Door Store and Windows Rises to Any Challenge

/in , , , , /by

Palladian Window Replacement – Part One

With over twenty years of experience and a talented team of experts, Door Store and Windows (TDSW) is uniquely equipped to tackle even the most challenging installation projects. Recently, a client came to us after consulting with three other window replacement companies who were unable to complete their project. They asked us to replace their 25-year old, two-story Palladian window, and we were confident in our ability to make the client’s vision a reality.

Our largest replacement to-date: a two-story Palladian window.

To begin the process our Sales and Design Consultant, Karen, met with the client at their home to assess the window and evaluate the project needs. The window was severely rotted, and at 10 feet by 17 feet, it was the largest that we had ever replaced. During the visit, Karen took extensive measurements and then began the process of developing preliminary window drawings. Given its majestic size, Karen, Jim, and Craig of the TDSW team worked with the Marvin architectural team to engineer a custom replacement window built with structure and stability in mind.

The old window was severely rotted.

The homeowner wanted to preserve key design elements and the feel of the original window. We communicated with the client regularly during the design process, discussing options and architectural details to ensure the final product was a strong, durable window suited precisely to their tastes. Once the client was satisfied with the design, the Marvin team fabricated the window. A window of this size is too large to be transported in one piece, so it was designed to be installed in five sections at the job site.

The new window was designed to be installed in sections.

It’s not only custom designs and complex replacements that warrant this kind of thoughtful attention to detail. As a local business, we pride ourselves in treating each customer as a neighbor, being communicative, helpful, and willing to go above and beyond to solve any door or window design problem that you may have. Consistent customer service, no matter how large or small the project, is one of the many reasons why Door Store and Windows is your most trusted exterior design source.

Curious about the installation of the two-story Palladian window? Click here to read the rest of the story!

At Door Store and Windows, our goal is to provide peace of mind and customer satisfaction throughout the entire replacement process. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (502) 896-1717.

Our Window Installation Process

/in , , , /by

Quality Products Deserve Quality Installation

Replacing more than one window in your home may sound like a daunting project, but at Door Store and Windows we strive to make the replacement process as simple as possible for the homeowner. One important aspect of this is our efficient rolling installation.

During your window installation, the TDSW team breaks into two groups. Team A begins the installation process on the first window, removing the old and preparing the frame for the new. At the halfway point, team B begins removing the second window and preparing the frame. This way, as soon as team A finishes installing the first new window, the second is ready to be installed. This rolling process guarantees that the project is done quickly and efficiently without leaving your home vulnerable to the elements.

An installation project timeline depends on the number and type of windows you plan to replace. We are proud to say that we complete most of our installation projects in one to two days, causing as little disruption as possible.

Our window installation process consists of the following steps:

1. Team Arrival, Introduction, and Work Space Preparation

Our installation team consists of two to five people, depending on the size of the project. When the team arrives, they introduce themselves before preparing their work space. To contain debris, we place plastic sheeting on the floor and surrounding surfaces in each room. Our team lays a plastic walkway throughout the home so that our team members can carry heavy equipment without affecting your floor. As required by the EPA, we use additional coverage when replacing very old windows which have been covered with lead-based paint.

Plastic sheeting is placed around the window to be removed.

2. Verify Measurement

Before removing any windows, our team makes sure to re-measure the insert area and the new window. This guarantees that the correctly sized product was delivered and that we will be able to complete the project once we begin demolition.

Measuring A Replacement Window

A TDSW Installer measuring the window insert area.

3. Remove Old Window

After measurements are verified, our team carefully removes the first old window, preserving molding and surrounding areas.

The old windows are carefully removed.

4. Clean Insert Area

Once the old window is removed, our team cleans up any loose paint, dust, and other debris from the insert area. At this point in the demolition, you may be able to see inside your wall. This surprises some of our customers, but there’s no need to worry: our team will ensure that there are no signs of demolition once installation is complete.

The insert area is thoroughly cleaned before installation.

5. Installation

Our team carefully unloads the new windows, removes the packaging, and installs the product. Once the window is set and secured, we use spray foam insulation around the perimeter. This creates an energy-efficient seal. Then, we reapply the trim.

A TDSW Installer lifts the new window into place.

6. Clean-Up

After installation we clean up any debris, vacuum the area, and remove the plastic sheeting.

The finished product.

At Door Store and Windows, our goal is to provide peace of mind and customer satisfaction throughout the entire replacement process. Click here to learn more about the replacement process from consultation to install. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (502) 896-1717.

Read about out our door replacement process by clicking here!

International Builders Show 2019

/in , , /by

Three Can’t Miss Updates From IBS 2019

Over the course of three days this February, TDSW attended the International Builders Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, NV, where we saw the best and most cutting-edge industry innovations. If you couldn’t make it, here are a few of TDSW’s can’t-miss takeaways from the show:

Ann, Laurie and Don at IBS Las Vegas

Your Door Store and Windows team at IBS 2019

    1. This contemporary Marvin pivot door, available now for spring patio projects. It speaks for itself; see it in action below.
    1. User-friendly windows ideal for kitchen remodels: It can be challenging to reach the locks on (and even to open) double-hung windows over a kitchen sink. Marvin has integrated the lock and lift in this sleek window that’s a cinch to unlock and open in one fell swoop; as you close the window it locks automatically. Even simpler: super easy-to-open awning windows.
  1. ZIP System Flashing Tape: when considering options for water and weather-proofing, builders who care about longevity have been leaning towards butyl-based flashing tape. At IBS we were able to see up-close the advantages of the acrylic ZIP System Flashing Tape, which offers a continuous air barrier, water resistive barrier, increased structural durability, and as you can see in this video from Matt Risinger, adhesion that builds over time (even in extreme temperatures.)

Interested in learning more about these or any other products we saw at IBS 2019? Your TDSW New Construction team is here to partner with you for your next building project. Give us a call today!

A Great Product That Won’t Break the Bank – TDSW Now Offers Sierra Pacific

/in , , /by

Sierra Pacific products add a modern touch to this rustic design

At Door Store and Windows (TDSW) we pride ourselves on offering our clients the highest quality products. That’s why we’re happy to present Sierra Pacific Windows to Louisville – a stylish product with a wide array of features and colors at a cost that won’t break your budget.

We are particularly excited to offer this product line to our professional partners. As you know, building a home is an extremely involved process, and it is important to meet the project budget while still providing a quality product for the client. Sierra Pacific is extremely cost effective for new construction and remodeling projects while still offering homeowners an array of features and colors to customize and match their personal style. For example, their wood/aluminum clad products are available in 75 different exterior color options, plus the products include a 20 year warranty for rot.

“Sierra Pacific gives us the ability to provide a good quality and diverse line of products and options to match the budget needs of more builders and homeowners than we previously could,” says Ann Gregory, TDSW Co-Owner. “It completes our lineup of fine products at a variety of price points.”

Much like TDSW, Sierra Pacific is family owned and committed to making their buying process a true partnership for all involved. They are responsive, easy to work with and always have their customers’ best interests in mind.

A black finish allows the windows to stand out among the brick finishes on this home

Sierra Pacific Windows is owned by Sierra Pacific Industries, and are made using lumber harvested from the company’s 1.9 million acres of timberland in California and Washington. As the largest vertically integrated window manufacturer in the world, their seed-to-window manufacturing approach is a reflection of their dedication to sustainability and product integrity. Sierra Pacific plants every seed, manages every acre of land and harvests every piece of lumber used in their products.

TDSW will work with you to pick the best products for your project. Our New Construction team is here to help whether you are interested in Sierra Pacific or the many other products we offer. Give us a call to talk about your upcoming project and how we can help!

Icy Windows and Doors: The Cobbler’s Children Need New Shoes

/in , , , /by

We’ve all heard the old adage about the cobbler who is so busy providing shoes for everyone in the town that his own children do not have adequate footwear. We seem to have a cobbler in our midst, Laurie Scarborough, our co-owner. This is the story of her older windows and door.

Written Sunday, New Year’s Eve, temperature 16°

Like you, my husband Kevin and I are weathering this icy-cold blast this freezing New Year’s Eve in Kentuckiana. Today, our 1960s-built home turned up some interesting problems before we were out of our pajamas.

In the spirit of keeping this post to windows and doors, I won’t mention the near miss in our laundry room, and the almost frozen pipe. I know many have experienced those in the last week. The real reason for this message is to share the problems we noticed with the older windows and doors in our home. We hope that it helps those of you with similar issues.

It might be time to replace this huge window.

We have been updating our home over the last few years and have one more window to replace. It’s an architectural element on the front of the house — a huge 14’ x 12’ bow window. Bow windows are designed to create space by projecting beyond the exterior wall in an arch. It has been the topic of many conversations both at home and in the office — how to replace it, with what will it be replaced, and the proverbial ‘when.’ We have caulked, painted and babied the window for as long as possible. The real impact of this wall-length window to our heating bill and physical comfort has become very evident during this cold snap.

The window is single-pane glass. It’s been so cold this week that the internal humidity is freezing on the inside of the window. Ultimately this moisture causes the paint, glazing, and wood to deteriorate. This means wood rot! With wood rot you generally experience drafts and, if the rot is extensive, a strong wind could blow the glass out. 

If you see problems like these pictures, it’s time to have your windows replaced.

TIP from this local window and door dealer: You do not have to replace all your windows at the same time.  We have replaced our windows and doors over the course of many years. You can too.

Wait – the door too?

Unfortunately, this window is not the only issue that presented itself with the cold. Our front door is 30+ years old. For the first time we discovered ice on our threshold (at the bottom of the door.) 

The threshold is brass and the weather stripping on the bottom of the door is also metal. Although we don’t feel a draft, the metal conducts the freezing temperature. This, combined with the internal humidity, causes icing on the interior section of the threshold. In addition, we have seal failure in the decorative glass. Ice buildup can be seen there too.

A new door system with a threshold and “compression” weather stripping, made with composite and synthetic materials, will quickly solve these problems. Today’s doors are very energy efficient.

With all of these developments, we have been working on plans to update the front of our home — both the bow window and the front entry door.

Before & After: Door Expertise Makes A Difference

/in , , , /by

We encountered a situation where the wrong door was used for a new home resulting in door failure after only seven years…

Read more

Replacing Windows? See How Much You Should Spend.

/in , , , /by

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 , , , /by

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.

 

Multiple Window and Door Styles Can Be Crafted For a Unified Look

/in , , , /by

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.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Why Replacing Your Windows In Stages Might Make Sense

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Replacing a house full of windows sounds like a daunting task, right? Great news – it does not have to be! Quite often we meet homeowners who know they need to replace most if not every single window in their home. However, they are not ready to tackle such a large project all at once. Or, they know the project will be more than this year’s budget. Or, just maybe, this first time purchase is scary and the homeowners want to test the waters – see if they like the product and the installing contractor.

It’s Smart To Replace Your Windows A Few At A Time.

Regardless the reason, it is okay to change out your windows over several years. You do not have to compromise. Buying windows for your home is a big investment and you don’t have to make the investment all at once.

Check Out These Before and After Images Of A Recent Project:

     

Here’s How It’s Done

One recent project shows how replacing windows in stages can be more manageable for your nerves and your budget. These homeowners found extensive rot and general loss of function for many of their windows and wanted to replace them with energy-efficient models that offered key features for their lifestyle. The 1926 home included 42 windows and was a perfect candidate for replacement in stages to meet the homeowners’ feature and budget needs. They added a touch of architectural style by replacing the original 6 over 6 grille design with a 3 over 1 design.

MONEY SAVING TIP: If you purchase five to eight windows at a time, your window dealer can offer you the best price on installation because their team is fully employed for the day. Also, the right designer/consultant/retail dealer can offer suggestions on window designs that can maintain the architectural integrity of your home and also save money – not all windows have to be re-created exactly as they were.

Now For The Big Question: Which Windows To Do First?

How do you know which windows to replace first? In this case, the decision was based on a combination of regaining functionality and retaining proper aesthetics. The original kitchen windows were difficult to open and close, so adding functional windows to this part of the home was important. In addition, the homeowners decided to replace all the windows on the kitchen side of their home to avoid a potential mismatched look from the change in grille pattern. Insert windows were used to avoid disturbing the original interior trim. The results are impressive. Even with the grille changes, the new windows look like they had always been part of the charming home’s architecture. And the homeowners were thrilled to get exactly the windows they wanted for their home within a budget they could manage.

Why Wait Any Longer?

Follow your wishes. Do not compromise for cost or time, because as you can see, both are negotiable! If you are ready, jump right in and replace all of your windows. Or, take a more measured pace and replace five to eight windows a year until the project is finished. The choice is up to you. Take as many “bounds” as you need!