This post is in collaboration with Pella Windows & Doors. I feel as though this update couldn’t possibly come to you with more enthusiasm, so just imagine this: as we tell the story, we’re shouting! We’re grinning non-stop, and we’re jumping up and down. I’m feeling flustered just trying to find words at all (a rarity, for sure), so simply put, we have our kitchen door! This story – as with all of our stories, it seems! – goes way back to this past winter, when our first door turned into a comedy of errors. When that contractor went M.I.A. (I like to speculate what happened, mostly out of curiosity but also because I was in denial, no doubt), Pella Windows & Doors came to the rescue. Working with the Pella team and their certified contractor, from the very beginning, has felt so easy. Everything from options and colors to measurements and feedback were handed out willingly and freely. They patiently listened when we asked many (many) questions, and they followed up with phone calls, emails and advice when asked.
To say it was a breath of fresh air would be the understatement of the year. We’ve been singing their praises, and we’ll continue to do so. A quick recap: After waffling on the merits of a 5′ vs. a 6′ door, we landed on the 6′ wide Designer Series door in the French style, a 1′ transom window above and between-the-glass shades with Insynctive technology (more on that in a minute). The French style has a thicker wood frame surrounding the glass, lending a more traditional vibe – perfect for the age of our old house. The door arrived last Monday, and the Pella certified team, LaPelusa Home Improvement, began installation the next morning. We never imagined we’d be so happy to see a hole in the side of our home! My biggest concern when working with a construction team is the presence they have while I’m in the home. We’ve worked with a wide range of contractors since moving in, some we’ve loved, and some we’ve agreed to never call again. Our prior experience with the first GC from our kitchen renovation left us a little anxious, but the LaPelusa team immediately put us at ease.
The entire job took three and a half days, and often times, I would forget they were here! They were clean and courteous, masking off their work area in the morning and vacuuming up the debris every afternoon. I was worried that the work we’d put into the kitchen so far would get grimy from the new construction dust, but those fears were tossed aside when I saw how carefully they masked off their work area: At the completion of day one, the door was roughed in. By day two, we had electrical run for a new exterior light fixture. Scott and I spent most of the first evening with a drink in hand staring at the back wall. There was so much light! For the first several days, if I caught a kitchen glimpse from the corner of my eye, I’d think, who left the back door open?, only to remember that our new door was here! For a while, it seemed as though we were running in circles – we’d say, did we imagine the plans for a door all along? – but now that it’s here, well, it feels good.
It feels right, like it’s always been there. We’ve always loved the look of a dark door against lighter siding, and although there was a bit of a debate at first, we chose a black exterior finish. we couldn’t love it more: Our exterior light was a bit of a gamble, especially because the plans for our current deck and yard are up in the air. We have a jumble of ideas – big ones, for sure! – but they won’t happen until next summer (hopefully). Although our original intent was to center the fixture above the door, the upper deck placement had other plans. We shifted it to the side, which we’re still very happy with! The raw wood mount and white trim still need paint, which I’m looking to tackle this week: Last but not least, our between-the-glass shades are a game changer! We chose white fabric shades in Linen as a part of Pella’s Insynctive Technology. With the touch of a button, the shades rise and fall, and they do so quietly. Because they snap in between two panes of glass, they stay dust (and fuss) free!
The shades still allow for light to pass through (above), although we prefer to leave them open during the day. (We’d been missing the light!) Jack and CC aren’t quite used to the screen door, and after a few silly instances of trying to run through the screen and failing, Jack will tenderly touch his nose to the screen. It’s a testament to how clear the screen looks! Our backyard isn’t the most stunning, but we’re thinking long term. The stairs on the back are no longer necessary since we turned our house into a single family home (by tearing those down, we’ll completely eliminate the less-than-attractive transom view), and one day, we’ll have a (nicer) walk out porch. But for the short term, our door is in need of a little paint! We chose a primed white interior so we could relinquish all control on the final color – ha! I’ve got my paintbrush laid out; it’s going to change everything. With any luck, we’ll have a completed kitchen within the week!
I want to laugh like a maniac just typing those words. We’re thisclose, you guys. This is a sponsored project written by us on behalf of Pella Windows and Doors, and you can learn more about Pella’s Insynctive technology right here. Pella provided us with a Designer Series sliding patio door with transom, and all text, opinions and storyline drama (what’s a renovation without one?) are our own. Thank you, as always, for supporting those that so graciously support us.We have a wide selection of storm doors created to give you more ways to bring air and light in and keep weather out. We offer four storm door styles to suit your preferences and enhance the entrance to your Baton Rouge area home. Our fullview option features full glass and an interchangeable screen. helps you enjoy the greatest amount of light and view. Choice of up to eight frame colors, three handle finishes and a variety of glass options Select Expressions® Glass Collection available (Select models; sold separately)
Solid brass handle — inside and out — with multipoint keyed deadbolt One-Touch® door close that holds door open at the touch of a button Selected models feature a 1-5/8” heavy-duty frame Reinforced corners to keep the door square Fully tempered glass for safety Express Install® feature allows installation in as little as 60 minutes This door has a screen that rolls down when you want to let the breeze in and slides out of sight when youYou’ll receive a clear view without taking One movable glass panel Standard Bright Brass handle; additional finishes on select models Sweep that matches handle finish Selected models feature a 1-3/8” heavy-duty frame with reinforced corners Lifetime Finish Guarantee on handle of frame [[colorpelling]]s, handle finishes and striking decorative glass gives you the option to design your own Pella door. Plus, glass options include our exclusive Select Expressions® Glass Collection.
Available in eight frame colors to match Pella® windows and doors Brass handles — inside and out — in your choice of styles and finishes Wide range of interchangeable decorative glass designs including exclusive Select Expressions® Glass Collection One-Touch® closer that holds door open at the touch of a button 1-5/8" heavy-duty frame — our thickest door — with reinforced corners to keep the door square Overlapping frame with double weatherstripping for a clean look and tight seal Adjustable sweep to accent your entryway. Pella’s self-storing storm door has a full screen with two moving glass panels. Midview or highview frame styles are available to help you protect the screen and your entry door from children or pets. Two moveable glass panels Color-matched handles with optional keyed deadbolt Sweep matches handle finish 1" solid core frame with low-maintenance aluminum exterior Our storm doors are available in a