How to Transform Your Home With Windows and Doors

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How to Transform Your Home With Windows and Doors

When a reputable company, such as Marvin, asks to interview you for their blog, you say YES! See what Marvin has to say and why the correct windows and doors are huge for curb appeal.

Two sisters are helping homeowners transform their current house into the home of their dreams with digital exterior makeovers.

Sisters Allison Vaccaro and Cassie McDowell leveraged their lifelong passion for design by starting brick&batten, an exterior design firm that helps homeowners see the “after” of their project “before” the transformation takes place using digital technology and a knack for creating instant curb appeal. Everyone loves a good “before-and-after” home transformation, and these two are masters of the home makeover.

How it Works:

It works like this: customers send in a photo of their existing house or a copy of the blueprint for their future home. Next, they fill out a survey which pulls together and clarifies the preferences and aspirations of their upcoming project. Based on the survey, the designers at brick&batten create realistic renderings of the façade in all its reimagined glory. They also include a detailed shopping list of the building materials needed to execute the plan, including windows and doors.

“At brick&batten, we believe everyone deserves a beautiful home,” McDowell says. “Our exterior virtual design package can help people visualize the look they’ve been dreaming about before they take the plunge.”

Before & after of a home with a new paint job and new Marvin windows

“Our brick&batten clients are looking for cost effective solutions that increase curb appeal,” Vaccaro says. “Improving windows and doors can have a huge positive impact and can be a great way to maximize return on investment.”

How to Transform Your Home With Windows and Doors

Create Large Window Openings:

In addition to enhancing the aesthetics, windows and doors can improve the way homeowners interact with their home. Creating larger window openings floods interior spaces with healthy light. This improves the connection to the outdoors. Adding transoms and sidelights around the front door establishes a warm and welcoming entryway experience.

Before and after of the back of a home with new siding, a new pergola and patio, and new windows

Window Divided Light Patterns:

When choosing new windows, even a seemingly small architectural element like a divided light pattern can have a significant effect on the overall character of a home.

“Your architectural style will usually determine which grille pattern to use,” McDowell says. “For example: on a traditional Colonial it’s common to see a double hung window with a busier grille pattern that has nine panes on both the upper and lower sash. Windows on a craftsman or bungalow may have a grille pattern on the top sash while the bottom sash is clear. Many mid-century modern homes have huge glass windows with very little in terms of divided lights. When in doubt, go simple.”

Before and after of a completely reimagined stucco bungalow, complete with new windows

Window and Door Color:

Sometimes, simply changing the color of windows and doors can have an enormous overall effect. In the past, homeowners often had two color choices—white or beige—but that’s certainly not the case now. The Marvin Ultimate line of windows and doors has 19 low maintenance exterior colors to choose from. Also, Marvin has custom color options to match any design plan. And, any given door or window doesn’t even need to be the same color. Mixing and matching finishes has become a popular design trend.

A blueprint rendered with actual materials, including windows and doors

Function of the Window:

The size, shape, color, and how a window interacts with the other design elements of a home are all important factors; however, choosing the form of a window cannot be made without considering how it functions.

“When we include a window in our designs, we think about how it’s going to work for the client,” Vaccaro says. “If capturing a breeze is important, casement windows may be the best choice. If a window opens onto a patio or walkway where someone might bump into it, then a glider might make more sense. The fact that it’s easy to clean both sides of the glass on a double hung window could be a deciding feature when choosing windows for a two- or three-story home.”

A sketched home rendered with all building materials, including windows and doors

Marvin Does It:

Whenever possible Vaccaro, McDowell and the other designers at brick&batten prefer to spec Marvin products.

“Marvin’s window selection is unmatched,” McDowell says. “You can essentially create any type of window, for any purpose, in any environment, not to mention the options for interior and exterior finishes, the material the window is made from, and the different hardware and glass choices, all at different price points. The options are limitless!”

Amazing exterior home transformations start with windows and doors. Get inspired by Marvin.

Before and after of a home with new siding, windows, and a new pink door

If you’re looking to make changes on your home’s exterior, you want to be sure you choose the best windows and doors that work with the architecture of your home and personal taste. The right window and door styles can transform your home. Our designers at brick&batten would love to help. A virtual exterior design takes out the guesswork, gives you a plan to move forward on your design dreams, and ultimately, peace of mind knowing you’re making solid decisions. Get started today!

Author

Cassie co-founded brick&batten in 2017 with her sister, Alli, but her love of home design was born years earlier. Cassie’s passion for design can be traced back to her childhood, when she’d accompany her parents on road trips through small towns in search of inspiration for properties they would buy, fix up, and sell. Prior to launching brick&batten, Cassie worked as a fourth grade teacher, but her love of design, architecture, home renovation, and open houses inspired her to pursue a new career. When writing for brick&batten, Cassie aims to empower homeowners to make the best informed decisions for their property. She knows from experience how challenging home renovation can be, and when she writes, she puts herself in the shoes of every homeowner with similar frustrations. Cassie currently lives in Florida with her four children, an old dog, and her loving husband. When she’s not working, Cassie is most likely checking out a nearby open house or traveling to learn about the latest house trends.