Avi Ben David
Inspiration for a contemporary entryway remodel in Los Angeles

Example of a classic entryway design in New York

The Art of Turning a House into a Home Remodeling or custom-creating elements of the home to suit the client’s taste is an art – one of which Bentz has delicately mastered. With careful attention to detail, W.A. Bentz Construction can steer any project in the right direction, from complete interior and exterior home renovations to deck or room additions. Each member of the W.A. Bentz Construction team is licensed, insured and experienced at all facets of home renovations. They can advise on a variety of building topics such as: which projects are likely to increase the value of a home; whether or not a building permit is needed; and which design ideas work well for the space. They also take careful precautions throughout the building process to protect the home and ensure maximum security. With over 35 years of experience plus access to a vast network of top subcontractors in the area, Bentz and his team flawless manage each project so that it’s completed on time, on budget, and to the client’s expectations.

Tuscan exterior home photo in Houston

Beach style freestanding desk medium tone wood floor, brown floor, vaulted ceiling and wood ceiling home office photo in New York with beige walls

Take a tour of the lake house landscape lighting design at this gorgeous property in Valley, Nebraska. It increases nighttime security, enhances the architectural features, and creates the perfect ambiance for long, leisurely evenings spent enjoying the lake. Learn more about the lighting design: www.mckaylighting.com/blog/lake-house-landscape-lighting-design Go to the photo gallery: www.mckaylighting.com/modern-farmhouse

Take a tour of the lake house landscape lighting design at this gorgeous property in Valley, Nebraska. It increases nighttime security, enhances the architectural features, and creates the perfect ambiance for long, leisurely evenings spent enjoying the lake. Learn more about the lighting design: www.mckaylighting.com/blog/lake-house-landscape-lighting-design Go to the photo gallery: www.mckaylighting.com/modern-farmhouse

Take a tour of the lake house landscape lighting design at this gorgeous property in Valley, Nebraska. It increases nighttime security, enhances the architectural features, and creates the perfect ambiance for long, leisurely evenings spent enjoying the lake. Learn more about the lighting design: www.mckaylighting.com/blog/lake-house-landscape-lighting-design Go to the photo gallery: www.mckaylighting.com/modern-farmhouse

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

Take a tour of the lake house landscape lighting design at this gorgeous property in Valley, Nebraska. It increases nighttime security, enhances the architectural features, and creates the perfect ambiance for long, leisurely evenings spent enjoying the lake. Learn more about the lighting design: www.mckaylighting.com/blog/lake-house-landscape-lighting-design Go to the photo gallery: www.mckaylighting.com/modern-farmhouse

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Chicago with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink and solid surface countertops

Encompassing a range of baluster rails, newel posts and complementary decorative accessories, Outwater's new, maintenance free Cast Stone Balustrade System is manufactured utilizing a unique process that combines a mixture of resins with crushed limestone and impregnated fade resistant textured colors to create balustrades that look and feel just like authentic limestone balusters at less than half of their cost and weight. Intended for indoor or outdoor applications, which can be assembled by laypeople using traditional carpentry tools without the need for masonry, Outwater's Cast Stone Balustrade System meets the 4-inch sphere code when properly set up, and can be placed on sized dimensional lumber without the need for steel supports. Moreover, unlike lesser quality balustrade systems, which use regular screws to attach their components, also taking into account that the screws' imminent corrosion renders them as an unsafe means by which to attach baluster rails, Outwater's Cast Stone Balustrade System employs a unique incorporated pipe system, connector pins and spacers to increase the Balustrade System's stability while allowing for a more secure and professional installation with barely perceptible seams. Offered in 34-in. and 48-in. overall heights with a nominal 7-in rail width, baluster rails are sold by the foot up to 16-ft. long to accommodate most any installation. 100% mold resistant, non-porous and unaffected by the harshest elements, Outwater's Cast Stone Balustrade System does not require priming, painting or even occasional touch ups, further enhancing its appeal. Product Features: • Create balustrades that look and feel just like authentic stone balusters at less than half of their cost and weight • Intended for indoor or outdoor use • Can be installed by laypeople using traditional carpentry tools without the need for masonry • Meets the 4-inch sphere code when properly set up, and can be placed on sized dimensional lumber without the need for steel supports • Employs a unique incorporated pipe system, connector pins and spacers to increase stability while allowing for a more secure and professional installation • Offered in 34-in. and 48-in. overall heights with a nominal 7-in rail width, baluster rails are sold by the foot up to 16-ft. long • 100% mold resistant, non-porous and unaffected by the harshest elements. Does not require priming, painting or even occasional touch ups Contact: Architectural Products by Outwater Sales & Product Information (USA & Canada): 1-800-631-8375 / 1-201-498-8750 Fax (USA & Canada): 1-800-888-3315 / 1-201-498-8751 Sales & Product Information (Outside of the USA & Canada): 1-201-498-8750 Fax (Outside of the USA & Canada): 1-201-498-8751 Email: info@outwaterplastics.com Web: www.outwater.com Visit us! East Coast: 24 River Road Bogota, NJ 07603 1-201-498-8750 West Coast: 4720 West Van Buren Phoenix, AZ 85043 1-602-447-0936 About Architectural Products by Outwater: It really is easy to shop with us! Relied upon by more than 1,000,000 builders, renovators, architects designers, woodworkers, cabinet and furniture manufacturers, OEM's and retail consumers since 1972, Architectural Products by Outwater is an international manufacturer and distributor of more than 65,000 innovative and traditional Decorative Building Products that you possibly never knew existed or for which you simply could not find a reliable source. This is where Outwater truly shines! “Now you can design, buy, build and dream like the Pros…” Outwater’s products are, to say the least, very competitively priced and include interior and exterior architectural mouldings and millwork; columns and capitals; LED lighting and lighting accessories; balustrading; faux stone panels; faux wood beams; genuine stone tiles; decorative wood carvings; wrought iron components; stamped steel and polymer ceiling panels and backsplashes; wainscoting; wall coverings; fireplace surrounds and mantels; plastic "glass" block; period and contemporary hardware; home organization systems; kitchen and bath accessories; kitchen and bath cabinetry; bath vanities; furniture & cabinet components; knobs & pulls; casters; laminates; brass tubing & fittings; surfacing materials… and so much more! In addition, with warehouse and distribution facilities in New Jersey and Arizona totaling over 300,000 square feet, Outwater facilitates purchases with reduced lead times and shipping costs, enabling us to fulfill and ship over 98% of our orders from stock within one to two business days! At a time when many companies appear to have rapidly transitioned away from personalized customer service, having replaced their knowledgeable and immensely valuable human sales representatives with inanimate online marketing channels, which can be helpful to you if you were to know exactly what you might need and were not to encounter difficulties in placing your order, here at Outwater, we still believe that human interaction with a live, well versed, non-commissioned sales representative will undoubtedly better serve your needs in the long run. Even though you can always shop with us at www.outwater.com, you can also always deal directly with our extremely well versed and friendly sales and customer service representatives for their unparalleled support and assistance, most of whom have worked at Outwater for more than 15 years. Whether you have been one of our loyal customers over the years or this is your first time in doing business with us, we would like to thank you for your expressed interest in our company and the products that we carry. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 1-800-631-8375 or visit us online at www.outwater.com We look forward to serving you in the near future.

This is a powder-coated aluminum entry gate, sliding gate, and aluminum wall extensions providing beauty and increased security to this household.
Example of a large eclectic home design design in Los Angeles

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

Take a tour of the lake house landscape lighting design at this gorgeous property in Valley, Nebraska. It increases nighttime security, enhances the architectural features, and creates the perfect ambiance for long, leisurely evenings spent enjoying the lake. Learn more about the lighting design: www.mckaylighting.com/blog/lake-house-landscape-lighting-design Go to the photo gallery: www.mckaylighting.com/modern-farmhouse

Rolling Shutters are the ultimate solution when you want to protect what’s behind your windows and doors. With Rolling Shutters, enjoy peace of mind knowing that your home has a sturdy layer of hurricane protection and storm protection. Rolling shutters shield against wind-blown debris, sand blasting and water penetration. Strong, secure, and durable, our Rolling Hurricane Shutters are proven to reduce energy and maintenance costs while making your home more comfortable to live in. Hurricane Shutters Hurricane Shutters are the premier protection against snow and ice storms, driving rain, high winds, and flying debris. We have huge selection of Hurricane Protection products for all types of applications. We specialize in new construction, retrofit projects and custom applications designed around more complex installations. Hurricane Shutters protect your windows and doors from water penetration and breakage during hurricanes and Nor’easters bringing you comfort and protection. Even when you are not physically at the location of the storm, rolling shutters can offer you peace of mind. Homes and businesses not equipped with rolling shutters may experience glass breakage and door failures during high winds. Ultimately, those openings in the structure’s envelope can cause complete devastation to the home or business. Once the air pressure enters a building, no matter the type of construction, the likelihood of other windows and doors failing rises. If the pressure grows beyond a certain point, walls and and roof components begin to fail. Security Shutters Security Shutters are one of the best ways to discourage intruders from attempting to enter your home or business. This deterrent measure is just where rolling shutters start. While in the down position, rolling shutters can be locked in place by a motor, a gear, a keyed switch or by a separate locking device. Rolling Shutters have been used as security shutters all over the world for decades with incredible success. Sometimes labeled as metal shutters and metal security shutters, they all have subtle differences, and the differences can’t be seen with the rolling shutter in the down position. Security Shutters typically have end-retention pins that lock into the guide rails from the top. These pins are located throughout the entire curtain and are protected from manipulation while the curtain is in the close position. Storm Shutters Storm Shutters are the broad category of Storm Protection products. Of course, they come in all types of sizes, features and functionality. We have a full line of rolling shutters, hinged storm shutters and storm panels for you to to explore on our website or we would love for you to swing by one of our showrooms to see live demo models. Storm Shutters are specifically engineered and designed for high hinds, flying debris protection and ultimately given a rating for Hurricane Protection. A little known fact: The most damaging type of wind value is not the force of the wind blowing directly on your home. This force is called positive pressure, and typically, many believe this is the strongest force against their home or business. Believe it or not, the negative pressure, or, the air passing by your windows and doors, has far greater power. Many low-grade storm shutters and hurricane protection products fail under this pressure. Solar Shutters Solar Shutters have a double wall construction and filled with a specialized polyurethane foam designed to increase R-factor and deflect solar penetration. Many rolling shutters can perform this function, but not all are created equal. The energy efficiency of exterior rolling shutters is up to 95% more effective than interior solar shades. Solar Shutters have many unique and positive “side effects” from their dense foam-filled curtain profile. Many homeowners have taken advantage of energy savings by using these types of rolling shutters in both the summer and winter seasons. Reducing heating and air conditioning expenses throughout the entire year is not always our first thought, but many home and business owners have expressed massive savings. Not only do they block up to 90% of heat gain and loss, they also provide incredible noise control opportunities. Privacy Shutters Privacy Shutters are a great way to close of areas of your home or business from others. Some rolling shutters are equipped with perforations allowing ambient light to pass through when needed. Privacy Shutters have many uses and are creatively used throughout the world in homes and businesses for all kinds of reasons. Close off food preparation areas, work shops, stock rooms, gun safes, closets, liquor cabinets and bars. Some business owners use rolling shutters to close off the outside world after working hours, to protect the last few employees as they finish money counts, paperwork, and prepare bank deposits. If you have any questions or need additional information, our Product Specialists are available 800-522-1599

© Paul Bardagjy Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary white one-story exterior home remodel in Austin

Take a tour of the lake house landscape lighting design at this gorgeous property in Valley, Nebraska. It increases nighttime security, enhances the architectural features, and creates the perfect ambiance for long, leisurely evenings spent enjoying the lake. Learn more about the lighting design: www.mckaylighting.com/blog/lake-house-landscape-lighting-design Go to the photo gallery: www.mckaylighting.com/modern-farmhouse

Explore the landscape lighting design of this lovely home located in Omaha, Nebraska. We installed the lighting in phases over the years as the homeowners have made changes and renovations. The latest phase included adding outdoor bistro lighting around the pool to enhance the nighttime ambiance and increase safety. The design also highlights the landscaping, makes walkways and paths safer, and increases the overall security of the home. Learn more about the lighting design: https://www.mckaylighting.com/blog/outdoor-pool-lighting-design-with-bistro-string-lights-omaha