Etna, Ohio Couple Finishes 2020 Strong With New Bathroom and Windows
Nov 24, 20202020 Highlight: new replacement windows & Master bathroom
When Gary and Melody McCardle had their roof replaced at the beginning of 2020, they had no idea they would also end the year with all new windows and a new master bathroom. But when they were presented with opportunities to make these improvements to their Etna, Ohio home, they knew the updates were going to add value to their home and offer a great return on investment – not just financially, but in peace-of-mind as well.
Who: Gary & Melody McCardle
Where: Etna, OH
What: Whole-house replacement windows and walk-in shower renovation
Products: Improveit Performax54 windows in double-hung, slider, tilt-and-slide, and casement styles. Juparana granite shower surround, with matching bench seat, shelving, and soap dish; sliding glass shower door, Voss collection shower head, valve, and grab bars in oil-rubbed bronze.
Opportunities to Improve
The McCardles built their home in Etna, Ohio, about 25 miles east of Columbus, Ohio back in 2006. Coming up on 15 years old, some of the home’s original building materials were ready to be replaced, so the couple started by hiring a roofing company. What happened next wasn’t planned for this year, but Melody says they’re thrilled with the decisions they made.
“Our roofer asked us if we knew that the seals in our upstairs windows were broken,” she says. “I had no plans of getting new windows this year, but that was how it started and now I don’t know how I lived without them!”
The McCardles knew that broken window seals meant their original builder-grade windows were losing them money from a lack of energy efficiency. On top of that, they were difficult to open and close. “I couldn’t lift the windows,” Melody says. “I was struggling every time I wanted to open them, and what’s the point of that?” After meeting with Improveit project consultant Shannon Hattery and learning all the benefits of new, energy-efficient windows, Melody says she was 100% on board.
“Sometimes when you make a big decision like that, you can second-guess yourself,” she says. “Did I make the right decision? Do I really need this? Can I justify the investment? With Improveit, I never questioned it. I knew from the demonstration and seeing the energy efficiency and how easy the windows would be to operate that this was meant to be.”
Replacement Window Style Options
All of the original double-hung windows in the McCardles’ home were replaced, along with the patio door. In some rooms, the couple chose different replacement window styles for a real improvement to how they live in their home.
“We replaced several of our double-hung windows with sliding windows,” Gary says, noting that having no horizontal meeting rail made a surprising difference. “Our favorite is the casement window above the kitchen sink. It was a real struggle leaning over the sink and trying to raise the window – a few inches is all it would go. With our new window, we can open the entire window all the way with a few cranks of the handle.”
Melody, a plant lover, says the slider and casement replacement windows let in so much light that she doesn’t even intend to put up curtains. The Thermostat glass in Improveit’s Performax54 window is specially designed to let heat transfer through the glass in the winter but block it in the summer for better year-round energy efficiency. “It’s wonderful because now on hot days I get the light for my plants without the heat,” she says. “I’ve even started birdwatching because the windows are so big, and on nice days I have no trouble opening them anymore.”
Gary says the replacement windows are so easy to operate that they’ve started calling them “finger windows.” “You can open these windows with a single finger!” he says. “That would have been impossible with our old windows.” He was also appreciative of the installers’ attention to detail. “They were very professional, efficient, and clean, and they took extra measures not to damage our new roof [by using a lift] when they replaced the attic windows.”
A Walk-In Shower That Wows
For many families, investing in a new roof and windows in the same year is plenty. But when Improveit checked in with the McCardles on a follow-up call, another need came to the forefront.
“I hadn’t been feeling very safe in our master bathroom,” Melody says. With a small shower stall and only a towel bar to hold on to if she slipped, she knew a change was needed. “When Improveit called and mentioned an opportunity for a bathroom remodel, it was perfect timing.”
After another meeting with project consultant Shannon, the McCardles agreed that it was time to update their master bathroom. The project included removing the bathtub, and a full shower renovation to create a walk-in shower with grab bars, a bench seat, and beautiful oil-rubbed bronze fixtures. Melody says the larger shower and all its features feel luxurious, and removing the garden tub has created a much more spacious master bathroom overall.
“It’s a whole new feel, almost like when you rearrange your living room furniture,” she says. “It really has a wow factor to it, especially with the overhead light fixture. I feel like I’m in a whole different place!”
Whole-House ROI
In addition to the bathroom’s beauty, Melody says the acrylic shower surround and smooth glass doors are a dream to clean, which has been another great benefit to the new bathroom. Overall, the McCardles say they know they investments they made in their home this year were more than worth it, and will last a lifetime.
“Some people might go out and buy a new car, but think how much a new car depreciates when you pull it off the lot,” Melody says. “Our new windows and the updated bathroom have added so much value to our home and to our life. We’re two people using these features every day, so we’re getting our money’s worth. But it’s not all about money, it’s about our peace of mind too.”
If you’re finding your home is ready for new windows or a bathroom update like the McCardles did, let Improveit help you today. Our expert project consultants can work with your schedule to find an appointment time that works best for you. Like the McCardles, you’re sure to be wowed by the impressive features and long-term benefits that replacement windows or a bathroom remodel can bring to your home. We look forward to hearing from you!
