With this guide, you can have your indoor/outdoor remodel done by spring!

Haven’t you loved the summer season? The warm sun, the fresh air, and the long days of sunlight that melt into warm evenings all make this one of the best times of year. You’ve probably been wanting to soak up every minute of it! Fortunately, if you start planning your indoor/outdoor remodel right now, you can have it completed by spring so you can enjoy the next warm season in a space that fosters indoor outdoor living. Here is a guide to the steps of planning your remodel.

1. Find Your Inspiration: Before you start your remodel, you need to figure out what you want the finished product to accomplish. Browse Pinterest and Houzz, pick up design magazines, and visit properties to get inspired.

2. Assemble Your Team: You will need an architect, contractor, and/or design professional to take on your remodel. Start interviewing people now to put together the right team

3. Create A Plan: Once you have your professionals assembled, create a plan together. You should end this step with a blueprint and a budget.

4. Gather Your Materials: Start pulling your materials together, including flooring, paint, entry doors, patio doors (consider Bi-Fold patio doors to really get indoor outdoor living), landscaping materials, and furniture.

5. Get Your Permits: Before you break ground, make sure your project has been cleared with your city and that you’ve paid for your permits.

6. Begin!

Getting the doors and windows your remodel will require is easy. 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 patio and entry doors and windows that allow you to fully enjoy luxurious living.

Many homeowners building new homes or considering a major remodel are left wondering why they are required to have a Title 24 energy report completed and choose Title 24 compliant fenestration. The state of California has mandated that all new and altered structures comply with the new California Energy Commission Title 24 energy standards. This statewide directive, which took effect on July 1, 2013 but became mandatory July 1, 2014, allows California to increase energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint so our beautiful state can prevail.

While you may be concerned that the new Title 24 requirements will get in the way of your project, the mandate will benefit all in the long run and compliance is not as complicated as you may think. By reducing our state’s energy usage, homeowners will spend less on electric bills, and the state’s electrical grid will not have to work as hard to supply the needs of its customers, and the environment as a whole will be less impacted.

When you choose AG Millworks products, you are choosing the most energy efficient route. We go above and beyond to exceed the Title 24 requirements, offering you the most benefits with aesthetically pleasing results.

Each of our handcrafted doors and windows is made with a timber core, allowing energy efficiency to be maximized. Wood is nature’s insulator, so timber core products are the most energy-efficient fenestration you can choose. Our doors and windows will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter with less help from your HVAC system. Timber based fenestration products provide far greater insulation compared to other materials, including hollow aluminum products. Our top quality American-crafted fenestration products will not only exceed your design needs, but the requirements of Title 24 as well. We’ll be glad to provide your architect or builder the specific information they need to include AG Millworks products in your plans.

Simply click the Match Me with a Dealer button to get started building the energy efficient home of your dreams!

Fulfilling Your Design Dreams with AG Millworks.

When it comes to designing your dream home to fully enjoy luxurious living at its finest, you can maintain a global viewpoint and still use local products. At AG Millworks, we provide you with the ability to see your home design dreams come true. We take pride in each of our products, made right here in California, supporting local dealers and builders to offer U.S. made, high quality patio doors, entry doors, and windows.

As a leading manufacturer of custom architectural millwork, our customers can feel confident in our commitment to top quality construction and old-world craftsmanship. We have had the privilege of developing customers for life by providing both businesses and homeowners with American-crafted products since 1986.

Each of our hand crafted door systems are made of high quality wood materials or aluminum clad. Our wood species include Cherry, Walnut, Genuine Mahogany, Sip Mahogany, African Mahogany, North American White Oak, Rift Sawn White Oak, Quarter Sawn White Oak, North American Red Oak, Knotty Alder, Clear Alder, Knotty Cedar, Clear Cedar, Douglas Fir, Teak, Poplar and Pine. Our aluminum clad can be custom matched to any color.

Our slogan: “A Quality Point of View” is rooted in our location and responsibility to our community. Situated in the heart of the beautiful seaside town of Ventura, California, we are inspired by the view each and every day. Staying committed to our vision allows us to fulfill the design dreams of each of our customers.

As a privately owned business, we value building long lasting relationships with our dealers. This approach, in combination with our top quality craftsmanship, allows us to create lifetime customers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.