HOW TO SELECT WINDOWS AND DOORS
SPONSORED BY SIERRA PACIFIC WINDOWS

Sierra Pacific Windows is our preferred window provider both for client projects at THELIFESTYLEDCO®, and in my own home, #theODLhouse. Sierra Pacific Windows was one of the first partners I selected for my personal build because of their exemplary product, outstanding customer service, and endless design options!

Windows are one of the largest expenses when building a home, and I want to know that I have a trusted partner on everything from product design to sales, installation, and service that spans far past our closing date.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE DOORS AND WINDOWS TO YOU?

Think back to houses that you've lived in before, or that you may be living now: do you know what color your exterior windows are? The color of the interior? Or how each window operates? If you find yourself racking your brain, that may mean that doors and windows are in fact NOT your love language and that you may not want to push your budget in this building category. Additionally, think about how your windows have affected your daily life and livability in the past, and let that guide you further as to where to splurge.

#theODLhouse plans were drawn with doors and windows top of mind. As you take a look around my house you're going to notice that there are large windows in as many places as I could fit them. Almost every room has what I like to call, a “window moment” or a “door moment”. I wanted all of the natural light from outside to illuminate my home from every angle, and having windows that are big and picturesque allows me to not only do that, but also make a design statement.

BUDGET

The big “B” word is no one's favorite topic, but having a clear budget is SO important when it comes to doors and windows, because your budget can get out of control quickly. A typical allowance for windows is anywhere between 5 - 10% of your total budget, with 10% being on the high end, and should largely be determined by your contractor. If you’re retrofitting windows, meaning replacing old glass with new glass all while keeping the frame the same, you can expect your chosen window company to provide you with a quote rather than your contractor.

Ultimately, there's a hierarchy of windows and window types, all with different pros and cons, so it’s important to do research on each type so you can be sure of what fits into your budget.

CONSIDER FUNCTIONALITY and architecture

• Casement - A casement window is any window that is attached to its frame by one or more hinges. Basically they're like doors, only instead of opening with a knob they open with a crank.
• Double Hung - A double-hung window, also commonly referred to as a double-sash window, is a type of window that has two operable sashes that slide up and down. Usually found in historical homes and seen a lot on the East Coast.
• Single-Hung - A single-sash window, is a type of window with a lower, operable sash and an upper, fixed sash. This means that the bottom part of the window slides up and down, while the top part remains stationary
• Picture - These windows don’t open at all, and can be found all throughout my own home. I actually have more non-operable, picture windows in my house than I have casement, or operable windows, and I did that by design. I'm not a person who always has the windows open because I prefer a door, so anywhere I could put a door that I could open, I chose that over having a window I could open. Of course, there were other factors other than preference that went into making this decision like climate and aesthetics, all factors you should consider for your own home.

When designing a window package, you have the power to not only choose the types of windows in each space, but also the power to decide the placement in each space while drawing plans. And, you guessed it, window placement does not have to be the same throughout your home and can vary room to room depending on each room’s function. When reviewing client floor plans, especially those specific to my own home, I look for some synergy in each window placement, as well as to see if there is something unique to the window package. For example, I don't typically like to see three bedrooms with all of the windows placed in the exact same place, especially in a custom home. If you’re building a custom home, you're getting a unique opportunity to play with the footprint, so take the bull by the horns and do it because it’s really what's going to set your home apart.

When it comes to the color of your windows, there are many factors that will influence your decision, the biggest being the architecture and style of your home. Contrary to popular belief, the window colors on interior and exterior, as well as the front and the back of your home don’t have to match! It may be a Designer secret, but choosing windows in contrasting colors that are within a color palette that lends to the architecture, can instantly elevate the look and feel of your home.

Sierra Pacific Windows offered their products in a plethora of colors and textures, making my Design choices for #theODLhouse easy… or difficult, depending on the way you look at it! I chose interior window frames that are black because I wanted the inside to feel more high contrast, edgier and modern. However, on the outside, I went with a tan aluminum because I wanted the exterior of my home to look balanced, subtle and have a “California Cool” meets Organic Desert Living® vibe.

#theODLhouse | Lead Designer: Kristen Forgione for THELIFESTYLEDCO | Build: Craft Homes | Photography: Nick Sorensen