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How Our Custom Cabinetry Is Made

How Our Custom Cabinetry Is MadeAt Bertone Woodworking, we’re proud of our long history with woodworking and custom cabinetry.  Quality is our watchword; from simple custom cabinets for basic kitchen renovations to complex, intricate vanities or store fixtures, we create any and all custom woodworking you could possibly want for your home or business.

Our attention to detail, expert craftsmanship and passion for our work drives us to successful projects throughout the Greater Toronto Area.  We take great care in making sure our custom cabinets fit your needs and wants.  To ensure that your cabinets from Bertone Woodworking are exactly what you’re looking for, we boast a five-step process.

First there’s the consultation.  This is where we meet with you, discussing the goals you have for your space, and going over the various options you have to reach those goals.  There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all option; the exact specifics of your situation will determine what we can best do to help you.  Our highly experienced staff will work with you, making sure you get the best option for your needs.

Then comes the price quote.  We are up front about all issues and expenditures you will have working with Bertone.  Less scrupulous companies will find ways to tack on hidden fees and extra “surprises” onto your bill.  We’ll be up front, discussing the quality of the materials we’ll use to ensure your cabinets last a long time, the costs involved with fabrication and installation, and offer a fair, competitive price for the entire project.  That’s the Bertone guarantee.

Next, we have the installation.  It’s one thing to create cabinets that meet your goals and expectations; it’s another to make sure they’re installed correctly and safely.  We know that, in most cases, you’re still using your home during installation, so we take every effort to do quality work in a quick and efficient manner, minimizing disruption to your home.

Regular communication is something that goes on throughout the lifetime of the project – from the initial consultation straight through to completion.  Plans sometimes change – what you thought might be a great idea during the consultation may not work with a new budget or design ideas.  Sometimes, unexpected issues can pop up during fabrication.  Whatever the case, we believe that communication can make or break a project.  We make sure that you’re always aware of updates on your project, and encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns.

Finally, there’s completion.  The work isn’t done when the cabinets are installed and we leave your home.  There may be final questions you have – concerns or issues that may arise from the installation or fabrication of your new custom cabinets.  We want to make sure you’re 100% satisfied with our work, so we work with you, as partners, until you’re fully satisfied.

Every step of our custom cabinetry is filled with the sort of attention to detail that makes us the GTA’s top choice for custom woodworking.  Don’t take our word for it, though – come check us out today!

What to Consider When Choosing a Company for Millwork

Millwork ScarboroughThere are a lot of companies in the GTA that do millwork. But not all of them will live up to their own marketing. The company you select to provide the millwork for your home will play a big role in determining how your home is ultimately perceived. In which case it pays to conduct your due diligence before settling on a particular company. In this post we’ll take a look at some of the things you’ll want to consider when looking for quality millwork Scarborough. 

The Search for Quality Millwork Scarborough 

Selecting a millwork company entails more than selecting someone who will create your capitals, crown mouldings and pilasters it entails finding a company that will translate your ideas from pencil sketches to beautiful reality, install the various millwork components using proven techniques and best practices and then stand behind their work. Some of the things you’ll want to consider when searching for the right millwork company include:

  • Highest quality materials – Any piece of millwork is really only as good as the materials it’s sourced from. If the millwork company you’re considering is a stranger to maple, oak, cedar and other species of quality hardwood and instead uses pine for most (or all) of its products you should keep looking for higher quality millwork in Scarborough.
  • Level of craftsmanship – Since millwork typically deals with the details of your home any millwork company whose products don’t reflect an ironclad commitment to quality and detail should quickly come off your list. If they’re producing millwork components with chips, dings or irregular shapes what does that say about their commitment to their product and, more important, to their customers?
  • Reputation – You need to apply some of the same standards in your search for a millwork company that you would apply to your search for a contractor. You’ll want to know how long they’ve been in business, you’ll want to know if they use modern equipment, you’ll want to check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if they’re being sued left and right and you’ll want to get references from them and follow up on those references.
  • Responsiveness to your ideas and input – Many homeowners are imaginative folks who have great ideas about where they want to take the look and feel of their home. They’ll approach millwork companies with a slew of ideas hoping to generate a dialogue. The best companies will engage in a dialogue with them, others will listen with a disinterested look and then try to sell their own ideas. You deserve to work with a company that will respect your input.

Bertone Woodworking produces the highest quality millwork Scarborough. We’re proud of our reputation for quality service and strive to ensure every project we undertake meets or exceeds the expectations of our clients. We have woodworking in our blood and take every project to heart so you’ll always wind up with beautiful, durable millwork that will enhance the value of your home for years to come.

What to Consider When Choosing a Company for Millwork

Millwork ScarboroughThere are a lot of companies in the GTA that do millwork. But not all of them will live up to their own marketing. The company you select to provide the millwork for your home will play a big role in determining how your home is ultimately perceived. In which case it pays to conduct your due diligence before settling on a particular company. In this post we’ll take a look at some of the things you’ll want to consider when looking for quality millwork Scarborough. 

The Search for Quality Millwork Scarborough 

Selecting a millwork company entails more than selecting someone who will create your capitals, crown mouldings and pilasters it entails finding a company that will translate your ideas from pencil sketches to beautiful reality, install the various millwork components using proven techniques and best practices and then stand behind their work. Some of the things you’ll want to consider when searching for the right millwork company include:

  • Highest quality materials – Any piece of millwork is really only as good as the materials it’s sourced from. If the millwork company you’re considering is a stranger to maple, oak, cedar and other species of quality hardwood and instead uses pine for most (or all) of its products you should keep looking for higher quality millwork in Scarborough.
  • Level of craftsmanship – Since millwork typically deals with the details of your home any millwork company whose products don’t reflect an ironclad commitment to quality and detail should quickly come off your list. If they’re producing millwork components with chips, dings or irregular shapes what does that say about their commitment to their product and, more important, to their customers?
  • Reputation – You need to apply some of the same standards in your search for a millwork company that you would apply to your search for a contractor. You’ll want to know how long they’ve been in business, you’ll want to know if they use modern equipment, you’ll want to check with the Better Business Bureau to find out if they’re being sued left and right and you’ll want to get references from them and follow up on those references.
  • Responsiveness to your ideas and input – Many homeowners are imaginative folks who have great ideas about where they want to take the look and feel of their home. They’ll approach millwork companies with a slew of ideas hoping to generate a dialogue. The best companies will engage in a dialogue with them, others will listen with a disinterested look and then try to sell their own ideas. You deserve to work with a company that will respect your input.

Bertone Woodworking produces the highest quality millwork Scarborough. We’re proud of our reputation for quality service and strive to ensure every project we undertake meets or exceeds the expectations of our clients. We have woodworking in our blood and take every project to heart so you’ll always wind up with beautiful, durable millwork that will enhance the value of your home for years to come.

bathroom vanities in Scarborough Potential finishes for bathroom vanities cover the spectrum from soft, traditional painted finishes that blend in deftly with an established decor to custom designed, high end veneers that will create a striking visual counterpoint to other design components at play in the bathroom. Selecting the appropriate finish for your bathroom can be a confusing process so in this post we’ll try to clarify things a bit by taking a quick look at your options.

Finding the Right Finish for Bathroom Vanities in Scarborough: The Basics

If you keep a few things in mind about the pros and cons of different finishes it will simplify things for you. Here are a few facts about the different types of finish for bathroom vanities in Scarborough. 

  • Polyurethane – Polyurethane is legendary for its ability to repel water which would seem to make it a perfect match for the heavy humidity of the bathroom. The thing that gives people pause when it comes to poly though isn’t its durability, which is without question, but the thick, high gloss finish that typically results. The face of the vanity isn’t a countertop after all and most people believe it shouldn’t look like one either.
  • Stains – Stains are more pliable and therefore more durable overall than paint which makes them a good match for bathroom vanities in Scarborough. Their durability stems from the fact that the stain won’t crack the way paint on a wood surface can when the wood expands and contracts with the seasons. Stains also provide a deep, rich finish that has a natural lustre and glow paint simply can’t match.
  • Paints – Painting the vanity face seems like it should be a breeze but in fact it almost always requires spending hours properly preparing the surface and then waiting as much as several days between coats for the paint to cure properly. If done right the effect can be satisfying and long lasting but if rushed you’ll find yourself repeating the process in short order.
  • Veneers – A veneer is a sheet of natural hardwood that’s attached to an underlayer of lesser quality wood. Because it’s real, high quality wood a veneer typically looks great. But because it’s basically glued onto the underlayer there’s always the chance it could become unglued if the initial application process was defective in some way.
  • Laminates – Laminates are basically a wood grain or other pattern printed on a sheet of paper or plastic and then fused to an underlayer of inexpensive wood product. If you’re looking to keep costs down laminates will definitely fit the bill. If laminates have a drawback it’s that they tend to wear through, especially around the edges, revealing their artificial nature.

Talk to the pros at Bertone Woodworking for comprehensive answers to all your cabinetry questions. We’re the GTA’s premier woodworking company and have been providing fine custom furniture and millwork as well as bathroom vanities in Scarborough and vicinity for many years. Don’t trust your home’s woodworking to just anyone with a lathe and jigsaw, call Bertone today.

bathroom vanities in Scarborough Potential finishes for bathroom vanities cover the spectrum from soft, traditional painted finishes that blend in deftly with an established decor to custom designed, high end veneers that will create a striking visual counterpoint to other design components at play in the bathroom. Selecting the appropriate finish for your bathroom can be a confusing process so in this post we’ll try to clarify things a bit by taking a quick look at your options.

Finding the Right Finish for Bathroom Vanities in Scarborough: The Basics

If you keep a few things in mind about the pros and cons of different finishes it will simplify things for you. Here are a few facts about the different types of finish for bathroom vanities in Scarborough. 

  • Polyurethane – Polyurethane is legendary for its ability to repel water which would seem to make it a perfect match for the heavy humidity of the bathroom. The thing that gives people pause when it comes to poly though isn’t its durability, which is without question, but the thick, high gloss finish that typically results. The face of the vanity isn’t a countertop after all and most people believe it shouldn’t look like one either.
  • Stains – Stains are more pliable and therefore more durable overall than paint which makes them a good match for bathroom vanities in Scarborough. Their durability stems from the fact that the stain won’t crack the way paint on a wood surface can when the wood expands and contracts with the seasons. Stains also provide a deep, rich finish that has a natural lustre and glow paint simply can’t match.
  • Paints – Painting the vanity face seems like it should be a breeze but in fact it almost always requires spending hours properly preparing the surface and then waiting as much as several days between coats for the paint to cure properly. If done right the effect can be satisfying and long lasting but if rushed you’ll find yourself repeating the process in short order.
  • Veneers – A veneer is a sheet of natural hardwood that’s attached to an underlayer of lesser quality wood. Because it’s real, high quality wood a veneer typically looks great. But because it’s basically glued onto the underlayer there’s always the chance it could become unglued if the initial application process was defective in some way.
  • Laminates – Laminates are basically a wood grain or other pattern printed on a sheet of paper or plastic and then fused to an underlayer of inexpensive wood product. If you’re looking to keep costs down laminates will definitely fit the bill. If laminates have a drawback it’s that they tend to wear through, especially around the edges, revealing their artificial nature.

Talk to the pros at Bertone Woodworking for comprehensive answers to all your cabinetry questions. We’re the GTA’s premier woodworking company and have been providing fine custom furniture and millwork as well as bathroom vanities in Scarborough and vicinity for many years. Don’t trust your home’s woodworking to just anyone with a lathe and jigsaw, call Bertone today.

Kitchen Cabinets ScarboroughCabinets are the indispensable element of any modern kitchen. They’re not only essential for food, dishware, cutlery and other storage but in most kitchens they’re the single largest visual element. Because of this your entire kitchen will suffer aesthetically once the face of your cabinets start to show their age. Restoring the look and vitality of your kitchen then will come down to a choice: to repair/reface the cabinets or simply replace them. In this post we’ll make a case for the latter.

Kitchen Cabinets Scarborough: The Case to Replace

Once kitchen cabinets become a bit long in the tooth it’s time to decide whether to repair them – typically by refacing them – or to simply rip them out and replace them. There are 3 main advantages to repairing your kitchen cabinets in Scarborough:

  • Shorter downtime for your kitchen – Refacing your cabinets is quicker than having new ones designed and fabricated, having the old ones removed and then installing the new ones. You’ll likely be able to use your kitchen without much disruption throughout the process.
  • A wide range of available styles and finishes – You have an incredible array of options when it comes to new faces you can apply to the old cabinets. You won’t have to worry about finding the look that’s right for you.
  • Environmentally responsible – Refacing your cabinets creates less debris which makes it a more sustainable, environmentally friendly choice than total cabinet replacement. You won’t be contributing to already overflowing landfills.

Those are all pretty good reasons to consider repairing/refacing your old kitchen cabinets in Scarborough. Now let’s take a look at the advantages of replacing the old cabinets outright.

  • A fresh start – If you’re serious about giving your kitchen a makeover you’ll also want to address shortcomings in the size, number and distribution of your old cabinets at the same time you address their exterior appearance. To do that there’s no substitute for new cabinets.
  • Long term durability – In most cases cabinets that are being replaced are already 20-30 years old or more. They’ve not only become unattractive but inside they’ve absorbed a lifetime of dirt and grime and their joins have been loosened by decades of expanding and contracting. It won’t be long after you reface them that you’ll need to think about replacing them anyway.
  • ROI – New kitchen cabinets are considered a mid-level kitchen renovation project and as such you can expect an ROI in the neighbourhood of 70-75%. That’s a pretty nice neighbourhood. By contrast simply refacing the cabinets will typically return something like 50-55% of what you spent; and they’ll need to be replaced sooner rather than later anyway.

There are good arguments to be made on both sides of the issue but if you’re interested in long term usefulness, return on investment, a serious upgrade in functionality and the sparkling new face you’d get from refacing then replacement kitchen cabinets in Scarborough is the way to go. Talk to the pros and Bertone Woodworking to find out more about how new kitchen cabinets can benefit your home.