Getting started with Johnson Brothers

No contractor? No problem! Just come into Johnson Brothers and get our expert help, no architect required. Not only can we help you pick the perfect door, windows, hardware, and so much more – we’ll also help you find the perfect outfit to do the installation.

All the choices involved can be intimidating. With various contractors, architects, and installers available with a few clicks, it can be hard to determine which one will work for you. And that can hold you back from doing the fun stuff, like exploring our showroom and picking from the tons of hardware options and wood finishes.

Don’t let a lack of expertise stand in your way! We’re ready and willing to take you from viewing samples in our showroom to enjoying a new look right at home. Co-owner Chris Sargis makes it clear that anyone can get help at Johnson Brothers. “Whether you’re in need of an installer or you have someone you work with,” he explains, “we can give you expert help through the whole process.”

Johnson Brothers is ready to take you from showroom to installation, all with expert advice to guide you through. Visit our showrooms in Boise and Idaho Falls or peruse our website and get some inspiration for your next home project.

Front Entry and Curb Appeal

Mastering curb appeal is your house’s first impression of the neighborhood. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to make a good first impression, you know how important looking your best matters. Curb appeal means the front entry of your home, as well as the windows and general facade of your home is a cohesive design, drawing attention to your home.

The interesting thing about curb appeal is that it depends on the style of that individual house. There are so many options in the front entry door, style of hardware and doorknobs, and additional framing, that it can feel overwhelming. Johnson Brothers is equipped with all the tools to help your house look the best in the neighborhood and shine from the sidewalk no matter the style of your home, or your vision.

The key way to enhance the curb appeal of your home is with a new entry door and hardware. Entry doors are the first thing that welcomes guests to your home, from the welcome mat, or sidewalk. They also protect your home from harsh weather, and need to stand the test of time. Front entry doors can easily be pushed to the back of the renovation list but renovating this simple aspect of your home can greatly increase your curb appeal.

Johnson Brothers is the best local source for commercial and specialty doors. Johnson Brothers has connections with many major manufacturers and fire-rated licensing for all wood and metal doors and frames. Whether you’re building from the ground up, or remodeling, we’ll help you from idea to installation.

One of the most important aspects of curb appeal is choosing something that will last. Lasting means both in quality and style. When it comes to quality and style, no one matches Johnson Brothers. Johnson Brothers carries wood, metal, and fiberglass doors, as well as brass, bronze, modern, and antique doorknobs to complete the perfectly crafted entry door. Johnson Brothers is a proud supplier of Andersen, Marvin, Simpson, Rogue Valley, and other major name brands that fit any home’s style and will continue to look good years down the road.

If you are ready to enhance your curb appeal with a new front entry, Johnson Brothers is the place to go. With generations of experience and professional craftsmanship, Johnson Brothers is ready to help! Give us a call or visit our new showrooms for more information.

The Magic of Millwork

One of our specialties here at Johnson Brothers is millwork, which is any type of decorative wood material that is produced within a mill and used in building or renovation projects. Doors, moulding, trim, flooring, wall paneling and crown moulding are all considered millwork. Decorative pieces such as mantels and door casing are also common products of millwork. Two common styles of millwork are craftsman and profiled; let’s start by exploring the two. 

Craftsman Millwork

Craftsman style millwork is all about crisp clean lines and is often associated with Modern Farmhouse style. The main identifier of craftsman style millwork is the corner work. Craftsman style millwork tends to have eased corners rather than sharp edges. Some traits of Craftsman style millwork include, tongue and groove paneling, board and batten wall trim with a chair rail, flat faced trim details. 

Profiled Millwork

On the other end of the spectrum, profiled millwork is most commonly found in Colonial and Ranch style applications. Profiled millwork usually contains more texture and detail than craftsman. Profiled millwork might include intricate, multi-piece crown moulding with base blocks and corner blocks for door and window casings or dentil mold below crown detail, and raised panels for wall details.

As always, if nothing in our vast assortment of millwork options we carry suits your taste, we can help you custom-design and produce a one-of-a-kind moulding profile that’s unique to your project. We’re proud to offer virtually all species of hardwoods, as well as MDF and paint-grade materials. So, let’s jump into wood paneling. 

Paneling

Wood paneling is traditionally made up of solid wood, wood-like products or modern engineered wood boards placed together in large sheets or single planks. Wood paneling tends to fit most interior styles and can be used in commercial and residential applications. A few different types and applications include wall paneling, wainscoting, ceiling paneling and exterior paneling. 

Wall Paneling

Wood wall paneling was traditionally used to help insulate walls, but more and more it’s being used to revamp the appearance of existing walls. When choosing a wall paneling style, it’s important to narrow down whether you like a painted or stained look. Painted wall panels give you the freedom to tailor your design to the rest of your space, while a natural look allows the knots and grains of the wood to be more visible. 

Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a paneling system that uses wood boards installed on the lower half of an interior wall and offers homeowners a wide variety of design choices from flat panels to beadboard, either painted or finished naturally. It’s important to consult a professional when selecting a species of wood because certain woods are susceptible to expansion and shrinkage. 

Ceiling Paneling

Ceiling panels are designed to withstand pressure and resist moist conditions. Well-made ceiling panels are built for high performance and can withstand extreme room conditions. Like any type of paneling, make sure to choose your wood species wisely. 

Exterior Paneling

Exterior wood paneling (siding) is not only gorgeous, but is incredibly eco-friendly, and surprisingly, tends to last longer than vinyl siding if  properly maintained. Wood paneling for exterior applications is usually stained, although a painted look is not uncommon. 

Shiplap

Shiplap is often used for constructing sheds, barns and other rustic structures. Traditional shiplap has a rabbet, or groove cut into the top and bottom, which allows each piece to seal together snugly. This creates a unique appearance, with subtle horizontal gaps between pieces.

Shiplap has a long history and can be traced back to shipbuilding in the Viking area. While it was a widely used construction material then, shiplap was rarely used as a surface design until recently. Today, shiplap is often a blanket term for interior wood cladding and is commonly found in today’s modern farmhouse design. It’s also not surprising to find shiplap hidden beneath old wallpaper, drywall or plaster.

Shiplap is incredibly versatile and can bring a unique feel to almost any room. It can be installed horizontally to make a room feel bigger, vertically to make a room feel taller or even diagonally to give a room texture. Shiplap can be installed naturally finished, stained, painted or mixed, which allows homeowners to match whatever aesthetic they know and love. 

If you’re looking to incorporate millwork into your current or future home renovation project, Johnson Brothers in Boise in Idaho Falls is the place to go for all of your needs. Give us a call or stop by our showroom for a free consultation today.

If you’re looking for ideas to make your home stand out, decorative beams are a great way to add dimension and give your home a unique touch. And if you’re building from the ground up, you can plan for beams. Beams are long, exposed slabs of wood, usually attached to the ceiling of a room and are commonly found in farmhouses as well as hygge, lodge and cottage style homes. 

Beams are also great for homes with high or vaulted ceilings, homes with dark trim and flooring and rustic homes. And as usual, your options for wooden beams are nearly endless with Johnson Brothers; from styles, species of wood, colors and even accessories, you have some decisions to make. Whether it’s a remodel or a new build, we’ll help you every step of the way. 

Incorporating beams into your home not only gives your home an amazing facelift, but can also provide a level of structural support and other benefits that you can’t get by other means.

There are a number of different species to choose from, with a wide range in cost, strength and (today more than ever) availability. The most common species of wood for beams are white pine, red and white oak, Douglas fir, cypress, and cedar. Oak, although strong, tends to twist and crack over time, while Douglas fir is popular for its strength and durability. White pine, cypress, and cedar do not quite have the load capacity as Douglas fir, but tend to be more affordable. Once you have a species of wood selected for your project, you can narrow down what style best suits your needs. 

There’s an endless variety of timber and beam designs for both the inside and outside of your home. Whether you want to mimic an existing design or go fully custom, the choice is yours. A few different styles of timber and beams include solid, boxed-in, hollow-core and faux beams. Solid wood delivers authenticity but can be extremely heavy. Salvaged wood, often recycled from old barns and homes can bring in a historic feel. Boxed wood, fashioned from three pieces of lumber can reduce weight and cost. Faux wood is a great choice for those with a lower budget who want a real wood look.

Decorative ceiling beams can be stained, left natural, or painted, all depending on the homeowners preference. You’ll want to choose a finish that complements current wood trim or flooring. The goal is a dramatic, cohesive look.

One last touch you can add to your wooden beams are accessories. You can skip this step, or you can take things to the next level. Accessories you might consider include brackets, plates, straps, light fixtures, or wooden shelves. Decorative brackets come in different sizes and styles and can further create a classic, elegant or contemporary look. Plates, straps and end caps add finishing touches. Hard-wired light fixtures can add complexity, but with proper planning almost anything is achievable. Or there are plenty of wireless options that can be incorporated. Lastly, pairing beams with natural wood shelves is another way to tie in your beams to the rest of your décor.

At Johnson Brothers, we sell everything from solid wood beams to wrapped beams, box beams, and faux beams in smooth or resawn textures; there’s truly an option for every budget. Thanks to our suppliers like Disdero and Fypon, we can proudly say all of our beams are made using sustainable foresting practices.

If you’re in the market for decorative wood beams, Johnson Brothers in Boise or Idaho Falls is the place to go. With an on-site mill, we are able to custom create any design you can imagine. Give us a call or visit one of our showrooms for information on beams for your next home improvement project.