Welcome to the Library.
Here at The Library we present some knowledge to anyone that would like to learn how things are done and why they are done in the business of construction and remodeling. Below are some fun videos, pictures and small articles that may help you decide who you choose to perform your next project.
Showers!!!
A lot of custom showers we build come in many sizes. Shower sizes that can accommodate benches, niches, wheel chairs or more than one person. Most of the showers we see built or tear out does not always have the functionality that clients are looking for. Our clients range from athletes, teachers, nurses, cooks, handicapped and so fourth. At Imperial Design we try to understand our clients needs and what they are looking for when it comes to them and how they would utilize the shower. We try to ask questions and provide a design layout that would best work for the client as well the bathroom space itself. Thereafter, the fun part begins! From tile selection to water fixtures and lighting.
Here is a shower we had done for a couple. Both had their own way of utilizing the shower. One of them wanted to stay warm especially with a shower that is located on an exterior wall and lots of water! What we had done was insulate the entire shower with thermo-insulation. This will help the shower retain heat and better insulate the exterior wall. We then not just add two shower heads but a hand held shower fixture. The other was an athlete, who wanted a seating area but the ability to relax comfortably and has a habit of placing his feet under a seat. So what we did was create a shower with a floating bench.
Secret Bookshelf-Indianapolis
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Once of the greatest things we love to do is custom work. Bringing the clients imagination into a reality! We started a project for our client installing all new custom interior doors and trim work. Clinets had a finished back room that was connected within the master bedroom. We thought it would be a great idea to have a bookshelf door accessing the back room.
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Here you can see the beginning process of making the custom bookshelf. After designing, measurements and cutting we then start to assemble the bookshelf together.
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Once we complete the assembly of the bookshelf, its time to hide those screws and miter joints. This piece will be painted to match the interior doors and trim work. Wood Filler was used to hide screw hole and pin nails. After a proper sanding of the bookshelf, the wood filler is flush and smooth the the wood surface. Ready to be primed and painted.
Once priming and painting of the bookshelf we install the door jambs and trim work which also get few coats of primer ad paint. All there is now is installing hardware and done!
Window Restoration-Fishers
Imperial Design was called in by a client to their beautiful home here in Fishers, IN. This home is approx. 25 years old and has all wooden windows. The windows on this home has roughly 46-50 rotted windows. Clients did not understand why the rot was still an issue after repairs were made. After closer inspection of what was performed, it was evident that the windows were repaired and restored incorrectly.
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During our demo of the window frames, we found that the last contractor that had worked on these windows used wood-filler to repair the wood rot. The pictures on the left shows the amount of wood-filler used to replace the wood in the sill, sash and frame of the window. Wood filler is not a replacement for wood! This is the incorrect use of wood-filler. There are products out there to help repair minor wood rot on wood windows, but it is not the correct way of doing it in this case.
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On the Left it shows what the contractor was trying to achieve with the wood filler. The filler of course on the left on-top the table saw and on the right is what needed to be made to replace the stile. You be the judge. This is not the first and certainly won't be the last that we have seen someone do something like this. All our window parts are made by hand from scratch on a table saw to match the original design.
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Whenever restoring wood windows, Imperial Design will always take a sample of the window. We will create a template of the design of the window we will be restoring. The left image shows a stile that someone had taken and created a piece to replicate the windows original design. The issue with this is that it is in three separate pieces! The window stile is missing the most important thing, the weather channel. This channel can be seen in the image on the right; it is the small grove the extends the length of the stile. This is so that excessive water from rain storms that sits on top the window have a place to drain. The part on the left does not have this channel and is why the stile has rotted again. That is why, before you hire a contractor, carpenter or woodworker you ask how they will be performing and matching the design and function of the window that was originally there. The smallest flaw can make the biggest impact.
Our Work!
Bathroom Remodel-Carmel
Our Clients wanted their bathroom remodeled and updated with new tile and a more elegant style and design. Below are a few things we found during demolition!
Structure and support is one of the key fundamentals of any construction job or remodeling. During our consultation with the clients, we found that the tile work that was done had no support underneath. The tile was mortared right to the wooden sub-floor of the clients bathroom. This caused tile cracking and tiles popping up. Large uneven grout joints were noticeable and a few places the grout joints were to big. Improper cement board installation and joints were not sealed. During our process of demo we found that Vinyl floor adhesive was used to adhere tile to walls.
No body is perfect in the construction industry. We all make mistakes and learn from them. No matter the age or years of experience, the construction industry changes and we as Licensed contractors or tradesmen have to keep up with those changes and regulations. The best thing about the construction industry is the standards that are placed for us to insure that proper installation (layouts and products) is made to state regulations from new construction to remodeling.
No body is perfect in the construction industry. We all make mistakes and learn from them. No matter the age or years of experience, the construction industry changes and we as Licensed contractors or tradesmen have to keep up with those changes and regulations. The best thing about the construction industry is the standards that are placed for us to insure that proper installation (layouts and products) is made to state regulations from new construction to remodeling.
Our Work!
Table Saw Project-Geist
One of the most versatile tools that a carpenter or wood worker can have is a table saw. There are two main types of table saws that are often used, contractor table saws and cabinet saws. Contractor saws are portable, easier to use, lightweight and can run off a standard 120v outlet. Cabinet saws are much bigger, heavier (to help minimize vibrations and accurate cuts) and typically run off a 240v outlet. One of the greatest things about table saws is that almost any cut can be made with the correct jig. From miter cuts, crosscuts, rips, tapers, cove molding/trim and the list goes on. Table saws can replace a lot of shop tools which can be cost effective as a contractor or homeowner. Table saws can be used for large projects to small projects. Tables saws can also be dangerous as well and it is important to understand how to use them and know what safety guidelines (manufactures safety and operating guidelines) are to be taken before handling a table saw or any power tool. Below is an example of a small project that took no time to make. For more pictures on what table saws can do please look above at the window restoration-2016 -all wood window parts were made on a table saw.
Wood Used below: Bloodwood
Dense wood which makes it hard to work with and used mostly for small projects such as knife handles, picture frames, musical instruments, trim and furniture.
One of the most versatile tools that a carpenter or wood worker can have is a table saw. There are two main types of table saws that are often used, contractor table saws and cabinet saws. Contractor saws are portable, easier to use, lightweight and can run off a standard 120v outlet. Cabinet saws are much bigger, heavier (to help minimize vibrations and accurate cuts) and typically run off a 240v outlet. One of the greatest things about table saws is that almost any cut can be made with the correct jig. From miter cuts, crosscuts, rips, tapers, cove molding/trim and the list goes on. Table saws can replace a lot of shop tools which can be cost effective as a contractor or homeowner. Table saws can be used for large projects to small projects. Tables saws can also be dangerous as well and it is important to understand how to use them and know what safety guidelines (manufactures safety and operating guidelines) are to be taken before handling a table saw or any power tool. Below is an example of a small project that took no time to make. For more pictures on what table saws can do please look above at the window restoration-2016 -all wood window parts were made on a table saw.
Wood Used below: Bloodwood
Dense wood which makes it hard to work with and used mostly for small projects such as knife handles, picture frames, musical instruments, trim and furniture.