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Budget Conscious Replacement Window Options Help Revive A Diamond In the Rough

While searching for their first home, Brad and Amber found their diamond in the rough in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood. The house, a classic bungalow in a desired neighborhood, with tons of charm — including Prairie style grilles on the windows – felt like the right fit. But this home was a distressed property on the foreclosure list, and would need a complete renovation. Brad, being the General Manager of Vincent Abell Contracting, was excited and prepared to tackle this project.

When searching for replacement windows for this renovation, Brad turned to our own Don Erickson to assist the couple throughout the remodeling process. “We love Don. He was patient and helped us make decisions when Amber and I had different opinions. He made several trips here to discuss our window options and his ideas were always helpful.”

Technology, Value, And A Historical Fit

Don steered Brad and Amber toward Integrity Windows with Ultrex pultruded fiberglass technology. He knew the couple were drawn to leading edge technology, and looking for a great value. The Integrity Wood/Ultrex windows fit beautifully with the bungalow-style home, and the homes in the surrounding neighborhood, from a historic standpoint. The Wood interiors helped maintain the historic look inside, while the Ultrex fiberglass exterior provided a low maintenance option with extreme durability. Every window in the home was replaced; so finding a product that was a good value was important to keep the project within the budget. 

Don also suggested changing the window configurations in several areas, which worked out great for the home and budget. “We were able to cut some costs and still got all of the windows we needed,” Brad commented. 

Customized Windows

Both awning and casement windows were selected over traditional double-hung windows for added usability and to conserve space. 

The two windows on either side of this fireplace were converted to awning windows to allow space for built-in bookcases. These windows, and their custom prairie grilles, maintained the home’s architectural style while allowing natural light and fresh breezes into the space.

In the dining room, awning windows were located at a position high on the wall to maintain privacy while allowing plenty of light and ventilation, while maintaining privacy, as the home is situated very close to a neighboring home.

Award Winning Results 

In 2014 we nominated this incredible renovation for the Integrity Red Diamond Achiever Awards, and it won the People’s Choice division. Open to builders, remodelers and architects, the Red Diamond Achiever People’s Choice national award program was based on voting by the public and opened with 210 entries from across the US.

If you’re searching for budget conscious replacement window options, give us a contact us or stop by our Louisville window and door showroom. We’d love to help. Interested in reading some more of our content? Check out our blog about the rules of proportion and scale for windows!

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The Curious Ways Windows Open

Right now you’re probably wondering if we really need instructions on something as basic as opening windows. But, if you’ve been researching new or replacement windows in the Louisville area, you’ve likely learned that there are hundreds of types, styles, and materials on the market. There are even multiple ways to open them. We’re here to help you dig through the all of the information so that you can understand the basic functions of each window type, and which may be best for your home.

Let’s start with 5 of the most popular types of windows, and explore how they open:

Double Hung Windows are one of the most common window types you will find. They feature top and bottom sashes that both open, and allow you to double your ventilation. These classic windows are also available with a half round or an elliptical upper sash.

Click here to see Laurie Scarborough, one of our owners, demonstrate these windows.

Picture Windows are typically fixed windows that do not open. They get their name because they are clear glass that is situated in the home to look out at something you’d like to see, so as to frame your view. Much like a picture. Thus, the name.

You may be surprised to learn that we have a “fake fixed” picture window in our Shelbyville Road showroom. Laurie has more on these tricky windows HERE.

Casement Windows are found in homes of all ages all over Louisville. A casement window is a window with a sash that is hinged. While the most common type is hinged on the side, hinges can also be placed on the top or bottom. Many casement windows have cranks, but in those found in older homes in areas such as the Highlands—you’ll find casement windows that work when pushed out.

A great, but less common, type of casement window is one that is hinged at the top. We most often recommend these for a bathroom space, as the top hinge and obscure glass offer both ventilation and privacy. Let Laurie show you more on opening these windows HERE.

Gliding Windows are windows that function much like a sliding door, sliding or gliding into place on a track. If you live in a Mid-Century Modern home — built in the 1950’s or 1960’s — you may have this type of window. If so, we can help replace your windows while staying true to your home’s architectural integrity.

The gliding window in our showroom is a bi-parting sliding window, that opens in both directions.  Laurie has more on opening gliding windows HERE.

Tilt Turn Windows are one of the more fun and unique window options. These were designed and engineered in Europe…and found all over the continent. Tilt Turn windows work in two ways, the first is much like a door. In fact, in Europe they are often large enough to function as a door as well as a window. The second function works by tilting the window upward and in for ventilation. It looks much like a hopper window, with the hinges at the bottom.

Laurie has more on opening these unique windows HERE.

As you have seen, there are a lot of ways to open your windows! New windows can enhance the beauty of your home, improve its value, as well as help reduce energy costs and maintenance. We hope this information has helped you understand the various functions a bit better. If you’re ready to take the next step in buying new windows for your home, give us a call. We’d love to help. Interested in reading some more of our content? Check out our blog about choosing the perfect exterior window shutters for your home!

Fiberglass Windows vs. Vinyl Windows – Which Material is Best?

We field questions every day on which material – wood, vinyl or fiberglass – is best and why. We’ll focus this discussion on vinyl and fiberglass materials. Fiberglass has been around for decades, but recently, it has achieved more attention due to its superior strength, weatherability, energy efficiency and low maintenance requirements. Fiberglass windows are taking a big slice out of the more expensive vinyl window markets and leaving many vinyl window manufacturers fighting for the low-quality, budget window market. Find out why fiberglass – and specifically, Ultrex pultruded fiberglass – is becoming the smart choice over vinyl for more and more homeowners.

As a smart homeowner, you want to…

Choose a material that is both tough and smart.

Our Integrity windows by Marvin are made from Ultrex pultruded fiberglass — it’s tough, durable and built to last. It’s eight times stronger than vinyl and three times stronger than vinyl/wood composites. Windows from Integrity perform at the highest level for the full duration of their life. And they live a long, happy life (as much as 38% longer than vinyl1)—making them an incredibly smart investment.

  • Ultrex fiberglass is more than 8X stronger than vinyl.
  • Fiberglass is a green building material and requires 39% less energy to produce than vinyl.
  • Vinyl windows are not particularly strong or rigid and have a tendency to sag due to their flexibility.
  • Vinyl window frames can soften, warp, twist and bow when heat builds up within the frame.
  • Fiberglass is the fastest growing window and door material in the industry.

Create a comfortable home

Windows keep your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Integrity’s dual-paned, insulated glass windows with LoE II coating absorb heat in the winter and reflect it in the summer, also reducing damaging UV rays. Additionally, our tri-pane windows with argon gas achieve U-Factors as low as .18, making your home a comfortable oasis in even the harshest environments. Many Integrity products exceed Energy Star guidelines and qualify to be part of an elite “Most Efficient Program” established by the federal government.2

  • Ultrex fiberglass expands and contracts at nearly the same rate as glass to prevent seal failures (the appearance of condensation BETWEEN the glass panes which indicates the glass has lost its insulating effectiveness).
  • Vinyl expands and contracts at a rate of 8X more than glass leading to potential seal failures, frame failures and air gaps.

Get the most for your money

The total value you receive with Integrity Windows is a huge advantage. Multiple factors provide value that’s impossible to ignore:

  • Energy Savings: Integrity’s Energy Star® qualified windows can save you 15% on your total energy bill.³
  • The Warranty: A full 20 years on glass seals and 10 years on manufacturing defects.
  • U-Factor: Our windows with triple-pane glazing boast U-Factors as low as .18.
  • Life Expectancy: A recent study reported that fiberglass windows have a 38% longer useful life expectancy than vinyl.1
  • Ultrex fiberglass has a 38% longer useful life expectancy than vinyl.1
  • Ultrex fiberglass is price competitive to high quality vinyl windows.
  • Ultrex fiberglass resists UV degradation (chalking, fading and cracking) 5X longer than vinyl.

Enhance the look of your home

Integrity Windows are Built to Perform® — for a long, long time. So, unlike most of your design choices and furnishings, they are long-term fixtures in your home. Integrity Windows are available in both classic and modern styles to reflect your style with lasting quality. A variety of available exterior colors allow for an understated look or an adventurous accent mark. Exterior trim and divided lites can add a beautiful touch, and with the durability of Ultrex you’ll have plenty of time to admire them instead of maintaining them.

  • Fiberglass windows can be built with thinner, stronger frames than vinyl or composites like Fibrex, allowing larger openings and more daylight.
  • Ultrex provides a superior, consistent finish that can be painted, even in dark colors, without voiding the warranty.
  • Ultrex is the only product in the fiberglass, vinyl or composite category whose finish is certified for quality and durability by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA).4
  • Integrity windows are available in Wood/Ultrex – beauty of wood interior and durability of Ultrex fiberglass exterior.

Fiberglass Windows vs. Vinyl Windows – The Bottom Line…

More architects, contractors and homeowners are choosing durable, beautiful fiberglass windows, making fiberglass the fastest-growing material in the window and door market. And Ultrex has a longer track record than any other fiberglass product on the market. We spent a considerable amount of time researching the best window manufacturers and made visits to several manufacturing facilities to see how the windows are constructed. We’re confident that Integrity Windows by Marvin are a better value than vinyl windows and competitive fiberglass or composite windows.

Stop by our Idea Showroom and let us show you the comparison between vinyl and fiberglass windows. Or, we can come to your home for a No Obligation Consultation. Call us today to set up your appointment and see the difference for yourself.

1 – Life cycle assessment of windows for the North American residential market. Case study by the University of British Columbia. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research, 2008.
2 – http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=partners.most_efficient_criteria
3 – http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=WI
4 – The Ultrex patented coating system is AAMA 623-10 certified and is listed on the exclusive AAMA Verified Components List for 624-10 and 625-10.

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.

Find Out How Louisville Remodeling Projects Affect the Resale Value of Your Home

Even if you are not planning to sell your home anytime soon, it is an inevitable question when you consider remodeling: How much will this improvement add to the value of my home?

Each year, Remodeling Magazine publishes the “Cost vs. Value Report” which identifies remodeling projects and their associated return on investment. The report compares the changes in project costs against Realtors’ perceptions of what those improvements will bring to a home’s resale price. The 2017 report is out and includes details on the Louisville, KY market.

Many of the highest return home improvement projects target updating the envelopes of homes with new windows, entryways and siding. While resale value is one factor to consider in a remodeling project, the value to your lifestyle matters as well. Even if your dream project does not net a high return, if you are planning on staying in your home for many years, even a small return can help you justify your project.

This report also provides some insight into remodeling costs which can help those new to remodeling get a bit of perspective on budgeting.

You can read the summary and view the Louisville market report here.

If you’re ready to start your dream project, give us a call at 502-896-1717.

Integrity Windows from Marvin Named “Best Fiberglass Window Brand” by BUILDER Magazine

Integrity® from Marvin Windows and Doors has once again been named the “Best Quality Fiberglass Window Brand” in the 2015 Brand Use Study conducted by BUILDER Magazine. The company was also honored in 2014.

The study, sponsored by BUILDING Magazine publisher Hanley Wood and conducted by an independent third-party research company, surveyed more than 10,000 builders, developers and general contractors on their awareness and use of various brands in 69 different categories.

“Since adding the Integrity line to our window solutions, we’ve seen first-hand the outstanding performance of Integrity’s Ultrex fiberglass windows and this study confirms that many other professionals feel the same.”

– Ann Gregory, Partner at Door Store and Windows.

Here are some of our recent Louisville area fiberglass window projects using Integrity windows:

With Integrity’s Ultrex fiberglass windows, why settle for vinyl windows?

Integrity’s fiberglass windows are made with Ultrex — a state-of-the-art pultruded fiberglass that is eight times stronger than vinyl, three times stronger than wood/vinyl composites and as strong as steel. Integrity offers an All-Ultrex fiberglass line of products, as well as a Wood-Ultrex line that combines an real wood interior with a virtually indestructible fiberglass exterior. Both lines are available with numerous design and glazing options for both new construction and the remodel and replace market, and are available in six exterior finish colors (including darker colors such as Ebony, which most vinyl manufacturers cannot offer due to durability and fading concerns).

The toughness of Integrity’s Ultrex is legendary, making it quite possibly the perfect building material. It beautifully resists rotting, warping, fading and chipping. Additionally, Integrity’s Ultrex is currently the first and only finish to have achieved 624-10 verification from the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), and to have completed lab requirements for 625-10. These certifications mean that the industry’s best fiberglass finish has undergone rigorous testing and is proven to resist fading, chalking, scratching and cracking to keep your project looking good for years to come.