What Do Real Estate Pros and Designers Recommend for Windows and Doors?

As THE replacement window contractor for the Minneapolis area, we pay attention to what real estate professionals as well as home designers are talking about, when it relates to windows and doors.   (Often their comments are contradictory, with many of them promoting trends, while others stress the value of timeless design.)   Which do you pay attention to?  It depends mainly on what your intention is for remodeling your home.

• If you’re planning on improving your home with a view towards increasing its value because you intend to sell it, the advice of real estate professionals is mainly what you’d do well to pay attention to.  They know what buyers want, and they monitor such things as return on investment (ROI), a crucial factor in home improvements.  Return on investment is basically how much of what you spend to remodel you can expect to get back in terms of increase in home value.  (Spoiler:  Very few projects will deliver 100%, though some come close.  But take into account that some types of remodeling may make your home sell quicker, which may be a big factor for you.)
• Intending to keep your home indefinitely and remodel it to suit your needs and tastes?  In that case, a designer’s advice might be more fitting for you.  And here’s where paying attention to trends comes in, because incorporating a trend in doors and windows could give your home a fresh, up-to-date look that you’ll take personal satisfaction in.

But at times the real estate and home design industries agree.  And in this case, it’s the recommendation to ‘think outside the box’ if you’re considering replacing your windows and/or exterior doors.  Keep in mind you’re not bound to the style or size of your existing windows and doors.  In fact, with the emphasis on bringing in natural light, larger windows and doors with more glass are highly recommended.  Says one of Marvin’s design experts, Katie Kurtz (whose real estate/design business is based in Minnesota):

One of the most impactful ways to change both the exterior look and the interior feel of a home or building is with new, and oftentimes larger, windows. Thoughtfully planned windows can evolve the space and fill it with light indoors and increase the nature-embracing sightlines to the outdoors.

Kurtz definitely agrees. “I love natural light, as do I think many people, especially in Minnesota, where we have a long winter,” she said. “And having large windows that let in a lot of sunlight, it just makes you feel completely different than if you’re in a small, dark space all day. It just changes the whole feel.”

Shown below is a photo (courtesy of Marvin) that incorporates larger windows and doors.  The window seat focuses around a Marvin ‘Skycove’ window that protrudes out from the wall and gives light from four directions.  The white French door is an in-swing model from Marvin’s Elevate collection of fiberglass windows and doors.  It’s a great example of how sometimes the best window is a door!  Open or closed, this door lets in lots of light.

If you’d like to add a bit more light to the inside of your home with new energy-efficient replacement windows and exterior doors, reach out to us today.  We’d be happy to meet with you either in your home or our Savage MN showroom and show you some of the many options we have from companies like Marvin and others.  We’ve even got some suggestions for increasing light without enlarging  your door or window openings.

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.