Changing the front elevation of a home in Bethesda and installing Eagle replacement windows makes a huge difference to a home in Bethesda, MD. 












By elongating the front windows, we introduced more light into the Dining Room and Living Room.  Removing the old metal porch rails and supports and installing PVC columns and rails changed the architectural style of the home.  The balcony rails will go on in a few weeks - I'll share the final photo then.

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Changing a home from old Andersen windows to new energy-efficient Eagle windows makes a huge difference to a home in Rockville, MD. Removing the aluminum siding and installing HardiePlank lap siding by James Hardie combined with the Eagle window replacements makes an even larger energy tranformation for the homeowner.  After removing the old aluminum siding, Natelli installed Tyvek house wrap and Vikor window flashing making for a weaterproof and long-lasting installation.  It is easy to justify investing in energy efficient renovations with new windows, Tyvek house wrap and long-lasting HardiePlank siding. V5JM8766KNMV

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Without a doubt the most effective and efficient way to improve your windows is the full replacement process.  Many replacement window companies offer insert windows, which are generally less expensive, but don't offer the full range of energy efficiency as full replacement windows do.  While Natelli Homes does offer insert windows, we much prefer to replace the entire window frame and re-insulate around the entire window, just as it would be installed in one of our renovations or new homes.  Just evaluate the insulation that is injected around this Eagle full replacement window before the new clad brick mould and shutter is applied - it's not hard to see and understand why this is so much more effective.  You won't get this type of installation in the insert replacement window process.  Our Marvin window replacement process offers the same energy efficiency.

Contact Natelli Homes for all your window replacement needs.

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We had quite a challenge on this modification to a bedroom wall in Potomac, MD.  Removing the
existing windows, brick veneer and wall structure was detailed enough but installing a steel moment frame and then perfectly fitting combinations of new Marvin casement windows, awning windows and picture windows raised the bar quite a bit.

 

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This will be one of the most interesting "before and after" comparisons we have ever done. Using arrangements of Marvin casement windows, awning windows and fixed windows, we converted a typical traditional elevation of the rear of a master bedroom into an eye-popping view.

Standing in the home looking out makes me feel like I am in a museum. The results are strikingly beautiful and effective. The before and after photos say more than I could possibly put to words. Stay tuned and I'll be sure to show you the finished product.

Like Natelli Homes on FaceBook and we will contribute 3 meals to the Capital Area Food Bank.

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Traditional or what some might call contemporary? Exiting from traditional bay window and round-top window configurations and moving to designs that maximize views from the interior is not typical of the Washington D.C. metropolitan market. I have to admit that the views to the outside through these new Marvin windows and doors are exceptional.

This project caught my eye and the views from the two story family room and the new kitchen bay window are as unique as I have ever seen. The two acre wooded lot in Potomac lends itself to these new Marvin replacement windows.

Like Natelli Homes on Facebook and we will contribute 3 meals to the Capital Area Food Bank!

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Not many rooms or windows for that matter, allow spectacular views. In this case, Natelli Homes removed a traditional arrangement of windows with millwork panels between an upper roundtop window and a lower fixed picture window. We installed broad spans of full height glass with only a small structural division between the two windows. Using engineered custom Marvin windows with Kynar clad exteriors and tempered 1" thick glass was a necessity.

The photo really does not depict what the view allows after the installation. To see the full tree, from the base to the crown, is striking.

Like Natelli Homes on Facebook and we will contribute 3 meals to the Capital Area Food Bank!

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Everyone loves a bay window for the obvious reasons. It punctuates the room and brings the outside in, but what a difference this bay window renovation will make.

From an ordinary bay window above that we have seen in thousands of homes, to the inspiring full height, floor to ceiling, Marvin window in this breakfast room to the right. I'll show a photo of the finshed exterior in a couple of weeks.

Like Natelli Homes on Facebook and we will contribute 3 meals to the Capital Area Food Bank!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natelli-Homes/361933342450

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In the month of September alone, the Windows for Hunger campaign by Natelli Homes raised enough for 4,200 meals through the Capital Area Food Bank. We are so encouraged by the success, Natelli is now offering 3 meals to the CAFB for every person that "likes" Natelli Homes on FaceBook.

Please support the Capital Area Food Bank by contacting Natelli Homes if you are considering new windows or exterior doors. The results of having new quality windows and doors by Natelli Homes speaks for itself, but now you can also help others in the metropolitan area who are in significant need.

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In case you missed the New York Times recently, as I did, there was a feature on Marvin Windows that tells the story of this family owned company in our currently challenging economy. The article confirms not only why they are a good employer, but gives me affirmation that their commitment to their employees translates into the exceedingly high quality of their product.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/25/business/economy/housing-slump-forces-cuts-at-a-small-town-company.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=marvin%20windows&st=Search

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Windows are definitely one of the "glass half full / half empty" situations (pun intended). The views, the ambient light and architectual relief windows that windows provide cannot be replaced. Windows let us experience the outside elements without sensing the heat or cold - but how do yours feel?

If your windows are 5 to 10 years old you might start looking at them. Changes in technology for windows and exterior doors have been dramatic in the past decade. There are compelling reasons to consider changing older windows in your home. Consider the following examples.

The photo on the left shows a window with a broken seal. Windows are made with two panes of glass and the air between the two panes acts as an insulator and is often filled with argon gas, which is effectively a super-insulating gas. When the seal fails, the insulating gas is released and air can freely flow in and out of the space between the two panes. This invading air between the panes of glass can contain varying humidity and pressure. The result is what appears to be condensation or clouding between the two panes that cannot be cleaned. The only solution is replacing the entire window.

The photo on the right shows a door jamb with excessive rot. Old and rotten wood parts are often the primary reason to replace windows and exterior doors. Water can easily get into the home causing mold and mildew. One might consider repairing the bottom of the door jamb with a synthetic material but one should determine if any function of the door has been compromised by the rot and water intrusion first.

The most obvious evaluation is simply to feel if there is cold air coming through your windows. Clients say they could see their curtains move on a windy day before we replaced their windows. If you feel that your home is significantly more comfortable when you pull curtains or window treatments over the windows, then you really should consider replacing your doors and windows. All this plus the evident energy savings make replacing your doors and windows an easy decision.

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I am both proud and excited about a campaign Natelli Homes has organized with the Capital Area Food Bank as our focus for the next year.

Hunger is a staggering issue in our community. This condition is an unfortunate and often overlooked result of our country’s economic status. Poverty levels have reached new levels and thousands of people in our area simply don’t have access to appropriate food sources and proper nutrition. The CAFB serves almost 500,000 people each year through its non-profit partners. Surprisingly more than half of the households assisted by their efforts have at least one employed adult and only 5% of the recipients are homeless. Hunger and food insecurity are quickly reaching into households that were previously self-sufficient. Sadly, the numbers of children affected are an increasing component of the statistics.

Natelli Homes hopes to make continuing donations to the Capital Area Food Bank through the installation of replacement windows and doors for our clients. Our “WINDOWS FOR HUNGER” campaign will provide a constant source of funding for the programs at the CAFB. We hope to introduce our clients to the successful efforts made by the Food Bank in our area. There are many ways to contribute to the CAFB, both through volunteering and donations.

I encourage you to learn about the Capital Area Food Bank by visiting their website at www.capitalareafoodbank.org

Please share the attached coupon with anyone who might be interested in assisting the Food Bank when they install new windows or doors in their home. Look for similar opportunities on the Natelli Homes FaceBook page in the near future.

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"A picture is worth a thousand words"

We have seen and heard this phrase for decades, perhaps centuries, and I really doubt anyone questioned its meaning because it is so obviously true.  Whether conceived by Frederick R. Barnard in the publication, Printer's Ink, in 1921 or it truly evolved from a Chinese proverb ("a picture is worth ten thousand words") or perhaps it should be added to the many credits of Confucius, it needs no explanation.

With that in mind, tell me what you think:

Before & After

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Natelli Homes is finishing a replacement window project in Potomac, MD.  The painters are touching up the new trim and casings and the windows are being cleaned, soon ready for the installation of the window treatments.  I asked the client how things were going.  Without hesitation he said, "I immediately felt the difference".  The house is measurably warmer in every room.  The cold air whistling through the old french doors is gone and the storm windows filled with bugs and dirt are no where to be seen - the house is quieter, warmer and feels like new.

In this home, rather than install insert windows, we did full replacements because the existing windows were so poorly insulated around the perimeters. We filled the jamb-space with expanding insulation and then applied new trim on all the interior surfaces.  Rather than "picture frame" the windows with casing, we installed proper sills with returns and a back-band on the casing to really make the trim punch.

One of the aesthetic benefits is without a doubt the architectural improvement of the windows.  In the photo on the right, look at how the grilles add significance to the window.  We elected to space the lite opening of each window a bit larger than the standard sizes offered by the manufacturer.  Having larger openings enhances the view but still gives the window the detailing it needs.  The grilles have clean profiles and the arrangement resonates with tradition.  Even the shadows from the muntins add character to the room.

It's easy to justify replacing windows and doors in a home.  Just make sure you sweat the details or your investment may not reach its full potential.

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There are many reasons to replace old windows and doors in a home, but the architectural value of windows can't be overlooked.  Window grilles in particular change and enhance the persona of a home.  Removable grilles can be provided for ease of cleaning,  grilles can be sandwiched between the panes of glass so they provide an apparent division of divided lites, but the most pronounced and historically accurate use of grilles is a permanent application on the inside and the outside of the glass.  This type of grill, also known as "Simulated Divided Lite", produces the authentic look of a traditional window with milled wood and clad components separating the pieces of glass.  Windows with Simulated Divided Lites are significant, they have appropriate mass and are recognized by any layman as quality products that enhance the character and value of the home.

In this home in Potomac, MD, we installed new JeldWen custom sized clad windows with true divided lites.  The existing windows in the home did not have any grille divisions in the glass.  The window openings were effectively black holes in the facade - the home needed some architectural content.  Including windows with grilles immediately changed the look of the home.  The window openings took on a character;  the grilles added color and visual interest to the front elevation.

Using replacement windows with grilles is an easy but often overlooked change to the home.  We get used to how things are sometimes and need to consider options that may not have been considered before. There is a lot more about the architectural potential of windows that we will cover in a future post such as the size  and layout of the window divisions, the type of grilles to use and even the color, but for now just admire the architectural transformation of this home with the simple addition of grilles in the windows.

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Full window replacement systems vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.  Marvin Window's system using a Kynar jamb extension is a nice way to provide a clean and maintenance free exterior application.

In the photo on the right, the old window has been completely removed and a new Marvin full replacement window has been installed in the opening.  Note how the minimally expanding foam fills the entire cavity between the window frame and the rough opening.  Nothing can get though the gap - not wind, not water nor bugs.

But to cap it off, literally, Marvin has a clean system that snaps into the exterior window frame and butts against the existing brick opening.  This jamb extension using Marvin's extremely durable extruded aluminum is substantially stronger than roll-form aluminum and features a protective 70% Kynar® 500 paint finish for superior resistance to fading and chalking.  Kynar, in particular resists fading and comes in 19 colors.

I am very impressed with this replacement system from Marvin and encourage anyone who is ready to consider new windows to look at Marvin.

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"Just do it!" - a notable trademark of Nike that catches everyones eye.  I always wanted to make tee-shirts for my employees that said, "Just do it right!"  I paused for fear of trademark infringement, but still like the message.  I am confident that our team thinks that way, even though we don't have the tee-shirts.

In the case of replacing a dormer window, it would have been easy to plug the new window in and consider the job done, but that would have been a huge disservice to our client.  The trim around the window was rotting and the siding was all but deteriorated.  I wonder how much water was getting into the home through the trim and siding alone.

We chose to remove everything, down to the exterior sheathing so we could observe the flashing and ensure that the dormers were flashed, sealed and water and air infiltration were managed properly.

The new finished product assures our client of a weather-proof installation that will stand the test of time.  We used synthetic exterior millwork, 70% Kynar 500® cladding on the Marvin Windows and a cement based siding on the sides of the dormer. The Kynar cladding from Marvin Windows and Doors comes with a 20 year warranty.  The synthetic trim and cement siding takes paint well and resists rot and deterioration for years to come.  The future maintenance requirements will be minimal.

Always look at the bigger picture and don't cut corners on a significant investment such as window replacements.  Find a contractor that is familiar with the best products and procedures in your marketplace.  Evaluating all the issues for a client up front is a detail that can't be overlooked.

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Take a walk around the outside of your home this weekend.  This is a great time of the year to replace your old rotting windows.  It's pretty easy to find the problems.

Look for peeling paint in the corners of the windows, obviously rotted wood parts and glass that has clouded over.  Glass that is clouded indicates that the seal has failed , a common issue with older windows.

One of the more interesting problems that occurs with windows is the result of the a carpenter bee commonly known as the wood borer.  Carpenter bees don't actually eat the wood but bore holes for their nests.  The resulting holes are surprisingly large.  If cracks and holes are not filled, water can enter these holes and freeze in the wood. The expansion properties of the ice will cause further deterioration of the wood parts and the window will be in much worse shape the following spring.  If your windows look like any in these photos, they should probably be replaced altogether.

A few minutes of observation now will identify these problems before you are faced with dealing with them in the cold of winter.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail - Benjamin Franklin

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If you are considering replacing the windows and exterior doors in your home, make sure you carefully evaluate your investment.  New windows and doors can be one of the most significant energy efficiency improvements one can make in a home.  The current tax credits add additional incentive and the investment can arguably break even in a reasonable number of years.  All this plus the additional comfort you notice in your home on a daily basis is enough to pick up the phone and call one of the many window replacement firms in the Washington, D.C. market.

Many window companies offer replacement kits, sash packs or inserts.  These solutions may appear to be good values and offer less disturbance to the existing interior spaces but consider what you are missing.  If one leaves the old existing frame in the opening and just installs new sashes with a frame insert kit, think again about the quality and true energy efficiency of your investment.  A tremendous amount of air enters around the frame of a window, especially in older homes.  There is very little insulation, if any, around older windows and air and water can still enter the home even with a new sash or insert kit.

Look at the adjacent photos of existing windows in a home.  There is significant mold, water intrusion, air penetrating the home and even bug and ant nests.  If one used insert windows or a sash kit, these conditions would still be there unbeknownst to the home owner.  After a significant investment in new windows, wouldn't you be shocked and disappointed to know these issues were still there!

There is really only one way to properly replace a window.  Replace the entire window and frame - PERIOD.  No inserts, no sash packs, no cutting corners to save anything existing.

Compare this photo of a properly flashed and weatherized new Marvin window and frame to those examples above.  Vikor adhesive flashing is wrapped from the outside sheathing into the opening preventing water intrusion.  Expansive foam has been injected between the window jamb and rough opening. This foam completely blocks air and pests from invading the home.  The foam will be trimmed flush with the window frame prior to the finished trim installation.

Which would you want in your home?  A sash pack or insert window kit which does not address significant existing issues around the window frame or a weather-tight, pest free installation that protects your investment?  The answer is pretty clear to me.

Feel free to e-mail me with your questions and comments.  I can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit our website www.natellihomes.com.

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Next in our series of possible bathroom design options we look at adding a couple of feet to the back of the room and creating a shed dormer.  We want to manage costs so the expansion will be minimal but still develop the necessary space.  The sketch on the right is the same starting point we have for our other design options.  Now let's see what happens with a few extra square feet positioned in the right place.

We will incorporate a tub, full shower, two vanities and a toilet compartment in this expansion.  The tub is generously sized with ample room on the deck for towel storage and decorations.  The shower has a large seat and potential for multiple heads and there is room for a private area for the water closet. Having his and her vanities makes sense for many couples.  The complement of quality cabinets on either side of the room, such as the WoodMode cabinets we feature, not only allows symmetry in the space but creates a focal point to the tub and window above.  The added window could be the most valuable component.  Large amounts of natural light flowing in the bathroom through a round or elliptical transom makes the room feel more connected to the outside.  The ambient light in a room often negates the need for illuminated lights.  Finally, look at the closets.  They have more than doubled - something every family could use!

So now you have three functional options to the standard bathroom in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.  Each one has different priorities but none come at significant expense because they are designed and constructed in a logical and practical manner.  With these designs you can bring your home from the 1940's quickly into optimum design standards for your lifestyle today.

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