The 6 Things to Know and Consider When Tackling Your Home’s Replacement Windows

Stylist, designer and blogger Emily Henderson reveals her expert tips.

For most of my career as a stylist and designer, I never touched windows outside of covering them up with draperies. I didn’t have to as I wasn’t doing any major renovations. That is until I worked on a project last year in the Pacific Northwest—a high-end investment property I partnered with my brother on in Portland. We put in a top-floor addition, so the existing windows needed to be replaced to match the new windows. Oh man, did I learn a lot about windows during this project. Luckily, I was also working on the overhaul of the mountain house my husband and I bought for our family and there were a few things I learned from the investment property that made a huge difference when I started replacing windows there.

While I’ll dive into all the things you should consider yourself when replacing your windows next, first I want to share something I learned: windows are the eyelashes of the home’s exterior facade. Stay with me here … a home “face” with run-of-the-mill windows is perfectly passable, but once you put those luscious lash extensions on, all of a sudden you’ve got yourself a confident beaut. Of course, the similarities between windows and lashes stops there as replacement windows are a far more stressful decision to make, but I promise it doesn’t have to be. Here are six considerations I’ve learned along the way to help guide you on your replacement window journey:

1. Consider your environment.

First and foremost, always remember that all locations have different environmental needs. My LA house has different window needs than my house up in the mountain where it snows. Things to consider are moisture levels, altitude, temperatures (desert vs. coastal vs. harsh winters). One window does not fit all. Be sure to talk to a Marvin expert to help you determine what you need for your specific environment so your windows perform for years to come.

2. Think outside the (existing) box.

One of the most common oversights I see in renovations is people replacing their windows … for the same window. Yes, sometimes windows need to be swapped out for functionality or energy efficiency, but take a minute and consider what else you might be able to do. Is there something unique or special you can do instead that might work better for your design/how you use your house? For instance, in the mountain house kitchen, we moved the stove to the window wall and decided to put in a slider instead of a picture window to give us the option of opening that up should we need to. We also made the whole thing bigger to let in more light (always do this if you can because no one in the history of home design has ever said, “ugh, this house gets too much sunlight”).

Another thing I’ll add here is to get creative in trickier spaces. We took an existing attic play space that originally had no natural light and thought through how to add in a window because this lady loves her natural light. The roofline is very challenging, so we ended up taking a regular square window and rotating it into a diamond shape which worked great with the slope of the roof but also now feels like a magical moment in the kids’ space.

3. Consider how the light would move through your house during the day.

Of course you can’t always help this, but if you’re a night owl or someone who struggles with sleep, putting a window in your bedroom on the eastern wall … not the best idea if you don’t want light blasting through at 6 a.m. (when you don’t want to wake up until 8). This is also a pretty big deal in a kid’s room. Unless you want your littles jumping out of bed right at sunrise, carefully consider that window placement. The same goes for say, a dining room. The light can get pretty intense at 5 or 6 p.m. depending on the time of year for western-facing windows, and if that’s a time you sit down for dinner with your family, maybe don’t put a window where it might end up blinding you and your children.

4. Keep your home’s style in mind.

When you’re in the middle of a renovation, style paralysis can set in QUICK once you’re faced with 10,000 decisions. It’s very real and can feel like the human spirit can barely withstand such a process. But don’t feel intimidated. I know it can feel overwhelming but breaking it down will make everything feel more manageable. For example, start by just identifying your home’s architectural style and taking a bit of a deep dive on Pinterest or Google to see other houses in that same aesthetic. What kind of windows do they all seem to share? Gridded? Picture? Double hung? Bay? Also take note of the color of the window frame and what you’re drawn to/feels natural to the architecture.

In the master bathroom of my mountain house (which used to be a narrow, windowless room that we turned into the kids room—don’t worry, we added windows), there was a moment to add in a bay for the soaking tub my heart deeply desired. Being that the house is mid-century (built in the 1960s), we felt a grid-less bay of casement windows would best suit this newly added feature (I wanted an unobstructed view of the backyard but also the ability to open the windows if I needed to which is why casement windows are so great). Adding something with a 3×3 or 4×4 grid would have deceived the home’s style.

5. Plan ahead (so you don’t fall behind).

One of my biggest lessons I learned during the project I did in Portland is to ORDER YOUR WINDOWS FIRST. Windows can have a long lead time, so do not put off ordering them, especially if you want to keep a renovation project on track. I’m writing all about the order in which to think about things during a renovation in my next book, but for the sake of this post, it’s important to know that you’ll want those windows in before you close up your walls. It makes everything easier, and helps ensure your window frames turn out clean, correct and perfect.

6. Think of windows as an “investment” rather than “expensive.”

“Windows are so affordable,” said literally not a single person ever. I know. They are an investment, but replacing old windows will likely reduce high energy bills in both cold and hot climates, reduce mold in wetter climates, and generally have a positive impact on the way your home functions. It is also important to remember that windows are actually a structural component of your house, and an important piece to ensuring it stays sound for years to come. Windows are expensive, yes, but an investment that will help pay for itself in the long run? Also yes.

Photography: sara ligorria-tramp for ehd

How Your Windows & Doors Help You Save Money On Energy Bills

How Your Windows & Doors Help You Save Money On Energy Bills

While you may think that your thermostat regulates the temperature in your home, there’s a lot of parts that work together to keep you comfortable. If you’re looking to save money on your energy bills, there are plenty of open doors for you to do so.

From upgrading to the latest energy efficient models to installing weather-stripping where it’s needed on your window and doors, you can save money and energy with an upgrade. See how your windows and doors can help you save money on your energy bills.

An upgrade to an energy-efficient window or door can sometimes require the help of a pro. Contact Quality Window and Door today for quotes from pros in your area.

The Importance Of Windows & Doors

You may not realize it, but your windows and doors are hard at work to not only let natural light in but keep your home comfortable. When used properly, they can help you save money on your energy bills. However, old windows and doors can result in wasted money and energy.

To see how important your windows and doors are, you might want to get a home energy audit. This can help you discover what issues you might have in your home that’s letting energy, like hot and cool air, go to waste.

Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your windows and doors are aiding in energy efficacy.

Energy Star Windows & Doors

One of the best things you can do to reduce utility bills is to install new windows and doors, replacing older ones with those that are energy-star certified. This certification means that the windows and doors have passed requirements that make it guaranteed energy efficient. You can have peace-of-mind that your new windows and doors will be taking a big step toward conserving energy.

Energy-star certified products are sold by various manufacturers, so It’s best to consult a pro who can help guide you towards the best fit for your home. The next step is to install them properly.

Weather Stripping

How often do you think of your weather stripping? I would guess likely not that often, but when you feel a draft coming in from a window or door, you’ll definitely be considering how you can repair it. Weather-stripping windows and doors must be redone if there’s any air escaping the home around the entryways. The good news is, that it’s not a very expensive project to take on. If you like to DIY, you may even be able to do some parts of task yourself.

Insulate Windows

Generally, insulation is associated with the fluffy or foam-like material that goes into your walls. So why would you ever consider insulating your windows? Insulation comes in many forms! There are various materials you can use to insulate your windows and let light in. By wrapping your windows, you can add another layer between you and the outdoors. It’s best to do this during winter. Some local hardware stores sell kits where you can easily add a layer of plastic-like material around your window, keeping all visibility. If you don’t care about the view as much, you can hang bubble wrap inside your window frames. This is a great way to keep heat in and provide yourself with additional privacy.

Window Treatments

Window treatments are another way to add another layer between you and the outdoor air. An investment in some energy-saving, thick blackout curtains is one of the best decisions you can make. Not only does it allow for better rest at night, but it helps to keep the temperature in the room steady. On the higher end, blackout curtains can cost upward of $75. This includes noise-reduction features as well. On the low end, you could spend around $25 for a smaller pair. Choose the window treatments that are right for your needs and budget.

Storm Doors

Unlike windows, you don’t want to put a curtain between you and your door. But for an added barrier, storm doors are a practical solution to reducing energy usage in your home. They can help to block outside air from coming in as you enter, and vice versa. Storm doors vary in price. The costs can become more expensive depending on the material and features of the door.

Conclusion

If you’re wondering how you can cut back on energy usage, try using the above tips. Just trying a few simple updates to your windows and doors can help to cut down on utility bills. Contact Quality Window & Door today for an estimate and get saving.

The Replacement Process. 5 Easy Steps

STEP 1:

EVALUATE

Is it really time for replacement? Some signs, such as condensation or cosmetic damage, might not need replacement at all and are actually perfectly normal. Others, like water stains and wood rot, need immediate replacement.

Knowing the signs that require prompt attention versus those that can be easily fixed can help you evaluate whether and how soon a replacement is needed.

Need help deciding? Download our evaluation one-pager

STEP 2:

SELECT

We can help you navigate the process of selecting your replacement windows and doors. We’ll get started with a high-level look at basic choices like window/door styles and materials (wood, extruded aluminum or Ultrex fiberglass), and then we’ll guide you through design options – like wood stains, colors, hardware finishes, shades, and screens.

Our Replacement Workbook details Marvin and Integrity replacement products and options. Use the Workbook paired with our Replacement Guide to make the best choices for your replacement project. Download your copies below.

Decisions, Decisions! Take a look at some of the choices you’ll make

STEP 3:

ORDER

You don’t have to go through the replacement process alone. Marvin has a variety of replacement specialists available to create your perfect replacement process, each of them are there to provide guidance, answer questions, prepare your quote, measure for your new windows and doors, and place your order. They will also help you get the installation process underway.

Local independent Marvin dealers provide a showroom to view replacement windows and doors in person. Your dealer may be a Marvin Authorized Installing Retailer (they handle all aspects of the replacement process), while others work with contractors for measuring, order, and installation. Our experts are always happy to partner with your contractor or to recommend a contractor if you don’t already have one.

Find My Nearest Dealer

Marvin authorized replacement contractors are available in some areas. These experts work with you through your entire replacement process from window selection all the way through installation. They will also work with a Marvin dealer on your behalf.

Authorized Replacement Contractors

Infinity from Marvin offers a line of high-quality fiberglass windows and doors designed exclusively for replacement. Infinity retailers offer a one-stop shopping experience, providing knowledgeable expertise from initial consultation all the way through full-service delivery and installation.

Learn More About Infinity

STEP 4:

INSTALLATION

Depending on the size of your replacement project, there could be a lot to do before and on installation day. Ensuring that all decorative treatments are removed, turning off alarms, and confirming the date and time of the installation are just a few ways you can avoid extra hassle and ensure your replacement runs as smoothly as possible.

STEP 5:

ENJOY

With your installation complete, it’s time to step back and enjoy the benefits of your replacement project. New windows and doors can save you as much as 15% on your energy bills** while reducing wear and tear on heating and cooling systems. New windows and doors could also lead to new possibilities—the remodel you’ve been waiting for, or more light in your favorite room. And our trusted warranty helps ensure you can enjoy your new windows and doors for years to come.

Download our warranty summary
Review warranty details online

Windows & Doors Make A First Impression

Windows and doors are the first impression of your home. They can enhance both the exterior and interior of your home drastically. However, old windows and doors can be an eyesore and might be costing you money. If it’s time for an upgrade, make 2019 the year to replace your older windows, doors, or hardware.

Your windows and doors are important functional and decorative parts of the home. When looking for the best fit for your house, don’t get overwhelmed by the options. Here are some of the top trends that 2019 has in store for windows and doors.

Windows

The windows in your home can impact many areas. A new window installation can give your home a much-needed facelift by improving your home’s décor, curb appeal and efficiency. If this is an update you’re going to be doing this year, start with your budget. The average cost to install windows is $4,516, with most homeowner spending between $3,207 and $5,252. This is the cost to add or install 5-10 windows, but the cost will change depending on not only the number of windows but also what style you choose.

Energy Efficiency

This year especially, homeowners are focusing on sustainability and how choices made inside the home will impact the environment. Most homeowners will opt to install new windows because they’re not doing the basic function of keeping the cold air out in the winter and the hot air in the summer. If you have leaky or inefficient windows, you could be paying a higher utility bill than homeowners with new Energy Star certified windows.

Modern Fixed Windows

Big windows with even bigger views are the window goals for homeowners. This year expect to see more floor to ceiling windows with modern minimal frames. An inoperable fixed window will give homeowners uninterrupted views. This year’s trend is to stay away from patterns or grids on the glass. The upside to having a fixed window is that you get more glass and won’t have a need for a screen, the downside is that you won’t have a functional window to open if you’re looking to get a cross breeze or fresh air into your home. This style of windows works best in main living spaces on your ground floor. We suggest keeping any upstairs windows more functional.

Black Framed Windows

Cookie cutter white framed windows are on the decline now that matte blackis having a huge moment in 2019. Black framed windows will turn your new windows into a statement piece and work well with both traditional and modern homes. While white framed windows will always be in style and look timeless, houses with black window frames look up-to-date and fresh.

Doors

Your home’s front door is the first impression of your home. Updating your door doesn’t mean getting a totally new one. These trends will help you update your current door or persuade you to replace your outdated one.

Smart Door Lock

Have you ever left your home and couldn’t remember if you locked the door? What about that time you couldn’t reach your keys to unlock the door because your hands were full? Smart door locks work with your phone through Bluetooth and downloadable smartphone applications to help you out if you find yourself in those situations in the future. For more peace of mind, you can also install a ring video doorbell. You can see a live video of your door and sends you instant mobile alerts when someone presses your doorbell. You can even speak to them, through your phone, if you’re not home.

Upscale Hardware

Not all doors need and should be replaced. Sometimes, just a change of the hardware is a small change that will make an impact on your curb appeal. Metallic details, like a new door knocker or knob, mixed with different finishes like natural wood are an up to date take on this trend.

Blue Door

With more homeowners looking to make significant curb appeal updates, you’ll notice that front doors are getting colorful facelifts. While red has been a trendy choice in the past, 2019 is the year of the blue door. All shades of blue, from robin’s egg to midnight, will be big this year. If blue isn’t your color, you can’t go wrong with another different bold color. Updating your door’s hue is a great way to dress up an older door without a complete replacement.

Conclusion

Your windows and doors are an important feature in the home. While it may not call for a complete replacement, you might want to consider updating your windows to save on your utility bill or automate your doors, so you’ll never question if you locked the door when you left the house.

Choosing the Right Windows for Your Home Style

From the historical to the here-and-now, any style of home is enhanced by just the right windows. Whether you’re building from the ground up or replacing old windows in an existing home, this guide will help you select the style that looks most authentic — and most attractive — for your architecture. At Quality Window and door we help you choose the right products for your style. Call us today or visit us in our one of a kind showroom. We look forward to seeing you at the Big Red Barn.

This post is re-posted from the popular HGTV Website.

Coastal Style This New England coastal home by Patrick Ahearn Architect LLC honors architectural history while maximizing water views with these expansive windows made up of many small “lights” (individual window segments). From the outside, the home communicates historically accurate New England coastal architecture.

 

Santa Barbara Style Influenced by Spanish and Moorish architecture, this popular California style includes lots of arches and curved windows. Turquoise windows — though unconventional — were exactly the right choice for this Santa Barbara-style house by Mark Molthan. Steel frame windows balance out the bright color with their neutral tones and give a slightly contemporary feel to the home.

 

Tudor Style Architect Jeff Murphy chose casement windows for this home — the historically accurate selection for the Tudor style of architecture, which first enjoyed popularity from 1485 to 1625. “In medieval times,” Murphy explains, “there was no glass in the openings — until later in the period, where glass was placed into the simple square (or often times diagonal) openings.”

 

Modern Style For a writer’s studio in a modern home, architect John Bertram envisioned a seamless, unobstructed connection between the view and the writing desk, and the goal was to eliminate any evidence of windows at all — including the frames themselves. The window’s unique style allows the homeowners to open the kitchen to the outside bar to create the look of an entirely open kitchen.

 

Contemporary Style FINNE Architects chose windows and oversized sliding glass doors of black anodized aluminum for this contemporary home. “I like to call the main living space ‘a large front porch,’ because the windows and large sliding glass doors create a feeling of being outdoors,” says Nils Finne. The interior window trim is Douglas fir, which gives warmth to the living space.

 

Craftsman Style Craftsman bungalow-style homes developed from the British Arts & Crafts movement, featuring double-hung or casement windows like the Andersen Windows A-Series Frenchwood Gliding Patio Doors here. In Craftsman-style homes, the exterior trim traditionally contrasts with the window frame color, and the windows include grille patterns that create vertical proportions.

 

Farmhouse Style Influenced by Colonial and Victorian architecture, the uniquely American Farmhouse home style looks just right with tall, narrow, double-hung windows, bay windows and window groupings, and 2-over-2 grille patterns. Black exterior window frames add striking contrast for curb appeal… … while white interior window frames visually expand the space by blending into the wall color.

 

Georgian Style A variation on Colonial architecture, Georgian homes feature tall, double-hung windows, simple window combinations, and multiple divided lights with rectangular grilles. Fun fact: The reason Colonial architecture tends to feature windows with many small “lights” (individual panes) is that the British imposed high import taxes on large pieces of glass sent into the Colonies.

 

Shingle Style Andersen’s A-Series Transom Windows with Forest Green Exteriors and Specified Equal Light Grille Pattern add color and light to this Shingle-style home — a uniquely American look that traces its beginnings to the late 19th century.Shingle-style interiors borrowed heavily from the Arts & Crafts style, as seen in these windows’ height-to-width proportion of 2-to-1.

 

Rustic Style In a rustic setting with a fabulous view, the guideline for windows is often, “The bigger, the better.” These custom windows from Marvin take maximum advantage of the view — and echo the look of the surrounding trees with their rustic wood trim.

 

Transitional Style Perched happily at the intersection of modern and traditional styles, the transitional home often has tall window openings that are best filled with casement windows, like these from Marvin. Low-placed crank handles make it easy to open and close the windows, despite their soaring height. Marvin’s Ultimate Casements have a wash mode that allow homeowners to turn the exterior of the window towards the interior to wash from inside.

New Dark Interior Window & Door Finishes Provide the Perfect Accent for HGTV Renovations

Master renovators and stars of HGTV’s Property Brothers: Buying and Selling embrace a high-contrast white and black color palette for their signature home transformations.

Jonathan and Drew Scott, better known as The Property Brothers, have a penchant for creating dramatic transformations with simple color palettes that walk the line between trendy and timeless. In a few of their most recent renovations, from modern farmhouse to transitional style, black and white in equal measure prove to be the perfect partners to create crisp lines and bold accent.

When durability is a must and projects move quickly, the brothers have turned to Integrity Wood-Ultrex windows and doors for a bold aesthetic, lasting durability and a reliable delivery timeline. For several of their most recent projects, Drew and Jonathon were among the first to gain access to the new black painted interior finish and sleek matte black hardware, now available on all Integrity Wood-Ultrex windows, swinging doors and the sliding French patio door.

With a factory finish, projects can move to completion quicker by eliminating the need to paint on-site. Window and door parts are finished with a prime and paint system before they’re assembled, ensuring complete coverage and a finished seal. Our labor and time-saving factory painted black interior finish is now available across all of our product lines including Marvin aluminum clad and wood products as well.

As bold black with matte hardware and accents continue to trend from appliances to technology to automotive, we take a look at some of Drew and Jonathon’s recent interpretations of this lasting trend.

 

Sometimes, it is all black and white

This bold transformation proves that you don’t need a colorful palette to achieve a striking look. The addition of some much needed contrast to a previously all-white kitchen creates instant dimension. This kitchen uses fresh white and pops of black in the Wood-Ultrex windows, pendant lighting and cabinet hardware. Other than a few organic accents in the form of a fiddle leaf fig plant or the beginnings of a healthy dinner, the palette is intentionally muted to let the black accents make their mark.

A farmhouse goes bright with black

Although we’re the first to say we love natural wood in a space (our Wood-Ultrex line is now also available with a clear coat finish that lets the beauty of the wood shine through), the “before” on this farmhouse was a little overwhelming and doesn’t pay off the energizing effects of sunlight in the space. With a fresh coat of white paint, the log walls become a calming backdrop for a unique twist on a black window – a mixed finish with white trim and a black sash and frame for a sleek, modern effect.

Let there be light, and dark

For an entryway that was once closed off and drab, bringing in more light and a view to the outdoors through a dark frame was just the answer. An ntegrity Wood-Ultrex Swinging French Door with our factory-applied dark finish opens this space up, and pairs perfectly with the contrast of the black and white tiled floor. The custom grille pattern that tops the door adds visual interest while allowing maximum light flow that can make a small space appear bigger.

Back in black for a contemporary overhaul

The light and views in this home might not have needed any transforming, but by replacing a more traditional stained wood look with sleek black interior finish and reconfiguring the window grilles to add style and interest with a clear view, the look was elevated to match the Property Brothers’ vision for a more contemporary home. Heavy wood blinds are swapped for bright white curtains, warmer beige walls are painted a crisp white and matte black curtain rods are used to reinforce black as a design element in the space.

As the ultimate basics, black and white might not be new additions to a designer’s color palette, but the rising popularity of dark interior window finishes and rooms like these that make black and white their defining features show that top designers and remodelers can agree in the power of clean lines and bold contrast.

5 Ways to Save on Window Replacement

How to maximize your investment in window replacement by spending smartly and avoiding unnecessary bells and whistles.

You’ll make many decisions during your window replacement process, from whether it’s really time to replace your windows to what material to choose, to whether to do all of your windows at once or approach it in phases. Replacing windows and doors is an investment, and just like any investment, it’s worth considering how you can spend only what you need and plan for maximizing your return on what you’re putting in.

Consider these 5 tips for spending wisely on your replacement project.

Know when to repair vs. replace your windows.
Knowing whether your window issues are repairable or if they warrant replacement can be a tough call. Some wear and tear is normal and usually won’t affect the performance of your windows, but other signs indicate that window replacement might be on the horizon. Consider whether you can free up painted-shut upper sash and replace broken panes, sash cords or hardware instead of replacing the entire window. If your windows are drafty, adding weatherstripping might be a short-term fix. Learn how to rate the severity of your window issues before you rush down the replacement path.

Understand that energy efficiency is not one size fits all.
It’s hard to talk about window replacement without hearing about energy efficiency. What many homeowners don’t realize is that energy efficiency requirements for windows and doors depend on your region and your home’s existing efficiency. A home in a Northern region that needs to keep as much heat as possible inside their home in the winter months will require different glazing and coating options than a home in the South that needs to keep the warmth out year ’round.

And while a window with all of the energy efficiency bells and whistles might sound like the best investment, it’s important to realize that if your walls aren’t properly insulated, for example, energy-efficient windows with insulating gas or triple pane glass won’t make much of a difference. Triple pane glass, sometimes heralded as the ultimate in energy efficiency, isn’t always better. Conducting a home energy audit can help you decide if an investment in extra energy efficient window measures will be worth it over time.

Choose your replacement window material wisely.
Not all materials are created equal. Have detailed conversations with your window contractor or dealer and ask them to help you weigh the long-term benefits of various materials by considering their look, maintenance needs and longevity. An all-wood window requires the most maintenance, but may be worth it if you’re in a historical area or if original character is important. Vinyl windows might advertise “hands-off” maintenance, but may not come in the colors you want, and could degrade faster when exposed to harsh weather. Clad wood or fiberglass could offer a sweet spot in terms of low maintenance, design choice and long-term durability that will protect your investment.

Keep resale in mind.
According to the National Association of Realtors, replacing your windows could offer a 73% return on investment when it comes time to sell your home. To maximize this return, use the value of your home as a benchmark for making decisions. An inexpensive material might seem like a good money-saving measure, but it could hurt you in the long run. The same goes for shelling out the big bucks for the most expensive option out there. To get the highest return on your replacement window investment, avoid choosing windows and doors in a material that’s inferior to the rest of the finishes in the home (or considerably more high-end). Instead, aim to match and maintain the home’s original character and style to create a cohesive look for future buyers.

Remember that it’s not all or nothing.
Every house is different in terms of how many windows and doors a replacement job would entail, and sometimes not all windows are in the same condition. Consider whether you might replace a few windows at a time to keep your initial investment lower, or ask a window contractor to assess your existing windows and provide priorities based on their condition. Familiarize yourself with the difference between insert and full frame replacement to understand whether you can save money by salvaging existing frames and trim. Talk to you contractor about manufacturers that offer narrow frame windows that will fit into these existing openings.

A House Designed for Wellness

A House Designed for Wellness

The House Beautiful Whole Home project challenges the definition of home, taking it from a place to hang your hat to a sanctuary of self-care.

Could a house really help you live longer? That is the idea behind the Whole Home project from House Beautiful, a home in Atlanta built from the ground up and meticulously designed to inspire healthy living, a happy outlook and a respite from the chaos of life today.

With guidance from a dedicated team of professionals – including a builder, architect and multiple designers – this home was built expressly around people’s needs. Physical, mental and social wellbeing take a front seat and are realized in creative ways, from a kitchen engineered to inspire healthy eating and a no-excuses fitness space to a homey living room to inspire more family gatherings and opportunities to take in nature and views from every room.

Though we’d love to spend time in just about any room in this unique home, there are a few spaces that stand out as particularly happiness-inducing.

Light-Filled Living Room

Designed for family gatherings and quiet conversations, this living room is flanked by opportunities to take in the view and connect with nature. The lines between indoor and outdoor are luxuriously blurry thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and an expansive Marvin Bi-Fold door.

A New Way of Working

Forget a dark basement home office or an impromptu space carved out of a kitchen or dining room. The Whole Home’s office lets light fuel productivity with a unique configuration of Marvin Direct Glaze windows that spans from floor all the way up to the tall, airy ceilings. Though a beautiful summer day might beckon during business hours, we can’t imagine a more beautiful place for the daily grind.

An Indoor/Outdoor Fitness Experience

Sometimes motivation for wellness is all about easy access. This home gym brings ample natural light and bright, energizing colors for an in-home workout that’s anything but boring. With double hung Marvin windows that look more like doors, it would be easy to imagine cycling through the French countryside from the comforts of your own home.

Getting Ready but Staying Relaxed

Getting out of bed in the morning might be a little easier with a relaxing routine to start the day. We can imagine soaking in this tub and taking in the fall foliage through the Marvin Double Hung windows, or perfecting makeup in the extra flattering sunlight in this bedroom space.

For a full tour of this home turned everyday sanctuary, visit HouseBeautiful.com.

Design with the power of light

How harnessing light can lead to happier and healthier homes

Today, people are looking for ways to live healthier and happier, and they expect their homes to be part of that quest. We often look to designers and architects to help create positive home environments, and these experts are increasingly considering light as an important tool to boost happiness.

Research indicates that increased exposure to light makes people more productive and improves their sense of well-being, therefore improving overall wellness. [1] It’s no surprise, then, that homeowners and architects alike are exploring ways to bring more natural light into homes.

Biophilic design: a return to evolutionary psychology
To understand the impact of light in a home, it helps to explore the concept of biophilic design. Biophilic design incorporates evolutionary psychology in the design of spaces. We’ve always sought certain elements to feel safe, secure, and in the most optimal emotional state; ingrained in us from the earliest days of days of living on terrain like meadows and the savanna. [2]

Gazing outside inspires a direct connection to the healthy, natural state that people experienced when they spent most of their time outdoors. “The feeling of being in nature stays with you, even while inside looking at trees, a garden, or patio,” said Manny Gonzalez, FAIA, LEED AP, principal and board of directors at KTGY, a Los Angeles-based architecture firm.

“Your mind may not realize it, but your body wants that feeling of getting back to nature.”

Manny Gonzalez, FAIA, LEED AP

Exposure to light makes us feel better
The concept of biophilia comes to life when we consider the body’s response to daylight. Daylight affects the health of our circadian rhythms, also known as our internal sleep/wake cycle. (3) These rhythms are primarily regulated by light and darkness in an environment and are recognized by a third type of receptor in our eyes. [4]

The same idea is at work in our homes. The more exposure to the outdoors and light, the better we feel. “All of these things tie into healthy living, the ability to get the sleep that you need, the wellness everyone is trying to get,” said Gonzalez.

Sunshine suits”
Conversely, research has shown that a lack of exposure to light can actually make us sick, and some countries have already begun addressing their citizens’ right to light. In Japan, skyscrapers and intense urban density led to the concept of “nissho-ken,” which translates to “a right to sunlight.” After a string of “sunshine suits,” more than 300 Japanese cities adopted “sunshine hour codes,” specifying penalties that developers must pay for casting shadows.

The Japanese were early to realize the impact of sunlight on health and happiness, crucial when you consider that we spend up to 97% of our time indoors.[5] All the more reason to bring light into the home, since we may not get outside much to experience it.

Light considerations in design
What exactly does it mean to design around natural light? “Being able to control the lighting, whether it’s the natural light that you have, the UV rays that you get through a window, visibility, and window coverings—all those things start tying together when you’re creating the proper environment,” said Gonzalez.

Window styles, configurations, and glazing can all work together to create a functional, healthy, and inspiring light-filled home. Architects also take siting into account—understanding the land and placing windows for maximum natural light. Choosing a design style that prioritizes large expanses of glass and unobstructed views, like in Marvin’s new Modern product line can also offer the opportunity to design with light as a focal point.

Modern homes tend to have more windows and narrower frames, increasing the capacity for light to pass through and offering better views. When Marvin created its new Modern product line, it offered homeowners an opportunity to embrace the principles of modern design, a concept that is closely intertwined with exposure to light.

“Our goal was to create a designed experience that offers minimal sightlines and large expanses of glass, providing seamless, clutter-free visuals that make engaging with the outside world easy. This enables homeowners to achieve what they seek in their home—connection, restoration, and freeness.”

Christine Marvin, Director of Corporate Strategy + Design

Explore the Modern Product Line

Emotional and physical benefits
When a home’s design embraces and enhances the benefits of natural sunlight through deliberate choices that strengthen our connection to the outdoors, those much-desired feelings of well-being are a natural result.

“If you do a good job as an architect, the resident won’t even know that they’re experiencing biophilic design,” said Gonzalez. “They don’t even think about it—it just feels good.”

[1] NeoCon June 2018 seminar: “Applying Wellness Principles to Residential Construction”
[2]  “The Economics of Biophilia,” Bill Browning, Terrapin Bright Green
[3] “Your Body’s Internal Clock And How It Affects Your Overall Health,” The Atlantic, March 2012
[4]  National Institute of General Medical Sciences: Circadian Rhythms
[5] NeoCon June 2018 seminar: “Applying Wellness Principles to Residential Construction”

Dark & Moody, the New Light & Airy?

According to Sherwin Williams’ Director of Color Marketing, black is the new white, and it’s more complex than you might think.

Flip through a design magazine or browse Pinterest and it quickly becomes clear that after years of white walls, saturated, deep hues are back, making their mark on everything from fixtures to furniture. Leading the pack is bold, statement-making black.

Why now? The rise of black and other dark, moody colors could be a reaction to the neutrals and whites of the Scandinavian minimalism that dominated the first half of the 2010s.

It’s a pendulum swing. We were all so in love with stripping back and getting to the essence of things. Now rich color is absolutely everywhere. People are hungry for it.”

Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams

Not just the absence of color.

It might seem like a simple color, but black actually encompasses a broad spectrum of undertones. Wadden points to an iconic color in the Southeast called Charleston black, a historic black with green undertones often seen on lampposts and doors. Yet blacks that contain purple undertones can look glossy like an oil slick. And if you add yellow to a rich warm black, the resulting effect is bronze-hued.

Designer Tip: Consider whether your home includes warmer or cooler hues so you can choose a black shade that complements the colors you’re already using.

Not as scary as it seems.

Though the black and darker color trend might be intimidating to those who love neutrals or lighter colors, Wadden assures it can work for everyone.

Designer Tip: Start small by painting the inside of bookshelves or a curio cabinet. Or try a bathroom, library, accent wall, or what Wadden calls a “peekaboo room”—a room that is visible from another room where you spend more time. Consider how much light the room gets. “It’s important to make sure there’s at least one window in the space or plenty of lamps and other lighting to offset the need for daylight,” said Wadden. “Make sure there’s enough lighting to create brightness in a space because you don’t want to get eye fatigue.”

A crisp look on interior windows.

If painting a room sounds like too big of a commitment, black windows or doors offer subtler hints of dark color without overwhelming a space. Instead of blending into the walls, black windows become almost like a picture frame, framing the view outdoors.

Designer Tip: Don’t feel limited by your design style, because many home styles can incorporate black interior windows. A lake house with driftwood colors, neutrals, and pops of black on windows and doors conveys a coastal vibe. A casual California modern style could include black windows, black trim, light walls, and light furnishings. A downtown masculine loft with an industrial look might use reclaimed wood, exposed brick, and black windows. Using Marvin’s dark interior finishes, including Designer Black for Wood-Ultrex, with any of these styles can create a crisp, streamlined look in the home.

Black exteriors for a boost in curb appeal.

Choosing black instead of white or wood gives a home’s exterior a punch.

I love painted brick and black windows,” said Wadden. “People that are tired of Tudor-style brick homes are taking a risk and painting white or really light body colors and then putting in black windows, and it looks awesome. It’s almost like a French chateau or plantation-style home from the South. And the key to that look is a dark window.”

Designer Tip: Out-of-the-box black interiors don’t have to be relegated to windows alone. Wadden points to a resurgence in popularity for the 18th-century Japanese technique of shou sugi ban, which involves firing wood to oxidize it and achieve a deep matte black finish that’s being increasingly used as a visually interesting exterior treatment.

With doors and hardware, smaller doses make a statement.

Black doors are another way to try the trend, and black hardware, like Marvin and Integrity’s matte black hardware options, can be a powerful way to make a statement in any room. “Paired with a diverse array of hues, against a flat backdrop or bold texture, these fixtures always look sharp, fresh, and new,” said Christa Pirl in Domino. “This finish works with styles as diverse as soft modernism and farmhouse industrial, and everything in between.”

Designer Tip: Start with small black accents, whether it be door or window hardware, faucets or accent pieces like pottery or vases. Work your way up to larger statements like painted black interiors on doors. Whether you choose to try black in smaller doses or throughout an entire room, black is back and it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere. “I think this is going to be defining for 2020 and the next decade,” said Wadden. “This is going to be a trend that’s here to stay.”