Let's Talk About Windows

Picture taken by The Carol Jacobs Team

We here at Huntsville Metro Area Homes often have to look into window replacements.  Windows are a base object of any home. They can be found on walls, in ceilings as skylights, on doors as decoration, or even make up their own room for a sun room. Often one of the first things you'll see in a home remodel job in the remarks is that "windows have been updated" or "windows put in at this date - ". Much like anything else, windows have a limited shelf life. Depending on how well they have been maintained by the owner.

But once we move on from, "Let's get new windows" to "Which windows do we want" the choices can start to go in different directions. Now in terms of construction material, windows can be made of wood, vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, or a composite of several of these. Getting the right material will depend on where you live as in some places wood windows in a wet, humid area can lead to quick cases of wood rot. Or having aluminum windows in a very cold climate can sting you with large amount of heat loss.  Vinyl & composite windows are not the be all and end all of windows, but research must be done to find out what windows are the best for your location.

Now the types of windows...most homes of older age are single hung windows. That is they are pulled up from the bottom. This is what everyone remembers seeing at one point in their life. But there are so many more to consider.

Double hung windows have the ability to not only pull up the bottom part of the window, but also pull down the top part of the windows all depending on the wishes of the owner.

Picture windows we often see in magazines looking out over mountain ranges or at the beach front. The uninterrupted view that they provide can give a home an elegant focal point which moving through different rooms of a home. These windows are non-operating, meaning they do not open. They are used to let in the maximum amount of light possible and can be fitted to go from ceiling to floor. A perfect example of these are skyscrapers in which office windows that cover ceiling to floor.

Transom windows lie on the tops of doors and windows and more often than not are used as a design piece. They let in more light where there would usually be wall and in most if not almost all cases these are non-operational.

Now combining the previous window types and you have a Bay window. Bay windows can have picture, single, double, and transom windows. Many homes have this type of architectural feature which does make it stand out. It provides an increase in light and physically makes the room larger.

This picture is a beautiful visualization of a Bay window, Transom, Picture, and Double Hung windows from Factory Direct Remodeling of Atlanta.

Awning windows are windows that are hinged at the top and opened outwards. This type of window strongly appears in both European homes and basement windows alongside sliding windows.

Sliding windows as stated earlier are found easily in basement windows. More similar to the single and double hung windows, these windows operate horizontally allowing the window to slide on a track to open and close. It is easier to relate to a sliding glass door.

Casement windows. Casement windows are not often seen in this area, but more likely in mountainous or beach settings. They are windows that are hinged either on the left or right and open outwards.

An example of Transom windows and closed Casement windows from Loewen

Miscellaneous windows are those that can technically fit any of the categories above but are not identifiable on every house. These can be specialty windows such as circular, lead beveled (colored stained glass or colorless glass), circular inlay transom, or large irregular picture windows. Most of the time pieces that fall into the miscellaneous category are those which are custom made.

Today's Tidbit: Always make sure the window looks like it will go with the house. Windows that don't go with the house will make the house be known as the odd one on the block. For more information on windows, please seek out your local window professional. They'll have all the answers you'll need.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes

Get in the Groove or Go with the Grain, a Quick Brief on Different Flooring

In a past post, it was colors. Today its about flooring. Everyone at one point or another has thought about updating, changing, or redoing their flooring. And...everyone has their niche of what they have fallen in love with. Today we're going to fly through several of them and hopefully give you something to think about when you choose your next flooring option.  With advances in technology some of these flooring types have actually blurred. Remember with your flooring, make it something you'll like, something that will match your home, and something you can take care of.

First up on the list, the omnipresent Hardwoods
Natural and durable, hardwoods come in a multitude of colors and types and blend into almost any home. Maple, Pine, Cherry, Ash, Hickory, and Oak just to name a few varieties. More reclaimed woods have been coming onto the market in recent years. They can be refinished many times over giving that sharp quality look.

Manufactured/Engineered woods
For all intents and purposes, these are still considered wood flooring. The top layers are wood backed by other mixed construction layers. These are usually glued or snapped into place. Some have made the snapping process so easy that you can do it yourself.  Do it yourself wood floors, who would have thought of that years ago.  Still though better to let the professional do it in case any mishaps occur. This flooring can be finished once or twice at most, but not recommended if you don't know the surface wood layer's depth.

Bamboo
This has been increasing in popularity and even be seen here in the Tennessee Valley already. Not a hardwood, but it is more accurately in the same classification as grass. These planks are glued together are are durable. Also the setting of the grain will each result in a different look.

Laminate
Low maintenance, the plastic coated photograph of wood layered on plywood or fiber backing can be a low cost alternative to hardwoods that can still show off a nice clean look with a great sheen.

Linoleum
Usually coming as sheets for easy glue down with materials that include linseed oil and cork, linoleum is often seen in wet areas. Can have a protective coating for stain resistance. Due to the lowering costs of other types of flooring, we have seen a decline in linoleum areas in homes we have shown.

Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile, the do it all substance which can blend in easily from wet areas to outdoor mosaics to terracotta rooftops. Made from shale and clay baked in a kiln for a certain time period. Although since it can come in style from simple blank tiles to complicated mosaic forms the cost of this varies greatly. A few varieties include glazed, quarried, porcelain, terracotta, and glossy.

Stone
That natural, earthen, and literally rock hard substance which can really give you that fantastic first impression when entering a home. Most popular include granite, limestone, marble, slate, travertine, and sandstone. Also makes an excellent finishing touch for wet areas.

Vinyl
Resilient. Durable. Low maintenance. Less expensive than other flooring, vinyl has come a long way from being the plain sheet glue down. Now it can be textured to mimic wood or stone. Most vinyl seen today will reside in wet areas.

Just quick info on each. For more information on costs, installation, and any other questions please feel free to contact your local flooring companies.

A few local companies include: James Carpets, Kemps Flooring, Carpet One, Flooring America, Haley's Flooring, One on One, and Rock Bottom Carpets. If you know of any more companies that people can contact be sure to leave a comment below for people to see.

Today's Tidbit: Always contact a professional for any type of floor work, repairs or upgrades. Also sometimes, your flooring may be just fine and just need a good cleaning or finishing with appropriate products. Talk to the professional floor experts and get their opinion, it never hurts to ask.

Huntsville Metro Area Homes