Largest independent building materials supplier in New England, plus in-house design and engineering services!
Did you know that National Lumber has drywall experts? In addition to carrying trusted drywall brands including Continental, Georgia-Pacific, National Gypsum, and US Gypsum we also carry the tools for drywall installation.
Continue reading ‘Drywall Expertise Makes a Difference’
A 2015 Houzz report showed that over 50% of homeowners age 60+ are planning to age in place. As the baby boomer generation begins to enter the golden years, home construction and renovation contractors are seeing an increase in accessibility modifications being made. With more spending power than the younger millennial generation, the boomers are also a large player in the interior design industry; frequently updating their home to incorporate the latest design trends. Combining the need for accessibility with the desire to keep the attractive appearance of the home, these modifications are not only practical but stylish as well. Read below for some simple yet important modifications to make to your home accessible for any generation.
Continue reading ‘Aging in Place Modifications: Practical & Stylish’
We believe that painting should be an exciting and fun experience, from planning to product purchasing, to application and enjoyment of the finished results.
National Lumber and Babel’s are proud to invite customers to their newly renovated Benjamin Moore stores. From new fixtures to paint, colorways and lighting — the new showroom layout is like a custom design center, rather than a traditional, warehouse-style paint store.
Continue reading ‘Introducing Our Remodeled Benjamin Moore Stores’
On July 19, 2016, Massachusetts completed its base and stretch energy code update process. Massachusetts has amended its 8th edition of the state’s building codes and these have taken effect as of January 1, 2017. The adopted code includes state amendments to the base energy code (residential and commercial) as well as an updated stretch energy code. These codes will be enforced through local building inspectors throughout the Commonwealth. These codes and their updates are developed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, both residential and commercial, resulting in cost savings and environmental benefits.
National Lumber is proud to partner with Sustainable Energy Analytics and Johns Manville to offer a free seminar to review and discuss these changes. The 1-hour presentation discusses the new energy codes and their application to residential and commercial buildings, mandatory requirements, paths to compliance, and much more. A social hour will follow and speakers will be available to answer any questions not covered during the presentation.
This seminar has been offered throughout December and January and have been very popular. Another seminar is being planned for February. While a date has not yet been set, contact Chris Kirouac at ckirouac@national-lumber.com or call or text Chris at 508-509-9329 to be the first to receive details. Provide your email address and receive a registration invitation when a date is announced.
Front portico of custom home in Little Compton, Rhode Island, built by National Millwork.
This custom home in Little Compton, Rhode Island is nearing completion with the beautiful millwork details made by our craftsmen at National Millwork in Mansfield. This front portico, over the main entrance to this house (shown above), is probably one of the most challenging things we have done, only because of its sheer size. There are four beams made out of Western Red Cedar, which are 4 inches thick, almost 5 feet in height and 21 feet long. These were glued in the shop, and cut on the CNC machine. Each one had to be run through the planer, then through the sander (several times) before they were completed. It took four guys to lift and move them every time. The beams holding them up were also pretty large, at almost 6 feet by 8 feet when fully assembled. Note the curved gutter above the doorway, and dentil blocks.
Exterior Millwork Details
The next picture is a perfect example of what we can do. Starting at the top, above the roof line is a widow’s walk that we built for this customer. All PVC 12″ wide hand rail, with matching upeasings and ballusters. Coming down to the roof line, this is one of the curved gutters that we built (like the one we bring to our shows). There were 12 of these in total, all made out of mahogany and fir. These were glued together and then cut out on our 5-axis CNC machine. Also, at the roof line are the PVC brackets that we made to a total of 755 of them! We assembled all of these in the shop, and the backside of each block was made to match the crown moulding, which we supplied.
By doing all of this custom millwork in our shop this way, the contractor estimated that we saved him over one month of labor on the fabrication, and installation side. Plus the fact that every one is identical.
Custom Ceilings – Octagonal (Above), Coffered (Below)
The custom octagon ceiling and coffered ceiling were built by us, including the beadboard and matching trim. These were cut on the CNC machine and assembled in the shop out of poplar. They were then sent out to the job for installation.
Custom pilasters
We also built 18 PVC pilasters (non-structural columns) and brackets, which were then attached to the columns when installed at the jobsite. This extensive project gave so many opportunities to showcase our capabilities that we look forward to sharing more pictures in the future.
Interior millwork details
The last photo is of some of the Interior Custom Millwork work we did. This was all made out of poplar, and the columns, and detail blocks were made and assembled in the shop. There were 22 of these columns and block assembles that we made. Also note the curved wall and trim. We made a template of what they wanted, and then we actually made the wall in our shop, which consisted of top and bottom plates and the studs. These were cut on the CNC machine. By doing this we now had the programs to make the radius trim. This really pushed the envelope as to what we could do on the CNC machine because of the height of the trim itself.
What can we do for your customers?
If you are interested in discussing the millwork needs for your next project, contact Bob Nickerson at 508-261-6455 ext. 4124 or email bnickerson@national-millwork.com
In a 1995 interview on NPR and in a Newsweek essay, scientist Clifford Stoll declared the internet to be a fad. The Motorola Dynatac 8000x (a.k.a. the “Brick” phone) was considered by many as a pretentious status symbol to be used only by Gordon Gecko types.
Motorola Dynatac 8000x (a.k.a. the “Brick” phone)
Obviously, Mr. Stoll was wrong about the internet and the cell phone is now the primary tool of communication for a large portion of the population of planet earth. Access to the internet is now considered a basic human right according to the United Nations and the average low end cell phone has more computing power than the on board computer of the Apollo 11 moon lander.
With the advent of tablets and smartphones, connectivity and productivity have soared in recent years. News, stock tips, 140 character updates from your friends about their activities, weather, and “friend” requests are all delivered to you instantly. It seems there is no end to the stream of information. The naysayers are fewer in numbers as more of the planet tunes in and connects.
National Lumber’s Engineered Wood Products Division is utilizing online meeting software and Building Information Modeling Software (BIM).
National Lumber is a company embracing connectivity. Connectivity with our customers equals better communication and closer collaboration. National Lumber’s Engineered Wood Products Division is utilizing online meeting software and Building Information Modeling Software (BIM) to “build” our customer’s project before it is built. By connecting a National Lumber design employee with a customer via the internet we are reducing design issues, wasted material, travel time, paper and miscommunication.
National Lumber is utilizing smartphone technology and tablets to provide instant access to installation and engineering documents. Many architects now email their plans directly to National Lumber on behalf of their clients to ensure that everyone is working with the correct revision — reducing confusion and delays.
The technology at your fingertips has the power to transform your business’ bottom line in amazing ways. Take advantage of the tools you already own and communication, productivity, and profitability will soar. National Lumber’s employees are here to help and would welcome the opportunity to collaborate. We welcome you to call 1-800-370-WOOD to get started on your most productive year ever.
Phill Barrett
EWP Division
National Lumber
Mansfield, MA
2014 JLC Live New England Trade Show has training sessions and much more! National Lumber, Booth #1110 will have Show Specials on Tools!
Are you planning to go to the 2014 JLC Live trade show Exhibit Hall in Providence, RI this Friday or Saturday?
If you need free passes for the Exhibit Hall, here’s how:
1. Each individual must register themselves – required by JLC Live
2. Use PROMO CODE X178 for as many individuals as needed when you register online with JLC LIVE Residential Construction Show
3. After reviewing your information, you MUST click FINISH to complete your session and receive a confirmation.
4. Your confirmation email from JLC Live will include the bar code and you will need to print it out and bring it with you that day.
5. Bring the printed confirmation to registration to the On-Site Express Registration Counter on level one at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Your barcode will be scanned on-site and a badge will print instantly.
6. Be sure to visit National Lumber in Booth #1110 and save a lot on the tools you love with our Show Specials!
http://ne.jlclive.com/
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