By Mike Dunn and Keith Church, Dunn Lumber

Q: What should I consider before replacing the windows in my home?

A: The Great Northwest is one of the most beautiful places on earth and there is no better way to enjoy it 365 days a year than through a beautiful set of windows.

The question with windows is how to bring the outdoors in without losing the indoor energy to the outside. Thankfully, modern windows make this easier with high insulation factors to block the cold and low-E glass to block UV radiation on those rare but welcome days of Seattle heat.

With the energy issue largely solved, the options open onto a wide vista and the questions become more about aesthetics and budget.

My (Mike's) home was built around 1904 and featured large, single-hung windows with leaded panes in the top. The combination of the large single panes of glass and loose-fitting lead was an energy disaster. Thirty years ago, my only option budget-wise was to cover them with storm windows.

In the last few years, I've begun replacing them with period-matching retrofit windows. I love being able to open my windows again and they are more energy efficient than my old window/storm window combination. Much more beautiful, too!

One question really helps narrow your options: Do you want wood, vinyl, or composite on the interior of your windows?

It's important to know that wood windows do cost more than vinyl or fiberglass windows and are less thermally efficient. On the other hand, they offer the incomparable beauty of wood.

The companies that make vinyl windows usually offer different frame options, often with a good/better/best approach to pricing and quality. But remember, even the least expensive vinyl window is likely to be close in performance to their top-of-the-line option. The difference will be in how nice the window looks and how well it functions. Cheap windows generally work poorly and you usually get what you pay for.

Today's codes have pushed window manufacturers to produce very efficient productsand they all offer a few different glass options of the typical low-E products, with one or two typically being best for your climate.

Consider also the style of your home. Does your home have a traditional look? Are you trying to update an older home to have a more modern look? If your home was built with original wood double-hung windows with divided lights, you could replace them with something that looks virtually the same. They will be much more energy efficient and have a clad exterior for little or no maintenance, and a wood interior that helps the home keep its original charm. Or, you could choose to replace them with casement and awning windows that crank or push open; leave off the divided light and your home will look more modern.

The exterior color is very important, as well. White is the traditional color for most windows on older homes and newer homes built with vinyl windows. If you have a classic Tudor or rambler and you use a white window and trim, it will look correct and proper for its style, but if you use a color like ebony or bronze, you can create an exciting fresh look.

The combination of styles, colors, materials, and functionality makes window selection an exciting but understandably daunting task. As you prepare for this journey, look around at the homes you appreciate, take pictures, and ask your friends how they like their windows. In no time, you can build a portfolio of options that meet your aesthetic and budgetary considerations while taking into account the features you want to implement in your remodel.

 

---

Mike Dunn is president and CEO and Keith Church is a window sales manager for Dunn Lumber. The company is a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBA's more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By Brooks Powell, Powell Homes & Renovations

Q: In a sea of competition, how do we know which builder is right for us?

A: There are certain essentials you'll want to have in place before building your dream home: the right location, the best floor plan for your family's lifestyle, the best possible financing, and the best builder for the kind of home you want to build.

There are a lot of builders out there, so how do you go about finding the best one for your specific needs? To be honest, some of the criteria for evaluating builders can be backed up with hard data, while other factors are a bit subjective. Both are important. Let's look at a few of each.

Let's start with the ones that can be backed up with data. One of the key qualifications you'll want to insist on when selecting a builder is experience. It's not just the number of years that a builder has been around that matters; you’ll also want to know that the builder you’re working with has built homes of the same scope and quality that you’re planning.

One way you can do that is to check the references of prospective builders. But don’t settle for just a list of names on a piece of paper. Take it a step further and talk to some past clients to see what they have to say. Look at examples of the work. Make sure it demonstrates that this builder has the skills to perform what they're promising.

Make sure any builder you consider will stand behind their work. Most builders cover workmanship and materials on things such as siding and stucco, doors, trim, drywall, and paint for one year. The goal of a quality builder shouldn’t just be meeting the terms of the warranty—it should also be making clients happy.

There are, however, some very important subjective criteria you’ll want to consider. When you look at examples of what builders have done, take note of their sense of style. Different people like different styles. Find a builder whose style reflects the kind of home you want to live in.

Look for a homebuilder who listens to what you want. It’s your home. You need to find a builder who is willing to pay attention to the things that are important to you and not just build to the plan they have drawn up because it’s easier for them.

Listening isn’t enough. You’ll also want to find a builder that is creative enough to come up with a plan that helps you fulfill your vision for the home you want—without blowing your budget.

Finally, you’ll want to deal with a builder you’re comfortable with. That doesn’t mean you have to be best friends and send each other Christmas cards. You should, however, be comfortable having this builder in your home. This can be very subjective, but if it doesn’t feel right, walk away.

In short, use both the objective and subjective cues you pick up from builder interviews to make sure that you select the best homebuilder for you.

 

---

Brooks Powell is the general manager of Powell Homes & Renovations and a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the MBA’s weekly column in the Seattle Times. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of the MBA’s more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

By Kevin Kok, B/S/H Home Appliances

Q: We haven't upgraded our kitchen in more than a decade. What cool new appliances are we missing out on, and how do we choose from all the options available nowadays?

A: Making the right appliance selections in the kitchen will make or break your space. Modern kitchen appliances exist to make our lives easier, but how do you make the right choice?

Your kitchen layout may already work for you, but it's easy to increase the functionality and appearance with quick and easy upgrades. Many modern appliances are designed to replace older appliances with little to no modification of cabinetry or countertops.

Some built-in appliances require extra measurements, but a professional installer can make adjustments for you. Built-in appliances will give you a more tailored look and feel.

Your tired kitchen appliances can be exchanged with a quality suite (slide-in convection range, dishwasher, microwave hood, and refrigerator) from premium companies like Bosch for under $5,000.

Many new homes and remodels feature luxury brands such as Thermador; these culinary enthusiast spaces can easily reach the $30,000 range for appliances alone. Builders are investing in products and brands that consumers know and trust, which leads to a shorter time on the market. Will your home compete with these new offerings if it is going on the market?

For any timeline or budget, here are key considerations for selecting appliances:

Surface cooking

Consider the new options on the market. Induction cooktops are the fastest-growing segment of today's market for good reason: Induction provides more power, control, and safety than gas, along with the best cleanability and features like adjustable shape burners and countdown timers.

Gas cooktops have come a long way in recent years, with higher outputs and ultra-low simmer technology like Thermador's ExtraLow. Today's electric cooktops are more powerful and durable, making them an excellent economical choice.

Refrigeration

Greater cubic footage does not always equate to better storage. In our home, we upgraded to an integrated refrigerator. The interior layout provides better management of items we regularly use in less space and makes our average-sized kitchen feel bigger with features like gallon-sized door storage. Our new refrigerator has a separate refrigeration system for the freezer, which keeps dry air out of the fridge and increases the quality and time of fresh food storage.

Choosing an Energy Star model decreased our energy bill, too.

Oven cooking

Oven features have advanced significantly. Temperature probes control the time and temperature for you and advanced cooking modes remove the learning curve with methods like sous-vide. Be aware—there are still some models without a self-cleaning feature. Convection is still common, but be sure you're getting true convection with an additional element around the circulation fan.

It's not all about cooking features, either: Upgrades such as side-hinged doors are an example of great ergonomic advancement.

Is a non-conventional oven what you need?

Steam ovens aren't just for fish or vegetables—many steam ovens also combine true convection heating and often become the oven of choice inside the home. Think about it: You can bake flaky biscuits and steam perfect salmon all in the same oven.

Speed ovens use convection and microwave technology together for faster, more thorough cooking results. Speed ovens can also add space by combining two separate products in one space.

Dishwasher

Everyone wants a quiet dishwasher and decibel ratings are a good start. Keep in mind, however, that manufacturers don't always test the same, so don't let that number be the only factor.

Flexibility of the interior is key—many modern dishwashers feature a third rack that can greatly increase what you can wash. Options like fold-down sections and racks that adjust up and down can help you do more with less. And leak-protection systems on some models provide an added measure of protection for your home.

Ventilation

Possibly the most undervalued appliance in your kitchen is the hood. Most people I consult don't use their hood because it's noisy and non-effective. Cooking gives off heat, grease, steam, and other contaminants that can settle anywhere you smell your food. While there are many different designs, a good capture area and the right sized blower will determine effectiveness.

Installation is also crucial—no hood will provide good results if you're pushing the air out through wrong-size or too-complex venting. Keep your home healthy and clean; invest in a good hood.

 

---

Kevin Kok is builder sales manager at B/S/H Home Appliances, a member of the of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBA's more than 2,800 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.