Month: January 2019

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Conquering Custom

For the construction and building industry, custom orders can bring up feelings of stress and anxiety. Most manufacturers only have standard stock items that often don’t seem to fit the bill perfectly.

At Ekena Millwork we strive to be a full service, one-stop-shop manufacturer. From product concept to design, then fabrication to production, our team is dedicated to building the finest goods on the market; maximizing the value and efficiency of every product we make.

Ekena introduced a new time-saving tool for contractors, architects, and builders alike with value-add deliverables that the industry hasn’t had easy access to before. Our online Product Designers allow the user to draft a custom design online 24/7. We’re making custom orders standard and giving vendors the tools to be more successful.

Not only does Ekena Millwork offer the largest collection of wood, metal and composite millwork in the country, but the capabilities and opportunity to order whatever product you need in any material, in every shape and size could save considerable time and money.

The new PVC DESIGNER is available for most every product category making it possible to design custom pediments, gable pediments and gable brackets, corbels, braces, brackets, outlookers, rafter tails, arches, trim, and even pilasters. The tool instantly delivers custom sizing, pricing, cad files, spec sheets and photo rendering; a complete deliverables package not available until now.

“Ekena not only pushes the boundaries in the products we make, but we also want to set a new standard in the millwork industry for how products are ordered, purchased and shipped,” says Director Daniel Milkie.  “The customization of building materials like these has not been easily done without outdated time-consuming drawing and drafting techniques,” added Milkie.  

Ekena developed the software in-house to render the product specs in real time to help save their vendors and contractors time and effort after taking inventory of their customers’ wants and needs for quality custom building products. The online tool is simple to use and does all the calculating for the user. It allows for unique and specific variations to be made by offering options for custom widths, depths and heights; with open, closed or solid construction options.  The combinations are endless and are really allowing designers, builders, architects, and lumber yards to offer truly signature pieces that can’t be found elsewhere.  Our goal is to offer not just a product, but a solution.   

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Put a Ring On It

Ceiling accents such as rings and medallions, offer a great opportunity to upgrade a plain light fixture or ordinary ceiling space to an extraordinary focal point. These quick install and affordable additions come in PVC or polyurethane and a vast range of sizes, shapes, and styles.

Medallions and ceiling rings are jewelry for the home, and when paired together, they compose a grand effect. Throw in a sparkling chandelier, modern pendant, or ceiling fan; and the combination creates the perfect signature style.

With round, diamond, oval, square and rectangular designs, there is something for everyone’s preference. Eclectic, contemporary, organic, floral, traditional, and classic textures and patterns accentuate every home decor style.  They come in beautiful pre-painted finishes such as metallic, crackle, flat and wood for those who want to simply match their current color schemes or you can add your own personal touch as they come factory primed too.

Make a bold statement or subtly draw attention to your favorite new light fixture. Dream up and inspire an original piece of artwork by creating your own concept. Why waste space with a dull fifth wall, when you can makeover your ceiling space into something more wonderful.

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Premade Taking Over Building Industry

With so many facets of construction turning to premade or prefabricated building components, custom millwork is more valuable than ever. Contractors, builders, designers and homeowners alike have the opportunity to save time and money without compromising on quality, by ordering premade\preassembled millwork.

A perfect example, Larry Stauch of RW Specialties in Casper Wyoming, shared that our Ekena custom 12/12 pitch gable brackets built in our factory in Texas made quite the statement compared to the field-built brackets next door.

Not only does the quality and expertise of hand-crafted millwork add to the overall character of a home or business; but the value of having an inspected, quality-checked and superior material is worth ordering from a mill, rather than depending on labor to cut, measure, and assemble on site.  Prefabricated gable pediments, braces, brackets, outlookers, and rafter tails all help reduce overall project schedule time with shorter duration of the construction phase, all while improving the quality of the craftsmanship and making the scheduling of installation easier and more predictable.

When you have the ability to order a custom any-size, any-style, any-material component that can be made quickly and made well, and also shipped to the work site, there is less room for error and waste.  Off site fabricated construction isn’t a new development in the construction industry, but it is more practical and cost-effective than ever before with new materials and techniques being developed all the time. 

Build your own rustic timber gable bracket and see what all the buzz is about.  

  • CUSTOM 12/12 PITCH BRACKETS
  • Submitted by RW Specialties in Casper, WY
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Don’t Be Square

Why have ordinary walls like everyone else, when you can create a masterful work of art with ENDURAWALL decorative 3D wall panels. For centuries, homeowners and designers alike have desired fresh alternatives to standard wall textures. 3D wall panels are the newest and easiest way to create playful bold patterns, simple silhouettes, or memorable feature walls and ceilings.

Because they are made from durable PVC that is waterproof, dent-resistant and lightweight; installation options are endless for both interior and exterior, and residential and commercial applications. Especially created for spaces where moisture is an issue, PVC can stand up to any conditions whether it’s a splashing toddler, wet dogs, steam, or weather.

Traditional wall covering options are typically made of paper or plant-based materials that can be delicate and prone to peeling, warping or bubbling. Once installed correctly, our PVC wall panels are virtually maintenance free. They were built for homes and community spaces where people move, explore and live life. They are the perfect fusion of function and beauty.

You can find our stylish, classic and contemporary designs online with helpful project pictures to inspire your next bragging rights.  Check back soon for our 2019 NEW designs release!

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What’s the Meaning of Millwork?

There’s a reason why architectural traditions have lasted through the decades. They tie us to the past and give history a voice in a world where change seems to come the minute after we acclimate ourselves to the new. Accurately designed and correctly installed moldings, columns, balustrade, and other elements give your home a visual foundation for days of old.  Millwork components lend a place where your personal style journey can unfold and tell the story of your home too.

Though the mission of Ekena is to revolutionize the architectural millwork industry through innovative tools, materials and designs; our heart is to keep the authenticity, accuracy and quality of traditional craftsmanship.  Every detail in our products are modeled after original historical patterns and designs.  

While traditional products became a staple with our vendors, demand for a lower-cost, paint-grade alternative became apparent and thus we got into polyurethane and expanded cellular PVC manufacturing. We could now offer both high-end stain-grade wood carvings, as well as high-value composite millwork, allowing us to service a much wider variety of projects.

Operations expanded to Clarksville, Texas and we quickly got into other popular design trends like the clean lines of stainless steel, the sleek industrial look of wrought iron, and the rustic and vintage style of rough-sawn cedar.

Earning distribution of these products throughout the country from companies like Builders First Source, ABC Supply, LMC dealers, 84 Lumber and thousands of local lumber yards, our products made their way onto the plans of the largest home-builders around. Today, you can find Ekena products on new construction around the world, probably right in your neighborhood.

We are currently developing product lines that have been previously considered custom.  By standardizing the designs, sizes and materials,  we are providing a new standard in quality, turn around time and breadth of dimensions.  Our innovative online builders allow customers to design their own products to specification with instant deliverables such as a specification sheet, CAD files, a photo, applicable lead-times, a part number, and yes, even a price. Find this tool for our new line of Architectural Grade PVC millwork or Rustic TimberCraft line.