Green Mountain Windows vs. Boston Sash & Millwork
vtcottage
15 years ago
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galefarm
15 years agoholly8500
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Black window trim????
Comments (20)Hi dogridge, I haven't gotten there yet. The house is still being built and now we have contract issues.... Anyway, I think that I will start with one room and see how it feels. I will be doing a bright white trim on the millwork and the windows are primer-only because I didn't like the Pella White they'd have been if we ordered them finished. (Pella White is a very gray white.) So, I have to paint them anyway. I will probably wait until I am in and then mock it up with black paper. I think in your case (cream trim), I would go with a warm charcoal like Kendall Charcoal (BM HC-166). I may also consider a very dark green that reads black like BM Dark Pewter, or even F&B Carriage Green, for my windows If you want to chat about specific colors you're considering, feel free to e-mail me or find me here....See MorePella Proline vs. Jeld Wen Siteline EX
Comments (37)I'd be interested if the quotes for the windows are from window dealers that are installing them. Those companies charge crazy prices for installation, and the homeowner has no clue as to the competency of the installation crew. IMO, the only way to go is to have a trusted finish carpenter measure and install windows and the contractor will be buying the windows from a builders supply company at a significant discount to what an average homeowner will pay for the same window. The most important aspect of the whole process is the quality of the installation. Lousy windows installed by a conscientious pro will last longer than top dollar windows installed by a schmuck. Any work done on a house that will come in contact with water had better done by the book or you'll be in a world of misery....See MoreThe fallacy of "beautiful" windows.
Comments (40)I think the Victorians excelled at exuberant, asymmetrical, weird window placement. But the entire fa�ade was usually pretty over the top. One of the problems of side elevation windows and/or lack of them is housing development lot lines. The vast majority of "off the rack" house designs are geared toward zero or near zero lot line. My sister's new purchase has a set of large double windows in her dining room (necessary because the room occupies the midsection of the house and would otherwise be windowless, and a corresponding set in the upper stair hall, which is almost a room. The problem is that the neighboring, mirror-image, house that is about 10-12 feet away, has the identical windows, so you peer right into each other's dining rooms, and right into each other's bedroom/bath circulation areas. These windows automatically require a double window treatment: one that lets a lot of light in during the day, when you can't see in, so much, and softens the view of vinyl siding and another window, and another one that provides privacy at night. I've had the situation where I needed to do THREE, because the light from next door or the street was so bright it lit up the interior. (Sheer, privacy, and complete blackout) one treatment won't do, because it creates a negative situation when not needed. Who wants to put a blackout shade down at mid day just because some screening privacy is needed. Likewise, a sheer or matchstick shade might as well be transparent to your neighbors at night. I have seen much more than I have wanted to see of people who think their window treatments don't let you see IN, simply because they can't see OUT. So builders either leave out windows on the sides or come up with an arrangement that puts them in weird locations so they are offset from their neighbors, at least. The real issue is when this house is built on a regular lot or in a rural area, and the side facades are treated as if there is a neighbor just feet away. There should be opportunities for modification, and they are not missed....See MoreWhat is the best value in windows?
Comments (31)Windows should be chosen on more than just energy impacts. Generally, windows that are more efficient are better made. This means they will last longer and have smoother operable functions. Generally, better made windows have better sightlines, meaning less frame material that blocks the window opening. Architecturally driven homes have a better feel, often due to the extra attention given to the visual effects of window design. David, your often given anecdote is relevant but I feel it's misleading. It implies air-infiltration is not important for cooling climates which isn't true. It may be true for your specific situation with narrow variables but ignores reality of most builds here and effects of latent loads or humidity impacts on comfort, HVAC equipment and building durability. Air-infiltration is more complicated than percentage impacts on simple energy use. 1.5-2.5% air-infiltration impact on energy costs seems low, and only applies to new, relatively efficient construction which presumably compares an Energy star example to a new home that meets current building code (BIG if). There is a relatively small difference between Energy Star and airtightness that codes are supposed to enforce. Most new homes are still not blower door tested and enforced minimums are not stringent compared to high-performance construction. I think most estimates for air-infiltration effect on cooling loads of efficient construction start at 5% but can still go as high as 20%. Until most homes are being proven airtight by blower doors, it's cavalier to make any assumptions on these details. This Florida Solar Energy center resource claims "outdoor air infiltration being by far the largest contributor to this air conditioning load" for typical Florida homes. This Building Green Resource uses chart suggesting typical homes in Houston have an air infiltration impact on cooling loads of 31%. Both examples break out the latent portions of air infiltration and this is the complicated part of the picture. These increased humidity loads have big impacts on comfort, short-cycling of HVAC equipment and potential of moisture problems in hidden building cavities. Unlike other parts of cooling load impacts, air-infiltration is relatively cheap to improve. It's the lowest hanging fruit in both existing construction and new, efficient construction....See Morebarnliving
11 years ago
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