Exploring Glass Options for Custom Windows: Function and Style
When planning a window upgrade or building a new home, most people focus on the frame—whether it’s uPVC or aluminum—and how it fits with the overall style. But glass is just as important. It affects how your home feels, how much you pay for energy, and how safe and quiet your spaces are.
In high-end residential design, glazing is no longer just an opening—it’s a tool for shaping light, massing, and atmosphere. From the mid century modern homes of Illinois and Pennsylvania to the minimalist glass villas along the New Jersey shoreline and the contemporary urban residences of New York, and the high performance homes built for the extreme heat of Texas, clerestories appear across a wide range of high-end residential styles. They’ve become a hallmark of residences that balance natural light, privacy, and performance.
During a recent webinar, Matt Risinger, host of The Build Show and one of the most trusted voices in American construction, joined Oknoplast experts Dominic Marichko and Tim Burbank to explain why European window technology is not a luxury upgrade, but a practical engineering response to climate, energy, and acoustic challenges. Here are five key lessons from that conversation.
The front entry has become a primary driver of curb appeal and property value. As design tastes evolve and technology becomes standard, homeowners are prioritizing doors that deliver high security. Not only aesthetics. We’ve asked our partners and designers for the five biggest trends driving front door replacements. We’ll cover bold new finishes, energy-saving materials, and also shed some light on integrated smart features. If you are planning to renovate or sell, these are the updates that matter.
Window selection shapes buildability, inspection outcomes, and a building's performance over time. Contractors and architects need predictable lead times, tested performance, clean integration with U.S. wall assemblies, and support that holds up when schedules tighten.
The meteorological data for the weekend of January 23–25, 2026, indicates a high-velocity arctic front moving from Central Texas through the Northeast. With wind chills projected to reach -50°F (-45°C) and "potentially catastrophic" ice accumulation, the structural and thermal integrity of residential buildings will face a significant stress test.
Front door handles are easy to overlook, but they influence both the look of your home and how secure it feels. The right handle should match your entryway design, feel comfortable in use, and support features like keypads or fingerprint access, often present in modern front doors. Let’s take a look on how to choose the right handle for your modern front doors.
Most homeowners today recognize terms like energy savings, Low-E glass, or insulated frames when thinking about eco-friendly windows. But there’s much more behind a truly sustainable window than just thermal performance. This is also true when we talk about trending tilt and turn windows.
Hailstorms are becoming more frequent and more severe, especially in areas like Texas and Oklahoma. For many homeowners, that means a higher risk of property damage, and windows are often the first to break. Insurance can help cover the cost of repairs, but it won’t prevent the damage. That’s why more people are looking for long-term protection. In this article, we’ll explain how choosing the right Tilt and Turn windows can help protect your home from hail damage and other extreme weather events.
Homeowners are increasingly turning to large, energy-efficient windows and patio doors to transform their living spaces. These expansive glass installations offer more than just a modern look - they're changing how people interact with their homes.