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Home Improvements We Need to Make | The Revival House Series

If you’ve been following our journey of fixing up our former foreclosure home through the The Reival House Series, then you know we’ve already done a lot of work. It’s tempting to only want to do (and share with you) the pretty stuff but, the truth is, sometimes home ownership is ugly.

Like cracked and broken kind of ugly.

Our house is really well built. That’s probably because the builder built it for himself and his family. But throughout the house, there’s evidence of cutting corners. Most of which, like our wonky floors which I could rant about forever so, therefore, they deserve a post of their own, are aesthetic issues. But unlike our floors, which I am sure were left over scraps from his previous builds (can you tell I am having to try really hard not to rant about our floors?!), our windows and doors cause us more than aesthetic grief.

When you live in the South, two things are a given. Heat & Humidity. And if you don’t take those two things very seriously, they can cost you a lot of money in the long run.

I am certain the builder chose the vinyl windows that he did due to budget. The problem is, after less than 5 years these windows started to crack. The entire back of our home is lined with these windows (and doors) that are not equipped for the heat and humidity that they need to be able to withstand here. To say nothing of the gutters they failed to install, but I digress.

I love a house full of light, full of windows and doors. I just wish for two things: 1) Windows and doors without all those faux panes and 2) Windows and doors that won’t die here in the South in less than a decade. I want something that will last..

Take our living room for example, it’s fairly nice on the inside.

But here’s what was hiding on the outside. Not so nice, right? This is what happens when you fail to respect the two hard and fast laws of the South – heat & humidity.

Here’s what I dream of for our living room: pane-less doors and windows so nothing obstructs my view of all that gorgeous nature and light right outside of them and painless, energy efficient and durable windows that we won’t need to replace every 5 years! Surely that’s not too much to ask?

 

For now, I keep keeping on until I get there!

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Filed Under: DIY Tutorials, Southern Revivals, The Revival House 92 Comments

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Comments

  1. Tanna says

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    I love the idea of the ultrex and would love to replace our windows, too! Our home maintenance dilemma right now is the roof. We have a 75 year roof that previous owners installed that needs to be replaced and done right. It’s less that 25 years old. Ugh!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Oh the dreaded roof redo! I feel for you!

      Reply
  2. Andrea says

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    This comes at a perfect time! We just closed on a house that needs new patio doors! I’m totally lusting over the in swing patio doors! So much prettier than the sliding glass door!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Agreed! Congrats on the new house and good luck!

      Reply
  3. Betsy McGriff says

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    Oh my! Our 1953 ranch is beautiful except for the original crank out aluminum windows. We did have an energy audit done last year and they don’t leak as badly as I might have thought (nor do they open for the most part). Mid century had beautiful hardwoods, plaster over sheet rock, but man would I love to replace them. That would be big $ as we have a “picture window” in each and every room, including bedrooms!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Oh yes! You really use that gift card girl! Good Luck!

      Reply
  4. Lisa Nygard says

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    We, too, are fixing up or formerly bank owned dream home. I would love to replace our current in-swing french doors that have panes blocking or forest view. I think I would choose the more practical French slider (with no panes!).

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Great choice! I love the slider but I have windows on either side of my french doors. I definitely want some without panes though! Good luck!

      Reply
  5. Alison says

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    Ugh, we are right there with you! Our problem is the polar opposite though: fridgid cold weather! Our home was built around 1906 or so, and while our windows are not quite so old, they are wooden and single pane. We lose so much heat in the winter! We are slowly replacing a few here and there, but would love to do more! I love the Ultrex double hung windows with the white finish. Beautiful!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Oh I feel for you but your home sounds like it would be amazing. It’s my dream to fix up an old home. It is also my dream to win the lottery! LOL Good luck!

      Reply
  6. Renea Thomas says

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    We purchased our home 11 years ago. It is a 1953 ranch. We have started remodeling little by little. The previous owner installed “faux pane” windows. Like you, I would love an unobstructed view! Ultrex Windows and Doors sound awesome!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Yes! I would love to get rid of all the paned windows in our house! Good luck to you!

      Reply
  7. lisa bivona says

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    all in time. but I know if they don’t get fixed soon…yeah I know.
    You guys are doing a great job. Jamie, glad you have been journeling this.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Thanks for being so supportive Lisa! I appreciate it! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Maggie Hamlin says

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    I would love to add two double hung windows in my living room. There are none in there now. Love the idea of more natural light!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      That would be great indeed Maggie! Good luck!

      Reply
  9. Shanna Gilbert says

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    Our windows are builder grade and I know that they leak. I would love to have some new glider windows to lower our heating bills in the winter!

    Reply
  10. Lisa says

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    I love the Infinity Sliding French Door and Glider windows with the Everwood interior. Very sharp and easy to maintain.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Good choice & good luck!

      Reply
  11. Melissa wood says

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    We moved into our house where the seller refused to fix or allow any more money to go towards all the windows that have a broken seal. We have several that are not only an eye sore but lose energy due to the seals being broken. It really takes away from the house. Having new energy efficient windows would be awesome!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      I feel your pain! Good luck!

      Reply
  12. Megan says

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    Starting our own business, my husband, two kids and I moved into a smaller home to follow our dreams! We desperately need to update our single pane windows to ones that hold the heat and cold in!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Definitely Megan! Good luck!

      Reply
  13. Sondra @ Sondra Lyn at Home says

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    Found my local dealer. And I’d LOVE to bump out the window in our Master Bedroom and make it a bay window!!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      I love a bay window, especially in the bedroom! Good luck!

      Reply
  14. Mami2jcn says

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    My local dealer is Custom Home Exteriors in Raleigh, NC. I’d love one of their bay windows for my dining room.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Ah the bay window! My favorite! Good luck!

      Reply
  15. Lindsay C. says

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    Oh man, our entire house needs new windows. We have a lovely 1929 dutch colonial and before we bought it most of the “guts’ were re-done but not the windows. After with this super cold winter we had, our heating bills were quite high!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Oh it sounds gorgeous Lindsay! Good luck!

      Reply
  16. Jody says

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    I would love to replace our sliding door to our deck with french doors!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      That would look great! Good luck!

      Reply
  17. jessica fisher says

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    Cleaning. That’s my biggest issue when it comes to windows. That’s why I would love the Double Hung windows and I can use Cash Lumber & Hardware, the nearest Integrity dealer.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Very true! Good luck to you!

      Reply
  18. Anna Pry says

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    There’s one in Zelienople PA, i need to replace our front and back doors on our house
    [email protected]

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Good luck Anna!

      Reply
  19. Melissa M says

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    Our house has the original 1950s windows and they are so drafty!! I would love to get new Double Hung Windows for the whole house. That would make for major savings in our heating and cooling bill,

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      It definitely would Melissa! Good luck!

      Reply
  20. Jessie C. says

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    Gladstone’s Window & Door Store is nearby. I would like Outswing French Doors!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Great choice Jessie! Good luck!

      Reply
  21. Serena @ Thrift Diving says

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    Hey, Jamie! Oooohhh….yeah, I can see why you need new windows. When we moved into our house in 2010, we replaced–gasp!–22 windows for a whopping $14,000. I still can’t believe that!! We still have 3 doors in this house that need replaced but we haven’t made it a priority. I’d love to win that $500! And no, I’m not sending it to you 🙂 HAHA

    Serena @ Thrift Diving

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      A girl’s gotta try Serena! LOL And $14,000 makes my head hurt. I would probably have a heart attack after getting a quote like that!

      Reply
      • Serena @ Thrift Diving says

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        Oh, trust me, hubby reminds me often of that painful figure! LOL. The bright side is that now the stink bugs don’t get in! I was a bit traumatized by those suckers when we moved in and would see about 25 per day! ICK! Now, only 1 every few months 🙂

        Reply
  22. Trinity says

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    I would love to have their wooden sliding French doors. Super classy!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Classy indeed! Good luck!

      Reply
  23. Lisa Brown says

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    My dealer is California Craftsman in Auburn, CA. Glider windows are my favorite, they open and close easily. I like the Wood-Ultrex Glider Windows – they are simple, low-maintenance, and are easily to removable, so they can be cleaned. 🙂

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Easy to clean it always a priority! Good luck!

      Reply
  24. Elines says

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    The out swing French doors are beautiful! I want!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Beautiful indeed! Good luck!

      Reply
  25. DESIREE H says

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    My local dealer is:
    Jones Paint & Glass
    6380 South Valley View Drive #306
    Las Vegas, NV 89118

    I would love to have new bay windows for my bedroom!! 🙂
    So beautiful! Thanks for the chance!!
    Faithrains2387 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Awesome! Good luck!

      Reply
  26. Cayce says

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    Glider windows instead of the builder grade I’m stuck with would be wonderful!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      I completely understand! Good luck!

      Reply
  27. Julie B says

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    I like the All Ultra Double Hang windows for my front porch.
    The closest location to me is at the
    Social Circle Ace Home Center
    181 S Cherokee Rd
    Social Circle, GA 30025
    It is about 20 minutes away!~
    Thank you for the chance! This would be great, our front porch windows’ wood are starting to rot.
    julumichael (at) yahoo (dot) com

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      You’re not too far from me! Good luck!

      Reply
  28. stacie says

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    The Ultrex Glider Windows look like a best fit for me. Gray lumber in Tacoma is our local dealer. Rather than me using them, I would give the gift card to my aunt who has a husband that has Huntingtons disease and has more household repairs needed than I have now. Hopefully I win this and will be able to give this to her as she would be more than overjoyed receiving this gift card. Thank you!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      How sweet! Karmically speaking, you’re already a winner. Good luck!

      Reply
  29. Jeanne says

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    Well we just moved into a 30 year old three story townhouse! I could definitely use the double hung windows! You can feel the winter breeze through our inefficient windows AND it is impossible to clean my windows on the outside! I’d have to have a really tall ladder. Oh, and while I’m dreaming, I need a french door for my back entrance!

    Reply
    • Jeanne says

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      My closest dealer is Marvin Design Gallery by Architectural Visions Inc.

      Reply
      • jamie says

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        Good luck!

        Reply
    • jamie says

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      3 stories! That sounds amazing but also very scary to clean. 😉 Good luck!

      Reply
  30. tina reynolds says

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    My local dealer is in town in spring valley mn I would love to redo the 3 season porch windows and my front door

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      I would love to do my front door, too and I wish I had a porch. Good luck!

      Reply
  31. Suzi says

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    I would love to replace the doors to our back deck with true “outswing” doors instead of the “inswing” doors that the builder put in backwards – that’s the sign of a quality build for you!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Oh I feel your pain, truly I do! Good luck!

      Reply
  32. Rachel Cartucci says

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    Yeah,I live in Mississippi and it’s hot and humid here…our house is shifting on it’s foundation so our windows are cracked,the doors sometimes get stuck and one of the door frames is needing to be replaced. My house is falling apart and going to cost us a small fortune.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Oh no Rachel! I’m so sorry! Good luck to you!

      Reply
  33. Lauren E. says

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    Our local dealer is Affordable Windows & Doors Co., Inc. in Leicester MA. I love the double hung windows in white.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Good luck Lauren!

      Reply
  34. Amy S. says

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    My local dealer is Home Elements in Alpine, Texas. I would definitely want the outswing French doors. Beautiful and made well!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      French doors in Texas conjures a lovely image! Good luck Amy!

      Reply
  35. Nikki N says

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    I would love to redo my kitchen doors and the sliding glass door in my dinning room.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Sounds great! Good luck!

      Reply
  36. Lora W. says

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    My closest location is Ervin Architectural Products, 1364 London Bridge Rd Suite 102, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. I like the wood-ultrex double hung replacement windows. They would be much more energy saving than my 1962 windows.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Definitely Lora! Good luck!

      Reply
  37. Tabitha P. says

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    i would love the sliding french door.
    the glider windows would be great too.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Good luck Tabitha!

      Reply
  38. Tamra H says

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    My local dealer is Berry Door & Window in Chesterfield, MO. I’d love to remodel my kitchen windows and sliding glass door!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Good luck Tamra!

      Reply
  39. Harmony B says

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    My nearest dealer is Builders General in Toms River, NJ
    Would love to replace my sliding doors with the French doors

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Good luck Harmony!

      Reply
  40. Jereth Morrison says

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    I would love the double hung windows in my house. Our sliding glass door needs replaced, it would be nice to have the outward swing French doors. Sliding doors that don’t slide are a bit pointless.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Yes! You need a door that open! Good luck to you!

      Reply
  41. Aly says

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    We literally need every window replaced in our house as there was/is a manufacturer’s defect in our windows, however, since we’re the second owner of the house we don’t qualify for their warranty. So stinky!!!

    The closest dealer to me is Spring Lake Park Lumber in Minneapolis.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Oh no! That is stinky! Good luck!

      Reply
  42. Spencer says

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    My local dealer is Southern Lumber Supply in Dothan, Alabama. A bay window would be great for our home.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Good luck Spencer!

      Reply
  43. Melissa says

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    My dealer is Midwest window and door in Montgomery, IL. I would love, love, love a set of French doors to replace my sliding glass door!!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      French doors over sliding doors for me, too! Good luck!

      Reply
  44. Kim says

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    I live in the South too, so I know all about that heat & humidity. I’ve always wanted a bay window in my kitchen. I just realized the closest dealer to me is a family friend!
    Coastal Sash & Door in Savannah, GA.

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Howdy neighbor! How cool is that discovery! Good luck!

      Reply
  45. Elisabeth says

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    I would love the sliding french doors! That would make our patio so much more inviting!

    Reply
    • jamie says

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      Definitely Elisabeth! Good luck!

      Reply

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