A Match Made in Clifton: Replacement Windows Restore Classic Look to Historic Home

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As any owner of a historic home will tell you, renovation projects can be exciting but often come with a long list of challenges. Architectural styles can be difficult to match, as can paint and stain colors. Not to mention, there’s the exacting process of working within the strict guidelines of local historic preservation codes. The good news is there’s no need to navigate these challenges alone—the experts at Door Store and Windows can match nearly any window, color or style to ensure your replacements retain or restore your home’s historical character.

A great example of how Door Store and Windows has helped with a historic window replacement comes from our client Stephanie, whose home in Clifton was built in 1925. Before she purchased the house, the previous owners had replaced several of the original grid windows with ill-fitting and unattractive aluminum windows that did not match the home’s architecture.

Before: The Aluminum Windows in the Front Room (Left) and Kitchen (Right)

“Nothing really looked or felt right,” Stephanie said. “The aluminum windows didn’t reflect the charm I knew the house had when it was first built. I really wanted to restore the house as best as possible to its former beauty and level of craftsmanship.”

In her quest to restore the home’s look, Stephanie also had several windows that were original to the home restored by an expert. She was very happy with the results, but realized now she needed matching storm windows for better energy efficiency and protection from the elements. It was yet another detail that had to comply with the stringent specifications required by Clifton’s historical district guidelines.

“I knew it was a big project that would require a lot of specialized expertise and a huge attention to detail,” Stephanie said. “That’s why I turned to Door Store and Windows.”

After a consultation with one of Door Store and Windows’ window and door replacement specialists, Stephanie selected a non-standard window style that matched her 95-year-old windows, down to the grids. The specialist was also able to review Door Store and Windows’ comprehensive catalog of stain colors to find one identical to that of the original trim. They even sourced hardware to match. To finish the job, low-profile storm windows were installed over the new replacement windows as well as the restored windows. The final result exceeded all expectations.

After: The New Windows with Matching Trim

“After everything was finished, I could not believe it,” Stephanie said. “Everything blended so well, inside and out. You’d never know the new windows hadn’t been there since the house was built. It’s amazing. One of the reasons I first fell in love with the home was the beautiful woodwork throughout the place, especially around the windows. I definitely had worries that the new window installation would possibly destroy some of that woodwork. I’m so glad to say that wasn’t the case. Door Store and Windows were able to seamlessly meld everything together. I couldn’t be happier.”

If you have questions about historic replacement windows, stop by our showroom to checkout all of the unique designs we have available or CONTACT US to set up a consultation.

Order Your New Doors and Windows Sooner Rather Than Later

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Were your windows noticeably drafty last winter?

When you looked at last January’s heating bill, did you think you paid enough to heat the outdoors?

While in the thick of summer it can be difficult to think about colder temperatures, now is time to fix these problems and order your new doors and windows.

Why so soon?

This past year, our industry has been experiencing ever increasing lead times. In fact, production times for both doors and windows have doubled and some have tripled as of late.

Here at Door Store and Windows, it is our goal to be totally transparent.  The lumber and workforce shortages and other manufacturing and raw material delays coupled with record home improvement sales have caused our lead times to change from weeks to months.

Here’s Why:

In 2020, despite the ongoing pandemic and business shutdowns, demand for new construction and remodeling increased substantially. Consumers spent $17 billion dollars in the door and window industry alone. As people sheltered in their homes, they discovered the need to either change their living situations, or repair or renovate what they already owned.

This demand has continued into 2021, and the supply chain is still struggling to keep up. Meanwhile manufacturing is still compromised by low inventories and raw material shortages.

For our business specifically, since our products are built to order, factory shutdowns and production adjustments greatly affected our lead times. When these industries reopened, they were already behind on fulfilling orders from before the shutdown, and now the wait has been extended.

Here’s our advice:

  • Expect extended lead times. It’s happening industry wide.
  • Door products seem to be experiencing shorter lead times.
  • Prices for product and labor have increased significantly. We have multiple price increases from the same vendor in the same year. This was rare in the past.
  • Don’t wait to order. Commit and get in line.
  • Only do business with legitimate companies with a history of longevity and obvious financial strength. Door Store and Windows is starting its 25th year of business on October 1.

Here’s our promise to you:

Our situation isn’t singular. Supply chain delays are affecting all industries across the globe. We know this greatly affects our customers and we are working hard to keep all lines of communication open with our clients and suppliers and to overcome delays when and where we are able.

At the sale, we will make a good faith effort to identify your project completion date based upon that day’s information. As we approach the estimated product delivery date, our operations team will call you to schedule a tentative installation date.

We will call, text or email – your preference – to keep you up to date on the status of the windows or doors you ordered. We will not promise what we can’t deliver. But we will give you an honest appraisal of current production trends and work hard to meet your expectations.

Here’s the Good News:

As the world reopens, and industries return to normal, we know that manufacturers are trying their best to ramp up production to catch up. We will work with you to find the best quality products for your needs that fit your timeframe. We are also updating our timeframes regularly to reflect any changes to lead times and other factors.

As always, we appreciate your business and, most of all, your patience during this time. It is our promise to deliver the best product possible and ensure your complete satisfaction.

Top Window Cleaning Tips from a Professional

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You’ve invested and replaced your windows, now make the most of them! The old method of glass cleaner and newspaper is “out the window,” but we’ve got pro tips on keeping your views crystal clear. We sat down with local window cleaning expert Jim Lester of Sunshine Window Company. Jim and his team have serviced thousands of homes in the Kentuckiana area since their start in 1979. Here are his top window cleaning tips for homeowners:

Don’t Use Blue Window Cleaner | Do Use Gentle Dish Soap

That bright blue window cleaner in your cupboard is indeed one of the oldest cleaners on the market, but contrary to popular belief, Jim says it’s one of the worst things to put on your windows. Why? Because it leaves behind a waxy, streaky, and hard-to-remove film. Each time you clean your windows, that film builds up and spreads the dirt and dust, making your view even hazier.

Stay away from harsh chemicals like ammonia: they’re unnecessary, and they can be dangerous to work with. Instead, clean your windows with a solution of warm water and gentle dish soap (like Dawn). About one bucket of warm water to an ounce of dish soap will create a cleaner far more effective – and far more affordable – than the pre-packaged alternatives.

Don’t Use Paper Towels | Do Use the Right Tools

Paper towels are wasteful, streaky, and ineffective. Sunshine uses a tool called a strip washer, which is a soft cleaning sponge on a pole. Once you gently scrub the window with the sponge, remove the bulk of the solution with a high-quality squeegee. Finally, a microfiber or Turkish towel will give you a crystal-clear and streak-free finish.

Have you been cleaning your screens with the garden hose? Sunshine Window Company recommends cleaning your screens the same way you clean your panes! A gentle scrub with a strip washer and a rinse with the hose is much more effective than the hose alone.

Don’t Risk Your Safety | Do Know Your Windows

Cleaning windows can be dangerous! If you’re cleaning windows yourself, be aware of the risks for injury.

  1. Always have someone stabilize your ladder to mitigate your risk of a fall. Even professionals use the buddy system when working on high windows.
  2. Windows can be heavy. Many new thermal pane windows have latches allowing the sash of the window to tilt for convenient cleaning. While this can make things easier, these windows can also be extremely heavy and unwieldy. Improper tilting of sashes can cause damage to your window.  If you have large, heavy windows, Door Store and Windows recommends you engage a professional to wash them.

Don’t Wash Too Often | Do Wash at The Right Time

Every house is different, and certain things can dirty windows faster, like construction, pollution, or pollen. Some of Jim’s regular customers have their windows cleaned yearly, and some twice per year, but any more than that is excessive, Jim says.

There’s no hard and fast rule for when to wash windows. Of course, if you wait until the dead of winter, your cleaning solution may freeze during the washing process. In the middle of summer, high humidity may make it difficult to dry clean windows. Some experts suggest waiting for a cloudy day, as the sun’s heat can cause your solution to evaporate, but Jim says Sunshine simply uses a bit more water on sunny days. In this area, many people wait until autumn, so pollen doesn’t settle on their freshly washed windows.

Don’t Wait to Book | Do Plan Ahead

During a professional window cleaning, experts recommend getting the inside and outside of the windows washed, so they can see what’s been done and do the most thorough job. At Sunshine, this includes washing the windowsills and screens. Trained professionals can thoroughly clean a full house of windows within just a couple of hours!

Springtime is Sunshine Window Company’s busiest time of year, as people prepare to host Derby, wedding, and graduation celebrations. If you’re going to book a professional cleaning appointment, make sure to book far in advance. During the spring, Jim is often booked 6-8 weeks out!

Window cleaning is an important part of enjoying your windows to their fullest, that’s why Door Store and Windows customers get a voucher for Sunshine Window Company with the purchase of eight windows. If you’ve been thinking about replacing your windows, there’s no better time. Contact us to get started today!

Arcadia Custom: New Product

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Door Store and Windows is now the exclusive Arcadia Custom Windows and Doors dealer in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Arcadia Custom produces luxury high-performance Thermal Steel and “Steel Look” Aluminum windows and doors.

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Why Do My New Windows Have Condensation?

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Windows in areas like the kitchen and bath are more likely to have condensation. However, even if you find condensation in other areas, it doesn’t always indicate a problem.

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Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Replacing Windows in Stages

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Many customers ask us if it’s necessary to replace all of their windows at one time, and the answer is: “Absolutely not”! There are many reasons to replace windows in stages rather than all at once.

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Windows That Work For Your Space

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There are infinite possibilities for creating the perfect window to suit your home and needs. Today, we’re going to talk about six different window styles and how the way they open can make them the best choice for your space.

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Window Rot and How to Spot It

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Now that spring has arrived, the annual task of spring cleaning is likely to begin soon, making it the perfect time to inspect a few things around your house. Window rot is one thing you simply don’t want going untreated…

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Historic Window Replacement

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How do you know that our products are the highest quality? We use them in our own homes! In today’s blog, our long-time teammate, Karen, shares the story of her brand-new window recently installed in her St. Matthews home.

The Problem

Like many in St. Matthews, Karen’s is an older home. Her original front window added a great deal of character and charm. However, at this point in its life, the window was not efficient. Karen mentioned that while sitting on the couch in that room, with backs to the window, she and her husband could feel a breeze on the backs of their necks. Something had to give. They didn’t want to sacrifice the beauty of the window, but they needed to control the air getting into the house.

The original window.

The old, drafty window let an uncomfortable breeze into the room.

The Solution

They decided to go with a Marvin replacement. As they made their selection, it was very important to them to keep the overall historic look of the home. Thankfully, Marvin excels at historic replacements, and had all of the design features that Karen wanted. She and her husband chose a narrow divided light, vertical grid on the top portion of the window (precisely like the original window), and no dividers on the bottom portion.

Close-up of the window shows the historical design.

Karen and her husband were able to select a Marvin window that perfectly matched the original window.

One thing that we love about working with the Marvin products is their attention to historic detail. These elements help us maintain the look of historical homes in neighborhoods throughout areas like St. Matthews and the Highlands. More importantly, thanks to new technology, Marvin windows perform better and last longer.

In today’s world there’s no reason to have a window that lets in drafts, so let your window work for you. Whether you’re building a new home or replacing a window from the 1930s, we can help you choose the best design and look for your home, no matter the size or scale! Give us a call or stop by our showroom to get started on your next replacement project.

Click here to see Karen talk about her replacement project!

Noise Abatement

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New windows and doors aren’t just about aesthetics. Sometimes we’ll get a customer with a very specific need and we never shy away from a challenge! For example, this customer presented a unique problem: noise abatement.

The Problem

Rick and Kay built their house in Eastern Jefferson County in 1999. A few years ago, Interstate 265 expanded, and the noise from the new highway became impossible to ignore. All day long, but especially at night while they were trying to sleep, the sound of cars and trucks disturbed the family’s peaceful home. “I’m a light sleeper,” Rick said, “and I could hear every truck that went by in the house, all night long, every day. I said ‘we need to do something about this,’ and I contacted the Door Store. Kay and I met with them and I said ‘we need to have some sound deadening.’”

The Solutions: New Windows and Doors

We knew that updating the original vinyl windows to a Marvin wood-clad window would be a huge improvement, but simply switching the windows and doors wasn’t going to solve the problem completely.

Noise reduction glazing on glass windows and doors helps reduce sound drastically. We researched all the options of glazing profiles to find the right solution for the family. Together, Rick and the Door Store and Windows team determined which glass and glazing options were most cost-effective.

The result was really impressive.

A close-up of the new windows.

A close-up of the new windows show the quality.

“Whisper Quiet”

One of the project’s primary goals was improving the family’s sleep, so the team focused on the bedrooms. We installed the same windows and glazing along with an additional storm window. Marvin builds their storm window right in, appearing as part of the window as opposed to an a separate piece. This combination made the couple’s bedroom “whisper quiet,” which resulted in an increased STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating by about 7 points.

With the windows finalized, we tackled the kitchen door to the back patio. We installed a 20-gage steel door with triple-glazed glass and added foam insulation all around the frame, so that all the air pockets were filled.

New Marvin Windows

Glazing was added to the family’s windows.

The Result

The resulting noise abatement and the decreased energy bills impressed our customer. The new doors and windows brought down the family’s energy usage significantly, a great byproduct of fixing their initial problem.

Rick also commented on the service he received from our team. He appreciated that our installation team is made up of Door Store and Windows employees, and that they are not an outsourced vendor. Our team’s attention to detail and respect for the home was evident.

We’re pleased to be able to offer a noise abatement solution to our customer. We wish them many more happy, peaceful, and quiet years together. Are you curious about our window installation process? Learn more here.