One of the window options we always spend time discussing is whether or not to have grids in the new windows. Many old single pane windows had small individual panes of glass, which made replacement easier if they were broke. Today's thermal pane windows can replicate that look with interior "divided lights" or grids. This is purely a matter of preference as they do not add to the structure or security of the window at all. In fact, the interior grids are a light metal, and are only for looks.
Many people want them as they do add character to the exterior appearance of the house. I have heard them described as giving a house a "cottage" look, a "ranch" look, a "french" look, a "colonial" look....and I have also heard people say it made them feel like they were in JAIL! Everyone has an opinion! This customer decided they did not want the grids in their windows. In this triple configuration, we have replaced the right window with an operating casement. The center window has been removed and will soon have a stationary casement, and the left will be an operational one. Brandon will not go home until they're all trimmed out and caulked. :-)

Another reason for possibly NOT having the grids is having blinds or interior shutters in combination with the grids begins to look to busy, giving the window a cluttered look. These folks had that in mind and opted to leave the grids out of their new windows.

This is a work in progress. The arch top window below once had the grids, but the new window gives that room a much more open look. The twin window above was replaced the next day, and also without the grids.

We have tons of pictures and job references for people to examine to help them with their window decisions!

After a very wet rainy September and October, we have been blessed with a few weeks of spectacular weather. You have to love Oklahoma and the Indian Summer. This has allowed us to really make headway in our window backlog. This particular day found one on our crews an an older neighborhood near LaFortune Park. This house had old wood sash windows. This was the window of choice in houses built from the 40s clear into the 70s. Always single pane, usually with the divided panes, these windows give character to a house, but are far from energy efficient.

Many people who have these older wood windows fear that the newer vinyl frame windows will look too different from the original wood look, but as you can see in the following two pictures, the better quality vinyl window HAVE the look of the older wood sashes. Using the same grid pattern, the look and character of the house is not compromised.

Another important difference in our company, is that we do not disturb the interior moldings when replacing wood sash windows. By removing the windows from the outside, all the unique delicate interior trim stays in place, and we replace the exterior blind stop, which often is old, weathered, and in need of replacing anyway. There's never a better way than doing it right.

Repeat business is the best!

In September, we installed 12 Plygem/Great Lakes windows in the back of this house, a "phase one" project. The plan was to do half of the windows this year and the rest next year, as their budget allowed. We are always glad to work with customers, when needed, to break the project into manageable segments.

Orey has done the hard part...getting the old upstairs window out.

Even Jeff gets involved in the nuts and bolts operation of the company. Jeff is always busy doing sales, checking on jobs, running materials to the jobsite, and doing great PR work.Now, if we could just get him to smile!

A nice finished product, and a good clue as to who took the picture!


These folks liked these new windows so much, that they could not wait until next year to finish out their house. So, last Friday, they bought and ordered the remainder of their windows for the front of their house, choosing the Plygem Casements with the Earthtone exterior. And best of all, they all qualify for the tax credit!

The Importance of Installation

Energy Tax Credit Video

Example of an NFRC Sticker

This is an example of an NFRC sticker. The NFRC is the only federally recognized organization for determining the energy efficiency of windows & doors. As you can see this window would not qualify because the U-Factor & SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Co-Efficient) numbers are too high. You can get great information about what these numbers mean at http://www.efficientwindows.org/

ThermaTru Entry Door

Many ThermaTru Doors qualify for the Energy Tax Credit - 30% of the cost of the door up to $1500. With beautiful doors like this, you add great value, curb appeal & energy savings to your home.

Pardon our dust

Windows By Jeff is expanding it's showroom! We have acquired some space in the adjoining building and are making way for more wonderful displays. Chuck and Orey are doing most of the remodeling, building a wall for starters, and will soon be doing a little demolition work removing some walls and building some office cubicles and shelves.So, pardon our mess while this construction goes on. We are open for business and have plenty to see. We soon will have twice the window and door displays with the latest from Great Lakes, Andersen, Therma-Tru, and Simonton, including some new exciting colors and hardware options.

Hector the job inspector approves of this remodeling project.

Thursday, we put the finishing touches on a huge window job. These folks are repeat customers and by the time we are finally through replacing all of the windows in their house, the total will be above 60!

These are Simonton 5500 series, with the new glass that qualifies for Barak's Stimulus Package Tax Credit. Not a bad deal when the government gives back up to $1,500 towards the purchase of new windows.





Chuck and Orey set the last window. A little trim and it's clean-up time. Then lunch time!
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Several of these windows required some extra carpentry work. Sills needed to be replaced, and a few of them also needed new wood facings. Not to worry though....we do it all.

Like I said, this house has a lot of windows.

Our guys knocked out a 4-window job yesterday. But all four were huge!Some windows are easy to remove. These, on the other hand, were much more difficult. With these old aluminum windows, we had to renove the glass, and then pry the frames out. The glass was glued in with an adhesive that could have mended the San Adreas Fault.Here, Orey uses a torch to soften the glue so the glass unit will let go of the frame. This keeps breakage to a minimum, plus Orey satisfies his pyromania yearnings.

Then Chuck prepares the opening for the new window. In this case, the wood returns needed to be trimmed back to accomodate a 3 1/4 inch window.

A finished project, all done but the clean up.

Another weekend, another Home Show

This past weekend was Home Show Part Two for us. More specifically, it was the Tulsa Remodel and Landscape Show, held downtown at the Convention Center.Another morning of loading the truck. I swear the displays get heavier every show. But in spite of having more room in our booth and bringing more stuff....We are getting better at packing our truck. We actually had room left over for a deck of cards!

This show was not as well attended as the show last month, but we did get several very good leads, and met some nice people, many of whom need windows! :-)These home improvement shows are usually the catalyst that provides business for a great year. They are a lot of work, but they pay off.

Channel 8 was there Sunday afternoon filming and interviewing a few of the exhibitors. Windows by Jeff was asked for an interview, and Ken answered a few questions for news anchor Jerry Giordano. The segment was aired on the 10:00 news, and if the segment on the show is available, I'll post the link on the blog.

Finishing the Andersen doors

A quick update....both door units are in. Today, we trimmed them out.Chuck does some caulking before installing the mull cap.

The unit is insulated at the perimeter and at the mull, and most important, the transom is flashed at the top.

One might ask: How do you trim out the top, what with the transom being curved?
Glad you asked!We use Flex brick mold, a rubber-like material that has the exact specs as regular brick mold. It can be formed to fit almost any curved window or door.And yes, it is tricky to measure and cut. Think about it....a tape measure does not easily bend so measuring the exact length is impossible. After a preliminary cut, the trim is held up and marked. It usually required several trimmings to get it right.One unit trimmed, and one to go.

The top casing is installed. New fluted trim on the sides will soon be in place. The old paint line will be sanded and ready for paint.

I had promised an interview with the dog who clawed/chewed on the old door. However, the dog declined an interview, and preferred to keep his distance.I did hear him mumble something about it not being him, but the CAT!

An Andersen Project, Part Two

Day two.
The morning rain moved out, and pieces of blue sky began to show through the diminishing clouds.
It ended up being a great day for a little home improvement.
As always, the old door and window units are loaded and hauled away.

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Orey helps prep the opening.

On this application, the transom needs to be set first,
and we set some temporary setting blocks to hold it in place while we leveled it and anchored it in place.

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There are a lot of very important matters to consider when doing a project such as this. Since it is construction, special care is given to the floor, We always put down drop cloths to protect the carpet or hardwood flooring.
The old molding of course has to be removed, and before it is pried off, we cut the paint so the paint or wallpaper is not chipped or torn.

Chuck puts in some temporary fasteners before checking the transom for level.



It's a heavy unit.


Orey has his hands full.

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Next comes the stationary double door. No need for the guys to hit the weights today. This is quite the workout getting this door into place. (Notice the absence of the cameraman helping tote this door unit!)

A view from the inside. This will look super when it's trimmed out! More pictures tomorrow!


One down, and one to go! Check back tomorrow for some pictures of the finished product, and hopefully an interview with the dog.

An Andersen Project

Tuesday found our boys, expert installers
Chuck and Orey in south Tulsa preparing to replace some stationary double doors with eyebrow transoms.

This was a extremely nice house, with windows that were elegant, at least when the house was built.

These "windows" are actually stationary door panels, and are woor, fir to be more precise. Now the bad thing with wood, is that it is an organic material, and is subject to decay especially when it gets wet.Upon closer examination, you can see the problem. The wood has wicked up water when it rains, and i suspect whenever the sprinkler system kicks in.Wood rot is like a cancer. Very quickly, there is a point where no amount of caulking, puttying, or painting can stop the decay. Water that migrates through the wood from the cracks, and/or from leaks above also finds it's way inside the house.This particular door also had a little help from a doggie who did a nice remodeling job. (This fine doggie declined to comment, but I'll try to get an interview with him tomorrow.)we are putting Andersen door units into this home. These are wood doors, but the exterior is vinyl clad and is paintable, although it never needs painting unless one actually wants to change the color.
These stationary double doors will also have matching eyebrow transoms.Chuck checks the weather forecast before removing the old doors. The weatherman promises some severe weather to hit around 5:00 to 6:00. It seemed a wise decision to postpone the job until tomorrow. Would not want to have a huge opening in the side of the house with torrential rains in the picture.

More on this job tomorrow.