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Does my House Need New Windows?

Beautiful bedroom windowPurchasing new windows for a home is not a decision that is made lightly by homeowners. It is a significant investment and you want to be sure that you are making the right decision for both your home and your financial situation. Pacific Home & Patio would like to share some tips considering the need for new windows. 

  • Energy Efficiency: Do the current windows have frost and ice buildup in the winter? Can you feel a draft or temperature difference near the window? Are the current windows aluminum frame or single pane? A “yes” to any of these questions means that you are losing money in increased heating and cooling costs due to old inefficient windows.
  • Functionality of the Windows: Are the windows difficult to open or close? Do you need to place something in the window to keep it propped open? Is the window swollen or painted shut? A “yes” to any of these questions is another indicator that it is time for new windows. Functionality problems will only get worse with time and cost more money down the road.
  • Health: Can you see black mold on a wooden window frame? Is there lead paint on the frame? Protect your family’s health and replace windows with dangerous materials or black mold.
  • Light/Sound blockage ability: Do your windows allow in noticeable amounts of sound from outside? This is an indication that the insulation on the windows has deteriorated. Replacement windows can insulate your home from the chaos of the outside, creating a peaceful living space inside. Have you noticed any damage from sunlight to the flooring or furniture near a window? New windows are designed to provide protection from the intense Treasure Valley sun, protecting your furniture and flooring from unnecessary sun damage. 
  • Aesthetics: Do your current windows diminish the interior or exterior appearance of your home? You can easily increase the value of your home by updating the windows.

At Pacific Home & Patio, we educate homeowners on windows so they can make the decision that is right for their needs. We would love to help you with your window project in Boise, Meridian, Ontario, Baker City, Southwest Idaho or Eastern Oregon.  

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Top 5 Reasons to Add a Bay Window to your Home

Bay windows beautify your home

Bay windows make a big statement. As opposed to standard windows which are constructed from one piece of glass, bay windows are typically constructed from 3-5 main glass sections fitted together at 30 to 90 degree angles from each other. They can be opened from both top and sides. Pacific Home and Patio would like to share our top 5 reasons to add a bay window to your home.

  1. Space: Bay windows instantly add the illusion of more space to any room. The projection of the glass is much more interesting to the eye than a typical flat wall with a flat picture window. Interestingly, bay windows also add the illusion of space when viewed from the outside as well.
  2. Light/Circulation: The multiple panels of glass in a bay window allow light to enter a room at different angles. This adds substantially more light to a room than a traditional window. The result is a warm and welcoming room that feels brighter and more open. The angles of the windows, when open, also allow air to enter from multiple directions increasing circulation and comfort of your room.
  3. Storage: Bay windows are a natural place to add a storage bench in a room. In a living room, this storage area can be filled with pillows and blankets. Toy storage is a great benefit to adding a bay window to a child’s room. 
  4. Cozy space: The storage bench can be upholstered and accented with pillows and blankets to make a perfect reading corner. Windows can also be used as a greenhouse space in the home as the light from the window makes an ideal growing space.
  5. Resale: Bay windows are very attractive and can increase the resale value of your home. By making your room seem larger and more inviting, a bay window adds appeal with potential buyers.

At Pacific Home and Patio, we love working helping our customers select the perfect bay window for their homes, completing the installation, and seeing our clients’ satisfaction with the completed project. For all your bay window needs in the Boise, Meridian, Star, Southwest Idaho, Ontario, Baker City, and Eastern Oregon area, call us today!

Windows
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Pergolas in History

Ancient Egypt and Rome

Mankind has always sought refuge from the hot sun. The word pergola is originally a Latin word meaning projection from a roof. Pergolas were first seen in ancient Egypt as a means of providing shade from the intense sun. The earliest known garden plan dates back to 1400 BC, belonged to an official of the Egyptian High Court of Thebes, and includes a pergola over the entryway into the garden. Ancient Egyptians used their pergolas to aid in growing fruit trees, pomegranates and figs, as well as grapes.

The structures were also utilized in ancient Roman where they were called peristyles. In both ancient Egypt and Rome, pergolas were found almost exclusively among the wealthy. Privileged Romans built pergolas in their villas so they could enjoy the shade on hot days without having to be outside with the lower classes.

French Invasion

During the 1400s, France’s Charles VIII invaded Italy and brought the concept of pergolas back to France. The French noble class began to use them for relaxation in their garden spaces.  

17th Century Structural Changes

Prior to the 17th century, pergolas were typically long green tunnels of vegetation that served as garden walkways. During the 17th century, pergolas began to resemble modern pergola structure, though they were typically larger in size.

Italian Renaissance

The 17th century Italian Renaissance with its focus on beauty saw a giant surge in the use of pergolas. During this time, large and dramatic smooth stone pillars were featured in the design. 

18th and 19th Centuries

Pergolas went out of style during this time. More natural gardening styles were favored.

20th Century

Pergolas resurfaced in garden areas and are enjoyed by people of all cultures and classes as a means to add beauty to their landscaping as well as providing a relaxing outdoor space. To find out what a pergola can do for your home’s landscaping in the Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Southwestern Idaho, Ontario, Baker City, and Eastern Oregon, contact us today at Pacific Home and Patio!

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Tips for Picking the Perfect Siding Color for your Home

Cross Roads SidingReady to invest in new siding? Fantastic!

Having trouble deciding what color is right for your home? You’re not alone. Today’s siding color options seem almost infinite. Pacific Home and Patio would like to share some recommendations for picking out the perfect hue for your home.

  1. Consider your house type. Do you have a Colonial, Victorian, or any other period home design? The architecture of these homes tend to look best when the siding color choice is a common color from the historical period.
  2. Consider nearby houses. What colors of siding are typical in your neighborhood? Do you want your home to blend in or to stand out?
  3. Do you want your house to look larger or smaller? Using a dark color will make your home look smaller. Light colors tend to make a house look larger. Choosing more than 1 color is usually best for a two story house.
  4. Consider the features of your house. Don’t forget to take the color of your roof into account. You want to make sure that the roof complements the new siding color harmoniously. Also, check out the landscaping. Do the colors present in the natural surroundings of your home work well with the siding color you are contemplating?
  5. Remember the trim. Homes with well-coordinated trim and siding are especially attractive to the eye. The best way to complement the trim to the siding color is to use a color either few shades lighter or darker for the trim. If your siding is a dark color, choose a lighter trim. If your siding is a light color, be sure to use a darker color for the trim.

One last thing to remember with your new siding project, no matter how amazing the color selection you make, you need to make sure that you choose a quality siding material for your investment. Cheap siding will not hold its color and is more susceptible to cracking and fading. Pacific Home and Patio will work with our customers in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Southwest Idaho, Ontario, Baker City, and Eastern Oregon to pick the best quality product for your home for your budget.

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Window Energy Efficiency Ratings Explained

Energy Efficient WindowIn the market for new windows? How exciting! These days, energy efficiency is a priority for most consumers but trying to make sense of all the terms and ratings can be confusing.

Let our handy guide help clarify window efficiency ratings.

U-Factor-Therate at which a window conducts non-solar heat flow. U-Factor measures how well a window prevents heat from escaping to the outside. The lower the U-factor, the higher the efficiency of the window.

Solar Heat Gain Co-Efficient (SHGC)-The fraction of solar radiation transmitted through a window. This can be through direct transmission of heat or absorption of heat. SHGC measures how well a window blocks heat from the sun. The lower the SHGC value, the lower the amount of solar heat transmitted through the window.

Air Leakage-The rate of air movement around a window. A window with a low air leakage rating is tighter compared to windows with high air pressure ratings.

Visible Transmittance (VT)-The fraction of visible sunlight that is transmitted through the glazing of a window. The higher the VT rating, the more visible light that is transmitted through a particular window. The VT you will need depends on a home’s daylighting requirements. Since personal preferences vary here considerably, it is best to talk to a professional to help determine the VT rating that will meet your needs.

Light to Solar Gain (LSG)-The ratio between SHGC and VT.  This ratio provides an indication of the relative efficiency of different windows in transmitting daylight while blocking the solar heat. The higher the ratio number, the greater amount of light transmitted without excessive heat.

Shopping for energy efficiency windows requires some savvy. By educating yourself on the above terms, you will better understand what your priorities are for replacement windows. Still have questions? Pacific Home and Patio is here to help you pick out the windows that are right for your needs and budget. Call us today with your energy efficiency window questions in Boise, Meridian, Eagle, and Southwest Idaho as well as Ontario, Baker City and Eastern Ontario.   

Windows
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