Replacement Home Windows
Indoor Focal Point or
Outdoor "Focus" Point?

You've decided to buy replacement home windows. You love the light that filters through the trees. You love the outdoors and the sunshine that warms the floor under your bare feet. You love the openness feeling of space and unconfined movement of light in the room. You adore the beautiful detail of the mahogany wood grain frames; and you are excited by the "naked", unadorned window concept of contemporary clean lines.

This is clearly the definition of trademark "bare windows". It's the pat answer when you describe why your windows are uncovered to anyone who might ask. After all, this is the perfect way to provide a link between your home and your garden style landscaping. More glass and less wall space allows you to flood your home with natural sunlight and maximize the creative use of windows and doors.

Replacement window ratings are climbing due to their unique grid patterns and specialty glass options that don't need additional adornment. They are sophisticated, timeless, and elegant in a stand alone way. And if you have them, you definitely don't want to hide the beauty of their exceptional design elements, do you?

Your replacement home windows themselves, serve to accent the rest of the room; providing a FOCAL POINT for the interior decor. There are trend rumors that we may be moving away from window coverings because glass options in replacement home windows are now more energy efficient than ever before.

Yes, it's beautiful, and we are all entitled to this great choice of architectural display; but how far do we go with it before we cross the line with our freedom of choice? What about your neighbors freedom of choice?

Imagine, for a moment, if you will indulge me . . . I recently came across a blog that had quite a different point of view about these replacement home windows. For obvious reasons, I will not disclose her identity here, but she has written a pathetically hilarious extraction of inner feelings and frustrations quite the opposite than I have painted above.

Replacement Home Windows - Focus Point

This article was written by A Paperback Writer, who you can visit at A Paperback Writer in the Septemter 2009 archives; and she had so kindly granted me permission to use for your entertainment and as an example of the other side of the coin . . . as it were. This is a tale of replacement home windows to be remembered for a long time. The article is titled "On The Importance Of Proper Window Covering"

I have included excerpts of the entire article, but feel free to read it in its entirety, for fear you will miss the importance and may take something out of context; which would not be my intent. My intent is purely to show the neighbor's view of what the first half of this page painted. So here we go . . . except for a few comments from me in brackets [].

A Papberback Writer writes, "When I moved into my current home nearly 23 years ago, my neighbors to the west had curtains that covered the lower half of every window, letting in light but not forcing me to see their every move. It was great. My current (evil) neighbors in that same house put in new [replacement home windows] and 'improved' windows, which they seem to feel eliminate the need for covering the windows at all; the largest kitchen windows still have NOTHING on them -- even after 6 years -- which means that if I happen to be at my kitchen sink, I can see EVERY BLOODY THING that goes on in their kitchen and hallway. Ick".

"Now, two neighbors ago to the east, Mr. Hot-Tub Smoker put in new [replacement home windows] in the house as well -- and he took out all the window coverings IN EVERY FREAKIN' WINDOW THAT FACED MY HOUSE. Now, I leave my blinds down on that side of the house 99% of the time, but it was unnerving to see his whole house every time I went into my yard". [Obviously this guy has never heard of diy curtains, temporary shades, or decorative window tint when he decided to do replacement home windows, right?]. . .

[I'll just bet when you did your walk through for your new home 23 years ago mentally placing your furniture in each room, this view of neighbors replacement home windows was not part of your vision, was it?]

"Sigh".

"Once, when the non-evil wife asked me to show her something on her Mac, I had the occasion to go into her basement. So I casually mentioned, "Y'know, it's not like I look out my windows often, but when I do open or close them, I have to put up my blinds -- and when your lights are on down here, I can see everything. And it's hard not to have your eye drawn to the light when it's dark outside." I was trying to apply the GET BLINDS hint with a sledge hammer".

"She was unconcerned. "Oh, the bathroom's down the hall," she said, pointing. "But you're only likely to see Henry (not his real name, obviously) coming out of the shower." Uh, yeah. That would be my point. I don't WANT a look at your husband less than fully clothed. But I didn't say it. I should have".

"A few days ago, I went to close the window at about a quarter to seven before leaving for school. I suspect that "Henry" was either getting ready to or just leaving the shower. But there he was, in the full light. Y'know, you can see a heck of a lot in less than a second. I now know EXACTLY how buff Henry is and what kind of underwear he prefers. And it's hard not to want to smirk when I speak to him taking out the trash or getting the paper (fully clothed) on mornings since then". . .

"The gruesome image of that many chins, that much bare, hairy belly, surmounted by those beady little close-set piggy eyes was burned into my mind before I could stop the damage. Ghastly".

[OMG, I may never get this vision out of my head! I hope my neighbors NEVER do replacement home windows!!]

"Why do I write, then? For you, dear readers. (Oh, don't I just sound Victorian?) Please, for the love of all that's holy, check your own windows. Make sure you're not giving your own neighbors a show they don't want or need -- especially if you don't resemble Henry. Posted by A Paperback Writer."

It kind of strips away the illicit deliciousness of it all and colors a much dimmer shimmer with replacement home windows. There becomes a very thin line between privacy and the concept of "expectation of privacy". Reasonable expectation of privacy is everything; and perhaps we should pay more attention to the wonderment of who's out there watching us rather than caring about how our replacement window ratings stack up.

If you are not an exhibitionist, and just haven't made up your mind about what to hang there; then perhaps a little sensitivity training and management can start with a simple robe when you are parading past those windows.

Its a brave move not to cover a window. If you are a male and there is an under age female as a neighbor - you could be in serious trouble with the simple push of the telephone buttons to the police. Is it discreet openness? Or is is conceived indecent exposure? Depends on the age, sex, and tolerance of your neighbor, and the tolerance of the policeman who is called, doesn't it? Perhaps you should rethink the whole replacement home windows theory?

Your home gets only one chance to make a first impression, and that's typically at the front entry; and guaranteed to make a lasting impression. However, entry windows are one thing; but consider this: Every window in your home has two sides - an interior side and an exterior side. So how about giving equal consideration to how BOTH faces should look. Still want those replacement home windows?

Starting a New Home Repair Project Ask HomeRenoExperts.com for Advice

I for one, have a permanent picture in my mind that I possibly will never be able to shake. It is of that lovely two story arched window that cost me a small fortune to cover with beautiful tasseled swags and panels gracefully puddled on the floor over my window seat with imported tapestry bench and pillows to match; and behind the sheer drapery is a permanent vision of my neighbor "Blob" buck naked with a bottle of beer in his hand rolling it over . . . well, you've got the picture.

Yes, it's okay to replace home windows, but be kind to your neighbors. Either buy a robe or cover your windows!

Learn more from the pages below:

Control & Exposure
Replacement Home Windows
Decorative Window Film
Window Privacy Film
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