A Wonderful End to a Complete Reno!

A Wonderful End to a Complete Reno!

There are many times when we meet clients who we’ve worked with before on a completely different job. After seeing what we can do and the quality we put into our work, we love being approached by a friend, designer, craftsman, crew etc from the site to talk more about what we can do for them.

One such case was a gentleman named John whom we met while working at Tuckers Point. After giving him one of our brochures when we finished there, he eventually thought of us for his upcoming renovations.

It was a complete renovation right from the get go so we knew it was going to be no small task. With clients who had great design tastes we knew we would enjoy working with them to create a space they would truly enjoy. Taking on more than just one piece for this project it was hard to focus on just one. One of the major projects we took on for this client was the replacement of all their windows and shutters.

As it was a full reno, the job proved to be quite large replacing 27 single windows, 3 double windows, and one triple window all in a traditional double hung six pane over six pane style.  We also did a large double French casement style window in the bathroom with 8 panes in each sash.   Say that fast three times!

All of the windows were made out of accoya and were complete with hardware, ¼” laminate glass, screens, and interior cedar sills.

Accoya is our go to for windows and shutters since it provides the best option for durability, stability and ease of maintenance. These characteristics along with our improved design to accommodate weather seals, a solid frame, and hidden sash balances ensures that the sashes will move freely and perform year round.

Traditionally a box frame is used and was hollow to allow for pulleys and weights to make the window move. Now as a standard we make a solid frame that allows for better anchoring during installation and uses a concealed stainless steel counter balance that is hidden in the sash.

The sashes are very traditional in their construction and detail. The only change made was the technique of installing glass. Firstly we used ¼” laminate glass which has a very high wind threshold. And then we installed the glass with a high quality caulk from Dow Corning specific for laminate glass.

Basically we allow for a small space between the glass and the wood and then back fill the space with caulk. Traditionally caulk is applied and glass is pushed in immediately after squeezing out the majority of the caulk. Our way ensures that caulk is being pushed in-between two substrates rather than being squeezed out of that area. It’s a very minor detail and is naked to the eye but with more caulk there is a better seal and it is definitely a detail worth mentioning.

Another important aspect were the exterior of the frames, which have changed from the traditional bead profile to becoming flat. Where the header and jambs meet we break that joint with a small radius rather than the traditional miter joint. This joint will wear better and during its life will accumulate paint giving the joint the most protection on each maintenance coat. Being a flat surface also make the painters life easier.

The paint was the Klima waterbourne paint system that we have been talking about almost as much as Accoya. It uses 3 different coatings for outstanding performance. First two coats of penetrating primer is sprayed on that battles against blue staining and mold that can form on wood. Second two coats of urethane sealer coating mixed with a catalyst is sprayed that hardens and seals-in any tannins that could bleed into and discolor the paint (its necessary when using white paint on wood). Finally 2 coats of waterborne top coat is sprayed that has a very good adhesions and durability to move with the wood as it breathes throughout the seasons.

To top everything off we used an adhesive called West System epoxy to ensure that the glue joint lasts as long as Accoya is expected to last.

Every little detail was well thought out to ensure the windows and shutters their fullest life while also giving them beauty and ease of use. Three essentials we try to put into every window project we do.

Working with Atlantic Construction, they provided the site work of removing the old windows and installing all the new windows. We couldn’t have been happier with the job and how the project turned out. We loved working on everything John had us do and can’t wait to talk more about designs that were created for other part of the house.