How I choose my Window Company and some Before and Afters

I got three quotes on my windows.  The first company was $5,000 more than the next two so they were out from the get go.  All three companies made custom windows based on the size of my current windows and offered full re-install (where they rip the old on out to the studs).

It came down to the second two companies which prices were within $1000 of eachother.  Company 2 used triple pane glass that had a better insulation quality, the windows had no metal pieces, they stiffened the windows with extruded fiberglass, and the installer was going to finish all the wood work. The sales rep also talked extensively about how good the install was and had pictures of his work.  Normally they used cellulose insulation but I asked for spray foam and they were willing for no extra charge.

Company 3 had double panel glass, and said it was just as good as triple pane but then it had a lower insulation rating (so that didn't make sense in terms of actual numbers...) then they told me that the sashes were stiff enough because they use virgin plastic.  Now the cross section of the sash was very strong but to me it looked like that was based more on the extrusion shape and not the actual material. So as an engineer I didn't really respect their technical knowledge or at least the information they were giving me. They also weren't going to finish the inside work so I would have to stain and varnish all of it, which I am capable of but wasn't looking forward. They always used spray foam.

Companies 2 and 3 both got out the heat lamp test to prove that their windows don't let heat in or out.  They both had a life time warranty on the windows as long I live there, and a transferable warranty of different lengths- which will be nice for the new owners when I sell the house.

The choice came down to three aspects:

Better insulation 

Finished wood work/ Confidence in the installer

a longer transferable warranty

I went with Windows Depot.  The lead time on the windows was longer than the original quote.  But my dad has been so impressed with the install it is worth it.  And dad got to be around when they were being installed, I had to go to work, so he definitely has a better picture of the work.

Last Light Fixture in the Kitchen

For the next couple of months I plan to do projects in the kitchen.  There are a couple of lists, one on my computer and one on the chalk board wall.  The lists include projects like: shelves, cabinet crown, under cabinet lights, trim details, plinth, book shelf, garbage area, etc.  

So to kick it off Dad and I went to BBC lighting to look at under cabinet lights-which we ordered, they were very helpful to make sure that we got all the parts we needed, like transforms, splices, corner connectors, and we picked up the last light fixture needed for the kitchen.  

Now, I really thought that I had a before picture, but I have no idea where it is, probably on my old phone.  So just image that I have lived the last 10 months with a temp light dangling out of the ceiling because I hadn't picked out a light fixture.

Currently I am working on staining the boards for the shelves, I have no pictures, it is not all the exciting and the process if just like the bathroom shelves.

Windows Part 1

This summer I had big dreams, like I could fix windows.  It took awhile to figure out how to get the first one apart.

we laid it out on the garage and quickly realized 1. this was going to be a challenging project and 2 the sashes were rotted.

then I started the process of looking for new windows.  I ordered in September and yesterday the first one got installed!

 I will have better before and after pictures on Monday. But I know I have been quiet lately so I really wanted to share what is going on.

Before and After: Vanities

The full bathroom. I think the pictures say it all

see the transformation here

Not a great comparison shot

But, you get the idea

Vanities in the Bathrooms

Months ago I found out that my cousin Aaron was going to get married over Thanksgiving in the Milwaukee Area.  This lead to two conclusions: I got to host Thanksgiving and I needed to have a project for Rachel and Nik to do that was ready to go.  It seemed like the prefect time to make the vanity switch in the bathrooms.

I finally gave up on finding an old table, so I purchased the table and sink online.  I was able to narrow the table and sink options down to 4 to 7 of each, then Rachel picked from that list.

I drilled the faucet hole first and did dry fit so that I could determine where the sink needed to go,  and get it as close to the faucet as possible.

Once all the holes were drilled I did my best to seal them with WaterLox.  I got these parts done before anyone showed up for Thanksgiving, the WaterLox has to dry 24 hours between coats and needed at least 4 of them. 

Here is the half bath with the old vanity as on Saturday night:

Talking to my favorite plumber, he has really stressed that the table needed to be anchored securely to the wall.  The purchased tables had over hangs so I used two scrap boards to fill that space I stained the one that would show black to make it less noticeable.  Dad anchored them to the wall:

Nik helped put the sink on with a bead of silicon.

Then I attempted the plumbing.

Nik also tried.  Then I tried again.  Then I called the plumber.

So Nik's plumbing looked good but I heard a pop later that night and part of the drain had come apart (sorry Nik) 

I will try to get a good after picture tonight.... or tomorrow after the plumber stops by.