When builder Josh McDowell undertook an addition to an existing house, he had a clear vision: maintain the charm and style of the original structure without the hassle and expense of ordering new knives to match the existing mouldings. This approach allowed McDowell & Jordan to avoid labor and added expense.

The key challenge was to seamlessly integrate new beams into an addition while ensuring the new trim profiles matched the original home’s architectural style. This required selecting profiles that would create a harmonious flow between the old and new structures.

To meet this challenge, ITC Millwork representative Jenny Taylor carefully selected a series of trim profiles that closely resembled the original aesthetic. Leveraging Koetter Woodworking's EnvisionIT design tool, Jenny created detailed drawings to visualize the proposed profiles. This step ensured all parties were on the same page before moving forward.

The drawings were presented to the client for approval and put into action, resulting in a harmonious blend with the original house, preserving its unique character. By meticulously selecting compatible profiles and utilizing Koetter Woodworking’s EnvisionIT design tool for visualization, ITC Millwork ensured seamless integration of the new addition with the existing home. This approach satisfied the builder's desire for design continuity and avoided extensive and costly removal and replacement of the original architectural trim and details.

At ITC Millwork, we take pride in providing and tailoring solutions that respect and enhance existing structures. Our commitment to quality and precision ensures seamless integrations that blend with and preserve your project's charm while delivering exceptional value.

In the frenetic pace of constructing dream homes, the spotlight often gravitates towards cutting-edge appliances and extravagant finishes, captivating the homeowner's imagination. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour, there exists an unsung hero that silently shapes the very essence of a home—the interior millwork.

Architectural millwork and doors are not mere fixtures; they are the soul of a home, influencing its ambiance and character. The selection process of these crucial elements transcends mere aesthetics; it's a pivotal game-changer that can elevate your builds from ordinary to extraordinary. In this blog, we'll delve into the multifaceted aspects of mastering millwork selection, exploring the factors that contribute to the enduring impact of an exceptional interior millwork package.

 Wood Species: The Heart of the Matter

At the core of mastering millwork selection lies the choice of wood species. Each wood species brings unique qualities to the mix, influencing the interior space's aesthetics, durability, and overall feel. Consider the following aspects:


- Durability:  Different wood species exhibit varying levels of durability. Hardwoods are renowned for their resilience, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.

- Selection and Customization: A vast array of wood species allows for diverse design possibilities. Consider the architectural style of the home and the client's preferences when selecting and customizing millwork.

- Green and Sustainable Options: As environmental consciousness grows, opting for sustainably sourced or reclaimed wood can be a compelling choice. Ensure your millwork selections align with eco-friendly practices.

 Finishing Touches: Paint and Stain Adherence

The longevity of millwork is heavily influenced by the quality of finishes applied.
Consider:

- Paint Adherence: Certain wood species may require specific primers or preparation to ensure optimal paint adherence. Choose materials that accommodate the desired paint finish.

- Stain Adherence: If a natural wood finish is preferred, selecting a wood species that readily accepts stains is essential. Achieving the desired color and finish depends on the inherent characteristics of the chosen wood.

​2020 was a year unlike any other, and one many of us would rather not see again. But in a year of unprecedented change, we adapted by approaching projects differently and grew not only as a company but also as individuals. As we worked to put together a list of achievements, we were pleasantly delighted to see the many good things that happened. 

At ITC Millwork, we look forward to more silver lining moments and making 2021 even brighter and more prosperous for all!

Obviously, without it, there is typically a gap between the trim and flooring, which is not only unattractive but makes it extremely easy for dirt and debris, including moisture, to build up under the base trim.

​Shoe mould is also one of the last items installed or even remotely considered because crown, casing, and base moulding tend to be the main focal points of a trim package. In its place, we commonly see commodity shoe tacked on, which often diminishes the overall appearance of its trim counterparts

​But what if shoe moulding were considered from the beginning? 

Beautiful crowning details! But this pretty room is sadly missing the shoe mould. 

2793 CWP paired with 4825 SHM

Guest Contributor:
​Coreena Harbison, Senior Designer White River Hardwoods

There are so many design choices when it comes to doorways and openings. Straight, Arched, Smooth, Cased, Paneled, Columned, and in this instance, a combination: arched, paneled, with a square column. How do you successfully combine these different aesthetics? It takes a lot of forethought and careful planning to make sure you’ve accounted for all thicknesses, widths and any existing job-site conditions like outlets, switches and vents. Things can get especially tricky when dealing with curved mouldings, but we’ve broken down a recent project so you can see how all the individual parts come together to make a large and exceptional statement.

As temperatures and humidity levels rise, it is more important then ever to ensure all wood products are properly handled in the field, including acclimation, finishing and installation. Architectural millwork, is indeed, much like fine furniture. If the indoor relative humidity is not controlled on the job site there is a chance that the owner will encounter wood movement throughout the life cycle of the project. 

Here are several key factors to take into consideration for the successful installation and finishing of a millwork trim and door package:

• The job site should be fully enclosed and protected from the elements.
• HVAC must be up and running with the temperature maintained between 68 – 72 degrees.
• Relative humidity should be between 25 – 55% (see chart below)
• Allow products to acclimate for at least  3 – 5 days prior to installation.
• Make sure all “wet work” has been completed before delivering wood products to the job.
• Never store material in areas with newly poured concrete, or in rooms that have been recently dry walled or plastered.
• Surface doors must be properly sealed, including the top and bottom, to prevent warranty against warp & twist from being void.
• Never start and stop the finishing process. It is crucial that it is completely sealed.
• Never install a pocket door prior to finishing, The average moisture content of framing material is 15-19%. Once a pocket door is pushed back unfinished, it will absorb the framing moisture causing it to bow and/or warp.

​Additional resources to help you plan accordingly
Moisture Meters ​
Humidity Forecast

When designing or remodeling, the mudroom is a pretty crucial space. It's a catchall for all things coming and going. Thus it has to be extremely useful. However, it doesn't mean that it can't be a beautiful area, one that works hard, but also welcomes you home in comfort and style, Here are ten mudrooms that keep the chaos in check yet incorporate function and charm with trim, doors, cubbies, hooks and more.  

Poplar is one of the largest and most valuable hardwood tress in the United States. It's  been known to reach heights of nearly 200 feet, with a straight clear trunk of 8 to 10 feet in diameter. One can easily understand why it's extensively cut into lumber for interior trim, veneers, and other high-grade uses because the wood is soft and easy to machine. For that reason, it's commonly argued that poplar really isn't a hardwood after all. However, we'll table the classification of wood species for another discussion.

For all intents and purposes, Poplar:

"Is practically grown in our own backyard. Less transit impact and cost"

"Paints beautifully! Tight grain pattern, no open pores, fewer knots to fill. Virtually no grain raise. Little to no bleed-through. Less callbacks."

"Can be finger jointed for less waste, greater stability and even more usability via greater widths and consistent lengths."

"Consistent grain pattern. Mills and carves well with less wear and tear on cutting tools and machinery."

"Cuts cleanly with little to no grain tear." 

"It takes fasteners well. Resists splitting, Little or no "mushrooming" when nailed or screwed."

"Sands well, keeping its edge."

"Joints between pieces of poplar are less likely to loosen over time." 

"Depending on the color variation, it may be stained to resemble some darker hardwoods. Some have called it the "Poor Man's Cherry"."

"Poplar is strong and stable and resists warping."

"It takes a licking and is easy to patch and paint, you don't have to replace the entire piece."

"Poplar is in substantial and sustainable supply and ITC Millwork can rapidly acquire it to fulfill your needs."

Environmentally...

"Poplar growth is short-turn, the most progressive of trees."

"Poplar trees come from sustainably managed operations. They're not from virgin forests."

"The tree is used in its whole (no unused production waste)."

"Low toxicity as compared to manufactured products such as MDF, particle board, engineered woods, etc." 

"Poplar can be recycled and re-purposed." 

So, there you have it! In short, when your project calls for paint or stain, there is usually no better choice than Poplar. Please feel free to share your thoughts on "Why poplar?" via the comments below.