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AG Millworks
AG MILLWORKS BLOG

Looking for project inspiration, before and afters, FAQs, and expert advice? You've come to the right place! Explore the blog to learn more about our folding, sliding, and swing door systems.

Energy Saving Patio Doors with Retractable Screens
Thursday, April 30 2015

 

Patio Doors That Don’t Bug You

 

Summer is just around the corner, which means it is a good time to start implementing energy saving tactics that will help you save on costs once the scorchers arrive. One cost effective ways to save energy is to invest in windows and patio doors with retractable screens. These are specifically designed to increase airflow while providing shaded, filtered light – the perfect balance to decrease energy use.

 

Benefits are extremely favorable for both aesthetic reasons and your pocket, which is why we have put together some helpful guidelines to determine which type of energy efficient option might be right for your next home remodel:

 

§  Bi-Fold Windows and Patio Doors: These innovative windows and doors have the ability to expand your lifestyle by blending the out with the in as they fold away to increase living space. When you add retractable screens to the mix, you have a product that can increase air circulation as well as protect you and your family from pesky insects, letting you enjoy the beauty of the outdoors from the cool comfort of your home.

§  Multi-Slide Patio Doors: Most effective for maximizing your view and admitting daylight, multi-slide patio doors blend the in with the out seamlessly. Since the retractable screens will remain out of sight, you can keep enjoying the view when your screen is tucked away until you are ready to use them.

§   Swinging Patio Doors: Retractable screens can complement even the most custom, high end swinging patio doors, as they can be coyly tucked away in the door’s frame. These beautiful doors provide you with a clear view of the outside or a bug-free indoor haven without losing the benefit of the summer breeze.

 

Simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started! With our innovatively designed products made of top quality materials, AG Millworks can help transform your home with custom doors and windows that allow you to fully enjoy luxurious living.

 

 

Monday, April 13 2015

 

How the Right Remodel Can Boost the Value of Your Home

 

Despite popular belief, all home renovations are not created equal. Some remodeling projects yield higher return on investment rates than others, so it is important for homeowners to do their research before making any final decisions and consider how improvements to your property will pay off best at resale. Here are some home renovations ideas with the ROI in mind so that you can determine which areas of your home to focus your attention on:

§  While bathroom and kitchen modeling is traditionally more expensive than most remodels, they often yield the highest return value and pay for themselves in the long run. Since these are often the most utilized areas of a home, it is important to focus on boosting the value of these essential rooms.

§  Any remodel that includes increasing the square footage of your house is extremely favorable in terms of ROI. You can utilize outdoor space that you already have without doing major construction by adding Bi-Fold patio doors or a multi-slide patio door system that allows you and future owners to enjoy open-air living to the fullest.

§  Adding beautiful passage entry doors can also help to increase your ROI. Utilizing this design element, you can transform the entire atmosphere of your home and its curb appeal. By using high quality materials, such as Genuine Mahogany or Douglas Fir in your door and window remodels, you can enjoy the elegance of the upgrade now while boosting your home’s resale factor in the future.

§  It is sometimes thought that adding a swimming pool will increase your home’s value but it is most commonly viewed as maintenance bother as opposed to a perk. Rather than taking up valuable yard space with a pool, you might want to consider creating an indoor-outdoor living area by adding Bi-Fold patio doors or a multi-slide patio door system so that the feeling of increased square footage can be enjoyed without adding extra upkeep.

 

Simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started! With our innovatively designed products made of top quality materials, AG Millworks can help transform your home with custom doors and windows that allow you to fully enjoy luxurious living.

 

Wednesday, April 08 2015

 

Plan Your Home Remodel: The Design and Drawing Phase

 

If home renovation is on your to-do list for 2015, it is time for you to start organizing and designing your home remodel. While you may be inclined to assume that working with a contractor means that the task of creating the design for your remodel is unnecessary, it is important that you have the creative ideas for your home outlined in a detailed and efficient manner. This will ensure that the contractor and architect are able to make your design dreams come to life in an effective and timely manner. Gathered here are just a few helpful tips for planning your remodel:

 

§  Before you set your heart on any remodel ideas, it is important that you check the local building codes, ordinances, and regulations to ensure that your dreams are realistic. Figuring this out in advance will allow you to feel confident that issues are less likely to arise in the midst of your construction.

§  The second step is to create a budget and a wish list for your remodel. This means establishing exactly what you want and comparing it to what you can comfortably afford. Completing these two tasks in unison is important.

§  Take time to develop a basic sketch so that you can discuss the most effective way to approach the project and see your dreams come true. This can be done by utilizing a drawing program, such as Sketch Up.

§  Think about how new patio and entry doors might enhance your renovation. Will you be able to include Bi-Fold patio doors to your remodeled living room to increase your living and entertaining space? Will your home upgrades change the entire story of your home, calling for a new entry door?

 

Simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started! With our innovatively designed products made of top quality materials, AG Millworks can help transform your home with custom doors and windows that allow you to fully enjoy luxurious living.

Friday, April 03 2015

 

How to Work With An Architect When Designing Your Home Update

 

When conducting a home remodel, accurately relaying your design ideas to an architect is extremely important. Working with an architect for your home remodel is a great way to watch your construction dreams come to life, however, you must choose the right architect for the job. Here are a few helpful tips for finding success in working with an architect:

 

§  Before meeting with an architect, make sure to have your own design ideas written down. This will allow you to show them your vision, give them the opportunity to make suggestions and tell you whether or not your ideas are possible.

§  You must work with an architect that matches your style and that you work well with, as this individual and their team will be working in your home for an extended period of time. It is best to have an initial interview where you can determine your compatibility. It is important to realize that there is no “one size fits all” in regards to architects.

§  It is important that you trust that your architect has your best interests in mind and they also have the best design intentions. Therefore, if you believe the best way to transform the space is to update your entry door but your architect has a different vision such as revamping your patio doors, it is important to listen to their perspective as an experienced professional.

§  Most importantly, do not be timid about asking questions and for opinions. While you may initially think that a pocketing lift and slide patio door would work best in your living space, take a moment to ask for your architect’s opinion. They may have a different, more efficient vision that multi-slide patio doors might work best.

 

If revamping your doors or windows is in your plans, simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started! With our innovatively designed products made of top quality materials, AG Millworks can help transform your home with custom doors and windows that allow you to fully enjoy luxurious living.

 

 

Look to Houzz.com for Great Inspiration Before Remodeling
Sunday, December 14 2014

 

Many homeowners planning home renovations find themselves torn between design ideas and techniques. If you are planning your remodeling now, you may be worrying about whether these designs will remain trendy once the project is finally complete. Even staying up to date on the latest trends through expert blogs and magazines may not be enough to ensure your designs do not go out of fashion quickly after the job is done.

Rather than remodeling your entire home to incorporate your new entry doors and patio doors based on magazine ideas, look to Houzz.com for great inspiration and ideas! By utilizing this amazing service, you can browse amongst beautiful homes to find not only incredible designs, but also excellent interior design, architectural, construction professionals and window and door suppliers that will ensure the job is complete to perfection.

In February 2014, AG Millworks Bi-Fold Patio Doors ranked as Houzz.com’s top product of the month! These beautiful Bi-Fold patio doors make it easy to incorporate indoor-outdoor living, which is why everyone is incorporating these magnificent doors into their home remodeling plans! Since these doors allow you to blend the out with the in, you can enjoy indoor outdoor living from the comfort of your couch while enjoying fresh breezes from outdoors. And with the AG Millworks retractable accordion screen option for all patio doors, the bugs won’t bite!

So look to Houzz for great inspiration! The Houzz community is comprised of homeowners, home enthusiasts, and professionals looking to produce aesthetic results for each and every homeowner. Join the amazing community of Houzz in enhancing the home remodeling process as a whole!

Simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started! With our innovatively designed products made of top quality materials, AG Millworks in California can help transform your home with custom doors and windows that allow you to fully enjoy luxurious living.

 

 

Utilizing Custom Patio Doors in Creating an Indoor Outdoor Living Experience
Monday, October 13 2014

 

 

There is no better time than now to start planning home upgrade projects for next spring and summer. Installing new custom patio doors will require careful planning and consideration, as it will not only transform your home, but your life as well. The right patio door can blend the in with the out in a natural way.

 

You will be able to control the privacy of your home and eliminate space restrictions that were once a burden. Planning this project ahead of time can ensure that your new patio doors and indoor outdoor living experience will debut at your first party next spring! You will no longer be constrained by traffic and space restrictions, and you will be able to fully utilize the natural elements of your home. When it comes to choosing the right patio door for your home, you have many options to choose from. Allow these helpful points of guidance to direct you in your search:

 

§  Depending on the particular design elements of the room you will be installing your new patio doors in, you may benefit from utilizing the most traditional patio doors, swinging patio custom doors. This traditional French design will require that you keep furniture placement in mind, since the doors will swing either into the room or out onto the patio.

§  Bi-fold patio doors prove to blend the indoor outdoor living experience with the most aesthetic appeal. With all wood options, and aluminum clad/wood options, you can transform the entire atmosphere of your home. These custom doors allow a homeowner to open an entire wall, blending the in with the out in a remarkable way.

§  Lift and slide patio doors allow you to remove a wall in your home without anyone at your party realizing! These patio doors can easily be concealed in a hidden pocket in the wall of your home. These large doors are customized based on the particular weather conditions of the home’s location, providing the homeowner with a wide range of options, including aluminum clad exterior and wood interior in almost any species, or all wood in almost any species. Choose from Cherry, Walnut, Mahogany, Clear or Knotty Alder, Red Oak, Clear Cedar, Pine, Douglas Fir, and many more.

 

Simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started! With our innovatively designed products made of top quality materials, AG Millworks can help transform your point of view and blend your indoor and outdoor living experience.

 

 

Indoor and Outdoor Living with Bi-Fold Patio Doors & a Fire Pit
Monday, October 06 2014

 

As we prepare to welcome the new season, we must also think about how we can prepare our homes to provide us with the most comfort during the change to fall and winter weather. What can be better than welcoming Fall in California by opening your bi-fold patio doors, incorporating indoor outdoor living, and sipping on a warm pumpkin spice latte by the fire pit? The right patio that incorporates indoor outdoor living can make for unforgettable parties, and an increase in the value of your home. If you do not already have a fire pit on your patio, maybe these helpful points of persuasive guidance can help convince you:

 

§  A fire pit on your patio will boost the entertainment factor of your home tremendously. Your fire pit will be a place where memories are made, as immediate family gatherings can end in roasting marshmallows over the fire, and your holiday parties can end in reminiscing by the fire.

§  Speaking of roasting marshmallows over the fire, your fire pit can assist in simple cooking. While you cannot replace your barbecue with your new fire pit, you can roast kabobs and make s’mores on it! Your nieces and nephews with love roasting marshmallows over the fire pit during their holiday visits.

§  Your fire pit will most obviously provide you with a place to seek warmth during the cooler months. Family dinners can end in conversing about everyone’s days by the fire on chilly nights.

§  Fire pits increase the value of your home. Whether you are looking to sell or not, real estate agents will tell you home upgrade is more than worth the investment. This aesthetically pleasing, entertainment-boosting design element can transform the ambiance of your home.

 

Simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started! With our innovatively designed products made of top quality materials, AG Millworks in California can help transform your home with custom doors that allow you to fully enjoy indoor outdoor living from the comfort of your own home.

Retractable Screens Blending the Out with the In
Wednesday, September 10 2014

 

Are you interested in installing beautiful patio doors in your home, but are worried about pesky insects invading? Similar to the way your doors can disappear with AG Millworks pocketing multi-slide and lift and slide patio door designs, you can add to any patio door retractable screens that vanish as well. With retractable screens on your doors and windows, you can choose when you want your screens to appear.

 

We call them Retractable Accordion Screens, and they screen openings as wide as 30 feet and as tall as 10 feet! And even better, when you order a retractable screen on your AG Millworks patio door, we incorporate the screen into the interior jamb right on our factory floor as we are building your patio door, so the screen mechanism blends right into the unit and you don’t have to pay your installer to assemble and retrofit it.

 

For those moments when you still want the cool breeze to fill your home, you can simply extend your screen or screens across the opening as a protective shield. Besides keeping bugs out, retractable screens help you enjoy the summer breeze while reducing glare as you watch your favorite movie. The ability to blend the indoor and outdoor becomes possible, without inviting bugs in.

 

Retractable screens also provide a variety of environmental benefits. On moderate weather days, just slide the screens across the door or window and your home will require less energy to become cool again without running the HVAC system. Allowing natural light into your home through your screens means you can reduce electricity costs. And by maximizing daylight, you can eliminate the need for artificial light sources throughout the day.

 

There is no better feeling than enjoying the outdoor lifestyle from the comfort of your great room—and you won’t have to put on insect repellant.

Simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started building the bug-free home of your dreams!

The Benefits of Natural Lighting in Your Home
Monday, August 11 2014

 

While most of your home’s design is intended for functional purposes, doors and windows have the power to not only light up a room, but change your mood, your health, and the comfort of your home. While you may think your attention is better focused on interior design and following the latest trend, the doors windows of your home (also known as fenestration) are the most important aspect. Natural light can make the difference between an ordinary house and a luxurious, spacious home. Here is a list of reasons why you should invest in beautiful large doors windows:

 

§  The biggest advantage is the mood changing benefits that come from natural light. Just as relaxing in the sun provides you with enjoyable feelings and sensations, natural light from large windows will give you the same positive emotions. Light from an artificial source simply does not make us feel the same happy thoughts.

§  Rooms that are illuminated and well-lit give off a spacious feel.

§  When we are stuck in the office all day, we forget how amazing the sunlight feels. Our bodies receive both therapeutic and mental health benefits from the natural light that comes through large windows.

 

At AG Millworks, we understand the importance of having a natural light source in our homes. That is why we handcraft the most strikingly beautiful patio doors and windows so you can reap benefits the benefits of natural light. Choose from Bi-Folds, lift and slides, multi-slides, standard sliders, and almost any window imaginable. Whatever your door and window goals are, we promise to exceed your expectations so you can transform your house into a beautiful masterpiece you will feel lucky to wake up in every day.

 

Click on the Match Me with a Dealer button and we’ll get started building your dream doors and windows. We can help you transform your home and exceed your expectations with our highly innovative designs.

 

Aesthetic Benefits of a Large Glass Patio Door
Monday, August 04 2014

 

Your patio door is the opening to a relaxing space that is all your own where you can settle down after a long day at work. There is nothing more beautiful than being welcomed home by your entire backyard and view without even having to open a door. The expansive glass patio door is one of the most aesthetically pleasing features of a home. It creates an inviting atmosphere with a breathtaking view. If you are looking to add a large glass patio door to your life, there are a variety of options to consider. Here are a few helpful tips:

 

§  Sliding Doors offer the most universal benefits and pair perfectly with any home design theme. Whether you are looking for a contemporary look or want to stick to traditional design, a sliding glass door will give a spacious, aesthetically pleasing feel. AG Millworks offers beautiful choices in the “Lift and Slide Patio Doors Without Pocket” category. Our “Pocketing Life and Slide Patio Doors” allow you to conceal your door completely when open. Since your door will be completely concealed in the wall, you will be able to blend the indoor and outdoor atmosphere seamlessly. With either option, you have the freedom to choose from an array of natural interior wood surfaces while eliminating the need to step over a sill.

§  Bi-Fold Doors differ from sliding glass doors in that they fold, accordion-style against one side of the opening. If you do not have the wall space for in-wall pockets, this is the best alternative and it will offer just as beautiful a view as a sliding glass door with pockets. AG Millworks offers both all wood and aluminum clad/wood Bi-Fold doors. If you choose an odd number of door panels such as 3, 5 or 7 for your Bi-Fold door, you’ll have a standard daily door for quick in and out trips to the patio, which is super convenient. We can offer you the smoothest transition from inside to outside with our innovative designs. You are welcome to choose from an array of wood species, and we’ll even apply a different wood species on the outside and inside surfaces of almost any door or window we make.

 

Click on the Match Me with a Dealer button. We’ll guide you through the process of choosing the perfect glass patio door for your indoor/outdoor living space.

 


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    About us

    Welcome to AG Millworks, where we combine extraordinary designs with traditional old world craftsmanship and innovation to produce ageless millwork creations that will bring your building project to life.

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    Phone:  (805) 644-4494
    Customerservice@AGmillworks.com
    3111 Golf Course Drive
    Ventura, California 93003