Summer, for us, is window and shutter season. We spent much of this Summer building new windows and window frames, and building, spray finishing, and stripping shutters. One project in particular allowed us to not only create a variety of window types and sizes but also some unique doors.
The Doors:
For this project we built a Dutch Door and Batton Door for a residency in Smith’s Parish. Essentially a door with a top and bottom half that seals on itself, the Dutch door is traditionally popular in Bermuda as a traditional kitchen door.
Dutch Doors are made up of two independently moving door panels (one on top of the other). The bottom portion contains the doorknob and lock, and the top portion contains a latch to attach the two portions together. When latched together a Dutch Door will perform the same as a traditional door.
The initial purpose of this door design was to keep animals out of farmhouses, or keep children inside, while allowing light and air to filter through the open top. When the top half was open they also allowed a breeze, but stopped the wind from blowing dirt into the house. This type of door was common in the Netherlands in the seventeenth century and appears in Dutch paintings of the period, hence the name Dutch Doors.
Commonly associated with the Georgian period, Dutch Doors harken back to a bygone era when people would have a friendly chat with passersby from an open door or set a pie to cool on the top perch of their Dutch Door.
The Windows:
The windows for this home were fun for us to build. Every window type was unique, and we built sixteen windows with varying features: ones that slide up and down, ones that hinge open, fixed ones that don’t open at all, and smaller ones that slide to the side.
With their old windows and shutters rotting and needing replacement, the homeowner had a good understanding of the window type he wanted for each opening, and the functionality he envisioned the new windows providing. Most, if not all, of the details were chosen by the homeowner and we were happy to accommodate.
Each window is location-specific and has varying characteristics. However our techniques and years of experience allows our team the ability to produce any window required. We pride ourselves as a company who sets the standards in windows and shutters in Bermuda. There is little we can’t produce with the machinery and intellect we have at BS&R.
Recently most of our window and shutters were built using Accoya lumber owing to its numerous benefits; this project was no different. These particular Accoya-made windows were casement windows with laminate glass. Finally, shutters were not an immediate requirement for this phase of the development primarily due to the impact-rated glass used for the windows. While we always recommend fortifying your home with shutters, having quality wooden windows with thick glass can also alleviate concerns over resiliency.
With so many unique pieces in this project it was particularly enjoyable for us to build and install them. We love creating pieces perfect for the client and ensuring the look and functionality are exactly what they need.