Think function first when choosing a new window or door. This is an opportunity to address important and potential problems, such as too much sun and noise, or not enough privacy. Concerned about hurricanes? Make sure the glass is super strong. Want to let in light but not the neighborhood? Consider glass block or stained glass. Prefer the screens hidden away when they’re not in use? Try retractable screens. Getting ready to sell? Upgrade! There’s nothing like new windows and doors to boost the curb appeal of any home.
Browse these beautiful, local projects to discover what functional solution works best for you.
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Photo by Olivier Koning
This home in Hawaii Kai features the largest multipanel stacking door that Coastal Windows has ever made. The custom door, made of glass that is reflective on the outside, measures 37.5 feet wide and 12 feet high. When fully open, the outside deck flows seamlessly with the home’s great room and gourmet kitchen. Each of the seven panels weighs more than 350 pounds, but slides easily enough for one person to operate. The adjacent master bedroom features a similar corner door that exists without the need for a center post. Both doors disappear into wall pockets when fully open, creating the ultimate in indoor/outdoor Island living. |
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Photo by David Croxford
Screens & Things installed Fleetwood’s Norwood 3070-EX aluminum six-panel door at this Hawaii Loa Ridge residence. Measuring 35 feet wide and eight feet high, it captures panoramic views of the valley and ocean. A special feature of this door is mammoth rollers that make operation very easy, despite its weight. The aluminum framing is considered green, because the material is widely available and also can be recycled later. |
TIP
Keeping a window’s frame, glass and screens clean will ensure a long life and keep things in working order According to Custom Contractors Inc., which specializes in replacement awning windows. Company estimator Robert Abbett recommends using LPS-2, a heavy duty lubricant, or Alum-a-Lub, a multipurpose lubricating cleaner, to grease a metal window’s armature and mechanisms. For vinyl windows, he suggests applying Armor All to protect against weathering.
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Pacific Craftworks manufactures doors using exotic woods, such as merbau and nyatoh. “We can do almost any type of project,” says Andy Pham of Pacific Craftworks. “I believe we’re building the best doors in the Islands.” The company’s doors range in price from $400 to $2,000 and are delivered prefinished with spaces for the hinges already cut.
photo courtesy of Pacific Craftworks
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Photo by David Croxford
This Alewa Heights home features premium tropical polymer shutters by Island Shutters. The hardware used is designed to withstand Hawaii’s environment. The company also offers a variety of hardwood shutters, such as mahogany or teak. Optimal for plantation-style designs, shutters simultaneously regulate ventilation, light and privacy. |
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Photo by David Croxford
This Kaneohe home features Pella Architectural Products’ windows and doors. The master bedroom, pictured here, uses Pella’s Designer Series product line, which is best known for accommodating between-the-glass window treatments. The triple-pane glass also improves energy efficiency while reducing outdoor noise. |
TIP
How do you measure your windows? Good question! For treatments, Gail Dagdag of Kreative Kamaaina suggests measuring the inside of the window, then the amount of wall to the left of the window and to the right, then above the window and below the sill. This gives the designer an exact idea of where the window is on the wall. Dagdag also recommends taking a photo of the window to bring with you to your appointment.
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Photo by David Croxford
This Hawaii Loa Ridge residence features Sunburst Shutters’ Ovation line, made by hand of solid basswood. The line comes in 11 shades of white and 28 wood stain choices, or it can be custom painted or stained to match the existing woodwork. Sunburst also offers white Polywood, a recyclable synthetic material that’s a byproduct of natural gas. |
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Photo by David Croxford
Standing at the bottom of this two-story glass block window, looking straight up, a dramatic piece of architecture becomes transcendent. Almost all the glass block seen throughout the Islands is supplied by Hawaii Glass Block. It lets in natural light and dampens noise, while providing privacy and security from break-ins. |
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Photo by Ryan Siphers
A new Wailuku residential development, The Cottages at Kehalani, features RMA Sales’ Superior Deluxe Vinyl Windows. Pictured here is a slider window, which can pop open for easy cleaning. Dual glazing with 0.75-inch insulated glass buffers outdoor sound and heat, and dual brass rollers with stainless steel axles resist corrosion. |
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Super Strong
Photo by David Croxford
A new item available through Island Home Building Supply is the Windquest Series line of windows and doors from Kolbe. Built to withstand a Category 4 hurricane (winds from 130 to 150 mph), the secret lies in its dual-glazed insulating unit. A vinyl layer is sandwiched between two laminated panes of glass and holds them in place in case it does break. Two locks, an auto sash lock and a tilt latch, secure the window and prevent it from opening during high-wind weather.
Jim Cook of Island Home recommends taking a close look at your home’s windows. It’s easy to assess the quality of a window with a visual inspection. |
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Photo by David Croxford
Homeowner and artist Jocelyn Cheng employed Glass Rainbows to recreate her painting “Mystic Bamboo” as stained glass side panels for the front door of her Kaneohe home. It’s most beautiful when the morning light shines through, she says. The African mahogany door is by Robertson Woodworks. |
TECH TREND
Automated windows, doors or treatments are fabulous and make life so much easier. A great example is Breezway’s Altair Powerlouvre Window. Louvres (or jalousies), particularly in hard-to-reach places, open and shut with a flick of a switch. The low voltage motor is fully concealed and will operate for at least 30,000 open/close cycles, i.e., twice a day for more than 50 years.
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Photo by David Croxford
Retractable Screen Solutions adds beauty and brains to this Kahala home. The screens work exactly the way one would expect: They recoil into a slim housing unit when not in use. When pulled out, the magnetized door handle holds them in place. |
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A recently built Hilo house features vinyl Milgard Windows, in radius and horizontal slider shapes with built-in grids, from HPM Building Supply. The contractor, Clint Carlson of Carlson Homes Inc., uses these windows often. “I like that Milgard has an on-island (Big Island) service person, and there are a ton of design options,” he says.
Photo courtesy of HPM Building Supply
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WHERE TO GET IT
Bali Boo, a division of King & Zelko
201 Kapaa Quarry Road, Kailua
261-7239
www.kingandzelko.com
Breezway Louvre Windows
292-4811
www.breezway.com.au
Coastal Windows
94-533 Puahi St., Waipahu
676-0529
www.coastalwindows.com
Custom Contractors Inc.
99-840 Iwaiwa St., Unit 2, Aiea
483-0100
www.customcontractorsinc.com
Glass Rainbows
47-376 Lulani St., Kaneohe
239-7978
Hardware Hawaii
3 Locations on Oahu & 1 Location on Kauai
Kailua Home Showroom, 105 Oneawa St.
266-1009
www.hardwarehawaii.com
Hawaii Glass Block Inc.
284 Kalihi St.
841-2565
www.hawaiiglassblock.com
Homeowners Design Center
1030 Kohou St.
847-0216
www.homeownersdesign.com
HPM Building Supply
3 Locations on the Big Island
380 Kanoelehua Ave., Hilo
(808) 935-0875
www.hpmhawaii.com
Island Home Building Materials
1622 Kanakanui St.
845-1122
www.islandhomehi.com
Island Shutters Inc.
690-8182
Kreative Kamaaina Enterprises LLC
1804 Hart St.
841-8731
Let’s Talk Window Coverings
74-5598 Alapa St., Suite C, Kailua-Kona
(808) 329-8883
Pacific Craftworks
2829 Awaawaloa St., Unit V
839-2345
www.pacificcraftworks.com
Pella Architectural Products Inc.
214-B Sand Island Access Road
841-3200
www.pella.com
Retractable Screen Solutions
735-4321, 1-888-PHANTOM
www.phantomscreens.com
RMA Sales, SCD RMA LLC
99-134 Waiua Way, Aiea
487-9041
www.rmasalesco.com
Screens & Things
2960 Mokumoa St.
836-1333
www.screensandthings.net
Skylights of Hawaii LLC dba Rooftech
120 Sand Island Access Road
847-5500
www.skylightsofhawaii.com
Sunburst Shutters
1806 Homerule St.
851-7200
www.sunburstshutters.com
