UM Arboretum Hsaio-Ho Garden Path. Architecture from the far east!

If you’ve been to the Arboretum in Chaska recently you may have noticed a little commotion and construction on the far southwest side of the facility. This is a new installment for a full Chinese garden path that features vegetation, sculpture and design from the other side of the planet! One particular piece here will most defiantly draw you in and possibly be inviting enough to relax in for a couple minutes, the Peony Pavilion!

 This small but beautiful piece of architecture resembles a 14th century Song Dynasty rest area called a pinyin tíng which is a type of covered structure without surrounding walls and is a traditional part of Chinese culture to this day. These are mostly found along the sides of pedestrian roads and paths and are symbolic in their presence, which is obviously, just a beautiful place to relax and rest. If you’re looking for unique to Minnesota, this is it!

Unique but expensive might be the first thing that comes to mind when you see something like this! Surprisingly, this little gem may not be as completely complex as it seems. Much of the woodworking was assembled offsite and sent to the arboretum as a kit-of-parts. The wood is simple, common and local white pine that was grown and harvested only 300 miles away! A CNC (computer numerical controller), while sounding complex, is actually a router blade that is used to cut shapes out of wood and metal. This machine cut all the decorative panels from pieces of 1×12 pine. Using normal Simpson Strong Tie wood connectors these ordinary items become art! Read more

“Beauty Meets Strength”

So, you have your decking picked out for your new deck and now it is time to pick out the railing for it. When choosing, consider strength, distinction, low maintenance, long lasting beauty and a “Made in the USA” innovative company that builds it. This is what you will find when choosing Westbury aluminum railing for your deck project. Here at Country Lumber, we consider all these factors before choosing to stock such a product, and that’s why we chose Westbury to be one of our top deck railing choices, because we know that you, the customer, will be happy and satisfied for years to come with your new deck with Westbury aluminum railings on it. Read more

• Why are you replacing your windows?

Do you have condensation on the inside of your glass when it gets cold outside?

This is caused by high humidity in the house and not from the windows themselves. When replacing your windows you should also install an air exchanger or adjust your current air changer to take the humidity out of the air. Just replacing the windows will not alleviate the problem.

If you don’t want to install an air exchanger, you should consider windows with a vinyl, fiberglass, or composite interior. This way the condensation won’t damage the windows. You still may need to wipe them dry when it gets cold outside.

Triple glazing is also something to consider. It will cut down on the condensation, but not eliminate it.

If you want the beauty of a stained or painted wood interior, you will need an air exchanger. Read more

Starting the process of a building project can be very exciting and confusing at the same time. I always get asked where do I begin? What do I need to get started?  Well, the first step is the design and planning of your building project. Whether it’s a garage, deck, remodel, or new home. You will want to get your ideas on paper, so when you start getting bids everyone is on the same page.  Most builders will want to see a scaled drawing. They can start getting bids if they can measure the plans.

When getting started planning your building project, you will want to gather ideas. The internet is a great start. With all the sites out there to choose from there are many ideas available. If you’re not finding what you are looking for, meeting with a Designer/Draftsperson is a great way to get ideas or you may just want to grab some graft paper and sketch something up. All of these are good starting points.

Once you have gathered ideas it’s time to bring your vision to life. Sit down with a Design Professional. Bring all your ideas, pictures, sketches, and notes. They say “a picture is worth a thousand words” and it’s true when it comes to designing a project.

When choosing a Design Professional look for someone with experience. There are many things that need to be considered when designing a building project, especially with new homes and remodels. Finding someone who has knowledge of construction and space planning is crucial. Anyone can make a house look good on paper, but it is structurally sound?  Are the spaces adequate for how you want to use them?

Do not rush! This is a big deal and in most cases the biggest investment you will make. I’ve seen many times people who are in a hurry, rush through the design process and something gets overlooked. You don’t want to be standing in your new home asking yourself why didn’t I think this through. Take your time and ask questions.

Remember this your project, do what you want as you will be the one living in it. People may say “well I wouldn’t do that” and there are some things you probably shouldn’t do, but again this your project. If there is something that is important to you be sure to mention it to your designer so they can work it in to you project.

A good set of plans will save you headaches down the road!

Design Center