Back in the day when I was a child, summers were often spent at my grandparents’ home in an elegant, old brick apartment building very close to the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago. The apartment was backed by a long, screened-in porch that opened off the two big bedrooms at the rear of the apartment itself. Each bedroom had a door opening onto the porch, and these doors had transom windows over them, so even when the apartment was secured for the night, the cool lake breezes could enter through the porch screens and then through the transom windows over the doors, making for perfect summer sleeping.

A more recent experience with transom windows was just a few years ago when I stayed at a conference center near Mendocino. The guests were lodged in large cabins of rustic, A-frame design. Above picture windows with glorious views, transom windows opened and closed with the use of a long pole with a hook at the end. This hook fit into a ring at the top of the transom window, so the window’s opening could be adjusted from floor level, even though the windows themselves were 12’ up on the walls.

Transom windows are often fixed, or stationary, and simply allow more light into rooms from high places. Andersen makes this type of stationary transom window to work in concert with their casement and double-hung window styles.

In answer to the title question, Transom Windows or Screens for the Sunroom?, a good answer is, Both! (more…)

Photo credit: FAS Windows and Doors

What’s the weakest link in a home’s thermal shell? You guessed it – windows. Even the most modern homes can suffer from window leaks. That’s why one of the first steps you can take to improve your home’s efficiency overall is to install replacement windows. But where to start?

Dan Wolt, President and Founder of Zen Windows, stopped in to provide the answer. Dan’s been in the business for 23 years, and his company has serviced all of Ohio for the past 12. You can bet his advice is solid. The following steps cover everything from glass selection to navigating energy efficiency levels to screening a potential window contractor.

1. How do I decide what type of glass to buy?

   Dan: The most important thing when it comes to glass is to make sure it is manufactured by a glass manufacturer that has been in business for at least 50 years. Also, make sure the glass has either two panes or three panes and is coated with low-E coating on every piece of glass.

2. How do I decide which window frame material to choose?

   Dan: Make sure that the window frame has fusion welded corners and an I Beam construction (the same one used for building bridges) as opposed to a chemical weld, which will break over time. Even worse is a mechanical weld, which consists of screws holding a window together.

3. How do I pick out the energy efficiency level?

   Dan: You can either go to the Energy Star website or my website explains it all. Most importantly, when speaking with your window reps, ask them for copies of materials on the glass packages and for energy efficiency ratings.


Photo credit: HomeWorks

4. Is there a simple way I can predict costs?

   Dan: No. Every home is different, so every installation procedure is going to be different. On top of that, although windows may look the same, each and every one is built differently and has a multitude of options. You can get a window installed for $150 or $1500 and they’re going to look the same; the difference is in how well it’s installed and how well it’s manufactured, so it’s really difficult to predict cost.

   On top of that, there are two types of windows. One is a stock window, such as a standard 48” by 48.” The other is the window you should be buying: a custom made window. You should buy a window to fit your home, not buy a window and make your home fit into it. This can harm your home, and it can be very intrusive when you start tearing apart walls. It might also end up costing you more. (more…)

As the mother of what I lovingly refer to as “noisy boys,” I can assure you I’m all about the golden tones of silence. If there’s anything that can rival the sound coming from within my four walls, it’s the ruckus that can permeate my home from the outside. While we enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the country, it can be punctuated by the sounds of planes flying in and out of Dulles International, trains rumbling just a couple of miles away, big rigs echoing down I66 behind the property abutting ours.

Anything that will bring more peace and serenity to my life is a welcome change. Soundproof windows might be just the thing I add to my honey-do list. You know what I’m aiming for, but here are 15 reasons you might want to consider soundproof windows for your home, too.

1. You won’t have to listen to the trouble your kids are getting into once you’ve finally gotten them out of the house.
2. No more Planes, Trains and Automobiles - unless, of course, you happen to be in the mood for Steve Martin and John Candy.
3. Things that go bump in the night (or howl, growl, or grumble) won’t keep you up (no promises about the snoring, though).
4. Noisy neighbors will be easier to ignore; for nosy neighbors, though, you’ll need some drapes over those soundproof windows.
   
   Photo Credit: Hamed Saber
5. On a more serious note - you don’t have to replace your existing windows, soundproof windows can be installed behind your current windows and operated simultaneously.
6. It’s a tough market for sellers these days, an extra amenity like soundproof windows gives you a bit of an edge over comparable homes without them. (more…)