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HOME OCTOBER 2023 8 MILWAUKEE — Choosing replacement windows is an important decision because you want the window to not only do its job in keeping your home warm or cool and free of drafts, but you also want it to be durable, maintenance free and to enhance your home's beauty and character, said Christi Pryor, marketing manager with Callen Con- struction, Inc. From fashionable to practical, Pryor explains some of the trends she is seeing in replacement windows. Exterior frame colors Black-framed windows have been around for a few years, but the trend continues. Black is a timeless color and looks good on any style home, from farmhouse to tradi- tional to contemporary to mid-century mod- ern, Pryor said. Besides black, we are also seeing homeowners getting bolder with other colors. In addition to the popular Ebony color, there's also bronze, Bahama brown, pebble gray, cashmere, Sierra and the traditional stone white. It's important to note, just because a color is on-trend, you as the homeowner need to choose what seems right for your particular style. Energy-efficiency is a must-have Pryor said she has never encountered a customer that was not seeking a window replacement that didn't offer improved energy-efficiency. Quite frankly, Callen does not offer products that don't enhance a home's efficiency. In fact, energy efficiency is typically a key driver in window replace- ment, Pryor said. Infinity from Marvin offers various levels of Low-E (low emissiv- ity) insulating glass, which boosts energy efficiency and blocks UV rays. In our cli- mate, we recommend using Low E3, which will retain heat in your home during the winter while letting the light in and help keep heat out during the summer. It also blocks up to 95% of the sun's damaging UV rays to reduce fading of your furniture, window treatments and flooring, said Pryor. In addition to the glass, the frame materi- al is another consideration. Marvin Ultrex fiberglass window frames are engineered to have superior material properties in terms of strength, stability and durability. Thinner frames for a more expansive view Windows are all about the view to the out- doors and homeowners are wanting more of it. The advantage to using Infinity from Marvin is the use of Ultrex fiberglass in its construction, Pryor said. Because Ultrex is so strong, eight times stronger than vinyl in fact, less is used in the window frame, which allows more daylight and expanded views. Refresh with a change of shape There are many styles of replacement windows, with double-hung the most popu- lar replacement style. There is a trend toward casement, as well as bow, bay and slider windows. Bow and bay windows allow light to come in from multiple angles, and they also have a casement options, said Pryor. The slider operates like a patio door, so it does not open into an outdoor living space or landscaping. Sound abatement now more than ever Sound-reducing windows limit noise from the outside world, which can disturb the tranquility desired in a home. Sound abate- ment can be achieved through the materials used to build the window. For the most part, it's the glass in the window that makes the biggest difference, with Infinity from Mar- vin offering options that reduce outside noise. For more information or to book your ini- tial consultation, call Callen at 414-529-5509 or visit 8xSTRONGER.com. Components trending in replacement windows Photo courtesy of Callen Construction, Inc. While traditional stone white remains popular, black frames continue to trend.

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