Windows - who did you go with?
Comments (61)
pps7
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agodekeoboe
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Why did you go gas instead of induction?
Comments (25)Induction is not more efficient than gas! Most of the power in this country comes from coal used to heat water which produces steam used to drive a turbine and using this system only gives you 35% thermodynamic efficiency. So what if an induction cooktop can turn electricity into heat at 90% efficiency? The electricity to produce the heat was generated at 35% efficiency so the induction cooktop is 35% efficient when you open your eyes and consider the whole energy cycle. Sorry to get on the soap box over this but I hear people talk about induction efficiency without really understanding the whole situation. I try to stamp out the induction efficiency myth whenever I see it. That said, my reason for going gas is versatility (can't roast a pepper on an induction stove or cook without a generator when the power goes out). I like to use any pot I want. I like the visceral experience of gas, the theater and romance of the flame. My house looks historic so I wanted a gas rangetop (Bluestar) since iron, gas and flame are more historic than nouveau induction and it's sleek euro manifestations. I like my pans to stay in place on the burner without a non-skid pad. I like stick shift in a car and unix flavored operating systems on a computer and center stick control in a plane (yokes are tacky). I like to feel engaged in whatever I'm doing. I don't want something to be too automatic or easy because then it becomes boring. I'm sure I'll think of more reasons but that's where I'm coming from....See MoreIf you have stained cabinets & window trim - did you match them?
Comments (15)Thanks to everyone for the pics and thoughts. I went into the shop to pick up door samples today and the building has an old fir support post that has some new fir trim adjacent to it. I found the light-stained maple sample was almost exactly the same color as the new fir, and the light-stained cherry sample was almost the same color as the old fir. The samples are a couple of years old, but they probably spent most of that time in a cabinet away from light, so they might not be as dark as exposed cabinetry would be. Circuspeanut - do you know if your cherry is stained? It looks like it is just a shade or two darker than the fir. I'm wondering where a light-stained cherry would end up. I spent some time in a granite/tile shop today as well, and while I think I like the cherry better than the maple on it's own, I prefer darker counters/backsplash and I like them paired with the maple more than with the cherry. So today's thinking is fir windows/trim that will ultimately go medium, maple cabinets that will be a couple shades lighter, darker counters/backsplash, and a floor that is stained close to where the fir will end up. Now I need to wait for me full-size door sample to come in. I could very well be swayed by the cherry and end up rethinking it all!...See MoreDid you go down to the studs?
Comments (24)We went down to studs. The GC who did our reno always includes in his quote the cost of re-insulating, rewiring and replumbing. His belief is that by doing that the owner knows the full-extent of the potential cost of the renovations rather than surprising the homeowner with a big bill mid-reno because a problem was discovered once the walls were opened up. We were doing a whole-house reno and did replumb and added insulation to the house. We also had to add a second electrical box and have some rewiring done. We had no budget surprises. Our house is a 1972 and our GC always pulls permits - in our district when the inspections are done, work had better be up to code. We wouldn't have gone with anyone who wasn't going to pull permits and do everything to code - it wasn't worth it to us. But that's just us....See MoreDid you go with wood, fiberglass or vinyl windows?
Comments (29)The exterior materials of window parts play a big role in price and performance but it's dangerous making assumptions based on material alone. I tend to agree with JDS that poor quality vinyl should be avoided and phased out. There are high quality vinyl windows available that come with factory finished dark colors and can still outperform the aluminum clad or fiberglass competition. Energy performance is mostly about the installation, IGU or glass package and the window unit's airtightness. Be sure you are meeting 2012/2015 energy codes when it comes to U-value, SHGC and the blower door test results that windows and doors so heavily impact. It might be cost-effective to beat code here. Double hung or sliding door and window styles tend to be the least efficient when it comes to energy performance. Longevity or durability is mostly about installation and how the various window unit parts were assembled. Materials and finishing processes matter but probably less than the window maker's reputation. Thanks to the many homeowners and professionals on this forum for providing feedback with this all-important quality. The biggest problem with most vinyl is that it expands and contracts much more than the glass parts. This can wear out the seal between frame and glass more compared to other choices. I think most vinyl windows use weep systems to handle the eventual leakage, a good thing but concerning when preventing unwanted air and water entry are two of the biggest unspoken goals when building....See Moreathensmomof3
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agonanj
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agopps7
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoathensmomof3
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agomydreamhome
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agomythreesonsnc
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoWe used Windsor as well --- Athens, part of our reasoning for Windsor over Pella Architect was that the cream color matched the paint sample I had in mind for trim. I asked both Pella and Windsor for samples and that was nice to have to take around with me. So far we are liking the Windsor, but the house isn't done yet, so not much real life experience!
Here is a pic of the ivory color....Ignore the mess, hope you can see the windows!
athensmomof3
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agodekeoboe
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agomythreesonsnc
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoYes, Pinnacle clad for us. The Ivory color I think looks nice with the stone and mortar. For us, the ivory color on Pella was a bit too yellow (can't remember what the names are). It is hard to tell here because the siding and trim are not painted yet.
pps7
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoyup, we did pinnacle clad casement. We wanted black so the color was less of an issue.
athensmomof3
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agopowertoolpatriot
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13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoinsijs
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agochris11895
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoemilynewhome
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoathensmomof3
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13 years agolast modified: 9 years agorobin0919
13 years agolast modified: 9 years agotoddao
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13 years agolast modified: 9 years agoJackPK
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agophoggie
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8 years agopegzclements
8 years ago
millworkman
8 years agopegzclements
8 years agoBrooks Barnes
8 years agoUser
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
PROWindsor Windows & Doors
8 years agoSharing some information about Windsor --
Windsor has been in business since 1946, and our products have been installed in some of the most magnificent homes throughout North America, including the Bighorn Ski Chalet at Revelstoke, BC, which was named the best ski chalet in the world in 2014 (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/revelstoke-s-bighorn-ski-chalet-named-best-in-the-world-1.2854138).
Our parent company, Woodgrain Millwork, is a family-owned business and the largest manufacturer of mouldings and interior doors in the United States (www.woodgrain.com). Because of our relationship with Woodgrain, we are able to offer one of the best values in the industry. Our windows and doors offer many of the same features as our higher priced competitors, and they are tested to the same rigorous standards and meet the same certifications and Energy Star guidelines.
But, please don't take it from us. We invite you to contact any of our distributors to learn more. Their contact information is available on our website at http://www.windsorwindows.com/DealerLocator.page
Or, check out these unbiased comments from professionals on Houzz:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/who-makes-these-windows-dsvw-vd~413338?n=5
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/where-did-you-get-those-windsor-windows-from-dsvw-vd~800015?n=1
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/where-did-you-get-those-windows-dsvw-vd~177370?n=4
Whichever route you choose, best of luck with your project!Ron Natalie
8 years ago
suellen19
8 years agoPat
8 years agomillworkman
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agoPat
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ILoveRed
8 years agomillworkman
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Stephanie Sims_Arnold
7 years agoStephanie Sims_Arnold
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7 years agolast modified: 7 years ago
jm_construction
7 years agoSamar Burney
7 years ago
mydreamhome