Woodland Windows and Doors Blog

Everyone longs for a room with a view and there is no more welcome view than the one from the window at the kitchen sink. No matter what style kitchen you have, a window above the sink is always appropriate and when you're cleaning dishes for what feels like longer than necessary, you'll be grateful for the view in this room. How can you select a w...

The snow is finally melting and your icy wet windows are returning to normal, so that you can see outside. If the inside of your windows were foggy, icy or wet during these past months of freezing temperatures it may be time to replace your windows. It may be time to get an assessment of the condition of your window's. Suffice it to say, it's norma...

Far and away the biggest contributor to 2021 window and door trends is the pandemic. For many of us, our lifestyles significantly changed in 2020, prompting homeowners to renovate to accommodate these changes. With more people working from home, children learning at home and families staying home, three window and door remodeling trends emerge to r...

People always ask, are basement windows a standard size or style?

Not exactly, however we can recommend a category of window styles that would meet the utility needs of a basement window.

HAPPY JULY 4th - Wishing you and your families a peaceful and joyful celebration!

Marvin Windows and Doors

Black windows are a natural fit for a Farmhouse style home, so it’s no wonder we’re noticing the trend with so many beautiful examples in our neighborhoods. Black windows work with the typical warm or cool neutrals like cream, beige, silver sage and grey interior colors. They complement the minimalist style and are stunning in contrast with the typical white board and batten exterior siding.

For those of you wondering why local builders are still on the job we thought you might find guidelines for Home Construction Deemed Essential interesting laid out so concisely by Bill Ward, EVP Home Builders Association of Illinois.

Wheeling, Illinois

As soon as fall breaks toward winter and outside temperatures drop, some windows in your home may appear a bit cloudy. Depending on where the fog is occurring, the problem may be as simple as excess moisture developing due to the difference in indoor and outdoor temperature or it might be more serious because the window seal is failing.

Condensation on the Glass Surface

Mid-Century Modern Home - West Chicago, IL

You’ve driven by one and you may have even stopped to look at it. The Mid-Century Modern Home rarely goes unnoticed. Sleek lines, curtain walls of glass, horizontal window designs and contemporary doors are what defines a Mid-Century Modern home.

If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.
So let it be. – Scottish blessing

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season.

Woodland continues to be grateful each day and each year for our friends, family and the community of customers who support our business -- for 50th years now. We hope you have a very special Thanksgiving Day with your loved ones. 

Woodland celebrates America's veterans!

Black Windows Elmhurst, IL

Have you noticed that black windows are replacing white windows for home renovations and new homes? Now offered by most manufacturers, black is perfect for accentuating the clean simple lines todays homeowners prefer.

We hope you’ll join us next Saturday, October 5^th at Woodland Windows and Doors at the corner of Lake and Gary for our 50^th Anniversary Fall Open House. We invite you to learn about what’s new for windows and doors, gather with neighbors, family and friends, or enjoy some fun with your kids.

Why visit an Open House?

Modern Farm Style - Andersen Black Windows

You know you’ve been admiring all those home renovations or new homes that with the black windows but thinking, that would never work for our home, it’s too traditional. Look again, those black window sashes and frames are installed in all types of homes, craftsman, farm, ranch and yes, modern. For many manufacturers black is offered as a standard color and for virtually all manufacturers black, even multiple shades of black come as finishing options for your interior, exterior or both.

Architectural detail defines a home and selecting the right window grilles or grids expands the character of your home. The grille pattern on these Marvin casement windows located in a small laundry room allows the eye to move between the outdoor scenery and back to the simple wood detailing on the window glass that creates a warm feeling in the room. The designer boldly mixed window grille patterns on these side-by-side windows in order to accommodate a narrow window. The result is aesthetically just right.

Marvin Casement Window

Wishing you a beautiful Easter weekend. Woodland will be closed Good Friday, April 19th to celebrate this special holiday.  

Marvin Contemporary Window series 

A home in the woods needs more glass, which is why the owners of Interior Design Group, IDG in Lisle, Il selected Marvin Contemporary Studio series for their own home nestled on a wooded lot not far from Chicago.

Time takes it's toll on homes. Homes need constant repair and upkeep. As important is to maintanence is keeping them updated. When it's time to make a serious repair to your home take a page from these homeowners who didn't just replace their worn out siding and old windows with new versions of the same thing. These homeowners completely transformed their home. It looks like it was just built.

This beautifully transformed Elk Grove Village home choose replacement Craneboard Honey Oak, Dutch Lap siding, white porch and ceiling soffits, white gutters with oversize downspouts and Marvin Infinity casement bow windows.

Our extreme cold weather can wreak havoc on our daily living. Near the top of that list is the nuisance of ice and condensation build up on our windows. We’re here to tell you that it’s something to attend to but not that uncommon in freezing temperatures.

With extreme cold outside temperatures, beads of moisture or condensation can accumulate on the inside glazing of your windows. Then a layer of frost or ice develops on the glass or in the corners near the window frame, it’s natural to worry. What are the causes, and if your windows have this problem, what can be done?  

 Chicago Condominium

Leave it to the owners of this gorgeous downtown Chicago condominium to select Marvin Integrity ‘ebony’ finish for their new windows and doors. Their choice of sleek casements, awnings and an expansive patio door system, all contemporary looks, gives the individual units and the building a fresh look.

A special thank you to our customers for a great year!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from the team at Woodland Windows and Doors!

We wish you the happiest of times with your friends and family as you open your home in celebration. We're eternally grateful for our community of customers.

Andersen E-Series Windows

The owner of this St Charles home who has worked in the building industry for years, selected Andersen E-Series modern windows and doors to connect the inside of his home to the natural landscapes outdoors. His floor to ceiling glass designs could be perfectly executed with the design ability to line up jambs that maintain perfect sightlines to the outside. E-Series allowed him flexibility beyond the structure to include custom walnut interior finishes and black aluminum exterior design choices. This amazing project is a perfect illustration of how frameless glass expanses, narrow profiles and the special awareness of one’s environment all come together to create a perfect modern home.

Mission Style Historic Home

Replacing a home’s old windows, especially in historical neighborhoods, with bad replacements has a lasting effect on the curb appeal of your home and the neighborhood. Windows define a house as the most prominent feature that can add or detract from your home’s style. It was no surprise then when the new owner of a classic 1899 mission style home in a Chicago suburb, a professional architect, readily spotted the offending replacements as upsetting the rhythm of the house and set about to restore the home’s original façade.

Woodland Windows & Doors has proudly featured Marvin products for years offering a full selection of their three brands, Marvin, Integrity and Infinity. The Infinity brand is a favorite replacement window among remodelers and homeowners alike. It’s designed to have the look and feel of traditional wood frames, but with modern features and low maintenance.

The trend toward bringing the outdoors in to our homes makes the addition of a sunroom very popular. If your goal is to open your home to natural light, fresh air and natures views you’ll want to select a style that optimizes your window and door choices. Traditional sunroom additions give you the maximum flexibility to select the size, style and location for your sunroom windows and doors.

Traditional Sunroom Addition

A ‘site built’ or sometimes called ‘stick built’ addition is built from scratch on-site. In this case, the wood, concrete, glass, siding, shingles, insulation, lighting and every other component is selected to closely match your existing home or to upgraded standards. A traditional sunroom addition is constructed by a contractor just as any regular addition or house would be. Permits are pulled, a foundation is laid, walls are framed, insulated and sheet rocked, roof trusses are built, and the room is wired for power.

Since the primary purpose of these rooms is to create a bright and airy space, particular attention needs to be given to the window and door selection in order to get the maximum benefit of the room. Here are some key considerations for your sunroom addition windows and doors.

Foggy glass, rotting wood, shrinking caulk, or leaking windows are all signs that your windows likely need replacing. When you own a condo and belong to a Homeowner Association (HOA) what options do you have for replacing the windows in your unit? Do you need pre-approvals from your HOA?

Condo Window & Door Replacement Project

When we think about remodeling our homes, we imagine a kitchen, bathroom, more space or maybe an outdoor patio. Few people dream about remodeling their home’s infrastructure, windows, doors, siding, heating and cooling systems, that sort of thing. If you’re thinking about remodeling your home, start by improving your infrastructure with Marvin replacement windows and doors this Spring.

Marvin Replacement Windows

No longer just a trend, Black windows are now offered by more manufacturers because they can be as versatile as white.

Marvin Ultimate

White windows have long been a standard choice, yet increasingly black, once used as a focal point color, now black is also seen as a neutral window color. White windows are still selected for traditional homes and black is increasingly selected for a variety of styles from chic modern to historic renovations. For example, black windows, black gutters and fascia complements the red or brown brickwork of many old buildings.

The fact is that the color black is elegant and goes with everything the same way white compliments other colors and a variety of design choices.

From All of Us at Woodland Windows & Doors

Explore the 'wide open possibilities' of Marvin Scenic View Doors and earn 1-CEU at this complimentary CEU Training Event hosted by Woodland Windows & Doors. March 16th from 11-1pm, including lunch.

If your projects include expansive door openings this is the perfect time to gather information and learn more about fenestration for large window and door openings in residential applications. The course will be presented by Marvin experts, Taylor Neill, CSI, CDT and Tim Vande Loo, CDT at Woodland where you'll be able to see a beautiful 14' x 10' Marvin Multi-slide Door.

Why does condensation appears on my windows and what can be done?

Condensation on your windows operates on the same principle as steamed up bathroom mirrors after taking a shower. The steam from the shower is too heavy to be carried away in the air, so it condenses onto the coldest surfaces in the room and you get a steamy mirror. Likewise, if the moisture in your home is too dense to remain in the air, it too will condense onto the coldest surfaces in your home, which are most likely your windows.

In a nutshell, if you see condensation on your windows you most likely have too much humidity in your home and you’ll want to focus on reducing the sources of humidity. Typically, winter is more troublesome than summer when it comes to condensation because you home is closed up to keep the heat in. Warmer air holds more moisture than cold air, which is why condensation will appear on your window more often during the winter months.

Walk into a beautiful space, a classic museum, an elegant hotel, a swank lobby or a beautiful home and we’re struck by how we feel.

Design should express and reinforce the essential idea of the space. The room’s angles, ceiling heights, architectural details, focal points or the outside landscape.

Integrity by Marvin Windows

If you’re a fan of HGTV you most likely think that white is the only color for your home’s interior windows and trim. Then again, if you’re a fan of This Old House and love traditional and historic homes, you most likely think that natural wood is the more beautiful choice. Is one choice better than the other? It depends on the look you want to achieve and your existing window and trim color.

^{Marvin Ultimate White Interior Windows}

Thinking about remodeling your home and replacing your old windows? Come to our Open House this Saturday, September 30th and pick up a copy of the remodeling guide with tips about replacing your windows. 

This Old House Remodeling Tips for Replacing Windows

We hope you’ll join us Saturday, September 30^th at Woodland Windows and Doors at the corner of Lake and Gary for our Fall Open House. We invite you to learn about what’s new for windows and doors, gather with neighbors, family and friends, or enjoy some fun with your kids.

Why visit an Open House?

Woodland sponsors the Open House because we’re completely dedicated to showcasing and educating the community about the beautiful and functional products available for your new home or your home improvement. We also like to hear directly from customer’s what products and services you need from us. What better way than to open the doors for people to leisurely explore, talk with experts and learn regardless of your immediate intentions to buy?

You’ve settled into your dream home that you purchased last year when a huge storm blows through your area. Rain pounding against the house and streaks of water wash across your windows and doors. You scamper around your home ensuring yourself that all the windows and doors are securely closed when you notice a small water puddle on the floor next to the sliding patio door. You wipe it up and the next morning the floor is still dry and you conclude that it was just a hard pounding rain the likes of which no barrier could have kept some amount of water from penetrating.

Poor Installation is a Common Problem

A consistent theme among customers looking at windows and doors for their remodeling projects is to profess that they want a modern look. After talking and showing them various products, we begin to understand what ‘a modern look’ actually means to most people.

What they’re usually describing is the desire for an up to date, fresh look that is fashionable. Although it’s very important when remodeling to stay true to the style of the home, there is a lot of latitude to replace windows and doors with products that will modernize your home.

Leaking condominium windows are not always obvious, that is of course, until the problem is hard to ignore. Most CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions) assign windows as the homeowner’s responsibility, yet when leaking windows become a structural concern the association typically assumes the project of replacing the windows in the entire building.

While the question of who will pay for the new windows is important, if you have a system wide problem, the question is who will diagnose and solve the problem? The common expense and unit costs can be determined after project estimates are obtained.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

From All of Us at Woodland Windows and Doors

Did you know that it was Abraham Lincoln who, in the midst of the Civil War, in 1863, established the annual celebration of Thanksgiving? Sarah Josepha Hale, a 74-year-old magazine editor, wrote a letter to Lincoln on September 28, 1863, urging him to have the "day of our annual Thanksgiving made a National and fixed Union Festival." She explained, "You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States; it now needs National recognition and authoritative fixation, only, to become permanently, an American custom and institution."

As soon as fall breaks toward winter and outside temperatures drop, some windows in your home may appear a bit cloudy. Depending on where the fog is occurring, the problem may be as simple as excess moisture developing due to the difference in indoor and outdoor temperature or it might be more serious because the window seal is failing.

Condensation on the Glass Surface

Condensation on glass surfaces happens, for example, on a hot humid day when moisture may accumulate on the exterior side of your windows. Likewise, on a very cold day, moisture can build up on the interior side of your windows. Condensation on your windows can be worse when the outside temperature is below the dew point of the indoor air. Water or frost appears when warm moist air comes in contact with colder dry air.

Every day at Woodland Windows and Doors, we strive to bring our customers the best of everything – customer service, great products, creative solutions, state of the art showroom and much more. Therefore, when Woodland was selected by our industry peers, for the

Window and Door Magazine 2016 Dealer of the Year Award for the most innovative enterprise, we know we have you, our customers, to thank for expecting the best.

Replacing strategically selected windows during your remodel can significantly enhance your entire project. Have you ever been invited to see your neighbor’s or a friend’s newly remodeled kitchen and what you see are updated appliances, cabinets, countertops, floors and freshly painted walls? What you’re seeing is very typical and would be more accurately called a kitchen replacement, not a remodel. The same thing happens with window replacement. A home’s windows are old, inefficient, inoperable, or badly worn and the homeowner replaces them with a new replica of the old windows. Like the new kitchen, the new windows look and function better, but the space hasn’t improved. A better way to get the most out of replacing your windows is to focus on enhancing – improving the quality of your environment by intensifying and amplifying the effect of your windows.

If you're remodeling, replacing windows can significantly enhance your overall project.

Marvin Windows

You’ve just spent months, if not years making the decision to replace your leaky inefficient windows. You’ve taken the leap and selected the best windows that your budget could manage. Now comes one more decision, which may be the biggest one you’ll make – who will install your new windows and what is their installation process? Remember this -no shortcuts allowed.

Before signing a sales order for your replacement windows, select an installer and take the time to see at least one finished installations. Know the proper steps to install your type of window, for your particular home. Before you sign the installation contract read the detail.

Older homes with original windows are likely to be made from wood. The woods used were typically hardwoods, giving them an enduring quality if maintained. Over time, wood windows were manufactured from softer woods that may not be as rot resistant as the hardwoods. In either case, quality wood windows will last a long time if maintained.

HDTV is a popular TV channel featuring remodeling wonders. The shows begin with a demolition phase, which is instructive. It’s not uncommon to uncover unwelcome discoveries behind the walls, while the poor homeowners look on hopelessly. At Woodland, we hear stories and witness similar problems all the time when we install replacement windows. It’s a crying shame to see how badly windows can be installed whether new construction or previously remodeled.

At Woodland we have a holistic approach to window installation, which is why we prefer to install the windows we sell and why we don't install windows we don't sell.

Windmills in the back yard, rain barrels under gutters, and concrete front lawns, it’s looking like more homeowners are joining the sustainability movement. Sometimes these obvious efforts to do the right thing can seem extreme. When it comes to home building or remodeling, sustainability starts by critically thinking about how windows affect a home’s overall climate.

Windows typically comprise 10-25% of a home’s exterior wall area, and in a climate like ours, they can account for 35-50% of the heating and cooling needs of the home.

When you’re ready to remodel or build a new home talk to architects and builders who understand sustainable design and enlist them to help you create a three step balanced approach to sustainability.

How do I know if my windows need to be replaced? It’s a question we get nearly every day and I must admit that when I hear that question a song plays in my head. The song goes something like this; to everything there is a season…a time for this and a time for that. That sentiment is indeed the best way to answer the question. Everything eventually wears out and is replaced with something else. In the case of windows that ‘something else’ is far and away better than what it is replacing.

Source: Marvin

Older homes often have extremely durable original wood windows that with regular maintenance and repair can last 100 years. On the other hand, homes built within the past 50-60 years usually require wood windows to be replaced around 20 years after installation. These wood windows are more prone to rotting primarily due to the fact the wood is not old growth and so not the hardwoods of yesteryear. Additionally, techniques such as finger joints and the environmental restrictions placed on paint ingredients, reduces the paint’s preservative and anti-microbial properties.

While it’s possible to repair surface damage caused by mold, wood rot or cracks, these may be an indication of deeper damage or a precursor to future infrastructure damage because the window system is slowly failing. The most important thing to determine is whether the surrounding structure of the home has sustained any damage. Inefficient windows can leak, allowing water to enter your house both in front of and behind the walls, inviting mold and mildew to grow.

The feeling you had in the model home was likely because the windows and doors were chosen to obtain unobstructed views and lots of light. Manufacturers are making multi-panel glass and taller doors that flood rooms with light.

Care and maintenance guides are available from all of the major window brands including specific recommendations by model or type of material. Woodland Windows and Doors major brands, Marvin, Andersen and Pella provide detailed instructions on their websites. Generally speaking and in simple terms, most manufacturers recommend the following ongoing maintenance.

• Weather-strip is in good condition and properly attached to surfaces. Interior and exterior window finish is maintained so that the window material isn’t exposed. Maintaining wood, painted wood, aluminum, vinyl, or steel requires different upkeep according to the individual product guides. 
• Trim off any old loose exterior caulking around the outer edges of the window frame and seal any gaps with a high quality caulk. 
• Tighten any exposed hardware screws securely.
• Check that all hardware (locks, opening mechanisms, hinges etc.), sills and tracks are clean of any sand, dirt or dust and operate smoothly. If required, lubricate hinges and moving parts with a dry silicone spray. Make sure the weep holes are clear of dirt and open. 
• All glass can be cleaned after wiping loose debris from the surface with a soft, dry cloth.
• Maintain the beauty and performance of your window hardware with periodic cleaning. White paint finish, stone, antique or bright brass, wash hardware using a mild detergent and a soft cloth. Polished or brushed chrome, wash hardware using a soft cloth and polish using a commercially available chrome polish according to manufacturers’ instruction. Oil rubbed or distressed bronze are ‘living finishes’ with no protective coating. Occasionally, apply light mechanic oil to deepen the color and sheen of the hardware. 

Following this maintenance routine as needed or annually will go a long way to preserve your window performance and avoid costly repairs. However, even the best maintained windows need repair.

Have you ever heard the term slippery slope? It means an idea or course of action, which will inevitably lead to something unacceptable, wrong or disastrous. At Woodland Windows and Doors, we think window and door installations done improperly are like a slippery slope – once they start heading downhill they keep going downhill. There are some things that as a business you just have to invest in to ensure the job is done right and we at Woodland think that installation is one of those things.

How hard can it be to install windows and doors? Tricky for a professional who's learned the ins and outs - largely because of all the things that can go wrong. Woodland recognized years ago that the surest way to fail was to leave the fate of our customer’s job in the hands of others. We’ve experienced the slippery slope first hand such as, when a few windows arrive defective, but it goes unnoticed until they’re put into the window opening or a second story window requires special equipment to reach it, which wasn’t planned for. We know how quickly a job can go downhill and we know that the surest way to deliver an expert job is to control every aspect of it with trained people who are committed to a perfect outcome.

The old frame is deteriorated or damaged beyond repair.They want to capitalize on energy efficiency by installing efficient replacement windows. 

More time and labor intensive to installDepending on the window’s size, there might be a need to replace window treatments inside the home

If you are remodeling your home and are debating whether to use vinyl, aluminum or wood windows, then keep reading and discover the pros and cons of the three most common types of windows.

When shopping for new replacement windows for your home, you will want to consider several factors. One of these vital factors to pay attention to is the glass. The common window options available in the market today are single pane, double pane, and triple pane. Triple pane seems to be gaining more popularity, but double pane remains the most preferred option for most homeowners. However, experts say triple pane option is likely to overtake its double pane counterpart in the next few years.

If you are worried about the looming winter months and what the chilly weather means for your monthly utility bill, you aren’t alone. This is the perfect time to consider replacing your old windows with the energy efficient ones. This will reduce your energy bill, save you money, and keep your family warm inside.

When it comes to replacing older windows in your home, there are lots of factors to consider. You will think of things like color, shape, style, and which Wheaton home remodeling company you want to hire to install them for you. However, the type of material used to craft the window frame is arguably the most important factor when choosing which window to install in your house. There are three popular materials used to craft replacement windows: aluminum, vinyl, and wood.

What is argon gas and why is it commonly used in replacement windows? This is one of the most asked questions at our company. If you are wondering about it, you aren’t alone. This post is created to give a detailed answer about the question.

Many property owners ask a lot of questions concerning Homeowners’ Associations (HOA). The HOA is an independent organization that manages a group of investors. Woodland and most of its neighborhoods where they do work have them. More often than not, the association is made of residents from the surrounding areas who work with a real estate property manager.

For the majority of homeowners, remodeling their homes is quite an exciting event. So, it is of paramount importance that you opt for materials that are durable, easy to install for the professionals, and need little maintenance. For this reason, you might want to look out for high efficiency windows in order to reduce expenses on energy bills. Let’s go through this a step at a time, shall we?

Windows play significant roles in our houses. Aside from allowing natural air in the house, they beautify the room, as well. When choosing a window for a replacement or for a newly constructed house, you may need to select the right type. The three common types are: single, double and triple pane windows. These windows are typically more expensive than their conventional counterparts. Nevertheless, for many homeowners they are worth the money. The three windows have their own advantages and drawbacks. So pay much attention to what you need.

There are a couple of things you need to think of when giving your home a facelift: Should you remodel your bedroom first, or the rest room? Should you remodel your entire home, or add some few rooms? How do you answer such questions? But did the thought of lead in your remodeling project ever cross your mind? If yes, you might want to learn the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines first.

Windows allow light and fresh air in the house. But as much as windows play a critical role in our homes; they can also contribute significantly to the increase of utility bills. That is the main reason many homeowners are looking for ways to replace their traditional drafty windows with contemporary energy efficient ones. Having these new windows not only saves you money on electricity bills, but makes your home look beautiful and warm.

Many people are looking forward to replacing their damaged home windows this spring. They are looking for windows that perform and function better, need less maintenance, are more energy efficient and durable. Window replacement is not as expensive as some homeowners make it out to be. They really aren’t. In fact, they are a good investment in your home.

While energy costs continue to rise, many homeowners are looking for ways to save money on energy. Reducing the level of energy consumption is also the responsibility of everyone as environmental problems are becoming more and more horrendous. If you are serious about saving money by cutting back on utility costs, replacing your traditional windows is of paramount importance.