Three Reasons Homes Need Windows

Homes are dependent on windows in an inordinate amount of ways. If you think about it, without windows, our homes would suffer from a huge loss in curb appeal, natural sunlight, and ventilation. Let’s look into it a bit further...

 Interior Design & Curb Appeal Opportunities The first impression you have of a home is determined by a set number of qualities such as the curb appeal and general size. Among these, windows are one of the foremost defining features. Solely keeping visual aesthetic in mind, a lack of windows would yield a bland, singular look defined by no more than just the siding, shake, or brick. Windows provide room for creative embellishment, which can be experimented with in multiple ways. This can be done by the window frame, style, shutters, and placement of the window.

• Window frames don a distinguished texture, color, and design that can make a home’s exterior pop. For example, a home with beige siding could be complemented by adorning a vanilla color window frame.

• Installing a large picture window in the right spot can serve as a crafty yet sharp way of showcasing your home’s interior features, such as a chandelier hung above a front door.
• Design-wise, shutters offer the same decor opportunities that window frames do; implementing replacement windows with a custom-sized pattern, size, and color is a natural, chic way to beautify your home’s exterior look.

We Need them for Sunlight Try as we might to escape the sun during a scorching hot day or the wee hours of the morning, we need it to survive. This is where windows come in; they are the gatekeepers to our home’s source of sunlight - you have to get that Vitamin D somewhere! Let’s not forget plants; they need sunlight, thus depend on windows for their survival. Lastly, our electric bills would be through the roof if it wasn’t for the portals of light we call “windows” - not to mention too much indoor lighting can cause quite a headache.

Healthy Natural Air You know how a room gets stuffy when the door is shut for a lengthy stretch of time?  Well, imagine a house like that. It’d be awful! Once again, windows swoop in to save the day by allowing fresh air flow into a home. When air collects in a living space without any way of escape, its sense of freshness stagnates. Thanks to windows, we are able to balance our indoor-dominated lives with refreshing breezes and natural temperature regulation.

Best Movie Scenes with Windows

Spanning from eerie horror flicks, classic thrillers, to Christmas comedies, there are numerous instances in movie history where windows take the stage as key points of the plot. Keeping this in mind, we ranked the top scenes where windows steal the show on the big screen. Take a look below:

Rear Window (1954) As the title implies, windows are the cornerstone of this thriller. The plot goes like this: an injured photographer is stuck at home with more than enough time on his hands; so, he spends his time cracking a local community mystery by spying into a suspicious neighbor’s windows.

Charlie Wilson’s War (2007) Charlie Wilson’s War documents the real-life events of Congressman Charlie Wilson and the tangled political drama he gets caught in. A memorable scene of the film exhibits the rage of a flustered CIA Officer (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman) who takes out his anger by destroying an office window.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) It’s A Wonderful Life is one of America’s most cherished Christmas classics. To our dismay, in a famous scene, the protagonist chucks a stone through an abandon home’s window in hopes that doing so will make a wish come true (we don’t recommend this).

The Karate Kid (1985) In this 80s feel-good classic, a karate student under the tutelage of his mentor, Mr. Miyagi, learns martial arts while also experiencing the growing pains of teenage-hood. In a heated scene between Mr. Miyagi and a cocky fighter, Miyagi dodges a Karate jab, sending the fighter’s fist straight through a car window - ouch!

The Kid (1921) The Kid is a silent dramedy starring Charlie Chaplin. Recognized around the globe as one of the most important films ever made, it also happens to contain an iconic scene involving none other than, you guessed it, windows! The clip shows a child recklessly hurl stones through windows (what’s up with this trend?) - once again, not a venture we condone. Watch the classic reel below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7nMV3ujeMo

Home Alone (1990) A clever eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) repurposes his home into a burglar trap zone in this definitive Christmas flick. Midway through the film, one of the burglars manages to sneak into the home by opening a window - but does so at a price. After hopping through the frame, he steps barefooted onto glass christmas ornaments (expertly placed by Kevin).  Remember to give your windows regular check-ups to make sure they’re in good shape and able to securely close.

If you have any questions concerning your home windows, contact Wallside to speak with a professional and learn about the custom-built replacement windows we offer.

What Makes a Window Energy Efficient?

When it comes to energy bills, the quality of your home windows are usually one of the first things that comes to mind. We break down what makes a window an effective insulator and what you can do to ensure your windows have these qualities.

Quality of Installation The contractor that installs your replacement windows plays a pivotal role in their functionality and longevity. Improper installation could lead to gaps, air leakages, and an outright crooked look that could severely decrease your home’s curb appeal. At Wallside Windows, window installation is our second nature. With over 70+ years of experience in custom-designing vinyl windows in our own factory and working with Michigan homeowners, we know how to do it right. After a free in-home estimate, we'll come to you and ensure a job well-done by checking:

• Functionality (ease of open and shut)
• Removal of old windows
• Thorough clean up
• Add extra sealing defense with insulation foam and energy-efficient caulk

Grade of Glass In recent years, window insulation technology has made amazing advances. The glass is a key component to the conductivity and energy efficiency of a window. Window glass is rated by its U-factor, which, in short, gauges its ability to protect a home from absorbing external heat while preserving the energy produced inside. Wallside Windows adds Low-E coating to its windows to ensure a balanced home climate throughout all of Michigan’s seasons.

Single, Double, or Triple Pane The number of panes—a.k.a. sheets of glass—a window uses is correlated to amount of insulation it provides. Double planes are widely renowned for their affordability and energy preservation whereas triple panes, which teeter are on the pricier side, offer an even greater protection.

Type of Frame Each style of window frame offers a unique insulation capacities. Wallside Windows prides itself on offering vinyl window frames due to its ability to provide strong insulation armor throughout the seasons while also considering customers’ financial needs.

The Art of Soundproofing Your Home

Whether you live in a city, suburb, or rural community, noises from outside are a constant burden at all times of the day. Just when you think you’re going to get a good night’s rest, your neighbor decides it’s time to jam out or a family member begins to blare the television.  Although not all of us may share the same circumstances, we most likely experience a similar noise annoyance from in our outside our house. Listed below are some of the most effective solutions to take when it comes to soundproofing your house..

Re-seal your Windows After constantly being exposed to storms and other adverse weather conditions, window seals begin to wither and sink in value. Use silicone caulk to fill gaps and apertures around your window’s frame; this will ensure that both drafts and noise are impeded from traveling into your home. However, if your window frames are beaten with cracks and require over-the-top maintenance, it may be time to install new replacement windows.

Noise Control Draperies A plentiful variety of soundproof curtain manufacturers exist across the web. These companies specialize imbue curtains, draperies, or blinds with leading noise-reduction technologies so that your home is shielded from unwanted clatter while simultaneously retaining the fashionable look and light-blocking functionality of regular window treatments.

Padded Carpeting or Underlayment Due to low cost in pricing or a focus on fashion, there are a lot of carpets out there don’t hit the mark in insulating noise. If you enjoy the look and feel of your current carpet but are having issues with noise, consider investing in carpet padding or underlayment; generally constructed from foam material, these work in a way that lighten the external spread of audio from devices such as radio and television so that it’s contained within a room (your roommates will thank you). Although these are effective in all livings spaces, they are especially handy when it comes to apartment or condo owners who want to be mindful of their noise output.

Acoustic Foam Panels This mainly applies to those who record music or podcasts in their home. Whether you record in a home studio or a small room, having a soundproof interior furnished with soundproofing equipment is key to clear, quality audio. After purchasing your acoustic panels—which can be found at your local hardware store or around the web—the next step is to discover the areas in the room that bounces the soundwaves around the room in a way that makes it overlap and degrade quality. Place the panels at these locations so that a maximum amount of reverberation is absorbed into them. Also, take into consideration the room’s size, design, and the placement of your speakers or the source of where the sound is produced from; this is important so you know the size and optimal location to diffuse the waves.

Hedging and Shrubbery There’s no better defense against exterior noise pollution than large bushes and plants. Look into tall, thick hedges and year-round bushes around the perimeter of your home (next to the street, if possible). Not only does your home benefit from a plunge in annoying noise, new landscaping also increases its curb appeal and privacy.

Turn Your Home Into an Eco-Friendly Zone

Whether your aim is to save the rain forest or you just want to trim down that energy bill, one thing is the same for both goals: results don't come in just one day. Turning your home into an environmental savvy zone requires time, patience, and readjustment in small (but important!) daily habits.  To reduce energy waste and promote a green living space - not to mention chiseling down that electric bill - take heed of the tips provided below.

If You're Not Using It, It Shouldn't Be On Many common household gadgets are energy vampires. Cut down on unnecessary output by unplugging devices after they’re charged; laptops, desktops, and smartphones are huge here. Switch off radios, light fixtures, TVs, video game consoles, and cooking equipment when there’s no one around to use them. This sounds like common sense but it’s an unfortunate habit for many of us.

Waste Bin Convenience Everyone, for the most part, has experienced this situation. You finish a soda or canned beverage, but there’s no recycling container in sight—just the regular trash bin. You want to recycle, but aren’t exactly on board with wandering around with a sticky, empty can for an unsaid amount of minutes until you find the proper place to stash it. While at home, this scenario can be easily solved by implementing separate recycling bins for plastic, cardboard, and glass materials of all sizes (within means).

Windows: Are They Sealed? If your window seals are worn and letting air slip in and out of your home, action should be taken promptly. Either seal the gap yourself or contact Wallside Windows to speak with a professional and get your windows back up to speed.Solving air leakages from window complications can do wonders to insulate your home and conserve both heat and air conditioning.

Choice of Light Bulb Model Opt for CFL or LED light bulb models to light your homes. As it’s now known, incandescent bulbs are both less efficient and eco-friendly than the alternative styles mentioned above.

Plants Though their impact is subtle, incorporating plants into a living space is a hugely underrated way to circulate inside quarters with pure, natural air. Find a plant that complements your interior design and can generate an ample amount of fresh air.

Harness the Sun with Solar Power Investing in solar panel technology can, in the long haul, take a serious chunk out of your energy bill. As far as being eco-friendly goes, substituting gas or electric energy for sun power can make an immense difference by doing away with externalities such as carbon emissions, smog, and acid rain.

Energy-Efficient Windows Give your windows an inspection. Judging by their age and the frequency of repairs they've required as of late, it may be time for new replacement windows. Get a free estimate from Wallside Windows to learn about how they use heating spacers and e-glass in their window's designs for optimal insulation.