About to build a new Tuscan-style house and am exploring options. Anyone use or familar with the Eurobuilt line of windows and doors http://www.eurobuilt.com/
Know of similar products that perform better/worse than these?
Have been to europe multiple times and believe windows and doors manufactured there are superior to those available in the US. But live in central Texas, so also have concern about energy performance. Also not filthy rich…but would like to have quality if it is within reach.
Love this forum! You guys are all wonderful, even when you are putting me in my place. Appreciate all of the candid and helpful advice.
Replies
I've never worked with European windows, or even seen them up close, but there is one neighborhood in town that has pre-fab houses from Scandinavia. The first thing I notice from the road is the dimensions of the windows. They might be metric size, because they have different proportions than typical windows around here. I find the look appealing; a little like the proportions of barn sash.
I would consider two possible drawbacks. If they are not designed to work with the size of typical American openings and materials, installation might be fussy. Also, I would worry about availability of replacement parts 10 or 20 years down the road.
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
peg... great windows.... but the main thing about windows is service..
it may be difficult to impossible to get parts or replacements for your windows..
one of the reasons i try to stick to Andersen... Marvin.....Kolbe & Kolbe
Do you really want vinyl windows in your Texas Tuscan?
Ah...you're right, they are PVC...I thought they were metal. Durn it. Any comparables? Casement and swing. http://www.italianmadehomes.com/windows.html These would be ideal. But I'll bet they're wayyyy out of my price range.
Do you realize, where you are going, cost-wise, by pursuing these window products that are outside the realm of names like Pella, Marvin, Pozzi, and other good domestic manufacturers?
Tell us something about your window and exterior glass door package.
What is the desired interior finish and species of wood?
How about the exterior? Clad painted? Copper clad? Painted wood? Natural-finished wood?
What types of sash operation for the windows? Double-hung? Casement? Slide-by?
Special shapes other than rectangular? Full-arch top? Segment-arch top?
Inside trim? Plaster return? Wood casings? Stone sills?
Number of total openings?
Budget?
Have you thought about building a really nice house with high-end hill-country-vernacular style and materials, and taking all that savings, then spending it on a yearly one-month vacation in Tuscany, 400-year-old house, gardens, cook, maid, etc.?
You know, Tuscan really isn't all that different from the Texas Hill Country Vernacular. I suppose that's why it is becoming a more popular style in this area of late. You notice a huge difference in quality between the european windows and the domestic ones that I'm familar with - bar none. I think I'd prefer fewer and smaller windows of quality that framed specific views, to more and cheaper windows. I am just exploring the options at this point and trying to get educated about what's on the market. I am not at all wed to brand name and take no stock in keeping up with the Joneses. But surely there are some other options in windows? I thought we were supposed to do everything better here in the states?
The windows I've seen in italy are yellow pine inside and out. They are usualy casement, sometimes awning, often they open in the middle like a set of french doors (I'm not sure what that style is called). I didn't see any double hung windows at all. they're generally smaller, don't go all the way to the floor, and have less glazed area than our windows. The hardware is heavy and works well...has the feeling of permanence. I could compromise on the sills. In italy they are usually stone...older ones are marble and newer are a greyish stone or even a limestone looking sill sometimes. You see wood sometimes, too.
In germany the windows and hardware are of similar quality but are ofter made of a metal of some sort, powder coated. They are larger and have more glazed area than the italian. They usually don't have panes or lights in the windows (like they do in italy) and favor large expanses of glass.
Percianas, roulladen, or operable shutters are also the norm....
Boy I've been down your road before! The biggest difference between the Euro-style and American is that most Italian casements open inwards. We couldn't even find a custom manf. that would build those here. "They'll leak for sure!" Even when we mention that most doors, which are really oversized casements, open inwards and seem to do just fine, no one would listen.
Long story short..The owner of the project (also Tuscan villa style) wanted the style because he loves Italy and has traveled there many times. He wrote to friends there about not finding windows here and they set him up with a manf. outside of Milan. He traveled to Italy, gave drawings and ordered the windows there. They were made, palleted and shipped from Italy to Oakland, Ca. The price, including shipping, import duties and the full two-week Italian trip for the owner was less than the lowest bid we got in the States (including shutters and hardware)! Double glaze and they had the U-factor to give to heat calc. guys.
It was too good to be true, so I was ready for the worst when the windows arrived. However, the windows were absolutely gorgeous, even the packing job that brought them safely overseas was so expertly done we hated to unwrap them. True quality that I have almost never seen outside of small specialty shops.
So I say go for a trip overseas, it will pay for itself.
It's nice to know that not everyone thinks I'm totally wacked! :)
For anyone interested here is a list of some italian manufacturers of windows/doors so you can get a better feel for the product:
http://www.sbportefinestre.it/finestre_legno/seta.htm
http://www.nobilporte.it/finestre_in_legno.htm
http://www.bianchiniinfissi.it/index.html
http://www.gd-dorigo.com/effigies.html (interior doors)
http://www.fam-serramenti.it/index.htm
http://www.surian.it/index.htm
And here are some european or european-style US distributors/manufacturers:
http://www.thewoodpecker.ca/
http://www.albertini.it/default.asp?L=3
http://www.diyshutters.com/tiltwindows.htm
http://www.hhwindows.com/
http://www.deonnetti.com/
http://www.sundigs.com/wd.html
We just came back from a visit to Italy in January. We bought some architectural antiques for the house on that trip. I will keep researching/searching for manufacturers/distributers here. If push comes to shove, you can bet I would consider heading back, If needed! :)
Even if we were building a Texas Hill Country Vernacular style home, I think I would still prefer these. They are just made better, the hardware is better, they feel and operate better. Don't shoot the messenger, please!
I can understand why you like Euro windows. But they are not for people who like lots of interior coverings because they "swing in." Most of the newer windows I've seen in Europe operate very smoothly and they operate as both inswing windows and in-tilt windows. The in-tilt is nice because you can get ventilation without worrying about safety or (for the most part) rain. But most of them have aluminum frames which are very energy inefficient. The frames feel very cold in the winter... but they don't use much heat there anyway! I assume thay also make wood-framed new Euro windows... (I just checked your websites and saw wooden windows online. I wonder about the relative cost with the expensive Euro exchange?)
Billy
Edited 3/7/2005 12:16 pm ET by Billy
The windows usually come in wood, wood-clad, aluminum, and in PVC. Can't say that they've seemed inefficient in any way. And I'm usually there in the winter. Plus there's usually operable shutters or the roller-stlye coverings for additional weather proofing.
I'm really partial to the wood anyway.
That's a very good point about the Euro. The dollar has taken a huge dive since we bought those windows. I can't remember the bill but it was something crazy like 6 billion lira or whatever. The ones we chose were yellow pine. What impressed me the most was the elegantly simple and quality hardware. Italians are the world leader in style- as always.
I used to work for the company that makes Duratherm windows. These are some of the highest quality windows available and made in Maine, USA. They have Euro style as well as any other style you want, in any species. These are definitely at the higher end of the market, but if you want some of the best, these are it.
http://www.durathermwindow.com/One thing to keep in mind while you are planning window sizes, is that most jurisdictions require egress windows in bedrooms. The size and location may determine the look you are going for.Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
These are nice. Thanks for the reference, Hammer.
There's your answer, Pegkip!
Take that four-week vacation in Tuscany, and make it a working trip. While you are there, buy all those things like windows, that those silly US manufacturers don't make!
I have an uncle that did that, sort of. Did a grand palace on the ocean in Florida, went to Italy, bought all his stone and tile direct at the factories, and had it all shipped over. Took a whole container load.
Does this all qualify as "green" building?
why do i get the feeling i'm out of my element ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I totally agree. We could learn alot from our overseas neighbors. Being in the military we have seen alot of homes around the world and I have to say sometimes made in the USA isn't always the best.
But, it's a damn fine place to live.
Karanjeff
totally agree with what ? that i'm out of my element ?
hah, hah, hah..
did you see Million Dollar Baby yet ?Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Out of your element, Mike?
Hasn't Tuscan-styled architecture made it up the rocky coast, yet? Ain't yer customers askin ya fer windows made in Milano?
BTW, when you are out in the midwest at the fest, would you like a tour of Therma-Tru's fiberglass skin and doormaking plant? Walking through a few indoor acres of 25-count door bunks stacked four high, and seeing their production lines, might be worth the 75-mile drive from Toledo, over to Butler, Indiana. The steel door line can crank out 2500 doors per shift. Good ol' Hoosier doors.
yeah, you're out of your element.....
have you ever been to tuscany ?
not me, but i know we've both been to ireland and seen some vinyl windows similar to this over there.
did you notice when you were there that there were no screens in the windows ? I asked our host who happened to be a contractor where the screens were. he said we don't have screens in any of our windows !
when I asked the woman who owned the new home where we were staying why her windows didn't have screens, she said "Because the windows are all designed by men !"
she confirmed that ireland does indeed have bugs. with wings.
the images from the eurowindows don't show any type of channel on the vinyl extrusion where a screen would go. just like the irish windows.
but, not to worry. there are no bugs in texas. at least none with wings.
carpenter in transition
No, no bugs in Texas...particularly NOT the winged variety!
I believe many of the manufacturers do offer a screen option. Of course there is additional charge...
I imagine the window technology/design across Europe is similar in many ways...perhaps I should look into some of the emerging economies...the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, etc. Hmmmm...could be fun. Now, if I only knew the Czech word for "window"
but, not to worry. there are no bugs in texas. at least none with wings.
Most of the visitors to this State say something similar, along with "anything that large can't be called an insect" <G>
Only place with mosquitos bigger than in either LaPorte or League City is central Alaska (and even then you're debating the subtle differences of being mauled by a grizzly versus being mauled by a kodiak <g> . . . )
The arroyo & caynons around Austin will already be echoing to crickets, who are about to take wing to mate. The cicadas will make their incessant castanet percussion in another month or so. June bugs will not be long after that (unless it stays as wet as it has).Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)