Southern Living features Castle Homes: Bringing the Outdoors In

Read the full article at SouthernLiving.com

When approached with a custom build project overlooking the hills of Tennessee, Castle Homes, a longtime member of the Southern Living Custom Builder Program, knew just who to call to bring the homeowners’ panoramic vision to life. 

“They wanted to bring the outdoors in,” says Heather Looney, Castle Homes Vice President and Designer. “They wanted to see the trees and everything that Tennessee has to offer. Pella^® Reserve^™ Windows allow the home to breathe, and to bring the outdoors in, without being hammered by all the elements.”

The home’s uniquely exposed location meant not only style, but durability came into play: “Because this home sits at the top of a hill, it has to brave all four seasons that Tennessee throws its way,” she says. While contemporary, large-scale custom windows, sliders, and doors were stylistically essential, it was Pella’s rigorously tested insulation technology that—literally—sealed the deal. 

“Pella technology insulates this home nicely. It’s perfectly protected, yet you see everything crystal-clear, panoramically, from this beautiful structure.”

Below, Heather and Castle Homes Owner Alan Looney share the ins and outs of selecting Pella products for this stunning home.

Pella Reserve Windows allow the home to breath, and to bring the outdoors in, without being hammered by all the elements.

heather Looney, Castle homes Vice president & Designer

Southern Living: How would you describe the overall concept and style of this project?

Heather Looney: When we first talked with the homeowner, they expressed that they want things tidy, clean, and contemporary, yet they love nature. The home was meant to be a contemporary, yet organic oasis situated at the top of the trees. Overall, [they wanted] more of a modern, architectural-style home. Having seen some of our past homes, they really wanted a contemporary home with large-scale windows. It was important to them that they enjoy the views that this property was offering them.

SL: What Pella products did you use for this project?

Alan Looney: We used the Pella Reserve product for this home. We went with the windows that provided the color options that the client wanted, as well as the scale of the windows required for the views that we were trying to capture.

SL: What differentiates Pella from other window and door brands?

AL: We’ve had a great partnership with Pella for many years, and I have found that compared to other brands, Pella has always stood behind their product. They have always provided us with great service, and from a product availability standpoint, they are very versatile…from a contemporary-style home to English arts and crafts to Southern style, they have a wide range of products that fulfills our needs for the clients and the projects that we build.

SL: What about Pella products do you consider innovative? Is it important to you for window and door manufacturers to be innovative?

AL: One thing that is really innovative that we have taken advantage of is their color selection, in particular, their Iron Ore color. It is a great color and truly looks more like an iron finish. It’s not black, it’s not too bronze. It’s just the right color. Their contemporary line is really nice…very clean and works well with the modern homes that we build.

It is definitely important to us for our window company to be innovative in their design, as well as their service. One thing that is unique about Pella is their install crews. They come out to install, they document and they provide a letter that they have been certified on the installation. Pella keeps us updated when they issue new products or new changes in their lines.

SL: What are some ways Pella helped elevate this project? 

AL: On this project, as well as all of our projects, Pella always steps up to the plate and helps us with any challenging design features that we are trying to achieve, and are always helpful in accomplishing the look we are seeking. They are able to make recommendations if we are trying to make some cost savings to try to keep our clients within the price point they are trying to reach.

SL: What is your favorite part about working with Pella? 

AL: I like the personal and professional relationship that we have with Pella and the Pella representative, and even the owner. If I need anything at all, I know that I can always go to them and they will be there to help resolve any issues we may have. We can tell that they really cherish our relationship and we feel the same way about them.