Home & Garden

garden Home 2015 & 14 - of all the renovation projects you can do for your home, sparkling new windows might be the easiest with the biggest bang for your buck. they will bring the light in and, depending on the season, keep the heat or the cold out. the first step is to do research to find a reputable company that offers warranty on both purchase and installation, says chad racine, a sales professional at all Weather Windows. "i always encourage people to work with someone who is both supplying and installing the windows," says racine. "if there is some small thing that needs to be corrected, the one person you're working with is going to make sure that is taken care of properly." the next step is setting a budget and going through your options so there are no big surprises down the road. that includes choosing between traditional or more contemporary styles. White pVc windows used to be the only option, but these days, the outsides of your windows can be coloured to match the rest of your exterior or even wrapped with metal and painted. the performance level of your windows is also a budget consideration, especially if you are applying for a manitoba Hydro loan. "to qualify for that program you have to choose a triple pane window because no dual pane windows are being approved by Hydro, so if you are considering using one of those programs you have to make sure that your windows qualify," racine says. Building code requirements should be discussed with your manufacturer/installer. for example, windows in a bedroom must provide "egress," or a means to escape in a fire. "the old awning style window that was hinged on the top doesn't meet code anymore," he says. controlling humidity in the home is very, very important during the winter because the new windows are going to seal and perform so much better than the old windows. "Sweating" on the window can occur as a result. "these new windows aren't going to be drafty like the old ones and that warm moisture isn't just going to escape out," he says. "it's going to turn to condensation or moisture on the glass." With cleaning, racine says people need to remember they are working with plastic and glass, materials that can be damaged with overly rough treatment. "one of the key benefits of installing new pVc windows is that they are virtually maintenance-free," he says. "any manufacturer can provide you with guidelines for warranty and maintenance requirements." once you've installed your new windows, you will want to make the most of them with thoughtful accessorizing. Sonya deVriendt, the founder of Windows of fashion & Surroundings, has been working with clients for the last 30 years to do just that. She says it is important to work with professionals who can help you make the right choices within your budget. "the primary function of windows is to provide natural light," says deVriendt. "and how this light is controlled depends on your window treatments." to filter sunlight, choose from sheer or lightweight fabrics. to block out light completely, there are blackout-lined fabrics that will do the job. "if you have a beautiful view, you might like to choose a fabric that repeats the colour and patterns on the wall in order not to detract from what is outside the window," she says. "However, if the view is undesirable, you could select bold colours and patterns for your window treatments, drawing attention away from the outside." an unattractive view can also be obscured with sheer or semi-sheer fabrics. and drapery can add style to both window and room. She says there is a wide variety of blinds and other window coverings available as well. "many choices offer protection against heat and sun while also maintaining your view." Safety is a consideration and deVriendt says cordless options are popular as they are safer for children and pets. in addition, there is a broad range of motorized coverings that can be operated with either a hard-wired or battery-operated remote. "this enables you to easily operate window coverings in a hard- to-reach place or to control several blinds at once," she says. that leaves the question of what to do with the old windows. for outdoors, turn them into miniature greenhouses or cold frames, hang them on a garden wall with a window box underneath or use one old window as a decorative backdrop for a twig wreath or other arrangement. indoors, they can be constructed into room dividers, used as picture frames, lined with fabric or wallpaper to create a headboard or turned into a frame for a kitchen chalkboard. if you have stained or leaded glass in your window, you can keep that look. choose plain glass for your new windows. Have a good carpenter plane down the frame on the old window to fit back inside the top half of the new frame. add a hinge and the old window can be fitted back in like a shutter, which preserves the look of the original windows in an older home. ❙ garden Home 14 - & LIGHTWEIGHT FABRIcS cOMPLEMENT THE DEcOR IN THIS WINDOWS OF FASHION & SURROUNDINGS SHOWROOM. PHOTO BY DARcY FINLEY

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