We have prepared the Wood Window Checklist to help you plan your project. The instructions below will help you work through the checklist to make sure you haven't missed anything.
This is the type of finish you want on the outside of your windows and doors. There are three choices for your exterior finish: Clad, Primed, and Clear.
Clad Cladding is aluminum that is applied to the outside of the unit. It protects the wood from impact, UV rays and the general environment. The major benefit of cladding is the lack of maintenance that it requires. Unlike standard painted exteriors, you don’t have to paint it every five years nor does it fade. Basically, you don’t have to touch it for decades.
Primed This is a heavy grafted primer that is applied at the factory which preps the unit for painting. The benefit from such a process is a more traditional look and unlimited color options.
Clear With this finish, the manufacturer leaves the exterior untreated except for standard preservative treating. This allows the unit to be either painted or stained. The main benefit of the clear exterior finish is the ability to stain the exterior. Stained exteriors are very rare and exquisite. While requiring a great deal of maintenance, they offer a very unique and organic feel.
Clear interiors can be either stained or painted, whereas primed interiors can only be painted.
You can choose the color for the handle, handle cover, and sash lock on your windows. We try to match the color you've chosen for the window interiors.
Here are our general recommendations on hardware colors:
Bronze Stained and dark color interiors
Sandstone White washed interiors and earth tone colors
White White painted windows or earth tone colors
Brass Personal preference
Brushed Chrome Personal preference
This is the color of the frame of the screen. While the screen itself is black, the frame that holds the mesh comes in the same range of colors that the hardware comes in. Also, if the screen is on the exterior it will match the cladding color.
This is the type of glass that you would like to have in your windows.
Single Glazed Single glazed windows have only one pane of glass per window and don’t really insulate your home. While single glazing is really a thing of the past, you may want to stay with the authentic style of the home.
Double Glazed (a/k/a Clear Insulated) This is your standard insulated unit which uses two panes of glass and is filled with argon gas.
Triple Glazed This unit has three panes of glass with two cavities that are filled with argon gas.
Spacer Bar A spacer bar is the actual piece of aluminum that is filled with desiccant and used to separate the panes of glass from each other. There are two color options: Aluminum and Bronze.
These are special variations on the various glazed units:
Heat-Smart 1 This glazing uses a double glazed unit and puts a soft coat (sprayed on layer) of Low E2 on the number two side of the glass. For more information see the Heat-Smart page.
Heat-Smart 2 & 3 These systems use the triple glazed units and put one or two soft coats of Low E2 on the inside of the glass.
Tranquility This system uses laminated glass to provide greater sound absorbency, strength and UV protection. Laminated glass is by taking two panes of glass and sandwiching a piece of plastic between them—just like the windshield on your car. It performs incredibly well, but does cost a bit more.
Obscured This is a simple texture that is on the glass, which prevents a clear view through the window.
This is material that goes around the parameter of the window and comes in contact with the siding of the house.
Brickmould This is a factory-applied piece which matches the exterior condition of your windows and doors and fastens the unit to the wall.
Stuccomould This is a cut on the backside of the brickmould so that the stucco can run behind it and adhere to the wall. What this does is prevents the stucco from cracking around the perimeter of the window due to the different rates at which the window and stucco expand and contract.
Nail Fin This is a 24 gauge galvanized flange which is used on clad, non-brickmoulded units to secure it to the wall.
Trimsets, Meran and Verona These are styles of the handles on the swing doors.
Hinge Color You can change the color of the hinges to match your interior finish or trimsets.
Hardware Finish We are able to plate the hardware with a bullet proof finish of your liking.
C-Handle This is the standard sliding door hardware with a thumb throw lock.
Multi-Point Hardware This is a really secure set of hardware that locks in three places. This feature creates not only added security, but prevents the door from warping with age and moisture. It also comes with a keyed lock so it can be unlocked from the exterior.