One of the best things we can do as homeowners with older houses is to update the windows. The newer vinyl windows with double insulated window panes are so much more energy efficient than the older wooden single pane glass windows were. I was very lucky when I moved in this house that the windows had already been updated to vinyl windows along the way and weren’t too old. They weren’t all trimmed out properly and we had to finish that, but I’m so happy that I had good insulated windows in this house.  Adding extra windows is something that’s been on my wish list.
After moving in and living here for 2 years, one of the things I’ve really wanted to do is add extra windows to my den room to bring in lots more light. It’s only got one small double window in there now and can be very dark without any lights on. Adding those extra windows will make such a difference in my house and the natural light that will be brought in now.
As you can see in this shot, that lower part of the house has no windows and that is the outside wall of my den. I’m going to mimic as best I can the upper windows to the lower and this will definitely make a huge difference.
The new windows should flank my antique French buffet on that back wall. Â I can’t wait to see light coming in here!
And the larger double window with glass in the middle will go right over where this chair is sitting. Â It is truly going to make a huge difference in this room.
I’m so happy to be working with Lowes on this renovation project. I’ve been working with them for over 3 years now and it’s been great to get so many things crossed off my list and these windows will be one of those major impact projects.
This is a project over and above my normal monthly projects with Lowes and I’m so happy they are partnering with me, along with Pella to get this job done. I’ve ordered all the windows in the sizes I need and they will all be in soon. Can’t wait to get this done! I’m also adding a double window to my laundry room and that will be a huge improvement too, getting light in that dark space.
The new double window will be right over that turquoise storage piece. Â I couldn’t put it over the sink because of a big plumbing pipe that is in the wall up above. Â So, I’ll do what I can to bring light in here.
Another area that this project will touch is my old sliding glass door that goes from the dining room out to the screened porch. It’s the original 1979 glass door and it really needs an update. The windows are smoky looking with spots that I can’t get off and some of the trim pieces on the outside of the door are falling apart. It’s definitely time to update to something more energy efficient and this beautiful wood slider from Pella will be a welcome addition. I’m getting white painted wood on the inside and the exterior will be black metal, which will look nice from the screened porch side. I’m so excited about this new door too, it will make a difference, I’m sure in energy efficiency, not to mention just the aesthetics of it all.
Here’s the old slider from the dining room side. Â It doesn’t look bad, but it’s heavy and hard to slide and some of the weather stripping is falling apart on the exterior. Â Someone mentioned French doors and yes, I dearly love those too. Â But, I just don’t have a lot of space inside the dining room or on the porch to swing a set of French doors. Â I think they would just really get in the way of the pathway, so I opted to keep the slider.
And here’s how it looks on the porch side. Â It will be nice to get a fresh new door in here, for energy efficiency, not to mention it will be easier to slide too.
I’ll be hiring the same father/son team who built my new front portico for this project and they will probably do it one at a time until it is all complete. They stay very busy and with the winter weather, will have to work when they can, not to mention we can’t leave gaping holes in my house this time of year. Â So, one at a time, it will all be finished!
New doors and windows are such a great home addition, so this is one project that I have been waiting to do since I moved in. I’m so happy to be partnering with Lowes and Pella both on this. Pella is a really great brand and these windows and door will be beautiful. Pella offers many styles, materials, and pricepoints for all projects.
Check out Lowes Creative Ideas Magazine app, visit Lowes on Facebook, and Lowes on Pinterest.You can see Lowes on Instagram as well. Instagram is fun for every day real life happenings.
Exciting times, Rhoda! I look forward to the “after” shots, especially the downstairs big room. Then it’s drapes, then blinds, and oh……… can’t wait!, and it’s not even mine.
It will be gorgeous as well as cost effective! Good luck and can’t wait to see the finished product!
I LOVE light! And I love your idea. We worked with Lowe’s last year to replace all eight of the sliding glass doors that look out on the lake. Even though it involved basically one entire side of my house being open (more than a little scary), the job was done with professionalism and quickly. All eight in one day! It was a win win for sure! Can’t wait to see the finished project.
That will make a huge difference on the interior and the exterior of the house. You are a great representative for Lowe’s and Pella. Every little makeover you do on your house really improves it.
When I design a new garden my contractor ALWAYS asks me, “How many French doors did you put in?”
And client husbands were worried I would put in FLOWERS????????
Designing gardens, it is imperative my general contractor is a licensed home builder.
Color aka paint, light fixtures, paths, windows, doors, etc….these things are Garden Design. Plants? The last layer. And, most unimportant.
Cannot get enough of your Dad and Mom !
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara
Hi Rhoda,
You will be so happy with new windows and more light streaming through your house. Two years ago we replaced 40 windows in our house (we built it almost 30 years ago) with new energy efficient windows. What a difference in comfort and looks. In our sunroom, we replaced 14 windows and an exterior door with the Pella windows that have the blinds between the glass. Absolutely love them. Perfect for a sunroom. The Pella folks came out from Iowa and photographed those windows being installed for one of their training manuals. That was an interesting, fun day!
Can’t wait to see everything finished. Your house will be beautiful!
Those windows will make such a difference. I’m happy for you!
I can’t wait to see your new windows!
Would it be possible to do french doors instead of sliders? Just wondering.
Have a great day!
Kathy, I really love French doors, but with the small size of my dining room and porch, they would just get in the way and take up too much space, so I’m keeping the sliders.
Looking forward to this update Rhoda! Sounds wonderful!
Because of the structure of our home–attic placement, roofline, etc. we couldn’t add extra windows on the north side of the house…we opted for “sun tunnels” from The Home Depot (right off the shelf and you can get light kits with them, too). So glad we did it, now I don’t have to flip the light switch when I walk into the rooms in the afternoon.
High anticipation for seeing the end of this ‘window’ project. Will add a new dimension; and yes, those old 70’s sliders are a pain as they age and totally cooling and heating nightmares.
Happy New Year, Rhoda!
When we did some remodeling several years ago, we added a few windows in an area similar to yours in your den. It has made such a difference! With your new windows, you will notice that not only is there more light, but the light is more balanced in the room. I know you’re going to LOVE your new windows! By the way, are you painting the inside of your new sliding door the “Fired Earth” (dark brown) color?
Blessed New Year Rhoda,
We built our home in 91 and added three windows in 2008: two in the living room and 1 in the bathroom. Love all three. Love your ideas and I know they will “light up your world.” Can’t wait to see them.
What a wonderful opportunity for a major home improvement. Good for you!
It’s going to look lovely! We just purchased a home several months ago, with lots of natural light and I LOVE it! I am always so impressed with what you do.
The 90’s color scheme in my home is on its way out. My master bedroom/bath is very similar to your sister’s home, with sitting room off to the side. So I am anxiously awaiting pics of the redo on the master bath 🙂 My bathroom currently has burgandy and brown wallpaper, yuck.
I love the idea of adding windows to bring more light into the home. Everyday I open the curtains, blinds, etc to let in as much light as possible. Light can elevate your mood & it’s good for killing some germs too. Before antibiotics the medical profession used natural light & ventilation to help promote healing in their patients. Can’t wait to see how these windows look in your home, Rhoda.
Oh, goody goody! Another project to follow. We have Pella doors for both our current home’s front door and slider onto our porch in the back. We love them and also had Pella doors hung in our new home being built in Ohio for the front and slider onto that porch. Can’t go wrong with Pella! Your new windows will open up your lower level to so much light and improve the external look too. Thanks for sharing Rhoda!
Love the curtains on your screened in porch. Did you make those. My porch is similar and want to put up curtains. Love your blogs.
HI, Annelle, those curtains are from Wayfair.com. I love what they add to my porch.
This is going to be stunning! Great idea to bring in more light to make a huge difference…love it!
You will LUV having new windows, even beyond the visual change! The ease and use and energy efficiency is the biggest WIN!
Replacing all the windows in my mother’s 1961 house was at the top of the list in the renovations/addition. We even got the tilt outs to make it wAy easier to clean! And I had two sets of windows made that looked like we put in french doors –we didn’t have ceiling height on the 2nd floor for actual french doors. : (
Your house will look so refreshed and even more beautiful with this next project–congrats!
Catherine