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Basements are notorious for being dark little caves of a space. While this is not the case with every basement, it can be a challenge for many of. The minimum stool spacing is 2 ft. Of bar per seat. That will feel crowded to big guys, so go to 30 in. The foot rail should be 7 to 9 in. Off the floor. Metal railing (usually brass) is expensive ($200 for an 8-ft. Run), so many home bars have a simple ledge instead.
Design:Based on experience, the best place to begin designing your custom bar is to start with the functional aspects you would like to include. Will there be a focus on beer, wine, or liquors? Will you have a full-sized refrigerator, or small “beer fridge”? Would you like to store certain items like wine glasses, or will there be a display area to show off the prize scotch collection, or sports memorabilia?By answering these questions and knowing what you want to store and display, will be key to the overall design. The components that will be included are incorporated into the design, and ultimately, your bar will begin to build itself.
Back Wall CabinetsBar cabinets located along the back wall of your bar should be functional as well as decorative. Because our cabinets are custom built, whatever you can dream up, we can build. Typically, space behind the bar is limited, so careful thought is needed to blend style with storage needs. Wet bars (sink cabinets) and small refrigerators can be incorporated into the design or add stand alone cabinets constructed to store and display unique items. Lighting, tile back splash, countertop surfaces, and outlet placement are also important elements that add beauty and functionality to your bar.
Bar Top OptionsCountertop MaterialsOhio Basement customers have many options when it comes to bar countertops. Material used can affect top elbow rest molding, but customers have the same counter options for bars as they would for their kitchen countertops including: wood, laminates, solid surface, natural stone, and exotics.
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Our standard top is either wood (to match the bar), or a laminate, or if the unit is 2 levels, both. Consider the following:Wood bar tops:Warm finish, matches the rest of the bar, and is very traditional. The only issue is performance. While our wood tops have a minimum of 3 coats of finish plus wax, homeowners can expect some maintenance over the years.
If the bar gets heavy use, we can consider a top coat epoxy to seal and protect the wood.Laminates:The variety and quality of plastic laminate sheets have come a long way in recent years. The performance, resolution, and special finishes of laminates are very hard to beat. Our customers will receive a sample ring with nearly every color and style combination, including realistic wood finishes. We make any size laminate configuration custom for your bar designNatural Stones:Granite, quartz, and other natural stones are options for your bar top, however, there are some draw backs. Natural stone makes it nearly impossible to attach the traditional elbow arm rest to the front edge of the bar, it is cold to the touch, and can be quite expensive. Also, if a glass tips over on natural stone, it typically breaks, while wood and laminate tops might save that prize collector mug from the trash can.
Optional back wall cabinets can be adjustable as room allows. They can be eliminated all together, 6” simple display shelves, 12” limited display, or 16-24 inch full size display cabinets. Recommended walk space between the wall or back cabinets. Important clearance for max comfort working behind the bar.
Front cabinets can also be adjusted as space allows. Standard is 12” open shelves, but if a small fridge is used, the cabinets will need to be 24” -28” deep. NOTE: Extra deep cabinets create a very wide countertop. Bar stools need a consistent surface to rest on. A hard surface like wood, laminates, or tile is recommended but carpet is ok. The important part is that all four legs of the stool rest on the same material.
Finish:Superior, Durable finishesBesides great design and functionality of your bar, a superior finish is required for years of use and enjoyment. We build all of our custom bars in our shop, and then complete all finish work.
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Not only is the quality of the finish durable and silky smooth, but should you require additional pieces like bar stools, matching the stain will be perfect. Rigid standards in the process even provides the ability to match color for items or accessories that might be ordered in the future. Each customer stain color is documented and held on file for future reference.Over 25 stain optionsOhio Certified Stains (OCS) is manufactured by Woodwright manufacturing right in Wilmont, Ohio. To view additional stain options. But remember, computer screens are not likely to be a good match for actual colors.
Once a bar is built, customer will see actual stained wood samples, and can approve final stain color.Bars delivered completely finished.Our bars travel direct from the finisher to your home. This eliminates any odors that may result from finishing on site.
Customers that already have finished basements, can add a complete custom built bar in as little as one day for set-up and installation! General Design QuestionsHow do I come up with a design for my bar?Typically, final bar configurations are a collection of cabinets and display shelves designed based on how you intend to use the bar. Design elements can be taken from photos of existing bars, what or how you’d like to display items, or functional uses for the bar. Most customers have some ideas for a starting point, and we help by offering suggestions that compliment the area where the bar is to be installed and how it will be used.Is there a fee to design my bar?While bar estimates are free, we charge a $100 drawing fee. It is refunded should you purchase the bar. Complete renderings of your bar would be provided in 3D that show sizes and important details.
This helps by showing customers exactly what is to be built, and can be modified before fabrication begins.Construction, Options, and Finish QuestionsWhat materials are used to construct the bars?We use a combination of hardwood plywood, and solid hardwood. Typical species include red oak, cherry, and maple, however, we have supplier access to other woods like walnut, hickory, and bamboo. Other exotic materials can typically be ordered.What options are available with the bars?Typical construction of the bars includes a foot rest, front panel “skin”, top, and bar rail trim (elbow rest). Customers can add doors, drawers, LED lights, mirrors, glass shelves, and a variety of countertop options.
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