Windows for Shelby Township’s Views and Varied Homes
Shelby Township covers about 35 square miles in northern Macomb County and had 79,408 residents in the 2020 census, up from 73,804 in 2010. It is a place people move to for space and scenery. Part of Stony Creek Metropark lies in the township, the Clinton River drains it, River Bends Park covers hundreds of acres, and the Macomb Orchard Trail runs past orchards and cider mills. The historic Packard Proving Grounds are here, and the old township center still sits at Shelby and 25 Mile Roads.
Homes across a township that size vary just as much, and window projects follow the house. A small ranch needs something very different from a two-story home with a wall of glass facing the backyard.
Rock Solid Exteriors is based on Hayes Road in Clinton Township, a short drive away along Hall Road for our estimators and installers.
Large Windows, Real Decisions
Some of the biggest window decisions involve big openings: great-room walls, two-story foyers, bays off the kitchen, and picture windows aimed at the backyard. Those openings are where most of a room’s heat loss, glare and comfort problems come from, and they are also where style matters most.
Picture windows with operable flankers
A fixed picture window is the most airtight and energy-efficient kind of window because it does not open. Pairing it with double-hung or casement windows on either side gives you ventilation without breaking up the view.
Casement windows
Casements crank out and swing on a hinge. With no center rail, they offer a wide, clean view, and when closed the sash presses against its weatherstripping. They suit rooms with views and hard-to-reach spots over counters.
Bay and bow windows
A bay window uses three units, typically a large center window with angled side windows. A bow uses four or more units in a gentle curve. Both extend beyond the wall, open up the room and add a sill deep enough for plants or seating. Replacing a bay or bow is a larger project because the unit is supported by the wall and, often, the roof above it. We inspect the support and the small roof over the unit as part of the estimate.
Double-hung and sliders
Double-hung windows remain the standard for bedrooms and front elevations, and both sashes tilt in for cleaning. Horizontal sliders fit wide, short openings and lower levels.
All of these are available from MI Windows and Doors, one of the window manufacturers we install, along with awning windows and custom specialty shapes. We also install ProVia windows, so you can compare options from both manufacturers at the estimate.
Colors, Grids and Details
White vinyl is no longer the only option. MI Windows and Doors offers a range of exterior and interior finishes, including painted colors and wood-grain looks, which helps when your home has dark trim or stained interior woodwork. Grids between the glass can match the pattern on the rest of your house, or be left off on the back of the home where the view matters most. We will show you samples at the estimate.
Sun, Shade and the Right Glass
Homes on open lots take strong afternoon sun through west- and south-facing glass, while homes tucked under mature trees can feel dark and cold. Glass choices can balance that. The NFRC label on every window lists a U-factor, which measures how much heat escapes, and a solar heat gain coefficient, which measures how much of the sun’s heat comes through. In Michigan, which is in ENERGY STAR’s Northern climate zone, Version 7.0 criteria call for a U-factor of 0.22 or lower and a solar heat gain coefficient of at least 0.17, so the window keeps heat in without blocking all of the sun’s free winter warmth. Your estimator can walk you through low-E options for the rooms that overheat and the ones that never warm up.
How We Decide Between Insert and Full-Frame
We look at every opening rather than assuming one method for the whole house.
- Insert installation is our usual choice when the existing frame is solid and square. The old sashes come out, the new window fits inside the frame, and interior trim and exterior siding or brick stay in place.
- Full-frame installation takes the window out down to the framing. We recommend it when sills are rotted, when water has been getting into the wall, or when you are changing the size of an opening. It is also a natural time to replace a window if new siding is going on.
For homes built before 1978, removing windows can disturb lead-based paint on trim and sills. EPA rules require lead-safe work practices in those homes, and we follow them.
What to Expect From Our Estimate
Our estimators measure every window, look for signs of leaks, and show you the styles and options that make sense for each room. One customer described that process:
They measured our windows and gave us a quote in 15 minutes. They showed us al the different types of windows available and the pros and cons of both. It was a no pressure sale.
Christina D., Google review
Installation Without the Mess
- Furniture near each opening is moved and floors are covered.
- Windows are removed and replaced one at a time.
- Each window is shimmed level, fastened, insulated and sealed.
- Exterior gaps are capped or sealed to shed water.
- The crew cleans up and shows you how to operate, tilt and lock your new windows.
Why Work With Rock Solid Exteriors
We have been working on southeast Michigan homes since 1997 and are rated 4.4 stars across about 500 Google reviews. Estimates are free, financing is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10 percent discount. Coverage details are on our warranties page. In Shelby Township we also offer roofing, siding and concrete. See more on our metro Detroit window replacement page and nearby service in Rochester Hills and Macomb Township.
Shelby Township Window Questions
Can you replace a bay or bow window?
Yes. Bay and bow replacement is a bigger job than a standard window because the unit is supported by the wall and often has a small roof above it. We inspect both during the estimate.
Which window style is most energy efficient?
Fixed picture windows are the tightest because they do not open. Among operable windows, casements generally seal very well because the sash presses into its weatherstripping when closed.
How do I cut glare in a sunny great room?
Low-E glass options reduce how much solar heat and glare come through. Check the solar heat gain coefficient on the NFRC label, and we will help you balance it against winter heat loss.
How close are you to Shelby Township?
Our office is on Hayes Road in Clinton Township, a short drive to most Shelby Township neighborhoods.
Get Your Free Window Estimate
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your estimate online. Let us know which rooms bother you most and we will bring the right options.