Want that Model Home Feel? Aim High.

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

New 8ft French Doors

Why do we feel happy when we walk into a model home? The best ones are the new high-end developments where the builders incorporate the latest features and materials. What you’re likely feeling is the sense of light, openness and a connection with the outdoors. How do they create that space? Today, homebuilders are using windows and doors in new ways that maximize the homeowner experience, leaving you wanting to move in. What if you could create this same feeling in your own home?

When you get back home, take a close look at your home’s windows and doors? Do they look undersized, do you have walls completely baron of windows, is your sliding patio door original, so that a Hollywood film producer could select your house for a remake of a 1950’s family TV series?

The feeling you had in the model home was likely because the windows and doors were chosen to obtain unobstructed views and lots of light. Manufacturers are making multi-panel glass and taller doors that flood rooms with light.

Old 6' 8" French Doors

If you want to achieve this look and feel in your home, begin by researching the two standard styles of patio doors, the patio slider or the French swing door(s). Within these two general categories you’ll find a plethora of options such as, French style sliding patio doors with two, three or four-panel configurations, folding doors and pocket sliders. Generally speaking, most people select a slider in the bedrooms, kitchen or family rooms and French doors are preferred for the more formal areas such as the dining or living rooms. From the start, check your answers to a few key questions.

√  What is the largest size that my current opening or wall can accommodate?

√  What direction does the foot traffic flow through the room to the outside?

√  Is there space to open French doors into the room? Could one door open and the second door remain stationary?

At this point you can check out the window showroom, because you have enough information to explore the best possibilities for your home. A few additional pieces of information will be needed before you proceed too far down the path. You’ll want to make sure your header is built according to code and has the proper load requirements for the wall. You’ll also need to measure the rough window openings from stud to stud. All of these are important perimeters that will allow you to choose from standard sizes rather than spending unnecessarily on custom sizes. Remember, when getting a window, write down the dimensions and always put the width first and the height second – always.

Once you’re in the showroom, remember to aim high and settle on the tallest doors your room can accommodate functionally and aesthetically – 8ft, 9ft, or 10ft.? This one feature will do more to give you the open and expansive feeling of a newly built home. Marvin, and Andersen offer these 8ft heights as standard sizes while Pella can accommodate 8ft heights. 

Marvin’s Remodeling & Replacement solutions guide is a great place to orient you to the options. Remember, if you want that model home feel – you’ve got to aim high.

Stuck Inside all Winter Without Fresh Air? Hard to Open Windows.

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

One might expect old windows to become stuck or hard to open, but it’s quite a different thing when it happens to new windows. Most people would agree that newer windows should glide open and shut. Then again, most people expect to clean and maintain their car from the first day they drive it home - through the life of the car. Like cars, windows are finely engineered, rely on moving parts, withstand extreme weather, and are built to last a long time. Therefore, window owners who appreciate a smooth ride on the road will appreciate how smoothly a well-maintained window will operate, year after year.

Care and maintenance guides are available from all of the major window brands including specific recommendations by model or type of material. Woodland Windows and Doors major brands, Marvin, Andersen and Pella provide detailed instructions on their websites. Generally speaking and in simple terms, most manufacturers recommend the following ongoing maintenance.

• Weather-strip is in good condition and properly attached to surfaces. 
• Interior and exterior window finish is maintained so that the window material isn’t exposed. Maintaining wood, painted wood, aluminum, vinyl, or steel requires different upkeep according to the individual product guides. 
• Trim off any old loose exterior caulking around the outer edges of the window frame and seal any gaps with a high quality caulk. 
• Tighten any exposed hardware screws securely.
• Check that all hardware (locks, opening mechanisms, hinges etc.), sills and tracks are clean of any sand, dirt or dust and operate smoothly. If required, lubricate hinges and moving parts with a dry silicone spray. Make sure the weep holes are clear of dirt and open.  
• All glass can be cleaned after wiping loose debris from the surface with a soft, dry cloth.
• Maintain the beauty and performance of your window hardware with periodic cleaning. White paint finish, stone, antique or bright brass, wash hardware using a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Polished or brushed chrome, wash hardware using a soft cloth and polish using a commercially available chrome polish according to manufacturers’ instruction. Oil rubbed or distressed bronze are ‘living finishes’ with no protective coating. Occasionally, apply light mechanic oil to deepen the color and sheen of the hardware. 

Following this maintenance routine as needed or annually will go a long way preserve your window performance and avoid costly repairs. However, even the best maintained windows need repair.

Common repairs to double-hung windows.

If it is a wood window, the wood may be swelling. With other types of windows, there may be dirt, dust, and debris built up or a mechanism has failed. It’s not uncommon for mechanisms such as tension springs to fail in as little as five years, making windows difficult to operate.

These kinds of repairs are straightforward, but that doesn’t mean quick or simple, particularly if you’ve never seen it done before.

In the first case where the wood swells when the temperature or humidity changes, the fix is to plane or sand down the window sashes and lubricate the inside of the window frame jambs or channel guides. If a dirty window frame is the problem, clean the window frames and spray with a dry silicone spray lubricant. Lastly, if the window is still difficult to open or close, the problem is likely to be a faulty mechanism.

Common repairs to casement windows.

Typically debris is built up in the window track or the moving parts need to be lubricated or replaced. Another common cause of problems could be stripped or loose screws causing friction between the window sash and frame. You can check for this by removing the sash from your awning or casement windows.

Woodland's customers know they can call if their new windows don't operate smoothly and Woodland will take care of problems after installation, but everyone should know that a little maintenance goes a long way.

Remember, a little fresh air goes a long way to get us through the winter - don't get stuck inside.

Winter is a Good Time to Replace Your Old Windows

Posted by: Ken Mariotti

Tired of a cold house?
Tired of trying to heat a cold house?
Tired of winter already when it's only January?

Old leaky windows can account for as much as 10-25% of the heat loss in your home, so why wait until Spring to replace your old windows. Leave the cold outside.

No gaping holes throughout the house.

Woodland's installers work in teams replacing one window at a time. One installer works outside the window and one works inside. When ever possible, we close off each room we're working in to reduce the amount of cold air flowing through the house. Each window takes about 30 minutes and many homes can be completed in one day.

Immediate difference in comfort.

The new windows are manufactured to 1/8" of your window opening. Our installers then add insulation around your window frame and the windows once they are in place to maximize energy efficiency. Homeowners feel the immediate effects of new windows in their homes.

Update old painted windows with new finishes.

Woodland's selection of stylish wood replacement windows from Marvin, Andersen and Pella means you can update the look of your windows. These new windows can be stained and varnished to the natural look of wood adding warmth and charm to your home. You may choose factory painted windows for the sleek and resilient finish of a contemporary look. Or maybe you want to match the current windows in your home - that's possible too.

Schedule a free consultation.

If you've read to this point, you probably need to call us 630.869.1450 and visit our website to learn more about replacing your windows.

For 45 years, Woodland has made our customer's lives a little easier because we worry about all the details for you. See what people say about Woodland installers.

2015 Winter Specials

Holiday Entertaining with The Wow Factor

Posted By: Ken Mariotti

The secret to entertaining during the holidays is creating the right ambiance or the wow factor. The wow factor is that feeling you get when you approach the home of a holiday party and you feel the energy. The light shines out into the night through the windows, the porch is decorated and lit up, and the well-lit path to the door delivers you to the party.

The wow factor sets the energy for your gathering. There you are greeting your guests as they arrive framed by an elegant front door. The contemporary black wood finish, classic side lights and oversized transom beckons your guests to come inside. Maybe it's a red classic front door that welcomes your guests. Whichever door you choose, when it’s adorned with holiday decorations it is most inviting.

Stepping into the entry foyer your guests feel a cozy warm space or maybe, they're dazzled by the open views of a more contemporary design with oversized windows and doors opening the views across room. 

Inside, you've turned up the wow factor a notch with another secret technique - light bouncing off surfaces throughout the room. Your tree and holiday decorations twinkle and candlelight radiates your polished silver serving trays. Those of you who think you only need to clean your windows in the Spring will need to add Fall to your schedule if you're after the wow factor. Did you know that clean windows let in more light in the winter and of course, a clean glass surface reflects brightly into your room.

You look around the room to see that your energized guests are mingling new people that they've just met, rekindling old friendships, promising help to their neighbors, and sitting with your 95 year old uncle. Your stress melts away because your party is a resounding success. Unfortunately, etiquette dictates that you leave the lights on and the candles burning until your last guest leaves, but you can let the food and fun beverages run out, when you're ready to turn out.   

If this sounds nothing like your holiday party - there's always next year. So start your plan now.

2015 Wow Holiday Party To Do List: New front door

• Replace old windows with larger windows
• Add new interior French doors with decorative glass in the dining room. 
• Replace old pantry and kitchen doors with a frosted glass French doors. 
• Upgrade outdoor lighting.
• Wash the windows.
• Power wash the front porch and walk.
• Put up the decorations.
• Send out invitations.
• Don't forget the food and drink - its a quick way to loose the wow factor. 

Light it up and enjoy. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.