Learn about New Windows or Replacement Windows and Doors for Today's Homes: Custom windows

By Gates Dearen

What homeowner wouldn’t want his or her house to look its best?

While the term “curb appeal” is generally related to the real estate industry, the concept is a good one to think about even if you aren’t selling (or buying) a home. If it’s been a while since you took a good, objective look at the exterior of your home, now is a great time to assess your home’s appearance, especially in terms of cleanliness, maintenance, and design. We’ll discuss all of these aspects, including paying special attention to your windows and doors. Going through these simple steps can help you determine if it’s time to replace any of your windows and doors; there comes a point when they can’t be fixed, or are otherwise outdated and/or inefficient, and need to be replaced. It can be hard sometimes to look at your house objectively, after all, you see it every day, so taking a picture and examining it in detail will help you spot problems you may miss with the naked eye.

Cleanliness

When you look at your home from the street, or from a distance (if your home isn’t visible from the street), what’s your overall impression? Do your windows sparkle? Are your window frames and doorframes clean and intact? Is your entryway free of clutter and debris? The first step to improving the appearance of your home is to wipe off the windows and doors, including the surrounding areas, and sweep the entry area and walkways. Next take a good look at the windows and doors themselves. If you have older windows and doors, keeping them clean can be a greater challenge. While the newer types of frames require only a quick rinse with a hose, and maybe a gentle wipe-down, older frames – especially wooden ones – tend to attract dirt and are more difficult to keep clean. If the frames are chipped or exceedingly dirty, you might also need to apply a new coat of paint. Never use a pressure washer on or around windows; it’s unnecessary and could break the windows.

Maintenance

Silicone caulk can be used as a basic sealant ...

Once you’ve cleaned and tidied up your home’s exterior, it’s time to do a maintenance check. (For a more detailed discussion of this topic, see our previous article, “Window Maintenance 101: 3 Ways to Keep Your Windows Looking and Functioning Their Best”.) If you have a painted entry door, make sure that the paint doesn’t show signs of weathering. Repainting is a quick task that can add a high-quality look to your door and really freshen things up. Don’t be shy about changing colors; a bright or contrasting color can make your door “pop”. Next, check the weather stripping and caulk around your entry door and all of your windows to make sure they are in good repair. If the weather stripping is damaged, you should replace it or have it replaced by a professional. If you have gaps in the caulk between the wall and the window casing, or around the doorframe, you can fill them yourself. Remember to apply caulk sparingly with a steady hand. (If you aren’t experienced at applying caulk, practice on a piece of newspaper before working around your frames. The small amount of caulk you’ll use to do this is worth not having to remove it from your frames if you get off-track.)

Remember too that maintenance isn’t just about appearance. Are your windows and doors keeping the hot air out and cold air in, and vice versa? If not, no amount of maintenance is going to help. It’s time to replace your windows and/or doors. (For more information on this topic, read our earlier article, “How Do You Check for a Leaky House?”)

Design

The style of your windows and doors is limited only by your imagination. A new entry door with an etched glass or stained-glass panel lets you express yourself while also providing improved security. In addition to the many styles of doors available, add to your unique look with shiny new hardware. Locksets come in many styles and finishes, so they can help you put the perfect finishing touch on your door. Windows, too, come in many styles, including custom types for special needs – or for a special look. Do you have an odd-shaped space in your home that could use more light, or an angled wall that could benefit from a replacement window, perhaps in a new design? Consider a custom window. You’ll find yourself using that wasted space more than ever before! If it’s been awhile since you updated your windows, you may be surprised at not only the number of choices when it comes to design, but also the many recent technologies that greatly improve functionality and energy efficiency. From argon gas between panes to low-emissivity coatings that increase efficiency to better locks that offer ease of use, new windows will not just improve the look of your home. They will enhance your quality of life.

Keeping your home looking its best is easy; it just takes a little bit of time and effort. If you follow the above steps, your home will be the envy of the neighborhood. You’ll reap the rewards of an attractive home and, if you update your windows and doors, better energy efficiency and improved security.

In this article we’ve given three steps to making your home look its best. We discussed the importance of keeping your house, especially your windows and doors, clean and in good repair, and talked about ways you can add distinctive style to your house, improving its curb appeal.

If you would like to receive an official factory authorized 30% discount coupon for your next window replacement purchase, print out this article with the coupon on it and bring it with you when visiting HomeRite.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners Gates Dearen and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. We know the products, the industry, the market and what adds great value to a home. Our approach is a little different. We strive to match the homeowner with the right windows for their home and budget. Home improvements can be a hassle. We’re here to make life easier with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; strong warranties and expert, award-winning installers that provide excellent service while respecting your home as if it were their own.

By Gates Dearein

Courtesy of homeritejacksonville.com/

Sidelights, dormers, bays, and bows. You may have heard of some of these types of windows – but what are the others? One or more of these special windows may be just the touch you’ve been looking for to add style and distinction to your home. And they aren’t just attractive. Each has its practical purpose too, from adding light to creating space. One word of caution, though: Even if you consider yourself a skilled handyman or handywoman, these windows are trickier to measure for and install than ordinary windows, so you may want to leave this job to the professionals. Below we’ll explain what each type is, and where in your house you might want to use it.

Sidelights

You’ve probably seen these and may not have known what they were called. Sidelights are narrow vertical windows on one side, or sometimes both sides, of entry doors. They add light to foyers and other entry areas, creating a nice, welcoming space. Depending on your design taste and budget, there are many options. You can go with clear glass, in which case you would probably want to put up a window treatment, easily found for this type of window at most stores that sell window treatments, obscure glass which gives a bit more privacy, or something a bit fancier such as etched or stained glass. These types of windows are a simple way to add a flair to your home.

Dormers

The term “dormer” is often used interchangeably with “dormer window”. A dormer is a part of a building that juts forward from the surface; a dormer window is a window fitted into that space. Dormer windows are similar to skylights in that they add light to higher areas of a home, but most dormer windows open, allowing for ventilation and making what may have been an unbearably hot and stuffy part of the house easier to tolerate. If you have attic space that you’re converting into living space, such as a loft, dormer windows may be just what you’re looking for in terms of style and practicality. Some dormer windows, those called “blind dormers”, look like windows from the outside but are not visible from inside the house. These windows are strictly an exterior style element.

Bay Windows

Bay windows comprise a category made up of many kinds of windows. Technically, any window construction that protrudes from a house is a bay window, regardless of shape, angle, height, or width. The kind of bay windows most of us are familiar with are bow windows and oriel windows. The main difference between the two is that oriel windows tend to be more ornamental and are rarely used in new residential construction. These are the windows you see typically on old buildings in downtown areas. One of the reasons they first gained popularity in cities was that they offer a more expansive view of street and foot traffic. Both types curve outward from the main part of the house and are usually on upper levels, although sometimes bay windows are on the first floor. Bay windows add a great deal of architectural interest to a home, on the inside as well as the outside. Depending on how large the angle of the window curve is, the interior nook created by a bay window can be used for anything from a window seat to a parlor.

Custom Windows

In addition to the less-commonly used types of windows we’ve discussed above, you might have something in mind for a special spot in your house, and you just haven’t been able to find the right thing. Keep in mind that you can have custom windows made in almost any size and shape, to perfectly complement your home’s décor or add just the right finishing touch to your remodeling project. It’s amazing how much a room can change by letting in a little more light.

In this article, we’ve described some windows that are different from the usual rectangles. We’ve explained where and why you might want to use each kind, and also mentioned having custom windows made if you’re looking for something completely unique.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners Dearen and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. They know the products, the industry, the market and what adds great value to a home. Their approach is a somewhat different than others. They strive to match the homeowner with the right windows and doors for their home and budget. They know that home improvements projects can be a hassle. They strive to make the process as pleasant as possible with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; and expert, award-winning installers that employ the best practices and who respect your home as if it were their own.

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