How To: Shop for Windows for a Custom Home or Renovation

How To: Shop for Windows for a Custom Home or Renovation

In this episode of Home: The Second Story, we welcome Craig Hyson and Nick Blessing from Pella Windows & Doors of Cincinnati. This conversation is for homeowners who are starting a custom home, a large renovation, or even a production build and want to understand how to make better decisions about windows and doors before they order anything. Craig and Nick start with one of the most important points of the episode: the window itself matters, but the installation matters just as much. A high quality window can still fail if it is flashed incorrectly or installed poorly. That is why they encourage homeowners to vet both the manufacturer and the installer. Pella’s local team describes its role as “owning the opening,” which means they can help with the product, installation, and service after the fact. We also talk about why homeowners should go to a showroom before ordering windows. Windows affect both the inside and outside of a home, and a catalog does not tell the whole story. The way a window opens, the feel of the hardware, the look of the grilles, the screen options, and the finish details can all change a homeowner’s decision once they see and touch the products in person. A showroom visit can prevent surprises later. Budget is a big part of the conversation. Homeowners can often save money without compromising the whole design. Grilles can be used only on the front elevation. Some upgraded hardware or blinds between the glass can be limited to key rooms. In some cases, changing window series or staying within certain size limits can make a large difference. Standard sizes can save some money, but the bigger issue is often whether a custom size pushes the window into a more expensive product line. We also talk about glass, energy efficiency, sound control, and the importance of looking at the house as a whole system. Better glass can help, but walls, insulation, flashing, air sealing, and the overall envelope all matter. A great window cannot solve every performance problem on its own. The design conversation gets especially fun when we talk about larger doors, multi-slide systems, pocketing doors, and the way homeowners want indoor and outdoor spaces to connect. Craig and Nick share examples of automated awning windows, huge stacking doors, and larger aluminum products that allow designers to push size and glass limits. Our biggest takeaway is that homeowners should be more involved in the window selection process. Even when the architect and builder have a strong recommendation, it is worth visiting the showroom, asking questions, testing options, and understanding what is actually going into the home. More:  Pella Windows & Doors of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky: https://www.pella.com/locations/cincinnati/ [https://www.pella.com/locations/cincinnati/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Pella Windows & Doors Showroom of Cincinnati, OH: https://www.pella.com/locations/oh/montgomery/ [https://www.pella.com/locations/oh/montgomery/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] (00:00) Intro (02:05) What homeowners should know before starting a project (04:38) When homeowners work directly with the window team (05:31) Why windows affect both the interior and exterior (07:33) What makes a good quality window (09:51) Visiting the showroom and testing products (14:25) Grille choices and setting clear expectations (16:38) Budget levers that do not change the whole design (18:50) A hot take on using fewer, better windows (22:02) Standard sizes, custom sizes, and fixed versus operable windows (24:37) Choosing upgrades only in key rooms (27:12) Energy efficiency and glass options (31:25) A memorable automated awning window project (32:26) Multi-slide pocketing doors and big views (34:05) Larger aluminum products and bigger glass limits (36:27) Post-interview reflections (44:08) Closing and contact information   Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.com [admin@htsspodcast.com] Learn about our hosts: Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com [https://runciblestudios.com] SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com [https://springhousearchitects.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To: Battle Decison Fatigue (Snack Sized Episode)

We talk about decision fatigue in home renovation and custom building, and why it catches so many homeowners off guard. The core issue is mental exhaustion. People already have full lives before a project starts, and then they are asked to make a long series of choices over many months. Some of those choices are big, like layout and room count. Others show up during construction and feel urgent. That steady pressure wears people down. In a build or renovation, these are not simple or neutral decisions. They are emotional, personal, and often unfamiliar. Clients are making choices that affect how they will live every day, even though most of them are not used to thinking in this way. A question like where to put the laundry room can sound small, but it carries long term consequences. Decision fatigue can also look different depending on personality. Some people feel better once a choice is made. Others feel safer when they keep options open. Some research every detail. Others want to move quickly. In many couples, those styles do not match, which adds another layer to the process. A strong process helps. Good design work does not begin with finish selections. It starts with the big picture, then moves gradually toward details. Marilyn compares that to circling lower and lower before landing a plane. We also stress the value of an enthusiastic yes. A "tired yes" is not enough. If clients agree just to move on, that choice often comes back later as regret. We also compare custom homes, production homes, and the messy space in between. Production builders often limit options, which can reduce stress and protect people from bad combinations. A true custom process offers more freedom, but it also demands more time, trust, and guidance. The biggest problem comes when people are pushed into a semi custom process without real support. They are sent from showroom to showroom to make connected decisions without anyone holding the full vision together. We close by saying that decision fatigue is normal, even with a strong team. The goal is not to remove every choice. The goal is to guide people through them. We help by shaping the process, narrowing options, explaining what matters most, and reminding clients what can still change later. Most of all, we keep bringing them back to the bigger picture of the home they are building and the life they want to live in it. (00:00) Introduction (00:22) What decision fatigue really means (00:59) Why homeowners underestimate the number of choices (02:12) Why these decisions feel so hard (03:12) Emotion, personality, and overthinking (03:45) Different decision making styles in couples (05:21) How architects and designers help (05:38) Why the process starts with big decisions (08:05) The need for an enthusiastic yes (08:48) Why process improves design decisions (09:54) Adapting the process to each client (11:38) Custom homes versus production builders (14:13) The problem with semi custom without guidance (17:08) How to reduce decision fatigue during the project (19:21) Which choices matter most and which can change later (20:54) Outro Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.com [admin@htsspodcast.com] Learn about our hosts: Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com [https://runciblestudios.com] SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com [https://springhousearchitects.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Brooklyn Gut Renovation: What Patrick Wishes He Knew Before Starting

We talk with Patrick Paul about a Brooklyn gut renovation that began as something much smaller and turned into a much bigger project. Patrick bought a two-family home in a historic district in New York City after years of searching. He and his family used an FHA loan, lived with the risk of an as-is purchase, and took on a house that came with both DOB and landmark violations. The project started in November 2024, reached completion in July 2025, and, like many homes, still has work happening around the edges. Patrick’s biggest lesson is that he wishes he had brought in an architect earlier. He had a real estate agent and a lender from the start, but the architect came later through the contractor. Looking back, he believes an architect could have helped him understand the house better before purchase, shape the renovation strategy, and maybe even strengthen the negotiation. In a city like New York, where agencies do not always communicate clearly with each other, the architect and expediter became essential. The permitting process involved the Department of Buildings, Landmark, and the added complexity of working in a historic district. The original plan was to patch things up, live in part of the house, and phase the work. After the architect asked better questions about noise, dust, permits, resale, and the unknown conditions behind the walls, the project shifted toward a full gut renovation. Patrick explains that every trade carried a different level of uncertainty. The electrician did not know what old wiring might be behind the walls. The plumber could not fully price the work without knowing what needed to be opened. The risk of piecemeal work became too high, so the full gut became the more sensible long-term decision. The renovation was stressful. Patrick and his family were spending money they did not really have and trusting people they were still getting to know. They dealt with decision fatigue, delays, and the emotional weight of watching the house get torn apart before it came back together. Patrick stayed involved by visiting the site often, asking questions, and keeping communication moving through the architect, GC, and foreman. He learned how important the foreman is because that person knows the daily reality of the job better than almost anyone. The biggest construction issue came when the wrong joists were installed. The architect caught the mistake during construction administration, which forced the GC to replace them. The relationship was strained, but the problem was fixed before it became a hidden structural issue. That moment became a clear example of why construction administration matters. Now that Patrick is living in the house, the stress has turned into pride. He knows the details of the home, from the doors to the layout to the systems behind the walls. The house supports the way his family lives, hosts, works, and gathers. It was scary, expensive, and difficult, but it became an investment in family life, not just real estate. (00:00) Intro (00:45) A project that became a gut renovation (01:22) Working with an architect and expediter (03:23) Why city approvals need the right expertise (04:15) What Patrick would tell his past self (05:56) Buying a two-family home with an FHA loan (11:57) Buying an as-is house with violations (13:26) Why the project became a full gut renovation (17:55) Staying involved through proactive communication (20:07) How to be present on site without disrupting the team (22:22) Why the foreman matters so much (29:38) The joist mistake that changed the project (33:15) What construction administration really protects (36:33) What Patrick loves about the finished home (39:41) Marilyn and Sheri reflect on Patrick’s lessons (50:38) Closing and how to share your story Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.com [admin@htsspodcast.com] Learn about our hosts: Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com [https://runciblestudios.com] SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com [https://springhousearchitects.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What To Say When Things Start Going Wrong (Snack Sized Episode)

In this snack-sized episode, we lay out three simple phrases that help when a construction project starts to feel tense or disorganized. The focus is not on winning an argument. It is on getting everyone back to the same set of facts so the team can move forward. The first phrase is, “Let’s look at the contract.” When communication breaks down or stress rises, the contract is often the best place to start. It defines what counts as completion, what counts as a delay, how payments work, and what happens when part of the work is in dispute. Instead of reacting emotionally, we can return to what was already agreed to and use that as the basis for the next step. The second phrase is, “Let’s look at the drawings.” The drawings are part of the contract documents, and they show what the team agreed to build. In the middle of construction, it is easy for everyone to rely on memory, especially when there are multiple projects and many revisions in play. Looking at the drawings brings everyone back to the same information. It can also calm a charged moment because people stop speculating and start looking at the actual plan. Sometimes the drawings do not fully resolve the issue, and sometimes they reveal that something was missed. Even then, they still give the team a clear place to begin solving the problem.  Drawings can say, in pictures, what would take far longer to say in text. The third phrase is, “Let’s look at the minutes.” Weekly meeting minutes create a record of decisions, responsibilities, and timing. They help track who agreed to what and when an issue first came up. The episode makes a strong case for architects keeping and organizing the minutes, because that process helps shape an accurate narrative of the project. Marilyn and Sheri also talk about AI tools for meeting minutes. They see value in them, but they do not think AI is fully reliable yet. It can miss context, confuse speakers, and create concerns around confidentiality and recording. For now, they describe a hybrid approach as more useful. The larger point is that custom residential work is complicated, and perfection is not the standard. Problems will come up. The goal is to keep the team aligned, reduce finger-pointing, and stay focused on solutions. These three phrases help do exactly that by bringing everyone back to the contract, the drawings, and the written record. (00:00) Intro (01:30) Phrase 1: Let’s look at the contract (05:18) Phrase 2: Let’s look at the drawings (13:24) Phrase 3: Let’s look at the minutes (15:23) Why owners need to review meeting minutes (16:01) AI for meeting notes: benefits and limits (19:05) Who should receive the meeting minutes (22:07) Final recap of the three phrases (23:06) Outro Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.com [admin@htsspodcast.com] Learn about our hosts: Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com [https://runciblestudios.com] SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com [https://springhousearchitects.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Building a Multi-Generational Forever Home

In this episode, we talk with John and Lauren Katzman about building their custom multi-generational home in Powell, Ohio, just north of Columbus. Their project was a new build on five acres near a pond and woods. They began working with Sheri and Springhouse Architects well before construction started, and they broke ground in February 2020. About a month later, the pandemic hit. Even with that timing, they moved in by August 2021 and came away feeling supported and safe throughout the process. John and Lauren built the house for their family and Lauren’s parents. The home includes a true independent apartment for her parents, shared family space in the middle, and a two-story family home on the other side. Privacy was important for everyone. Her parents needed their own kitchen, their own front door, and the ability to close off their side. At the same time, the family wanted to open the house up for everyday life, childcare help, and larger gatherings. The result is a home that can function as one house or two connected homes. They also share what they would change. John wishes they had added heated floors to their own bathroom, since they included them on the in-laws’ side. Lauren says the solid maple floors are beautiful, but more delicate than expected. They love the natural look, but scratches and stains have made them rethink durability. John also wishes the garage had been just a little taller for a possible car lift, though that idea was news to Lauren. Many decisions worked very well. The upstairs playroom became one of the biggest wins. It gives the kids a place to spread out, make a mess, store toys, watch TV, and host cousin sleepovers. The siting of the house was another major success. They chose not to put a driveway in front because they wanted to look at the pond, not parked cars. That choice protects the feeling of the property and keeps the house connected to nature. A major theme is the value of building the right team. John and Lauren worked with an architect and builder who cared about the house, not just the job. Weekly meetings, clear communication, and early problem solving kept the process calm. They did not avoid every issue, but they had people around them who brought options and solutions. We close by reflecting on what made the project work. A forever home asks for serious planning. A multi-generational home asks for even more honesty about privacy, finances, decision-making, and future care needs. John and Lauren’s home now gives them a feeling of relief when they walk in. It is beautiful, functional, and deeply tied to the land around it. (00:00) Intro (01:03) A new build that began in February 2020 (02:12) Finding Springhouse Architects and starting the design process (04:02) What John and Lauren would do differently (05:04) Designing a multi-generational home (10:17) Alzheimer’s, timing, and caregiving at home (11:37) What worked and what they would rethink (14:23) The upstairs playroom as a major success (17:32) Designing the driveway around the pond view (18:33) Construction surprises and weekly meetings (22:21) Why the architect and builder team mattered (26:02) The cost of cutting corners (31:31) The value of full-service architectural support (34:05) Creating a house that feels connected to the outdoors (36:19) What they love most about the finished home (38:25) Sheri and Marilyn reflect on the conversation (50:00) Closing and contact information Have questions? Want to be on our show? Email us!  admin@htsspodcast.com [admin@htsspodcast.com] Learn about our hosts: Marilyn: Runcible Studios: https://runciblestudios.com [https://runciblestudios.com] SherI: Springhouse Architects: https://springhousearchitects.com [https://springhousearchitects.com] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.