DIY Network

View to the Outside: Planning and Selecting the Windows From "Home IQ" episode DHIQ-107

In this first segment, the homeowners (Brad and Lynn Oberg) talk with a window expert and begin planning and selecting the windows for their new home.

Like many other aspects of home building, windows begin with the floor plans, which are working plans of the home indicating bathroom and bedroom locations, where the walls run, door openings and "window" openings. Finding the windows on the floor plan isn't easy, but as a new home buyer you should become familiar enough with the plans that you can imagine yourself walking through the house looking through each window.

In DIY's new Home IQ series, you'll follow the Oberg family during the decision-making process of building this beautiful new home.

In this week's episode, Brad and Lynn Oberg select the windows for their new home.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

• A rule of thumb for the cost of windows in a new home is that approximately 10 to 15 percent of the cost of the home can be spent on the windows and doors.

• Be sure to do your homework and investigate in order to get a great product when it comes to window shopping.

• Brad and Lynn spent hours online and looking through catalogues (figure A) window shopping, and another option they had to consider was the color of the exterior window frame.

• Site supervisor Greg Allen says the timing for making these selections is crucial. "Make the selections as quickly as you can," he said. "We make the order [for the windows] when the carpenters are getting ready to start the house. It takes weeks for them to get these so we want them to be here when we're ready for them."

• The site supervisor provides the window manufacturer with a list of windows needed, along with the size, the color, the type of screen, the type of grill, the jamb thickness, the lock color and a whole series of specifics the manufacturer needs to know.

• As a home builder, if you're going to make window-location changes or if you're adding extra windows, the earlier in the process the better. For example, Brad Oberg wanted to add a window (figure B) to his office in the basement. With early warning, Allen had no problem adding the window.

• Another early change for the Oberg home was to add a skylight for one of the daughter's bathroom (figure C) because there were no windows slated for the room originally. A sloping shelf in the shower was an added feature as well.

Note: Remember that once the contract is signed, any changes can cause delays and added costs!

RESOURCES :

Windows and Doors
Andersen Windows
Website: www.andersenwindows.com

Window Flashing
Name: Tyvek FlexWrap®
Company: Dupont Tyvek®
Website: www.tyvek.com

GUESTS :

Brad and Lynn Oberg
Homeowners
Company: IBACOS (Brad)
Title: Co-Founder/Chief Technology Officer
Website: www.ibacos.com

Greg Allen
Site Supervisor
Hendolhurst Homes
955 Markman Park Rd.
Baden, PA 15005
Phone: 724-935-5658
Fax: 724-935-0884
E-mail: gcrbs@adelphia.net

Bruce Dickson
Project Manager
IBACOS
Website: www.ibacos.com

John Holton
Senior Architect
Ibacos
Website: www.ibacos.com

Patrick Janes
Andersen Windows
00 Fourth Ave. N
Bayport, MN 55003
Phone: 651-264-5150
Fax: 651-264-2068
E-mail: patrick.janes@andersencorp.com
Website: www.andersenwindows.com