Should your kitchen remodel include new windows?

When she bought her house, Jami Supsic, former Home and Style Director at HGTV Magazine and Country Living, knew from the very beginning that she couldn't live with the kitchen the way it was. She was eager to draw on her years of experience and tackle a kitchen remodel. When it came time to go through with the project, she decided that window replacement needed to be included. 

After all, she had bought this home outside of Brooklyn so she could finally immerse herself in a more spacious and calming environment. She wanted her kitchen to be a place where she could enjoy cooking and working. Windows, by connecting her with her peaceful backyard, added value to the remodel in a way that a fancy countertop just couldn’t. And suddenly, it was an easy decision to include window replacement in the project.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed because you don’t know whether to replace windows while you’re remodeling your space or devote your budget to other features, fear not! Supsic shares insight into how she made her decision, so you don’t have to start from scratch. 

Here are the questions Supsic had to ask about her kitchen remodel to get her to the point where she could say, “I genuinely love it, and I genuinely love the windows.”

• Where are the windows positioned? How does that affect functionality?
• Do they let in enough light?
• Do they let in enough fresh air?
• Are they maximizing the view?
• Does their position still allow enough space for cabinetry and shelving?

Let’s go through how Supsic answered these questions for herself, resulting in a project that’s beautiful, charming, functional, and efficient. 

It was important to Supsic that the windows contribute to the energy efficiency of the home. She doesn’t have air conditioning, so it was vital that she have the ability to open and close the windows to let in a breeze in the summer. In the winter, the windows seal up nicely. She said she didn't feel a single draft — not even from the north-facing windows. 

Here’s what helps Supsic’s windows perform well for her climate:

• Low-E4® glass is a standard option on our windows. It’s the low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings that’s a good choice for most climates because it helps your home stay cool when air conditioning is in use and warm when the heat is on.
• Dual-pane glass has two panes of glass with an argon-gas-blend-filled air space in between. This type of glass is insulating and works well in most climates, which is why it’s a standard option. Triple-pane glass is also available and can be a good choice, particularly in northern climates.
• Proper installation wasn’t overlooked. Supsic had her windows installed by a professional contractor with window and door experience. This helped ensure she would get the best performance from her new windows. If a window isn’t properly installed, it simply can’t perform as designed. 

Looking for tips on how to pick out energy-efficient windows? 

Window selections, such as the size, materials, and grilles you choose, factor into the total cost you pay. If you’re working with a tight budget but want to include windows, keeping selections a bit simpler and selecting the right product line — such as the 100 or 200 Series product lines — can help you control costs.

In Supsic’s project, windows were not the most expensive line item by any means. She chose windows from the 200 Series product line, which is one of Andersen’s mid-range options for price. She was able to get exactly what she was looking for in terms of functionality, size, and color. By saving money on windows, she had more to allocate to other parts of the project. 

Andersen was the right choice for Supsic because it fit into her budget, preserved design cohesion with the rest of the house, and provided the high quality she was looking for.

Want to start understanding window and door costs? 

When renovating a kitchen in an existing space, it’s important to determine whether or not you want the windows to flow with the rest of the house. Supsic said matching the rest of the house was meaningful to her, which is one reason why she opted for double-hung windows. 

When choosing between double-hung or casement windows in a kitchen, it’s important to take into account the ease of opening them depending on where they are on the walls. Supsic said she’s tall enough to open the double-hung windows over her sink, but in some situations, casement windows might be the better option. 

Looking for tips on how to pick out kitchen windows? 

Supsic has spent a lot of time in the world of interior design, and a plain or basic kitchen wouldn't speak to her profession or passion. A trendy kitchen was also out of the picture, because it wouldn’t align with the rest of the house. Supsic said this project was an opportunity for her to take risks and let her style shine because she was the designer, client, and everything in between. And the results are exactly what she dreamed of. “It feels amazing. It feels like the pinnacle of everything I’ve worked so hard for.”

Seemingly small details, like the green and white checkerboard backsplash and brass accents wherever possible, were ways Supsic found to display her personality, incorporate the kitchen with the rest of the home, and really make the design her own.