From Vision to Reality The Art of Window Design with 406 Window Co.
Article by Anna Rogers | Photos by Nathan Satran
Building a dream home requires a unified vision supported by many, many decisions to make along the way. Some decisions are functional, some are aesthetic, and some, like windows, are a beautiful mix of both.
When the Hurst family, along with Jorden Construction, set out to build their dream home in Billings, the window decisions played a key role in creating the livability, lighting, and breathtaking views that homeowners Daniel and Emily Hurst envisioned.
FROM THE GROUND UP
Windows provide natural light, warmth, and beauty to a home. They are the sun’s passage in and the family’s glimpse out to the world around them. They impact insulation, withstand high winds and hail, and even increase happiness and productivity in a home. Intentional window design at the onset of the design process is key to breathing life into a dream home.
Emily worked alongside the 406 Window Co. Design Team and Studio 4 Architects to help design the home beautifully. 406 Window Co. offers more than just one or two lines of windows for their customers. “We have the full spectrum of windows so that we can make good recommendations to our customers to bring their vision to life,” says Brian Reay, owner of 406 Window Co. “You’re going to get an honest opinion from us.”
For the Hurst family’s home, this meant Sierra Pacific H3 windows with a wood interior and a timeless finish visible to the inside, a vinyl base frame for rigidity and resistance to air or water leaks, and heavy-duty extruded (thick) aluminum cladding on the outside. The result is a hybrid window with the beauty and warmth of real wood and an industry-leading seal against the elements, offering top-notch insulation and structural integrity.
With nearly floor-to-ceiling windows in many rooms of the house, the quality of the windows is key to the room's livability. Out on the high plains backing up to state land in the middle of all Montana’s elements – wind, snow, hail, and more – the exterior durability of the windows is incredibly important to the longevity of the home’s exterior.
After the initial plans, Emily continued to add more windows to the design. “I probably added 20% more windows than we originally had in the plan,” she says. Working closely with 406 Window Co., her vision started to take shape.
IT'S IN THE DETAILS
So much thought was put into how the windows and doors would function for everyone who lives in and comes into the house. From windows in the closet to see clothing in natural light, to intentionally planned views for each of the kids’ bedrooms, to the symmetry of the windows’ grid patterns, no detail was too small to gloss over.
The dining room is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, offering views of the wild surrounding land from any seat at the table. “I wanted it to be like a fishbowl,” Emily says.
Together with 406 Window Co., Emily selected hardware, including triple door locks. They adjusted grid patterns within the four-by-ten-foot windows in the family room to have fewer lines obstructing views. A special window in the master bath involved counting every single line. “It was pretty intricate – we spent a lot of time on that,” Emily says. “We spent many hours together going over grid patterns, size, and symmetry.”
ENJOYING THE RESULTS
The Hurst family is just settling into life in their new home and enjoying the results of the home design process. “The windows are great,” Emily says, “and our house feels well insulated even with so many windows,” despite winter temperatures outside.
The long months of planning and meticulous attention to detail paid big dividends for the Hursts’ everyday lives. The family and their guests can enjoy the surrounding views throughout the home while washing dishes, lounging in the family room, or rising out of bed in the morning. Whether looking out onto snow-covered sagebrush, wandering mule deer, or vast sunsets in the Big Sky, this home provides an outlet to Montana’s beauty from the warm, well-lit comfort of home sweet home.
