VPI Windows

A big priority for us in building our new home is to make it as energy efficient and as well built as possible.  Windows can have a huge impact on just that, so It was really important for us to find the perfect window manufacturer.  VPI Windows in Spokane was our first choice.

Not only are the owners, Burke and Muriel, good friends, they also produce excellent windows that are made right here in our community.  We've even gotten to see them being built, which is pretty wonderful.

The windows will be going in later this week, so production is in full swing.  Prior to production, we had an onsite walk-through to measure each window opening and to determine which ones would open and which ones wouldn't, and the direction in which they'd open.  After that, I met with Greg at VPI to go over which windows would have grids and what style of grid would go in each of those gridded windows.  Since there are 52 windows and because we wanted to be certain everything was just right, there was one last walk-through to make sure all of the windows on the order were just as specified.

It's surprising how much thought can go into this whole process.  I wanted to make sure that each room had windows that made sense all together, as well as looking good when viewing the house as a whole from the outside.  I used our plans to sketch out the grids/no-grids on each of the windows and to help keep everything straight in my mind.

And now, here we are in production.

Here's Dustin cutting the frames:

The glazing stop (the part of the window that holds the glass in place) being applied:

Cutting the sashes:

Jason working on the grids.  (I chose the largest grids possible because I really like them to look chunky rather than thin and wispy):

Spacers being applied: (Material placed between two or more pieces of glass in order to maintain a uniform width between the glass and to prevent sealant distortion.  Since our windows are triple paned, this is really important)

Aaron welding the frames:

Donnie assembling the windows:

Ali installing the hardware on the sashes:

Ready to glaze:

The screens being built:

The first batch of windows are done!

And the important details:

I can't wait to see these babies installed.

*    *    *    *

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

*    *    *    *

Comments

[june deese]

wow now thats alot of windows!!!
thanks for sharing..that was neat...

[LoriD]

How fun to see this part of production! Knowing you will be seeing out these windows is so cool!!!

[KariAnne]

Love love love this post. Well, ok I love all posts about your house. As an architectural designer this kind of thing just makes me happy.

I work on gov't nuclear projects now but I long for the days when I was designing houses. Enjoy the process knowing that your entire house is being built with your special touch on every part of it. It will return the love always.

[jacquie neff]

We used them too!

[Ruhammie]

WOW!! That's a lot of windows AND triple paned. WOW! I was an interior designer for almost 8 years but never had to specify that many windows. But we did more restaurants than houses. I really enjoy these posts too, because of my design background.

[Marla]

A U value of .16 ... I am impressed!!

[shannon]

these VPI windows should be VIP window! very nice! Love seeing the progress on your home.
:)
Shannon
www.cascobaysoap.blogspot.com

[Whit]

Wowwie! 52 windows. Do you mind me asking if they are wood or aluminum?

[viagra online]

Many women choose to leave the rat race because their peers (and potential mates) judge them less by their incomes, and there is less pressure on them to be the breadwinner in their families.

[Kayte]

What fun to go to the factory making your windows. Now you can point to a window and say, "Johnny made that one" and "Robby gave that window special attention." It's going to make the house extra special.

[simpledaisy]

Hi there...
Just wanted to respond to your happiness post!
I want to say...that I appreicate your story.
Happiness really is a choice and you are the example of that!
I think we are who we surround ourselves with and I personally typically only read blogs that are written by happy people.
I am inpired by your outlook on life and by all of your successes!!
Keep up the great work....Life it too short to be anything other than HAPPY!

and how interesting how windows are made!
Makes you appreicate them all the more!
~cheers! :):)