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!
![Know what I did yesterday? Spent the day making and selling cotton candy for my son’s marching band fundraiser at the county fair! Fall is for football, marching band, and Cowboy Queso Dip! When we aren’t out at a football game or a marching band competition, we’re “homegating” in our new backyard deck and patio space. Get the recipe for the most flavorful dip you’ll ever taste (thanks to my secret ingredient!) and a sneak peek of our backyard makeover #ontheblog today. Clickable link in my profile! Sponsored by @foodlion [ad] . . . #collectivebias #sofabfood #homegatinghacks #homegating #tailgate #appetizers #bhgfood #chefmode #nom #nomnom #dip #tastethisnext #feedfeed #f52grams #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #insiderfood](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/bbc9dcecb75426e16c0224569304b1d3/5CC8D2D4/t51.2885-15/e35/s320x320/42893743_505350686612903_7524159831202715014_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com "Know what I did yesterday? Spent the day making and selling cotton candy for my son’s marching band fundraiser at the county fair! Fall is for football, marching band, and Cowboy Queso Dip! When we aren’t out at a football game or a marching band competition, we’re “homegating” in our new backyard deck and patio space. Get the recipe for the most flavorful dip you’ll ever taste (thanks to my secret ingredient!) and a sneak peek of our backyard makeover #ontheblog today. Clickable link in my profile! Sponsored by @foodlion [ad] . . . #collectivebias #sofabfood #homegatinghacks #homegating #tailgate #appetizers #bhgfood #chefmode #nom #nomnom #dip #tastethisnext #feedfeed #f52grams #huffposttaste #buzzfeast #insiderfood")
![What better way to celebrate my birthday than with a sneak peek of our laundry room makeover that I’ve been promising since that @oneroomchallenge from last year?! I figured since I’ve already completed another ORC challenge, and I’m about to start on my third, it miiiiight be time to at least give you a peek at my first. Today I’m sharing this preview of our DIY #modernfarmhouse laundry room makeover along with my favorite way to keep all that laundry I’m way more happy to do these days super fresh. Clickable link in my profile. [ad] . . . . #ggathome #smmakelifebeautiful #decorcrushing #ABMatHome #myhousebeautiful #sodomino #interiorinspo #mydomaine #BHGhome #mycovetedhome #apartmenttherapy #showmeyourstyled #betterhomesandgardens #hgtvhome #simplystyleyourspace #mybhghome #Ilovegain #sparklewithgain](https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/vp/7ade5a97ea69cb7d0549b33af8301e96/5CC1CBC2/t51.2885-15/e35/s320x320/42002684_1078420912335418_3354643072263372049_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent.cdninstagram.com "What better way to celebrate my birthday than with a sneak peek of our laundry room makeover that I’ve been promising since that @oneroomchallenge from last year?! I figured since I’ve already completed another ORC challenge, and I’m about to start on my third, it miiiiight be time to at least give you a peek at my first. Today I’m sharing this preview of our DIY #modernfarmhouse laundry room makeover along with my favorite way to keep all that laundry I’m way more happy to do these days super fresh. Clickable link in my profile. [ad] . . . . #ggathome #smmakelifebeautiful #decorcrushing #ABMatHome #myhousebeautiful #sodomino #interiorinspo #mydomaine #BHGhome #mycovetedhome #apartmenttherapy #showmeyourstyled #betterhomesandgardens #hgtvhome #simplystyleyourspace #mybhghome #Ilovegain #sparklewithgain")
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!
Oh the dreaded roof redo! I feel for you!
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!
Agreed! Congrats on the new house and good luck!
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!
Oh yes! You really use that gift card girl! Good Luck!
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!).
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!
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!
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!
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!
Yes! I would love to get rid of all the paned windows in our house! Good luck to you!
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.
Thanks for being so supportive Lisa! I appreciate it! 🙂
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!
That would be great indeed Maggie! Good luck!
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!
I love the Infinity Sliding French Door and Glider windows with the Everwood interior. Very sharp and easy to maintain.
Good choice & good luck!
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!
I feel your pain! Good luck!
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!
Definitely Megan! Good luck!
Found my local dealer. And I’d LOVE to bump out the window in our Master Bedroom and make it a bay window!!
I love a bay window, especially in the bedroom! Good luck!
My local dealer is Custom Home Exteriors in Raleigh, NC. I’d love one of their bay windows for my dining room.
Ah the bay window! My favorite! Good luck!
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!
Oh it sounds gorgeous Lindsay! Good luck!
I would love to replace our sliding door to our deck with french doors!
That would look great! Good luck!
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.
Very true! Good luck to you!
There’s one in Zelienople PA, i need to replace our front and back doors on our house
pryfamily5@gmail.com
Good luck Anna!
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,
It definitely would Melissa! Good luck!
Gladstone’s Window & Door Store is nearby. I would like Outswing French Doors!
Great choice Jessie! Good luck!
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
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!
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 🙂
I would love to have their wooden sliding French doors. Super classy!
Classy indeed! Good luck!
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. 🙂
Easy to clean it always a priority! Good luck!
The out swing French doors are beautiful! I want!
Beautiful indeed! Good luck!
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
Awesome! Good luck!
Glider windows instead of the builder grade I’m stuck with would be wonderful!
I completely understand! Good luck!
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
You’re not too far from me! Good luck!
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!
How sweet! Karmically speaking, you’re already a winner. Good luck!
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!
My closest dealer is Marvin Design Gallery by Architectural Visions Inc.
Good luck!
3 stories! That sounds amazing but also very scary to clean. 😉 Good luck!
My local dealer is in town in spring valley mn I would love to redo the 3 season porch windows and my front door
I would love to do my front door, too and I wish I had a porch. Good luck!
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!
Oh I feel your pain, truly I do! Good luck!
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.
Oh no Rachel! I’m so sorry! Good luck to you!
Our local dealer is Affordable Windows & Doors Co., Inc. in Leicester MA. I love the double hung windows in white.
Good luck Lauren!
My local dealer is Home Elements in Alpine, Texas. I would definitely want the outswing French doors. Beautiful and made well!
French doors in Texas conjures a lovely image! Good luck Amy!
I would love to redo my kitchen doors and the sliding glass door in my dinning room.
Sounds great! Good luck!
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.
Definitely Lora! Good luck!
i would love the sliding french door.
the glider windows would be great too.
Good luck Tabitha!
My local dealer is Berry Door & Window in Chesterfield, MO. I’d love to remodel my kitchen windows and sliding glass door!
Good luck Tamra!
My nearest dealer is Builders General in Toms River, NJ
Would love to replace my sliding doors with the French doors
Good luck Harmony!
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.
Yes! You need a door that open! Good luck to you!
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.
Oh no! That is stinky! Good luck!
My local dealer is Southern Lumber Supply in Dothan, Alabama. A bay window would be great for our home.
Good luck Spencer!
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!!
French doors over sliding doors for me, too! Good luck!
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.
Howdy neighbor! How cool is that discovery! Good luck!
I would love the sliding french doors! That would make our patio so much more inviting!
Definitely Elisabeth! Good luck!