Before & After: Door Expertise Makes A Difference
We encountered a situation where the wrong door was used for a new home resulting in door failure after only seven years…
Rules of Proportion and Scale For Windows and Doors
Have you ever seen a home with windows or an entry door that just didn’t look right? We see them all the time and offer design assistance to help homeowners understand the importance of proportion and scale when it comes to replacing their windows or entry doors. We don’t just plug one of our products into an opening…we evaluate the relationship of the window or door to the overall architecture and how we can stay true to the architectural integrity or even improve the overall look of the home.
Here’s a quick primer on how proportion and scale impacts your windows and doors.
Window Grids
These “before and after” photos show how selecting the correct grid size can have an overall impact on the proportion and scale of the windows to the home. Our designer suggested a move toward a more open look with larger grid pattern to provide larger daylight openings. Compare the grid patterns on the before and after homes. Notice how “busy” the original windows look when compared to the larger grid used on the replacement windows. (Click image to enlarge)
Here’s another example of how changing window grid sizes creates a cleaner and simpler look to better match the scale and proportions of a home. Not only did the grid sizes differ in the original upper and lower windows, but the lower window grid lines didn’t even line up to the upper window grid lines.
Door Styles
Sometimes the door style should be changed due to proportions of the opening. For instance, the door shown below was changed from a standard height door with two sidelites and a large transom over the door to a taller, double-door configuration with less transom area. The new door was sized to allow a simple half circle transom rather than the odd-sized transom on the original door. The door and transom size change “stretches” the look of the entryway to make it less intimidating and more pleasing to the eye. (Click image to enlarge)
Here’s a situation where the original double doors are not in scale with the home. The doors seem to be squeezed into the opening. Without changing the size of the opening, we suggested a single door with two sidelites to better suit the low ceiling height of the porch. (Click image to enlarge)
If you have a project that needs a good design eye, give us a call. One of our design consultants will visit your home and provide design opinions on how you can achieve the windows or doors of your dreams. Give us a call at 502-896-1717 to get started today. Interested in reading more of our content? Check out our blog about budget conscious window replacement options!
Replacing Windows? See How Much You Should Spend.
How much will it cost to replace my windows or doors? That’s probably the single, most-asked question we get. And because it’s also one of the first questions we get, it is difficult to answer without knowing very critical information about the installation, size, options and many other details. Our professional, no-obligation consultations are the best and most accurate way to answer the question as our design experts will help educate you on various features and options and provide you with exact pricing for your project.
While you can see how providing a price over the phone without seeing your home or knowing your needs is challenging at the least, we don’t want you to start your window or door project in the dark. So let’s talk about some price ranges and other information. Keep in mind, a consultation is the single, best way to know exactly what you need, so use the following information for basic price guidance only.
Window pricing covers a wide range starting at a few hundred dollars for a basic small, single hung window and ranging to several thousand dollars for a very large custom window with many added features. Doors follow a wide range too, with a basic steel door installed starting around $1,900 while an elaborate double door with transom and sidelines might be several times that much or more.
The Cheapest May Be The Most Expensive
Keep in mind that these prices include all hardware, finishing, professional installation and a full warranty. And since window and door products generally follow the “get what you pay for” mantra, we typically don’t carry products in the lowest end of the range that don’t meet our minimum quality criteria. Some of these “budget” products may need to be replaced much earlier than a quality product resulting in a higher lifetime cost.
Focus On The Return On Your Investment…
One of our favorite resources for pricing and value is the “Remodeling 2017 Cost vs Value Report” (www.costvsvalue.com)1. This detailed industry report provides average prices for several styles of window and door installations. The report can be viewed nationally or specifically for the Louisville market.
The “Cost vs Value Report” also provides a projected return on investment for many home improvement projects. For instance, a professional install of 10 upscale wood windows with exterior aluminum cladding can recoup 70.7% of the project cost or $12,898 in added home value based on an estimate of $18,245 invested. Another example is a mid-range fiberglass entry door replacement. The “Cost vs Value Report” estimates you would recoup 85.1% of your cost or $2,739 in added home value from a $3,219 investment in the door and installation. Nice!
…And Added Energy Efficiency
Savings on heating and cooling bills will vary greatly depending on the condition of your windows, doors and the rest of the envelope of your home. It’s safe to say your home with be more comfortable with new windows or doors if you had drafts around your old windows or doors. We had a recent project where the homeowners saved 75% on their heating bills that they attributed primarily to new windows. That’s very high and not typical, but it can happen and at least some energy savings should be factored into your investment return.
Do A Little Each Year
As you start crunching numbers in your head, you may see costs that don’t match your budget. Have no fear. We have many repeat customers that do a few windows at a time or a door and some windows. We’ll work with you and your budget to put together a plan and a schedule for your home.
Read More: Why Replacing Your Windows In Stages Might Make Sense For You.
Get Started Today!
Give us a call at 502-896-1717 to schedule an professional, in-home consultation. It’s the first step to finding out exactly what your specific needs are and how to make the most of your budget. And in the end, you’ll love how new windows and doors can transform your home. Interested in low-e glass as a replacement window? Read out blog about it here!
1 © 2017 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2017 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com.
A Look Back at Door Store and Windows Over the Years
In celebration of our 20th anniversary, we want to take a look back at some of the milestones of our business.
October 1, 1997 – Ann Gregory and her father, John Gregory open The Door Store in Hikes Point Shopping Center on Taylorsville Road with partner, David Doctor. Focusing exclusively on replacement doors, The Door Store was a unique concept for the Louisville market.
1998 – Within the first year, the Door Store installs its 100th door and starts to establish itself as an expert in Louisville door replacement.
2003 – The Door Store becomes Door Store and Windows as the company adds window products to meet customer needs for a replacement window and door company with outstanding design and installation expertise. In 2006, the company becomes an authorized installing retailer for Marvin Windows and Doors and quickly becomes one of Marvin’s star dealers.
July 4, 2005 – Door Store and Windows moves from Hikes Point Plaza on Taylorsville Road to a highly visible and easily accessible location on Shelbyville Road. The new office/showroom facility more than triples the available showroom space for the company and adds office and warehousing space.
March 2006 – As Door Store and Windows continues its growth, Ann’s sister, Laurie Scarborough joins the firm for a “temporary” period of time to help with strategic planning, marketing, accounting and operations. Nearly ten years later, Laurie finally trades her fold-up table for a real desk and takes on a partnership role in the business.
The heart of Door Store and Windows is the team. Every member has been critical to the success of the business. Several team member additions signaled major changes and milestones for the company. Craig Rowe was hired as Lead Installer and Installation Manager in 2006. Don Erickson was brought in to establish the new construction division of the business in 2009. Virginia Bell took on CFO duties in 2015 and has recently assumed the role of Operations Manager.
2013 – Finding the best manufacturer/partners has always been a key to Door Store and Windows’ success. The company evaluates and scrutinizes every partner and found a gem with ProVia Doors. ProVia has been producing high quality entry, patio and storm doors in Ohio’s Amish country for almost 40 years and truly meets high standards of excellence.
2014 – Despite difficult prevailing economic conditions from the financial crisis and the associated housing collapse, Door Store and Windows finds the right combination of great value and outstanding customer service to continue its sales growth and receive Marvin’s highest dealer recognition – the Marvin President’s Club award – for the first time. Every year since then, the company has been awarded the Marvin President’s Club award and the ProVia Platinum Club award in the same year.
2016 – Door Store and Windows is named Window & Door Magazine 2016 National Dealer of the Year. As the first Kentucky company to be awarded this honor, the company is profiled on the cover of the window and door industry’s top national publication, Window & Door Magazine, and established as a nationally-recognized industry leader.
October 1, 2017 – Door Store and Windows rings in their 20th anniversary and will celebrate by honoring the team members, stake holders, vendor/partners and, of course, the local community for helping create outstanding customer experiences for Louisville homeowners for two decades.
Marvin Scenic Doors
Our Marvin Scenic Doors bring the outdoors in by blending indoor and outdoor living spaces. Marvin Scenic Doors offer three beautiful ways to open up a one-of-a-kind view.
Marvin Bi-Fold Door
The Marvin Bi-Fold Door is a simple, elegant solution for indoor/outdoor living because it opens wide to invite fresh air in. Configured from two to eight panels, Bi-Fold Doors use a unique operating system that allows the door to fold smoothly to one side, stylishly and effortlessly connecting your space to the outdoors or to another room. Marvin Bi-Fold Doors are ideal for making a dramatic connection with verandas, gardens and more, or expanding a room into adjoining interior areas.
Click the image at left to watch as Ann Gregory demonstrates the Marvin Bi-Fold Door installed in our Idea Showroom. Our display door is 16′ wide and is really simple to operate. Stop in and try it yourself!
Marvin Ultimate Lift and Slide Door
Marvin Ultimate Lift and Slide Doors will add acres to your floor plan. Available in stunningly large sizes and numerous panel configurations, it allows for a seamless transition from the exterior to the interior of your home. Marvin’s industry-exclusive hardware virtually disappears to give you an incredibly clean and unobstructed view with simple, effortless operation.
Marvin Ultimate Multi-Slide Door
The Ultimate Multi-Slide Door is more than just a new panoramic door. It’s an entirely new lifestyle. Smoothly slide it open and invite into your home expansive views, fresh air and an abundance of warm, natural light. Available in large sizes with standard widths up to 50’ wide and 12’ tall, this door comes in a variety of configurations that include pocket door panels that disappear completely into the wall or a stacked-panel configuration.
Stop in our Idea Showroom to see the Bi-Fold Door in action and discuss how we can help you connect your indoor space to your outdoor space.
Team Members Visit ProVia for Entry Door Training
Recently, three of our team members traveled to Amish Country in Ohio to participate in a training and information session at ProVia, one of our entry door suppliers. Dena Shoemaker and Karen LaMontagne, both window and door sales consultants, and Brad Keith, our service manager, experienced ProVia’s state-of-the-art production facility first-hand and came away very impressed.
Impressive Facility and People
“The first thing I noticed about the facilities was the cleanliness,” noted Karen. Dena agreed, “The facilities were extremely clean and the employees worked hard and were very efficient.” Brad has more than a decade of experience in door manufacturing and came away totally impressed with the facility and people. “Their high tech automated system made door manufacturing look easy and the people were awesome and friendly,” says Brad.
“One-at-a-time” Door Craftsmanship
Quality and craftsmanship was a theme that resonated for our team. ProVia is located in the heart of Amish Country in Ohio and employs many skilled Amish craftspeople, but they also utilize some of the latest manufacturing techniques and technology. It’s a combination of “one at a time” craftsmanship with the efficiency of a streamlined production system that can address the unique requirements of each homeowner’s custom-built door. It also results in an entry door product that reflects the care and attention of each ProVia employee.
Some Photos From The Trip…
ProVia Goes The Extra Step
Everyone in the group learned something new during the visit. From the thickness of the steel used in steel doors (49% thicker steel than competitors) to the fact that they manufacture their own threshold (because they could not find one good enough for their doors), ProVia definitely goes the extra step to guarantee a great door. And the finishing areas (particularly the hand staining) was “hands down the most impressive part of the visit”, according to Dena. All agreed that ProVia’s investment in their painting and staining areas really shows in the beauty of their finishes and the longevity of their finish warranties. Karen adds, “The attention to detail is amazing!”
If you’re looking for a new entry door, contact Karen or Dena at 502-896-1717 to set up an in-home consultation.
Multiple Window and Door Styles Can Be Crafted For a Unified Look
There are a number of different window styles available – casement, double-hung, picture and more – each designed for a particular use. But how do you use the different styles together without your house looking like a hodge-podge of window openings? We can help.
Can You Find The Four Different Window and Door Styles In This Picture?
While all of these windows and doors look very similar, this photo shows four different styles of window/door in use – casement (at left in kitchen), double-hung (corner above lamp), and picture windows (next to double-hung) along with sliding doors (next to picture window and far right). Notice how well the different styles of windows and doors maintain the “two-over-two” grid pattern.
Watch the video at right to find out more about how the architect put the appropriate style of window/door where it was needed.
Changing Grid Pattern Sizes and Muntin Styles
Before
The original windows in this home were a mish-mash of grid pattern sizes and muntin usage that didn’t match the proportions of the house.
After
Adding external muntins, changing to a larger grid pattern size and adding muntins to the half-round windows makes this home look more stately.
Call one of our design consultants at 502-896-1717 to get started on your project. We can help you transform your home with new windows or doors.
Recreating Door Styles is One of Our Specialties
Finding a door that matches the door you’re replacing can be challenging…especially for older homes. But minding the details can result in a perfect transition from old to new and you get the benefits of energy efficiency, security and easier maintenance with your new door.
Only The Door Slab Was Replaced…All Else Remains Original To The Home
Here’s an example of how we were able to duplicate a 100? year old door with matching sidelites. The sidelites did not need to be replaced and the homeowners wanted to retain the existing entryway interior and exterior moulding and frame…only the door slab was replaced. The challenge was to match the new door grilles to the grilles in the original sidelites. Not only did the grilles need to match in thickness, height and style, but they also needed to line up with the grilles in the sidelites. Our design and installation team meticulously measured and photo documented the original door and existing sidelites.
Before
After
Before
After
We worked with our manufacturer, Jeld-wen, to accurately translate the measurements and photos to an engineering drawing they would use to manufacture the door. The process went smoothly and the new door slab was delivered and installed. The new door offers performance improvements with a better door-to-frame and threshold seal, improved energy efficiency with double pane glass and it still looks perfectly at home between its older twin sidelites.
If you have a historic renovation project that needs the care and attention of an experienced team, give us a call at 502-896-1717 or click here to contact us.
Before and After: Easy Exterior Design Changes for your Door
Sometimes you really want to change your front door. Your entry door is okay – maybe a little dated – but okay. The style is traditional and timeless. The slab and jamb are still in good condition (no rot or warping). What do you do?
Ann Gregory – Owner/Partner in the Door Store and Windows – has some ideas to transform the look of your front door. In fact, she did this very thing on her house. Built in the 1940s, the front door on her Cape Cod style house located in St. Matthews needed freshening. She loves the style of her front door and feels it is appropriate for her home. The door itself was in good condition, but it looked blah! Here is Ann’s story:
“I really like the newest trend of painting doors with a bright, complementary colors. One of my neighbors has a purple door that I am particularly fond of,” says Ann. “My wooden screen doors were shot, and needed replacing. With some paint, new wooden screen doors and updated accessories, I had the recipe for a quick, easy and dramatic change.”
Her first step was to identify a new color for her door. Ann wanted the screen door and the front door to be painted the same color. She had her own ideas, but decided to consult with a colorist from Porter Paint – Tracy Burbrink. They both chose “Dill Green.” (Editor’s note: Ann is really good at color selection and should have trusted her instincts.)
Next she purchased new wooden screen doors, preferring the full view glass style so her entry doors could be easily seen. Although a wood screen door can be very temperamental, it was definitely the right product for her older home. Tim Reynolds, a member of the Door Store and Windows installation team, hung the new doors in the existing jamb.
Ann decided to brighten up the front door with some updated accessories. The Door Store and Windows recently identified a new product line of door knockers to add for the fall season. Ann picked the “dragonfly” because it reminded her of a favorite book, and it was the right size and scale for her door. She also added new street numbers by Emtek. (Tip: Choose large, easy-to-read numbers. In this case, function is more important than form. You’ll be glad you did it the next time the fire department arrives at your home quickly in response to an emergency!)
Last, Ann repeated the color scheme and wood screen door replacement on her side door.
How to Improve Security – Double Doors
If you missed the first article in this series, see “How To Improve Security – Entry Doors” for a general overview of door security.
The expansive opening of a double door offers beautiful views and outstanding access, but it also offers intruders
easy access if preventive measures aren’t taken.
“The astragal of a double door – the section where the two doors meet in the middle – is typically a weak point in the door design. Simply putting pressure on the top and bottom corners of the active door and accessing the head and foot latch bolts from the outside with a screwdriver can allow easy access.”
– Craig Rowe, Door Store and Windows Installation Manager
Warning signs that indicate your double doors might be susceptible to forced entry include:
- Improper head and foot bolt latching that results in loose, easy-to-manipulate doors
- Damaged or inoperable head or foot bolts
- Latch bolt access from outside through the astragal
- Cracked, rotting or warped doors or door frames
- Lack of, or inoperable deadbolt and/or handle lock
If you do decide to replace your double door, here are some key security features to look for:
- Choose a unit with a multi-point locking system.
- Look for security features on the astragal such as latch bolt cover plates.
- Discuss your security concerns with your professional installer for on-site adjustments that can be made to improve the security of your double doors.
Stop by our Idea Showroom and talk with our door design consultants, Ann Gregory and Dena Shoemaker, for more information.
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