Daniel Bell has worked in construction and restoration in New Orleans since the summer of 2009. It was during his time at Operation Comeback, a program of the Preservation Resource Center, that he became more interested in traditional millwork through his involvement with the Prince of Wales Building Crafts Apprenticeship Program.

Daniel became acquainted with Hal Collums and Central City Millworks through his historic restoration work at the PRC. Upon leaving the organization, he knew that CCM was the right company to help him achieve his goal of learning the millwork trade. Since joining CCM in September of 2010, Daniel has worked his way up from the production floor to a position that includes project management and CNC operations.

I love how our company is able to blend traditional millwork techniques and practices with cutting edge technologies. I strongly feel that we are the top custom millwork company in New Orleans, be it for traditional architectural components or cutting edge digital fabrication. – Daniel Bell

A historic preservation project in Mobile, AL, resulted in Central City Millworks in New Orleans being contracted to replace the architectural columns.

Columns have been used as both structural and decorative architectural elements as far back as 4,600 years ago in ancient Egypt. And, of course, towering wooden columns have been icons of up-scale Southern living since before the Civil War.

But, as time takes its toll and historic preservation in New Orleans and across the South becomes a priority, the millwork fabrication and renovation expertise of Central City Millworks is called upon time after time.

And so, when porch columns needed to be replaced in a historic Mobile building, we were contracted to fabricate ones that matched the originals…continuing our legacy of helping to restore great historic structures to their former glory.

Central City Millworks built these kitchen cabinets for a New Orleans condo. More accurately, the cabinets were designed and built to hide the kitchen. Appliances, sink, and storage areas are concealed by the cabinets when they are not in use. The result provided the owner with a multi-use area that had the required utility when needed, but at all other times presented a clean, open space.

First, metal framing was installed to define the enclosures for the various kitchen appliances, pantry, and storage areas.

However when faced with the wall of doors, first-time guests will no doubt need an orientation as to what is behind which one. Otherwise, they may find themselves staring at shelves of canned goods… when they were looking for the hidden bathroom.

According to Google Analytics, there is a 68.69% chance that you are reading this article because you found CCM on page one of Google by using search words like “New Orleans millwork” or “windows” or “shutters” or “heart pine flooring.”

That is consumer power. In the digital world we can find out a lot about companies quickly. But our power as consumers goes far beyond that.

In the “old” days, if a company didn’t provide good products or services…including customer service…we could warn our small circle of friends and family members. Times have changed. Now we can warn the whole world wide web (approximately 220,100,000 people in the U.S. based on the latest data from Nielson Online.)

Now THAT is consumer power!

Because other consumers warned me in their reviews, I have avoided some less-than-stellar companies that I was considering doing business with. For those companies, the web is becoming an increasingly hostile place. So be it. On the other hand, I’ve found GREAT companies on the web because of consumer praise.

Here’s how our consumer power works:

As a consumer, I have the power to tell you (and the whole world wide web) that when you need to upgrade your computer memory, you should go to http://www.datamem.com. You see, I read several reviews about the company by a few customers who had problems with their order. But each person highly recommended the company for outstanding customer service in resolving the problem. So I ordered a stick of memory from them…and had a problem with my very first order. The memory chip that I ordered arrived promptly, but didn’t work when I put it in my computer. I called the customer support number, and the man who answered asked me a few questions. He said, “Oh, you have a Dell. They don’t use a standard chip configuration on their memory. I’ll over-night an 8-chip memory stick to you. When you get it, just return the one we sent you. I’ll send you a postage paid envelope.”

There is no doubt in my mind that Data Memory Systems lost money on my first order. But I ordered several times again without a problem, and I’m willing to tell the whole world wide web how great their customer service. They understand that customer service isn’t an expense but an investment. They understand the value of word-of-mouth…and word-of-mouse. They “get” customer service!

On the other hand, here’s a case study of a company that, in my opinion, doesn’t “get” customer service:

You see, my reasonably good mobile broadband connection with Cellular South became extremely slow and unreliable about two weeks ago. During a call to them, they explained that there was a system-wide problem. I was understanding. Stuff happens.

But two weeks weeks later and two trips back to the Brookhaven store, I was told that before escalating my connection issue they would have to eliminate my in-warranty USB modem as the culprit.

They explained that even though the modem they sold me was under warranty, there would be a $15 processing fee to exchange it for a new one. No, they could not waive the fee. I asked to speak to a manager.

A Mr. Stuart Wood approached me. I pulled out my digital voice recorder and explained that I was recording our conversation to make sure that I understood correctly. He told me that no, he couldn’t waive the $15 fee, but because the modem was under warranty, I could mail it in and have a replacement mailed back at no charge. “So I have to wait for the mail,” I asked. “Yes, sir,” Mr. Wood said cordially.

Now, Mr. Wood was friendly and professional. He was just following store policy. When I told him that I would put this information on the Internet, he said lightly, “Ok.”

I left the store feeling like Cellular South just doesn’t “get” customer service. And that Mr. Wood apparently doesn’t “get” that one single consumer like me has the power to express their opinion to the whole world wide web.

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Author Don Stevenson implements Internet Marketing strategies for Central City Millworks, and has helped get articles like this one on page one of Google for dozens of search words and phrases. To ensure a high level of customer service, he set up Google Alerts for owner Hal Collums in order to alert him via email anytime anyone on the web writes the phrases “Hal Collums” or “Central City Millworks.” Feedback from CCM customers is posted to theTestimonals page as they are submitted.

Central City Millworks is a New Orleans “architectural millwork” company, and while that term may sound like something that only applies to commercial jobs, it also applies to residences. Of course, we have completed large commercial jobs such as the National World War II Museum, but we also have created custom architectural millwork for homeowners.

Even relatively small home improvements can fit within this category of millwork. For instance, adding a new custom entrance door can qualify as architectural millwork. So, in addition to renovating home interiors, a homeowner can enhance the exterior of their home and add beauty that they can enjoy while increasing the resale value at the same time.

When people come to your home, your front door is one of the first things they see. Take a look at your front door. Does your door need repair or maybe just a new coat of paint? Or…is it time to replace it with a new one…even a custom-designed door personally milled just for you with the fine precision of our CNC router.

It is not important to everyone to create a uniquely distinctive home for themselves and their guests, but for those people who value their personal tastes, adding architectural millwork is one way to share those tastes with friends, family, and neighbors.

When it comes to choosing between stock windows from a factory and custom windows from a quality millwork company, it may be worth considering this interesting quote:

The wealthy plan for three generations. The poor plan for Saturday night.”

While one certainly does not need to be wealthy to choose custom windows nor poor to pick stock windows, this quote suggests a question that may be worth asking prior to making any significant purchase for one’s home: Does this purchase call for short-term savings or long-term investment?

Custom windows typically offer a long-term investment opportunity while stock windows typically offer short-term savings.

Stock windows are often cheaper because they are mass produced in limited sizes and styles and use less expensive materials and construction methods. For instance,

• Stock windows are constructed using a spring valence for up/down operation
• The wood specie used isn’t highly resistant to destructive climates
• The mould casing is usually fabricated out of pine designed for brick homes
• Joinery (how parts are joined together) may be inadequate for heavy long-term use
• Glass may not be sealed to prevent rot from condensation and water intrusion
• Stock replacement windows may not match existing windows

So, these considerations should be kept in mind when stock windows are considered. Many brands may offer up-front savings, but some brands may not provide good value.

Custom windows, on the other hand, may offer an excellent long-term investment opportunity. However, simply because windows are custom made does not necessarily ensure that they are a good value. There are important things to keep in mind when selecting a millwork shop to build custom windows.

The following considerations have been historically proven to withstand destructively damp climates. Central City Millworks in New Orleans follows these historically proven methods and recommends them for similar climates.

• The most reliable, long-term operation system is the hidden weight, pulley and sash cord system
• The best rot resistance wood for Window sash and jamb is provided by Spanish Cedar
• Glass frames (muntins) should be primed prior to the glass installation
• Glass should be set in a bed of silicone to prevent moisture intrusion
• Correct joinery (the way the window frame is joined together) should be used
• Custom replacement windows can be fabricated to match sound existing windows

For the reasons listed above, custom windows may be more expensive up-front, but could last generations longer than stock windows precisely for those reasons. It’s worth covering that list of reasons in more detail.

First, the hidden weight, pulley and sash cord system is undeniably old fashioned, but is unsurpassed for reliable long-term ease of use. The typical failure simply requires replacement of the sash cords. This is easily accomplished, if access panels have been built into the jamb of the window, by accessing the weights and replacing the sash rope.

Spanish Cedar is by far the best available wood to resist the ravages of damp environments. Historically, New Orleans windows were made with locally available indigenous cypress from old growth forests. This cypress had a natural protection from termites and rot, unlike new growth cypress that does not possess the natural protection that Spanish Cedar provides.

Glazing all glass the proper way ensures long-term prevention of moisture intrusion. The first line of defense is to prime the raw wood before the glass is placed in the wood frames (muttins). Secondly, setting the glass in a bed of silicone is critical for long term protection of the window from condensation on the interior of the glass. If the wood is not primed and the glass not sealed on the interior by silicone, then moisture has an entry point and acts like a cancer to attack the wood from the inside.

One of the most important considerations for window reliability (and wood millwork in general), is correct joinery. The connection of the wood-to-wood joints of moving sashes is critical because they need to be strong enough to hold the weight of the glass but narrow enough to allow maximum entry of light. The time tested mortise and tenon joint is the highest strength wood joint for window sashes, however some mill shops will use dowel joints to speed production. The American Woodwork Institute (AWI) rates the mortise and tenon joint as superior joint to dowel joints. Other mill shops use a butt joint with a large screw to hold the joint together. However, the AWI does not consider this an acceptable joint in any millwork since the screw is set in the end grain (parallel to the grain of the wood) and will not reliably hold.

And when doing price comparisons, be sure to determine whether the quoted price includes:

• The interior and exterior casing
• Priming of all bare wood
• Installation of the glass
• Installation of the window

In conclusion, if your choice of windows is driven by cost savings, then stock windows may be satisfactory for your needs if you at least consider the quality points offered in this article. On the other hand, if your home is likely to be in your family for generations and/or you want to add resale value…then custom windows are for you.

Central City Millworks and Hal Collums Construction teamed up to bring the artistic vision of Wayne Troyer Architects into reality. The completed work impressed the Louisiana chapter of the American Institute of Architects sufficiently for them to present an Award of Merit for the project.

In their Fall 2009 issue of the AIALA News, the association stated:

The primary concern in the gallery design was to highlight historic elements, while providing a clean, crisp surface on which to display artwork. Retention revelation of masonry walls and wood columns provide the unique sense of time and place in New Orleans, while new materials create an understated drama in which to showcase installations.

The main gallery features floating gypsum display walls: Existing masonry is exposed along the top, bottom, and sides, adding perceived spatial depth and the impression that the gallery itself may be an installation. Concealed lighting runs above a knife-edged cove, with a recessed track below. Existing heavy timber columns—once an elevator shaft—are a focal point at the entry: stretched Dacron sail material between the columns is backlit for dramatic effect from the street.

A seamless, poured resin floor knits all programmatic elements together, flowing continuously throughout the space. At the passageway between old and new galleries, a surround of backlit resin panels signals a transition, contrasting against the weight of the exposed masonry wall and smooth gypsum. Sliding translucent panels provide privacy for support spaces (without adding visual weight to the gallery) and reinforce spatial continuity.