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Doors

Windows and doors make up a significant piece of most construction budgets, and deciding which ones to choose means weighing both aesthetic and performance characteristics. Think of the variety of window styles alone — casement, double-hung, awning, sliding — and then such factors as the type of glass, the number of panes of glass, the coatings on the glass, and the material from which the frames are made. Doors offer a similar range of styles, anything from sliders to elegant French doors for a patio to massive entry doors.

Increasingly, energy concerns are guiding designers and builders. Not too long ago, people who wanted more comfortable interiors and lower energy bills would step up to double-pane windows. That seems almost quaint, given today’s realities. Now, energy-conscious builders in cold climates are frequently opting for triple-pane windows with sash that open and close like the doors on a luxury sedan. Newer windows offer superior thermal insulation — almost as good as what exterior walls used to have. Glass coatings can be optimized for climate and orientation. These seemingly interminable details have a great deal to do with how comfortable the house will be, and how easy it will be to heat and cool.

Choosing the right windows is, of course, only the beginning. They must be installed so they won’t leak, a process made easier by the many new flashing tapes and sealants on the market, and then dressed up with the appropriate trim. All in all, carpenters spend a great deal of time installing windows and doors. Homeowners spend a great deal of time looking out their windows, and opening and closing the doors. We might as well get the details right the first time.

  • Hannoband tape

    What You Need to Know When Working With Hannoband Tape

    An expert builder shares his experience using this expanding-foam tape as an alternative to traditional spray foam to seal gaps around new windows.

  • Historic House, Contemporary Floor Plan

    Historic House, Contemporary Floor Plan

    Major changes were made in this whole-house remodel to create a modest and period-appropriate look.

  • steel-framed windows

    Phenomenal Fenestration

    These steel-framed windows are corrosion resistent and support expansive panes of insulated glass.

  • door control

    Temporary Door Control

    Use this simple trick to hold doors closed during construction before installing locksets.

  • how to choose the best windows and doors

    The Cornerstones of Comfort: How To Choose the Right Windows and Doors for Your Climate

    In this webinar, Passive House expert Enrico Bonilauri shares his strategy for evaluating the wide range of window and door options on the market so you can make the best choice for your budget and your needs.

  • Sponsored Content

    How To Install a BILCO Basement Door

    Carpenter Aaron Butt demonstrates the entire process of installing a BILCO basement door, from site prep to final fit.

  • Help with Heavy Doors

    These metal skates with locking casters make moving and raising door slabs a breeze.

  • Replacing a Basement Door

    Mike Guertin demonstrates the steps for preparing, installing, and flashing long-lasting bulkhead doors.

  • Simple Technique for Round Corners

    Use a Forstner bit to easily cut radiused corners when mortising locksets.

  • Expanding an Opening in a Masonry Wall

    If the brick or block is laid in a running-bond pattern, it forms a corbelled arch that can often hold itself up with minimal bracing during construction.

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