Part of President Obama's stimulus package was giving a tax credit to encourage people to make energy efficient changes to their homes such as solar panels and replacing old windows with new energy efficient windows.Yes, we did a lot of research and got a lot of estimates. We had 11 jalousie windows to replace with 7 vinyl sliders, double hung and awnings by consolidating a few that were right next to each other.
Mike and Shawn arrived right on time at 9:00 AM.
Why did we end up choosing Windows Hawaii? The warranty for one thing. Anlin Windows provides a lifetime warranty for their windows (two years on the hardware for Hawaii) and Windows Hawaii provides a lifetime warranty for their installation. The price was comparable with the others. We liked the quality of the Anlins after seeing quite a few of them.
They removed the jalousie glass very carefully.
There used to be three jalousie sections here. They removed the partitions to replace it with one large window that had a picture window in the middle and two sliders alongside it.
Shawn carefully began caulking the outside of the windows.
Mike did the inside caulking. I told him that I've learned caulking can hide a myriad of spaces and defects in construction. He laughed and said, "Caulks got what carpenters naught."
I was surprised that there would be very little areas that would need touch up paint. 
Mike and Shawn both said they were really surprised at how clean the house (inside and out) was. I told them mom was a stickler for keeping things looking ship shape.
Once they were done with the installation, they showed us how to care for and remove parts for cleaning if desired.
Here's mom's bedroom Before.
Mom's bedroom, After.
Family room Before
Family room After
The other side of the family room Before
The other side of the family room, AfterArt went out for a jog early this morning and returned to hear the television in the family room blaring extra loud. He went outside and discovered that he couldn't hear much of anything from the outside. The windows really kept the neighbors nearby from hearing mom's treadmill and television. This is a very good thing since she does her exercise at 5:30 in the morning and then in the evening.
We're also noticing that the rooms are cooler now in the afternoon. This is also a very excellent thing.
The glass is supposed to be somewhat self cleaning and will provide mom with much better security when we're not around. Jalousies were far too easy to break into.
Well... that's it for 2010! The rest of the renovation work will be up to Art and me.
Sigh....
Wonderful nice new look to the house. And advantages too.
ReplyDeleteGood onya for doing it.
Beautiful. New windows are nice to have. I can remember when we had our windows changed. A long time ago and I did get pictures of them doing it. I also took pictures of the people putting in the new driveway and also the new roof. I am sure they all thought I was crazy.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese people were, when I was there for 2.5 years, were sticklers for cleanliness. I have seen them using toothbrushes to clean the tatami mats or get the stuff out of the groves. They also burned hibachis for warmth and to make a pot of hot water for green tea. I would always come away with a hurricane-like headache from the fumes.
I have also had them come in the room at night and I am asleep on the floor, and a momma-san lifts up the covers and sticks a hot rock, wrapped in towels close to my feet. LOL
Honest.
seems you did your research very well. More security, too.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what a jalousie is, but the new windows look good, and seem to let more light in to the house.
ReplyDeleteKay, those windows look so nice!! Good job!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Makes quite a difference in the rooms' brightness.
ReplyDeletehmmm. David and I think that jalousies provide more air flow and ventilation than sliding windows or awnings, because the entire opening is open and unblocked by glass.
ReplyDeleteDo you keep your windows closed and turn on the a/c?
Also, do you have to keep them closed for security reasons?
These are questions I need to ask, because we have jalousies all around our house!
Love your new windows! So glad you found such a great company to install them! Enjoy the light and the cool!!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
Amanda: I got this from Wikipedia, "A jalousie window (US) or louvre window (UK) is a window which consists of parallel glass, acrylic, or wooden louvers set in a frame. The louvers are locked together onto a track, so that they may be tilted open and shut in unison, to control airflow through the window. They are usually controlled by a crank mechanism."
ReplyDeleteGigi: My mother kept the windows and blinds closed before because the sunlight really heats up the room A LOT. We're pleased that even with the blinds open now, the room stayed cool. The windows also are a little reflective so we don't have to feel like the neighbors are always able to look in.
The main reason for changing the windows is because if Art and I have to leave, the windows are much more secure. It was very easy to break through a jalousie window. Some of the louvers had gotten so old, they couldn't stay open and kept flipping shut.
As for air circulation, you're right. Jalousies provide the most ventilation. However, these new windows keep out the UVs so the room is actually cooler now. You also live in a hotter part of island. We're higher on a hill and it's usually cooler here anyway.
Gigi: Also, the new windows will keep the AC's cool air in the house better now when my mother is exercising. :-) Therefore, it will use less energy to run the AC in the future.
ReplyDeleteprogress, great before and after photos-certainly improves your view of outside. good work!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a difference, and a very nice difference. It's amazing the before and after pictures. They really look nice.
ReplyDeleteKay;
ReplyDeleteGosh your windows look beautiful.
What a difference.
Do you remember, I had jalousie windows in Williamsburg. Just in the family room, thank goodness.
It was much colder in that room.
Bravo and happy Tax day.
What an improvement! The new windows look wonderful and they are very important and have a beautiful view of the garden . Very nice post, Kay!
ReplyDeleteKay the new windows look beautiful! They are a definite improvement.
ReplyDeleteHow nice. I liked the before and after photos. The windows open up to so much light don't they? A very good investment indeed.
ReplyDeleteYour windows are great! You are busy people! So, to the people who kid you about all of your comparison shopping, etc...you do get things done!!
ReplyDeleteWow. windows you can actually see out of!
ReplyDeleteWe had new windows installed about seven years ago. We were veru happy with the upgrade too.
We took advantage of this tax credit last year and did 9 windows. It maybe the best investment we have made in the house and a year later we still love them. Yours look great and you'll appreciate them for a long time Kay.
ReplyDeleteIt was as interesting to read the comments as the post. We will be replacing windows here too..not that I am looking forward to it...and it won't be in time to get the tax credit....
ReplyDeleteThat's a BIG job! The new windows look great. Lucky you to have them all in before the holidays!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy.
jj
This looks like a big job but they did a good job and it looks great.
ReplyDeleteThe new windows let in more light and make the rooms look bigger. they are also much safer. I know that they are the wiser choice, even so, I learned to love the jalousie windows because when they were all open around the house, I had the comfort of living inside and the fresh, clean feeling of being outdoors.
ReplyDeleteThis is really exciting stuff. We are supposed to be getting new windows too, and I'm delighted to see how nice yours are.
ReplyDelete