AVI Blog

Window Replacement in Full Swing at the Idea House

eniko — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:42:08 +0000

Structural reinforcements, additions, and window replacements move ahead at the Southern Living Magazine Idea House. And in keeping with the painstaking attention to detail, the openings for all the windows are being raised or moved to the perfect spot, and each one replaced with a beautiful new Marvin window, built especially to match the historic character and warmth of this 19th century farmhouse situated in charming Senoia, Georgia.
The project architects, Historical Concepts, worked with Marvin because they were able to match the lines and proportions original to the house. The simulated divided lites and details can be customized from a myriad of possibilities, to perfectly suite any style or concept a homeowner, architect or dreamer can invent.
Once the windows are installed by the Marvin authorized installers, the homeowners will be able to enjoy their beauty from indoors as well as from the wraparound porch. And because the exteriors were made with Marvin’s famously long lasting, fade-resistant aluminum cladding, they’ll never need repainting or sealing to handle whatever the Georgia climate dishes out. That means extra lemonade and hammock time for the homeowner – just what life in Senoia, Georgia should be about.
The Southern Living Magazine 2012 Idea House will be open to the public June –October 2012. Click here to plan your visit.

Even a 7-Foot Snake Can’t Stop the Idea House Renovation

eniko — Fri, 04 May 2012 06:03:13 +0000

How many old houses are worthy of moving? In picturesque Senoia, Georgia, historic architecture runs deep, so nothing is too good when it comes to renovating the town’s homes. This year, Southern Living Magazine’s 2012 Idea House gives top treatment to a Senoia farmhouse, complete with relocation and Marvin Windows and Doors.
One of the first steps in the Idea House project involved moving the structure to a better location – one that allowed for a backyard, framed the home in an urban setting, and set the stage for the stunning wraparound porch addition that raises this old house above its original 19^th century glory.
Enter Davis Housemovers, Inc., the family-owned business that moved a mountain to relocate this home. Because the structure sat low to the ground, Davis and his two sons resorted to digging under the home to facilitate the move. Along the way they came across a dead cat and a seven-foot long copperhead snake, but undeterred, the trio placed the house on its new site like a baby in a down feather bed. Watch the time lapse video.
While the house was making its move, AVI and Marvin Windows and Doors got busy planning, designing, and building the custom wood Marvin windows and doors that will maintain the home’s historic charm while concealing the leading-edge innovation and energy efficiency that makes Marvin good enough for a painstaking renovation such as this. Stay tuned for the next installment where the Idea House gets its windows.
The Southern Living Magazine 2012 Idea House will be open to the public June –October 2012. Click here to plan your visit.

Southern Style: Southern Living Magazine’s Idea House Featuring Marvin Windows

eniko — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 11:00:41 +0000

2012 Southern Living Idea House

Atlantans have a front row seat to enjoy Southern Living Magazine’s 2012 Idea House. Breaking from tradition, this year’s project is a renovation of a charming farmhouse in Senoia, GA that’s getting pampered and polished into a southern dream home. Complete with wraparound porch surrounded by Marvin windows and accessible through a Marvin French door, this renovation is so extensive it even required moving the house to a more suitable location on the property.
As a proud sponsor, Marvin is releasing 5 videos following the project, beginning with the vision, capturing the house move, describing the architecture and details. There is also a time lapsed video to follow the project’s progress. Stay tuned for upcoming issues of this AVIew blog, where we’ll update you on insider news.
AVI’s team of Marvin experts have been interviewed about the meticulous historic detailing and care that went into designing the windows and doors. We’ll be posting videos, photos and stories.
If you’re a homeowner looking to replace your windows, add an extension or have remodeling plans, following a project like the Idea House can give you window ideas, connect you with the professionals to get the work done, and inspire you with ideas you never thought were possible.

4 Points to Look for in Eco-Friendly, Energy Efficienct Windows and Doors

eniko — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:32:39 +0000

Spring is the greenest time of year, a perfect time to think about energy efficient, green products. Here are 4 points to look for in energy efficient windows and patio doors:

What materials are used in the window frames? Eco-friendly window manufacturers will be able to show you how much recycled material is used and whether the materials themselves are earth-friendly and/or responsibly harvested. At the end of their life cycle, can the windows and doors be recycled or must they be land filled?
Are the windows made to last? Some of the least expensive windows (often vinyl priced under $100/unit) are built to only a few years. The quality of engineering and design varies between window brands. Look for windows engineered for quality.
Besides the hassle, you’ll endure having to replace windows and doors more than once, a second window replacement project will generate a great deal more waste than installing long lasting products the first time.
How energy efficient are your new windows? Since windows account for 10-25% of your home’s total energy consumption, it’s worth being careful which ones you choose.*New windows can be up to 45% more energy efficient*. Windows that are 20 years or older can make 5.3 tons more greenhouse gases per year than new windows*. Look for windows that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR® guidelines† to be sure you’re getting true energy efficiency.
How much waste and recycling resulted from the process of making your windows? Every year, manufacturers produce tons of solid waste and emissions and use up natural resources. Can your manufacturer tell you if they recycle production wastes, and reuse or reduce the resources need in their operations? Some common green practices are burning waste in high-efficiency furnaces to heat their plants, recycling of solvents, and incorporating scrap back into products through recycling. Windows made in America stand a better chance of being Earth friendly.

* According to the Window and Door Manufacturers’ Association (WDMA)

† ENERGY STAR is a set of standards defined by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Home Safety: National Window Safety Awareness Week

eniko — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:36:27 +0000

We may think of windows in terms of sunshine, fresh air and energy efficiency, but windows are an important mechanical part of our homes and play a vital role in our safety. Here are some points to keep in mind when shopping for windows.

Windows as Emergency Exits
In the event of an emergency or fire, windows can be our best or only escape route. Did you know that your local building codes are designed to ensure an escape route should your doors be blocked by fire? Egress is a term applied to windows that open wide enough to allow escape during fire. When you build a new home or plan a major renovation, these codes must be met on the plans. Window specialists, such as the consultants at AVI can advise builder and architects on how to best meet there requirements without compromising the design.

Locks for Maintaining Security
Windows with good locks can keep out intruders better. When it comes to security, not all windows are alike. Some windows and patio doors have only one place where the lock engages the frame. Marvin windows and doors feature multipoint locking, ensuring windows and doors are secure. In addition, these advanced locking systems enhance energy efficiency.

Keeping Loved Ones Safe
It’s also important to safeguard against falls. Where children have access to windows, and often where dictated by building codes, you can get windows and doors with sash limiters. These accessories can be applied to windows to limit the opening size, keeping your children safe and sound. Not all window brands offer these features, so ask a reputable retailer such as a Marvin Design Gallery for details.

Learn more about window safety at the National Safety Council website.

Green and Energy Efficient Windows: Experts who use Marvin

eniko — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:07:44 +0000

Used as the Southern Building Showhouse, this home is a model of water and energy efficient practices.

What window would an expert on green building choose? At AVI, besides priding ourselves on the fact that our Buckhead showroom was the first commercial space to be certified green by EarthCraft, we also supply Marvin’s energy efficient windows and doors for projects involving Atlanta’s green building experts.
Builder-turned-green-building-consultant Carl Seville chose Marvin windows, as well as a unique Marvin bifold door, in this beautiful home, which served as a showhouse for the Southern Building Show a couple years ago. The home was a showcase of green building practices, designed to minimize water and energy usage. Clearly they didn’t compromise on style along the way.
How much of a green expert is Carl? He’s known as the Green Building Curmudgeon, and together with Abe Kruger, another guru of green, they even wrote the book on the topic, literally. Together, these two Atlanta-area experts have published a new textbook, Green Building: Principles and Practices in Residential Construction. In addition, Carl traveled to the Marvin factory a couple years back, and wrote about his experiences with this windows company.
Learn more about the sustainability and eco-friendliness of Marvin window and door products.

Windows Designs: Find just what you like

eniko — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:49:27 +0000

: Marvin Windows Product Finder

If you’re considering replacing your windows, you have a chance to make some changes. But where do you start to figure out if you want to keep your double hungs or casement windows or swap them for, say, a glider window or maybe even a sliding French door. The new Window Finder at Marvin.com is a great place to start.
This easy-to-use online tool walks you through a series of easy questions and quicker than you can fill in a MadLib, you’ll find out just what kind of window you’re wishing for.
And just as handy, the Door Finder will help you zero in on either the right replacement for the old, leaky patio door you can hardly open or the gorgeous new entrance design for your new deck area. And when you’re ready, your can trust the team at AVI, your exclusive source for Marvin windows and doors in Atlanta.

Southern Style: Spotlight on Savannah, Georgia

eniko — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 08:00:37 +0000

How will you improve your home in 2012?

Warm, welcoming, comfortable, architectural, mystical, or grand? How do you define Southern Style? The upcoming Spring Atlanta Home Show will explore this interesting topic with a special exhibit called Southern Style: Spotlight Savannah.
AVI friends Margaret Norcott, interior designer and owner of Milieu Design Group, and Tony Pourhassan, principal of Highlight Homes, are the force behind this special exhibit, with support from AVI , a Marvin Design Gallery.
Show visitors will find an actual brownstone façade and décor inspired by John Berendt’s southern gothic bestseller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
AVI will be supplying Marvin windows and doors for the exhibit, and of course, will have our own booth, #1306. And don’t miss Ms. Norcott’s presentation, Adding Architectual Interest to Your Home, on stage at the show on Saturday at 4 PM.
Don’t miss this chance to get inspiration and ideas for your home improvement projects. As the Spring Atlanta Home Show Guide promises, “From the riverfront to the gardens, the visual charm of the Old South, the airs of antebellum gentility are manifested here and seek to cast you under their spell.”

Spring Atlanta Home Show
Friday March 23, 2012 10am-6pm
Saturday March 24, 2012 10am-6pm
Sunday March 25, 2012 noon-6pm
Located at the Cobb Galleria. Get directions here.

Design Inspiration: Get Remodeling Ideas Online

avi_admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 08:36:42 +0000

There’s nothing better than seeing actual photos of real homes to give you ideas for your window replacement or home improvement project. Or perhaps you want to compare the outcome of a recent project to others.

Marvin Windows and Doors’ website has a new Remodelers Gallery that features actual before and after photos by remodelers across the country. You’ll find inspiration to spark your creativity, perfect for sharing with your contractor or remodeler.

Tools to Design Your New Front Door and Sweepstakes Prizes, too!

eniko — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 08:46:48 +0000

Enter the Therma-Tru Unlock the Opportunities Sweepstakes!

We’ll tell you how to win sweepstakes prizes, but first let’s talk about the real prize: a new entry door! It’s a well-known fact that upgrading your front door is an excellent investment. It raises the “perceived value” of your home beyond the actual cost. Whether you’re looking to sell your home or just looking for a simple home improvement with high impact, entry doors are a great choice.

In addition to offering the best window value in Atlanta, AVI is your source for beautiful custom entry doors. Composite doors, such as Therma-Tru, are one of our favorite suggestions. They are secure, energy efficient, and simply gorgeous. Even veteran door specialists have trouble telling they’re not made from genuine wood, plus, composite doors never rot or need painting or staining – they stay beautiful for decades!

Ready to get started on your door project? Check out these cool tools to design your own door: Easy, free four-step Door Designer and the Picture Perfect Virtual Designer, downloadable software for purchase by design professionals and homeowners.

Even better, visit the Therma-Tru website, follow their door design steps and you’ll be entered to win their Unlock the Opportunities sweepstakes. Prizes include gift cards, a large screen TV or laptop computer, and the Grand Prize, a trip for 2 to the 2013 Pro Football Championship Game in New Orleans.

Want to design another door? You get one entry per day, each time you design another door and prizes are awarded daily! Don’t believe us? Check out the list of daily winners!