#7 Windows, Doors & Siding

The exterior of your home is the first impression for all passersby. It can also transform your home in one way or another. It is my opinion that the choices you make on exterior finishes can make your house stand out in a positive way (wow! factor) or a not so positive way (meh! Factor) Several factors that can impact or drive your decision on exterior finishes are, budget, looks, material availability and overall function of products for daily use and maintenance.

Over the years, I have noticed several patterns of product choice that seem more common than others. Patterns, such as builders' choice or recommendation, budget concerns, installation concerns and long-term maintenance a repair requirement.

In reality, exterior materials selections are one that you should educate yourself on the most when it comes to structural elements of your home. Finding an expert and asking questions, then making a decision with your builder are my suggestions to ensuring you get the most for your money and you consider the cost of ownership and return on investment of each product. I will break these down for each one.

Windows

Windows and doors can set the bar for your home's aesthetics. It was one of the most important decisions in my build for me for several reasons. I used a combination of double hung windows and casement windows in my build as well as 2 different glass options. (I will go into the glass option next) I have always felt less attracted to vinyl windows as well as single hung windows because I feel like they are not authentic in design and remove some architectural detail to the appearance of the home. So, what did I pick and why? During this particular build, I had the opportunity to use one of my favorite windows. It used to be called "Integrity by Marvin", but is now called "Elevate by Marvin" Why? For the Southeastern part of the country, it is a great choice. An exterior pultruded fiberglass window with an applied wood interior. As most people know, fiberglass is an extremely durable building material that has been in use in many industries for many years. Color options for the exterior are very stable and also require much less maintenance than wood windows and are more durable and better looking than vinyl windows. They cost more than vinyl but when you consider, life span, durability, aesthetic and Maintenace (especially color options like black or brown) color stability, are all worth spending a little more for. When it comes to choices between single hung and double hung. It is easier to clean a double hung window (especially on a 2-story home on the exterior) because the sash will move down and tilt inward. Single hung window top panels are fixed. I used casement windows in the kitchen and laundry room. A casement window has a crank at the bottom to open and close the window. If you're short and the window is over a countertop, you can use a casement without having to jump on to the counter to open or close it. My only other reason for using Elevate was their durability. I like to use my windows to let the house air out, and the operating mechanism meant I could do this for a long time without parts wearing out or breaking. Many times, window manufacturers will make changes to suppliers and design, so if your windows are a few years old, you can run the risk of not being able to get parts. If you never plan on looking through or opening your windows and the detail of design have little importance, you might not care as much about window choice as I do, but it's always nice to know the why just in case.

Glass

I used Low-E 366 glass in all of my windows. Energy efficiency is the number one reason for this. There are other options, but this one is the best. All but one of the windows in my home were DP-50 wind rated and not impact rated. I had a window in the stairwell that was hard to get to, so I opted for an impact glass option there.

Living in the South, Hurricanes have leant to improvements in building codes that require strengthening of the exterior of the home. In many cases, people opt for impact resistant glazing because it's there and requires no prep for tropical storms or hurricanes. I opted to use non-impact glazing and an impact protective screen from "Armor Screen" (Hem cord screen) These screens are deployed (installed) in the event of a storm or hurricane. Why, you might ask. I had two reasons for this.

1. Impact resistant windows and coverings cost less (typically) than impact glass. When you consider the frequency of storms and hurricanes, unless you are away a lot it's not really money well spent.
2. Glass warranty. At the time, glass warranty on impact glass was 10 years. Glass warranty on non-impact glass was 20 years. Why give up half the warranty.

I have heard people say I have to use impact (you don't) as far as I know there are no provisions in any building code that require the use of strictly impact glass, but there are requirements to use a protective covering if you don't. Check your local codes. This choice can save you money (that might get you a better window) as long as you're willing to use the covering.

There are many areas around the country that don't require this. Those high-end windows might not be as expensive as you thought, so talk to some professionals and get educated before making your final decisions.

As a last note, make sure your windows and doors are installed correctly, per manufacturers requirements. (big deal on warranty)

Doors

The same goes for doors. There are many options out there and there are many that seem the same but are not. Not all fiberglass doors are the same and not all wood doors are the same. Make sure you ask the difference between doors and how they're built before making your decision Soley on price. I used a fiberglass door and had them installed in an out swinging capacity. Some consider that strange. For wind load, an outswing door is a better option than in swing. It also makes it harder for intruders to get in than an inswing door (food for thought) I do wish that I went with a wood door for my front door. I think it would have added a nice touch. Wood doors require more maintenance than most fiberglass doors and length of time in between maintenance should be considered. Is the door located in a direction where it will see more sunlight, UV exposure, more rain and weather? To keep a wood door in good shape it needs to be re stained and protected against the elements. They look great when new but are you willing to spend the time and money to keep it that way? If the answer is no, you might want to look at fiberglass options.

Siding

I chose "James Hardie" fiber cement siding for the outside of my home. Not only James Hardie but "color plus" from James Hardie. A factory finished product, once installed means no exterior painting. Your house is finished on the outside. It saved me a ton of money over exterior painting (especially a 2-story home) The downside, many siding installers don't want to use it. Why? because they have to be careful not to damage the finish, it requires a slightly different installation method. It is less forgiving than primed product. It might not be the best fit for every project, but it was for mine. The product came with (at the time) a 15-year finish warranty. A finish warranty on the outside of your home? Unheard of in the paint world, and trust me, the finish warranty you get from most paint companies will only cover the material not the labor (make sure you check on this) I will certainly consider using color plus again. James Hardie has increased the number of options on colors and install methods. My opinion, worth every penny.

I would love some commentary on this topic if anyone has any. These are of course my personal opinions and choices. It would be nice to get other opinions if anyone would like to add to the conversation. Also, if anyone has any questions on any of the choices I made, don't hesitate to reach out.

Next.... Roofing