Traditional Wilmington Home Gets Window Replacement Replicas

As you look at the before and after photos above, it might seem like we accidentally uploaded the same photo twice. We get it — it’s difficult to spot the difference from afar and that, in fact, was the goal of this project. This intentionally wasn’t a transformative project in terms of appearance. When this homeowner purchased the house, many of the windows had fogged glass. With this window replacement project, he hoped to match the existing units without changing the aesthetic of the home whatsoever. The homeowner turned to Pella of North Carolina to replicate the look of the existing windows. So, if you can’t tell the difference between before and after, we did our job successfully.

Upon moving into this house, the homeowner became increasingly bothered by the fogged glass in the living room windows. These massive floor-to-ceiling windows are the focal point of the space, overlooking the beautiful backyard. They’re meant to let ample natural light in and connect the room to the outdoors. Not only did the window fogging obstruct the view and make the room look dated, but it was also a sign of poor energy efficiency. A seal failure is the primary reason why windows fog between the panes. The leaks in the existing windows were allowing moisture to seep in between the glass. The replacement windows are more energy efficient, helping the homeowner save on utility costs. Properly installed, the windows create a tight seal that reduces air infiltration to provide year-round comfort. Plus, the grilles help capture the look of true-divided-light without sacrificing energy performance like individual small panes of glass would.

Energy efficiency was important for this project, but matching the existing windows was imperative. Opting against a complete home remodel, the homeowner sought a solution that delicately balanced modern performance with preservation. The new windows needed to match seamlessly with the home’s original design. We recommended Pella Reserve – Traditional wood windows for their high performance and customizability. These windows offer an ideal blend of modern efficiency and timeless elegance. We were able to provide arched windows that fit perfectly in the existing openings. With wood, Pella’s most customizable material, our team was able to design replicas of the existing grille patterns. Low-maintenance aluminum cladding on the exterior of the wood windows protects them from North Carolina’s elements, resisting rot and corrosion. To mimic the original traditional windows, we even customized the color of the cladding to match the other parts of the home.

The success of this project is a testament to the fact that enhancing window performance with modern technology need not compromise a home's intrinsic character. With our tailored solutions, homeowners can both upgrade windows and preserve their house’s charming style.