Outside Looking In

As homeowners continue to favor remodeling over buying in today’s economy, they are keeping a sharp eye on ways to increase their home’s value. Two of the best ways to increase a home’s value is to install a customized front door and quality windows.

There are many considerations when deciding on the right exterior front door and windows for your home, including: painted or stained, how much exposure to the elements they will get, how long will you be living in your home, what is appropriate style for your home and neighborhood, and what works best with your budget?

Dave Ickert, owner of Viking Door & Window in San Jose, helps homeowners choose quality upgrades to complement their homes. In many cases, upgrades include the Jeld-Wen brand of custom doors and the well-known Andersen brand of windows. “Both of these trusted brands can significantly boost a home’s appearance, functionality and value,” said Ickert.

At the Viking Door & Window showroom, buyers can choose from standard or custom door designs, while choosing from a variety of woods and finishes, textures, grille work, hardware and accents, moldings, trims and frames. A variety of glass is also available, including period-appropriate designs. 

“All doors are designed to be not only functional but also inviting,” said Ickert. “For the Jeld-Wen custom doors, we use only the highest quality products and hardwoods, including mahogany, oak, cherry, walnut and alder.” Customers can also bring their own creative ideas to Viking’s consulting team, who will help design a truly one-of-a-kind exterior door.

Custom-wood exterior doors are best suited for homes whose entry ways are well protected from extreme weather conditions by a generous overhang. For homes that are not as well protected from the elements, buyers can opt for fiberglass entrance doors that closely mimic the natural beauty of hardwood doors.

All of Jeld-Wen’s custom wood doors are hand-carved by skilled artisans who have worked closely with Viking for over 30 years. Each unique door is shipped to Viking within only six weeks from the order date, and then can be professionally installed by Viking Installation Services.

Additionally, Andersen’s 100 Series fiberglass windows—the first Andersen window designed especially for Western homes—are another smart way to add value to your home. The 100 Series windows are not only strong and affordable but have earned the Energy Star rating, meaning they meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy to help save money and protect the environment. Federal government tax credits have also recently been extended and raised for Energy Star-rated products, including windows and exterior doors.

Viking Door & Window offers free quotes, quick response times and expertly trained consultants to help guide you through your door and window buying decisions. Customers are invited to visit the 20,000-square-foot showroom—the largest in the Bay Area—as well as visit the company’s full-color online door and window photo gallery. 

If you care about the value of your home, don’t underestimate the value that quality exterior doors and windows can bring to it, whether it’s in the way of functionality, appearance, energy savings, or all three.

Viking Door & Window is conveniently located at 2099 South 10th Street in San Jose, please call (408) 294-5546, or visit the company’s website at www.vikingdoor.com to view their online photo gallery.