I am so excited to tell you all our first new window is in!!!
It’s a Marvin Integrity Wood-Ultrex glider.
How did we come to that decision? It was a long process. Due to the humid conditions in the south and increased risk of rot, we didn’t want to use a solid wood window, which is what we had used when we built our two previous homes. So with that out, I started researching our other options and on my trips across the state taking Gabi to and from college, I would make detours into different cities to visit window showrooms.
We quickly ruled out aluminum windows because they conduct too much heat.
Vinyl windows just did not appeal to me. They didn’t operate as smoothly and seemed cheaply made, at least the brands I looked at. I would have loved to put in steel or wrought iron windows but the significant cost was an issue.
I then came across fiberglass windows. Fiberglass is non-conductive and non-corrosive. It doesn’t expand and contract like vinyl, wood or aluminum so it keeps a tight seal. It resists fading much longer than vinyl, even dark colors. Several manufacturers produce them and after checking them all out only one provided a black exterior finish, so we settled on Marvin.
They make a full fiberglass window, the all Ultrex, but the only color for interior finish was stone white and I wanted black. So we opted for the wood-ultrex window which is bare wood on the inside (which we will prime and paint black) and fiberglass on the outside. The exterior finish is in Ebony, or black.
We had to go with a glider window (not my first choice) to meet code for egress (that means one you can escape through in case of emergency!) but obviously safety comes before style. The window is beautiful. The exterior finish is truly black. It operates smoothly and has a nice tight seal. We had rain a few days after the window was installed and no leaking, great job, Steve.
We are really happy with our choice of windows!
In order to accomplish this feat Steve needed to invest in some scaffolding. It sure did make things easier and safer than trying to perch on a ladder and hang a window on the second story.
It will also come in handy when Zach and I paint the garage. We are holding out for somewhat cooler and less humid weather to make working outside a little easier.
I know that’s crazy as we live in North Carolina but a girl can hope!
Ya’ll are definitely moving right along with your major project. You did your homework and the window looks so nice and will last a life time. You are doing everything the right way. Congratulations on all the hard work and accomplishments.
That is sweet, thank you so much. Yes we are trying to do it the right way and often that equates to the slow way, but in the end we will have a well built home that will last another 75 years and beyond.
Kim