Distributor: Kolbe Gallery Twin Cities
Homeowners Frank and Jill Roffers purchased their 1930s home in an Edina, Minnesota, historic district in 2004. In this neighborhood, you cannot tear down a house; you can only make improvements. The windows were original to the house, and were failing on several accounts: the glazing was deteriorating, causing leakage and rotting of the surrounding wood; the rope-and-pulley systems were faulty; the hardware was tarnished and outdated. Many of them wouldn't open and they were very difficult to clean. The cream-colored exteriors were unattractive, so the Roffers initially planted Boston Ivy to grow along the brick to cover the windows, but ultimately decided to replace them in order to enhance the appearance, efficiency and enjoyment of their home.
"Our old windows were not usable – you couldn't open them. The sun had almost disintegrated the wood around the glass… they were in really rough shape," states Jill.
The Roffers priced out other window options and other manufacturers, but were impressed with Kolbe's Forgent Series, a line of windows that fit their replacement budget as well as the style of their home. Kolbe also provided the option of Black exteriors, for the fresh, updated look the Roffers desired.
"We chose Kolbe's Forgent Series because it was affordable – we had to do this entire house. We had other experiences with Kolbe windows so we understood the quality and trusted the brand. We are completely happy," says Frank.
What I like best about these new windows is how beautiful they are. We have a new door in the kitchen – a new patio door – and it makes the kitchen seem so much bigger. It's my favorite thing.
Preparation
The 3,100 square-foot classic style brick home originally had single pane double hungs with true divided lites and storm windows on the outside. In replacing the windows, the original frames were left intact, and gaps, holes and recesses from previous hardware were filled in for an airtight seal before the new windows were installed. The majority of windows were replaced with double hungs with performance divided lites on the upper sash, for an updated colonial look. Double pane glass offered greater thermal performance and eliminated the need for storm windows. The Roffers painted and touched up the trim and tore down the ivy to complete the clean, new look.
A Perfect Fit
Designed for strength, performance and ease-of-installation, Forgent Series windows and doors were well-suited to the Roffers' replacement project. A composite called Glastra® – Kolbe's proprietary material that is a hybrid of fiberglass and a UV-stable polymer – forms multi-chambered extrusions with an advanced ladder design that adds resiliency and promotes energy efficiency.
Kolbe's Midnight exterior color gives the windows a clean, updated look; a contrasting Cloud interior coordinates with White hardware. The windows and doors are easier to open, close and maintain. "In regards to the maintenance of these new windows, it's night and day," says Jill. "In the past I had to hire professional window cleaners and I can actually do these myself – and it's easy."
Having windows that work, that open… they're clean, they're bright; it's changed it dramatically for me. It's like having a new house.
Bigger and Brighter
The new windows and doors make the home appear brighter and more spacious. French inswing patio doors replaced a single swinging door in the kitchen, to allow a greater opening, more light and increased living space.
A Satin Nickel Toronto handle set with a multi-point lock adds to the functionality and aesthetic of the new swinging doors. Decorative brickmould and a Dark Bronze anodized aluminum sill beautifully frame exterior views. Also in the kitchen, double hung studio windows form a bay window, adding dimension and a unique architectural element to the house.
Jill offers, "What I like best about these new windows is how beautiful they are. We have a new door in the kitchen – a new patio door – and it makes the kitchen seem so much bigger. It's my favorite thing."
Improved Efficiency
Owning a house that was difficult to keep cool, the Roffers were pleased with the comfortable environment their new windows provided. "What I like best about our new windows is that the house is more efficient," says Frank. "Our air conditioning is working a lot better and the same for heating in the winter."
What I like best about our new windows is that our house is more efficient; our air conditioning is working a lot better and the same for heating in the winter.
The Kolbe Experience
The Roffers were both very pleased with the process and their experience with Kolbe Gallery Twin Cities. "The experience with working with Kolbe has been a good one," says Frank. "There's a gallery that's here in our community. They came out and measured our windows, gave us estimates… gave us options for different styles, and made some really good suggestions about what we could use and what we needed. And we enjoyed the experience working with that team," he adds. Jill confirms, "Everybody was really wonderful."
Almost as if experiencing their home for the first time, the Roffers see it in a whole new light – attractive, fresh and new.
"A lot of neighbors have noticed and have come by and told us how much it's improved our house. In addition to that, there's less noise. It's a quieter home," Frank says.
Jill chimes in, "Having windows that work, that open… they're clean, they're bright; it's changed it dramatically for me. It's like having a new house."