I knew there would be changes ...

The Engineer and I have been side by side the entire process; sometimes with our hands 'holding' each other's neck, but side by side all the same. 

Obviously, I knew the little house would go away to make room for the big house ; nonetheless, my heart was NOT prepared for what I saw! The whole thing is see-through! The Engineer and The Marine took my walls off! The scream I let out could be heard up and down the Potomac on a Saturday afternoon.

Once I recovered, I had to laugh. How did we have two kids in a room the size of a small closet? We were so happy in that little house! I love how the creek is just a "real" place to raise the kids - wooden spoons, water, and a clump of dirt provided HOURS of fun for my children ... heavy sigh.

When the kids saw it, they really had to take a private moment. I think their hearts weren't prepared either.


One really funny 'man thing': The approach to the deconstruction could not have been more polar. The Engineer used a lever and a wedge; The Marine used a primal grunt and a sledge hammer ... heavier sigh - men.

50 years later ... coming down.

50 years ago going up ....

   

Windows and Doors and Jams ... OH MY!

Today we went to ANOTHER building supply place to look at windows and doors. Maybe he takes me because I hear the 'bones' of what the supplier is saying while the representative speaks DIRECTLY to the husband. Call me crazy.

Anyways, I have come to this conclusion. EVERY company is a smigin' away from being the same. Marvin and Pella do some little tweaks here and there to make their products special ... for people living in Maine! There are 4 levels: Lowest to low; mid-low that you could live with if you had to, middle to high which are nice solid windows, and 'ultimate whatever'.

JELD-WEN AND MARVIN WINDOWS

When I was listening to "that-man-who-doesn't-talk-to-wives" the middle to high product for Jeld-Wen and Marvin were not exact products (obviously) but I summarized his words to conclude - the end is the same - good solid windows that are back by great customer service companies that will service any repairs needed for years.

I chose something along these lines. I wanted as much view as I could possible get without nudging the structure of the house - turned out Jim needed some quiet time  to work on some serious math to redesign the corners of the house so it wouldn't blow over. Man! I love that he is such a great engineer! 

Windows and Doors

Man there is a lot of windows and doors out there to look at! It always thought Pella and Anderson were the front runners. Now, with the development of new technology, everyone seems to be a front runner. The most important rule is this: What do you need? 

I don't speak carpenter lingo, but I know what I need. Two pane, Low-E, vinyl windows. The house is on the water - lots of moisture so clad-anything is asking for trouble. Now, we are looking for price and style ... this needs to not take forever. Lowes has Pella and HomeDepot has Anderson. We are going to a 'yard' in Manassas, VA that carries 2 other brands (so I can talk about them later).

Pella and Anderson seem the same to me; both windows are good windows. A little difference here and there but they offer the same styles. What peeves me more than anything is the "custom" issue. Getting a removable regular looking grid is standard; but with some companies, change the look of that grid and you have entered the "custom zone". Seriously? Gimme a break. It's right then that the companies start to look greedy. Here is my line of thinking:

The window to the LEFT is considered "standard"; the window to the RIGHT is considered "custom" - the customization seems to be in the grids alone. The grids are removable so I can't think there is an engineering overhaul in design of the window casing. If the grids are removed, both window panes are wide open and blank. Would the window companies sell a window that was structurally unsound when the removable grids are removed? Ahhh Duhhhh

I think in "Man World" the biggest loudest rooster is taken at his word without question - well, this hen is making a list. Not to be uncooperative - to educate myself in this foreign Man-World I find myself navigating - that's all.