We got new windows!! After years of not being able to open many of our windows (and me complaining) we took the plunge and replaced all of the windows in our house! The kitchen bay window at our new sink was replaced when we remodeled 4 1/2 years ago, but every other window, including those in the garage, are now brand new! The back door near the bay window in the kitchen was also replaced. We have not replaced the glass doors to the porch for now.

We went with Pella Architectural Series 400 windows that are white on the inside, white screens, oil rubbed bronze hardware, and a putty color outside (same as what was put in the kitchen bay window other than those were brown screens). They are wood windows with aluminum cladding on the outside. We have all brand new screens and in some rooms new blinds, other rooms just bare windows for now. All of the wood trim was replaced but remains unpainted as of now. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to open the windows!!! And each of the rooms looks so nice, even though they aren’t yet painted. We plan to paint them white which of course brings up the issue of our oak stained trim and doors everywhere. At some point we’ll likely get everything painted white – perhaps over a period of time as that will be a huge project.

Here are some room by room before and after photos. From the outside it can be hard to tell, but the old windows are the paint color and the new ones are a tan-like putty. Sadly I guess I didn’t get a full view of the front of the house before, only after. In any case, you’ll notice Brutus modeling his statue-like behavior as I went from room to room taking before pictures :).

BEFORE

AFTER

I took Griffin and Reid to the zoo the first day of the window project. It was in the mid 50’s and sunny to overcast. Right as we were arriving home they were tossing his window frame out and we were able to snap a pic of it coming out. Pretty cool!

In the loft, they did a really great job taking out the wood trim and then putting the same trim back. You can really barely tell they did anything other than the window is now white!

We’re also making some improvements to our screened in porch. A couple of years ago when we got a new roof, we had two skylights put in the roof. The ceiling, however, was a flat ceiling so you couldn’t see the windows. Brett is opening up the ceiling, putting in a couple of beams, some lighting, electrical (including controllers for the skylights that will open), a new window on the north peak. As it turns out when either Pella or Lowe’s slightly screwed up the window order and the two side windows in our master bath bay window were the incorrect size. The ended up giving us those for free! We were going to use one of the windows that came out of the house but instead ending up using a brand new window in the north peak wall of the porch. We’re putting in windows in the porch as well, but they aren’t in yet. I’m really looking forward to having more of a three-season room that stays pollen free 🙂 These pictures are the beginnings, it’s still a work in progress.