that keep “stuff” out of sight are numerous. We offer drawer and cabinet solutions for spices, appliances, mail, docking stations for electronics, hair dryers, backpacks, and much more. Here are a few of our recent storage solutions that are helping these homeowners keep their new spaces organized and attractive:

These Five Points homeowners appreciate that sitting outside is a wonderful way to spend a springtime evening. However their 1940’s era home’s porch was in a state of disrepair. As part of a larger remodeling project involving a new master bath, they asked Wood Wise to update their porch by duplicating the original cottage design of the porch. WW project manager Ben along with lead carpenter Greg made it happen. Now the homeowners can enjoy these warmer days and evenings in harmony with their home and neighborhood.