A Window Story

November 19th, 2008 | Published in maintanence, renovating, repair, windows | 1 Comment

How much thought do you put into your windows? Though they act to enlarge, lighten and even decorate a space, windows are an area that can be overlooked when considering a renovation. A total window rehabilitation is a clever means to improve the overall aesthetics of a house and gain energy efficiency in the process. As seen here, two Albertan family homes are re-vamped with new Design Series windows by Pella.

We take a look at what installing new windows entails, from delivery to the first time they get opened. Watch and see as a breath of fresh air falls over these homes.

Dated windows (left side), such as these circa 1976 plastic frames can give a tired, worn appearance. The owners recently added a new backyard deck, to which the complement of a replacement patio door is a small, but noticeable change. The result is a window that is not just a window, but a feature piece for the house which displays the beauty of real wood. The windows shown here are part of Pella’s Designer Series that feature a triple pane window. A more solid frame also gives additional security to this entryway, for both ease of use and potential break-ins.

Pella’s emphasis on customer service comes through every step of the way. The installation team calls the customer in the morning before 9am to confirm they are on their way, and oncethey arrive on site, they first come to the door and introduce themselves as the Pella installation crew. Before any product is pulled out of the vehicle, the installation team walks the customer through the job, making sure that both the installation members and the homeowner have the same understanding and expectations of how the job will go. Once this is achieved then the crews will start to set up for the job.

During the installation the Replacement specialist will come out for a site visit to see the progress of the job and make sure the customer is happy with the progress.

A full frame installation requires that the team first pull out the existing window and prepare the opening to install a new window. In order to install a new window, two workers are required: one installer installing from the outside and a second installer on the inside. On the interior of the home, drop cloths are used to protect the furniture and floors.

Once the opening is prepared, the new window is inserted. On the inside (seen here), the window is shimmed until level, plumb and square and then foamed with a insulation foam. The Design Series comes with the option of putting the blinds within the panes of glass, which these homeowners gladly chose. This means 200 times less air-borne allergens, making these ideal for households with allergic people, not to mention lessening dusting responsibilities.

From the outside (albeit a different window), a nailing fin is used to ensure the proper placement of the window. It covers the construction and is used to drive nails through in order to secure the frame. When retrofitting, it is possible to leave the nailing fin in place, but for a full installation like this, it is necessary to take out the old nailing fin and replace it fully.

Once the nailing fin has been properly installed, expander and receptor trim is applied to the exterior, replacing the old brick mould or wood trim. On the interior, new casing is applied to finish the window. As shown here, the window is flush with the stucco exterior, seamlessly blending in with the home while also giving it a modern look.

As it is easy to see with the contrast here, changing the windows on a home can make a significant difference in its appearance. Added benefits that aren’t quite as visual include lower energy bills, added solidity and the assurance of quality.

Once all the product is placed, the installers clean the window, using a dry vacuum to remove all debris from the exterior of the house as well. The the installer walks the customer through the house to demonstrate the operation of each of the windows, patio doors, and fully functioning blinds – in all it’s shiny glory.

(Renovator: Pella, Date Completed: June 2008, Location: Edmonton, AB, Services Performed: 13 designer series windows and a patio slider, Budget: $28,000)

About the Builder

At Pella, our process is focused around the customer, providing them with an experience that is second to none. Pella was recognized as #1 in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates, North America-wide, and won Energy Star’s Window and Door Manufacturer Partner of the Year for both 2007 and 2008. If you are interested in having your windows replaced please visit us at www.westcan.pella.com, www.pella.com or call 403-292-0080 (Calgary) or 780-484-5622 (Edmonton). If you are outside of Alberta, please go to www.pella.com and enter in your postal code to book an appointment and get the location of your nearest Pella office.

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Replacement Windows says:

December 30th, 2008 at 2:10 pm (#)

A nice overview of the entire replacement window process. Looks like it came together quite nicely.

Replacement windows are always a great option to increase your homes energy efficiency.

-Timothy