Despite our seemingly never-ending fascination with the “latest and greatest” on the market – whether it’s the most recent iPhone or Air Jordan release – there are a few items that are actually valued for their age. Wine is one good example. Another is Persian rugs. Then there are houses: There’s still a certain cachet that comes with owning an old home.
It’s this distinction that prompted a young couple in Carlisle, Pa., to purchase an 1890 farmhouse. The home was formerly the principal dwelling on a farm that is now a development featuring over 100 houses. The couple bought the home for its 19th century charm.
Yet they still wanted the aesthetic sensibility and energy efficiency that 21st century technology can provide. As a result, they installed state-of-the-art windows from MI Windows and Doors.
“As new homeowners, we didn’t have a lot of extra money to spend,” Jeanna Oburn said. “But we knew we had to do something to improve the windows—some of the wood was even rotting which didn’t make our home feel secure.”
That’s where Andy Matter of HomeRite – a window distribution company based in Central Pennsylvania – came in. Matter recommended that the Oburns use MI’s 1555 double-hung window for their renovation.
“The 1555 double-hung has all of the features the homeowners wanted at a price they felt comfortable with,” said Matter, who also oversaw the window installation on the Oburn home.
Indeed, with its double-pane glass featuring a Low-E coating and argon gas between the glass panes, the 1555 is an energy-efficient window at an affordable price.
“Our 1555 series is a workhorse for those looking to replace their old windows with an energy-efficient option,” MI Director of Products Josh Williard said. “It meets or exceeds the ENERGY STAR® qualifications for all four U.S. climate zones.”
The old windows in the home were inefficient single-pane windows, so heat escaped easily. Soon after HomeRite put the new windows in, the Oburns could tell the difference.
“We have noticed a significant improvement in our energy bills and our home is much more comfortable,” Jeanna Oburn added. “We could feel a major draft when we walked past our old windows. But our new MI windows form a nice tight seal.”
And that was important, as the family was expecting a new member soon after the renovation.
“The windows in the nursery were extremely drafty,” Jeanna Oburn said. “We knew we had to do something about that quickly before our new baby arrived.”
But energy efficiency is just one of the 1555 double-hung’s many attributes. As a vinyl window, it’s easy to maintain — which was important for the Oburn family.
Jeanna explained, “My husband and I previously thought wood windows were the top-of-the-line window option but through our research, we realized vinyl windows would suit us better. We were excited to not have to worry about the rot we experienced on our current wood windows and the lower cost of vinyl products worked with our budget. It was a win/win decision.”
MI’s 1555 double-hung also offers aesthetic options like grids-between-the-glass, recessed locks, and color choices.
When it came time to pick the look of their windows, the Oburns selected grids for the top sash and chose almond for the color due to the existing window dressing in the house.
“MI’s almond extruded color was perfect for this job because the color matched the old windows,” Matter said, “so interior and exterior features like the trim and shutters did not need to be replaced or re-painted.”
Once the windows were installed, the Oburns were much more satisfied with their new home. The entire renovation – from the service they received from HomeRite to the quality and cost of the windows from MI – was a categorical success.
“Several of our neighbors have commented on the new windows,” Jeanna Oburn said. “They all said how nice they look.”
