Posts

How to Choose the Right Exterior Window Shutters for your Home

/in /by

Exterior window shutters have a long history gracing windows before glass was readily available or affordable. Wood shutters served to protect the window opening, provide privacy, add additional insulation during winter and block the sun in the summer. As window technology has improved, shutters are used less for these purposes and more as a decorative feature for your home’s exterior.

Shutters are available in operable and non-operable styles. Design selection, sizing and installation is very important for operable shutters, especially for maintaining historical accuracy. If you have a home that calls for operable exterior shutters or if you have an older home and you want historically correct shutters, come see us to discuss your options. We would really want to see your home as part of the shutter selection process.

Here are a few tips for selecting shutters for your home:

 

Match Your Shutter To Your Home Style

The shutter that is historically accurate for a Victorian home is not the same shutter for an Arts and Crafts home. Check out homes in your neighborhood and decide which style works best for your home. Many of today’s architectural styles are based on historic styles, so keep your home facade true to it’s architectural style.

Louvered – Historically accurate installation will call for louvers to offer rain protection when closed. We’ve become so accustomed to shutters remaining open that today’s louvered shutters are often installed so that rain protection is provided when open. Not exactly useful, but visually, we’ve grown to accept this look. Louvers can be fixed or movable and can be designed as full louvered or louvered/panel combination.

Board and Batten – Generally consisting of several boards mounted vertically with horizontal or “Z” cross bracing and traditionally used on barn-styled homes for a rustic country feel.

 

Solid Panel and Raised Panel – Panel shutters are identified by the number of panels on each shutter. Three panel shutters generally have a small panel on top, a larger panel in the middle and the largest panel on the bottom. Panel sizes can differ based on the size of the shutter.

 

Bermuda or Bahama – These shutters are mounted much like an awning over the window. Generally found in coastal areas, bermuda shutters offer a Caribbean style with protection from the hot rays of the sun.

 

Correctly Size Your Shutters

Shutters should be sized to cover the window if closed and convey the believable appearance of actually being usable even if theyare non-operable. Also, the shutters should mirror image the window. Rails should line up with the lock rail, transom, muntin or other architectural elements of the window. Often, we see shutters mounted upside down…probably a careless reinstall after painting or maintenance.

 

Select A Material That Suits Your Lifestyle

Shutters are available in a variety of materials including wood, pultruded fiberglass, high density structural PVC and other composite materials. Wood provides an authentic look and many people love the unique character multiple coats of paint give a old wooden shutter. Shutters can be made with from woods such as cedar, cypress and African mahogany for decay-resistance while composite materials can offer you freedom from painting and other maintenance.

Watch Out For These Pitfalls…

 

Trend Watch: Dark Interior Windows

/in /by

Are you ready to make a statement in your home? Consider adding definition with one of the latest trends in windows — but one that is here to stay — dark windows.

Make A Statement

All black or dark-colored windows can add dimension and depth, while mixed finishes offer a more classic look. It’s one that can help set a window apart in a space and add a touch of statement-making drama to your room.

The New Design Rule

As our friends at Marvin Windows like to say, “The new design rules are that there are no rules.” Using a black or dark colored sash will make your windows stand out, create some contrast and frame your view.

Don’t want to change all of your windows? No worries. “If someone doesn’t want to commit to changing all of the windows, I recommend changing a set of windows or room to create a focal point,” suggests Design Consultant Karen Lamontagne. “ Have a big bay window in the front? Use a dark sash to draw attention to it.”

Mixing Styles

Louisville is a traditional town, filled with many traditional homes. However, even in our town, today’s interior aesthetics are trending toward more modern looks. A black or dark window sash is a great way to mix a modern look into a traditional home. Grilles on glass and divided lites are still popular here. Don’t worry, this look still works.

“Dark windows add a decorative element, almost like a piece of art. A dark window with white trim around it can enhance the beauty of a room,” says Lamontagne.

 

 

No Extra Work Required

Our windows come from our partners at Marvin Windows and Doors pre-finished, primed and painted, or stained and polyurethaned. This means there is little or no work required on your part to achieve this look. But, if for some reason you wish to change the look down the road, the interior of these windows are wood. So, it’s as easy as paint.

Remember, when you choose The Door Store and Windows as your design and installation partner, you are not just picking a window off of a shelf. You are entrusting your windows to experts who will partner with you to provide direction and design expertise. We will help you decide which options are best for your home.

So, if you haven’t already seen and fallen in love with this look, chances are that you will soon. When you do, give us a call! Did you enjoy reading this? We bet you’ll love our blog about how new windows can save you money on your power bill!

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

Rules of Proportion and Scale For Windows and Doors

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

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!

Tips for Accessorizing your Front Entry with Plants and Containers

/in /by

Ann Gregory brings in a pro to talk about using plants in containers to accessorize a front entry. Jeff Wallitsch, Container Expert at Wallitsch Nursery & Garden Center visits Ann at her house to offer his magic touch.

Check out the video of their planting session along with some photos:

 

Design Ideas for Kitchen Windows

/in /by

Whether you see your kitchen as a place to toil over a hot stove or to tantalize some taste buds, kitchen windows bring much needed natural light to make any task easier. And with stunning design options, your kitchen window can also be the focal point of the room.

Reaching Across Counters?

Opening a window while reaching across kitchen counters can be difficult. Casement or awning windows are well suited for this situation. With crank and lock both within easy reach, you get quick access to breezes.

 

 

Frame Your Stove

Today’s stoves feature beautiful exhaust covers and decorative backsplashes that enhance the room’s design. When flanked with windows on both sides, there’s a new hot spot in the room.

 

 

 

Wake Up To A View

A breakfast nook with windows that stretch from floor to ceiling brings the outdoors in and insulated Low-E glass keeps things comfortable.

 

 

 

Open It Up

Installing a window over a sink was the architect’s way of making the drudgery of cleaning dishes a tad more enjoyable. Take it a step further with multiple windows and you’ll feel like you have an outdoor kitchen.

 

 

Don’t Forget The Outside

This homeowner loves to enjoy colorful flowers, but you could just as easily have an herb garden in this window box. Open your windows to the smells of the outdoors, flowers and herbs.

 

 

 

Make It Unique

Choose a unique design like this arch to provide a visual spark to your kitchen area. Many other shapes and grille patterns are available to meet your design aspirations.

 

 

 

For more design inspiration, contact one of our design consultants at 502-896-171 or fill out our contact form.

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

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