More Home Renovation Means More Property Value

If you are embarking on a home renovation project, one area that deserves some attention is windows. This article will focus on how to replace the sliding glass windows in your home. The good news is that sliding glass window replacement is one of the easier tasks for first time home renovators to tackle by themselves, and it's the kind of project that offers nice returns on property value. So even if you do not have a lot of experience sawing and hammering, you should be able to manage the removal and installation without any major problems or setbacks.

The first thing you will need to do is obtain the new windows that are going to be taking the place of your old ones. When purchasing your new sliding glass window units, it is important to consider the make of the product that you currently have (keep in mind that this will usually include the frame as well as the glass itself). Check the window that you have for the manufacturer and contact this company about window replacement. If it is an obscure brand, you may need to order your replacement directly from the manufacturer, but if it is a relatively popular one, you might be able to find what you need at a local Olympia hardware or DIY store.

You will also want to check whether or not your old sliding windows operate using rollers. Many of the older models and some newer versions, as well. However, you might want to think about window replacement units that do not include these rollers. Many of the latest state of the art models being sold nowadays do not require them, relying instead on a track with a good fit, which allows the window to slide back and forth easily.

Once you have obtained your replacement windows, it is time to get started on the actual home improvement process. The first thing that you will need to take care of is removing the old windows. Start by taking out the screen. To do this, simply pull it gently out of position from either the bottom or the side. Then push the glass window into the middle of the frame so that it is neither completely open nor completely closed. Wearing gloves for protection, hold the window in place with one hand and slide the other between the sliding and stationary windows.

Now, lift the sliding window from the top while guiding the bottom of it out of the frame. Once the bottom part of the window is completely free, you should slowly lower the window again, freeing the rest of it from the frame as well. Then put it off to the side.

Your window replacement is now halfway complete. The next step is to clean the frame. Use an old rag and liquid window cleaner to wipe away any dirt and dust that may have accumulated. Then install the new unit by following the removal steps in reversal. Once your new sliding glass window is in place, clean it on both sides and put the screen back in.

Resource: Ezine Article

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Marvin Windows Lunch & Learn

Here’s some great information we heard today from AW Hastings representative, Joe Orsino, about Marvin:

Design flexibility and custom options:  Choose from seven interior wood species, nineteen clad colors, multiple glass and hardware options.  They also have limitless divided lite patterns.

Performance:  Marvin windows and doors resist the most extreme elements.  Each window is crafted with real wood throughout, and the exteriors feature extruded aluminum cladding, which is stronger than roll-form aluminum. 

Energy Efficiency:  All Marvin products meet or exceed federal ENERGY STAR® guidelines and a variety of energy-efficient glass options to meet any need.

Delivery details:  They pay attention to builders’ suggestions in packing and delivering their windows and doors.  For instance, doors are delivered with handles on the side, making it easy for builders to unload.  Another detail you will appreciate:  window hardware mechanisms come attached to the windows so they don’t get lost on site!

Green homes start with green home design.  Call Bonin Architects to see how we can help you design an energy efficient home that will reduce your heating and cooling costs!

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Energy Efficient Windows

What to Look for in Energy Efficient Windows:


In 2005 the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) developed a label to provide consumers with energy performance data on windows, doors, and skylights. This label helps you compare one product to another, listing the manufacturer, a product description, a source for additional information, and ratings on the following energy performance characteristics (windows and doors are rated as whole systems, glazing and frame).


U-Factor: A window’s U-Factor measures how well a unit prevents heat from escaping (the inverse of its R-value). U-Factor ratings are usually between 0.25 and 1.25. The lower the U-value, the greater its ability to resist heat transfer and better insulate the home.


Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating indicates how well a window, door, or skylight blocks solar heat by measuring solar radiation released into the home. The lower the coefficient value, the less solar heat is transmitted into the home. Numbers generally range from 0 and 1, typically ranging from 0.25 to 0.8.


Visible Transmittance (VT): Visible Transmittance measures how much visible light is transmitted through the glazing. The higher the number, the more light is transmitted.


Air Leakage (AL): Air leakage ratings test the equivalent cubic feet of air that passes through one square foot of window area. Heat can be lost and gained through seals in the window frame and assembly. The lower the air leakage number, the less air passes through the unit. Most industry standards require an AL value to be 0.3 cfm/ft2.


Condensation Resistance (CR): The condensation resistance rating measures the units ability to resist condensation forming on the inside of the product. Ratings are expressed in numbers from 0 to 100. The higher the rating, the better the product resists condensation.


Consult with your architect on the best windows for your green home project that will meet your energy efficiency needs, site specific requirements, code requirements and budget. Lawrence Berkley National Laboratories offers a free software program, Resfen (PC-compatible only) which lets you calculate how windows with different glazing systems and frame materials affect your energy bills.

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Window Designs

Windows are an important design, energy, and cost consideration for a green home – whether you’re building a timber frame, post and beam, or sustainable home using recycled and/or energy efficient material. We expect windows to enhance the beauty of our home and perform many functions: admit natural light, block summer solar heat gain, resist condensation and capture solar heat in winter (and prevent its loss).

The most common kinds of windows available are wood, clad-wood, vinyl, and aluminum.

Wood windows are traditional (wood on the interior as well as the exterior, however, wood swells and shrinks, so the window must be carefully and properly constructed and installed per the manufacturer’s guidelines. Warping and rotting will occur over time unless the window is protected. You can order wood windows either finished or unfinished. Solid ‘un-clad’ wood windows are not a typical selection.

Clad-wood windows have a wooden frame typically with extruded aluminum or vinyl cladding on the outside. The cladding completely covers the frame – meaning it won’t need maintenance for years. Most claddings have 15 year warranties on the finish and some manufacturers offer as many as 50 color selections to choose from. Clad windows are one of the most common window types.

Vinyl windows, made from rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), they have hollow spaces inside to help them resist heat loss and condensation. While they cannot be painted, the color permeates the material so scratches do not show. Some windows have a tendency to warp when exposed to extreme heat or cold, which makes them harder to operate and allows air leakage. Vinyl windows are also a common choice and tend to be less expensive than clad windows.

Aluminum windows are thinner, lighter, and easier to handle than wood. A thermal break of extruded vinyl insulates the window, and sometimes includes foam, reducing heat loss and condensation in the window. Aluminum windows are typically more common in commercial construction than residential.

In typical residential or light commercial projects, aluminum clad wood windows are the preferred choice. The wood offers good thermal performance characteristics while the aluminum cladding protects the window from the elements. The finishes on the aluminum are available in a wide choice of colors and the interior wood finish may be left natural, stained or painted. Aluminum clad windows are also available in the typical configurations of awnings, sliders, double & single hung and casements as well, and most manufacturers offer sliding and hinged doors to match and compliment their window selections.

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