Dan's Millwork Picks

Kuiken Brothers Kitchen & Bath - A Professional Contractor's Best Resource

Monday, 23 January 2012 22:21

Kuiken Brothers Kitchen & Bath Department - a professional contractors best resource and I'll explain why...

Did you know that there are 9 highly skilled kitchen designers that work for Kuiken Brothers' Kitchen & Bath Department? Most so-called "kitchen boutiques" have 1 to 2 designers that specialize in working with homeowners and their needs, but few have the experience and understanding of the practical issues that a professional contractor must deal with on every kitchen job.

At Kuiken Brothers, our kitchen designers are capable and well trained to work with homeowners, but their strength lies in their skills at viewing a kitchen project from the contractor's perspective.

As a contractor, you know that kitchen projects can be very challenging. How many times have you removed existing cabinets only to find pipes or wires that have no purpose in being located where you found them? How many times have you had to re-level a floor or ceiling that you didn't count on, but that now changes some of the cabinets and how they were supposed to fit. How many times have you had to field fabricate some of the more specialized elements within the kitchen cabinets, such as a custom hood, only to find that the designer who planned the hood has no knowledge of how you should create the hood?

Time is money, so they say, and at Kuiken Brothers we understand that when things like this happen, you are wasting time. We understand that having the cabinets correct, designed as planned, and thoughtfully laid out so that they will work in the "real world" will save you time. The designer's at Kuiken Brothers understand this better than anyone. They understand because they work with contractors everyday. They speak your language. When we deliver our cabinets to your job, we can ship them out with detailed floor plans to make installation easier. If we have a custom moulding design in mind, we can send you the moulding details and how pieces should work together. When you come to our designers with an unexpected challenge on the job, we work with you to find a solution, not against you to deflect the blame.

At Kuiken Brothers Kitchen & Bath, our only goal is to have you recommend us for your next kitchen job. We keep future business in mind when working with you, not just the current job. Kuiken Brothers has 4 beautiful kitchen showrooms located in Emerson, NJ Succasunna and Ogdensburg, NJ and Warwick, NY.

If you want a true partner on your next kitchen job, and not just a cabinet supplier, we invite you to give us a call. If you would like to learn more about Kuiken Brothers' kitchen department or would like to find a designer to work with you, please feel free to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at my direct line at (201) 705-5352.

0 Comments - Add Comment

Replacement Window Series - Eagle Talon RetroFit Double Hung Window

Wednesday, 07 December 2011 21:12

I am going to finish this series on Replacement Windows by focusing on the Talon Retrofit Double-Hung window from Eagle Windows. Before I go on however, I have heard from a few customers asking why replacement windows typically have a jamb depth of 3 ¼"? If you have ever installed a replacement window, it probably became immediately apparent, but if you haven't there is a good explanation why window replacements are made this way.

If you take a look at the image above, you can see that the blind stop on the outside of the window helps to keep the upper sash in place in the frame. You will also notice that there is an interior stop that helps to keep the lower sash in place. In between the two sash is a piece of wood called a parting bead which helps keep both sash in alignment and away from each other...

Well, when you install a replacement window, you would remove the two sash and the parting bead. The space that is left between the blind stop and the interior stop usually measures 3 ¼" , although I have seen it measure 3 ½" a few times.

I hope that is a helpful explanation. Please keep your questions coming in.

Now, on to a great replacement Double-Hung from Eagle. The Talon Retrofit window will come to you with a clad aluminum exterior. One of their strengths is Eagle Windows' broad offering of exterior colors, in fact you can get the Eagle Talon window in 50 complimentary colors and you can even get a custom color if the job calls for something truly different. Eagle also has 7 anodized aluminum colors available for really unique look.

On the interior, Eagle come standard in either pine or mixed grain fir. Another feature that makes Eagle very attractive is that they offer primed interiors at no extra cost. Think of it, you install 25-30 replacement windows for a customer and your contract includes painting the interior. The time you will save on priming alone will make your job a profitable one. If the customer wants a higher end, stained look, Eagle has alternate interior species available including cherry, hickory, African mahogany, maple and others.

Since Eagle windows are owned by Andersen, they are come standard with the Low E 4 glass with argon that provides an extremely energy efficient way to replace your windows. Eagle also offers many options to customize your look including modern divided light grilles, grilles between the glass and removable wood grilles in numerous patterns.

There are many other options that you can check out in our Midland Park, NJ showroom or on our website but the best referal is a direct testimonial from one of our top remodeler accounts. He had just installed a whole house of Eagle Retrofit windows and I asked him what he thought about the windows.  He could not have been more complimentary (no, he did not know that I was going to be writing this article!). Here are some of the highlights:

• The windows were packaged great and easy for him to remove
• The windows were the most solid feeling replacement windows he has ever worked with
• The installation was so easy and the frames were so substantial that it negated the inconsistencies of the existing frame
• The price was right. He was able to give the customer a high quality window that also represented a good value

Again, I did not solicit these comments. Our customer was excited to share his experience with the Talon Retrofit Window from Eagle. If you would like to have a similar experience, give this great window a try.

If you have any questions, give me, Dan Hughes a call at 201-705-5352 or send me an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Happy Holidays to all!

0 Comments - Add Comment

Replacement Window Series - Kolbe Ultra Pocket Double Hung Window

Tuesday, 22 November 2011 17:58

One of the many benefits of being the Millwork Manager at a company like Kuiken Brothers is that we have the resources to carry the best products in the industry. Many millwork retailers carry one or two lines, but we constantly have new manufacturers asking us to carry their products so we get to be a little choosy when selecting which products we want to deal with. 

Which brings me to the next product in our series about replacement windows...Kolbe Ultra Pocket Double Hung Window.

Kolbe has taken their time and gotten the details right. Kolbe starts with a clad exterior for years of worry-free maintenance of your window. Kolbe constructs their pocket replacement window with sash that are a full 1 ¾" thick so they look and feel substantial. The exterior of Kolbe's window can be finished in one of 14 standard colors or if more choice is needed, Kolbe offers 18 specialty colors so that you can achieve any exterior look you are trying to achieve.

On the interior, Kolbe offers a standard pine interior, but many historic homes utilized different wood species to add appeal to the interior. Kolbe offers different interior species so that if you have the kitchen painted white, a living room in oak and the library in walnut, you would be able to receive matching interiors all while staying with this great window from Kolbe.

Kolbe offers many different grille options and patterns to let you customize the look and feel of your windows. In addition to the standard 7/8" and 1 1/8" grille dimensions, Kolbe offers an historically accurate 5/8" grille profile to mimic the old "putty glazed" look many of us are so familiar with. Many historic review boards require this look in order to maintain the historic nature of building and neighborhoods.

Another nice touch on the interior of Kolbe's Ultra replacement window is that the jamb liners are wrapped in wood to hide the "vinyl" surfaces that are so visible on other windows. The innovative locking system offered by Kolbe has dual positioning for locking and tilting the sash. The lock system also helps to improve the unit's energy performance.

Of course, Kolbe Windows Glass offering is wide, providing you with all of the glass options to let you customize the energy performance that you require. In addition Kolbe has many hardware and screen options available so you can truly make this window your own.

Kolbe's Ultra Pocket Double Hung window is a well built, quality product. If your customer has discriminating taste, if the details are important and your reputation matters, you can feel confident installing this great product from Kolbe and Kuiken Brothers.

If you would like to see this or any other Kolbe Window, feel free to contact me, Dan Hughes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at my direct line at 201-705-5352.

0 Comments - Add Comment

Replacement Window Series - Marvin Tilt Pac Double Hung Replacement System

Friday, 18 November 2011 20:20

As we discussed last week, the Marvin Ultimate Double Hung Insert window is one of the finest replacement windows you can purchase. However, if your budget is a little tighter, but you still want a quality Marvin replacement solution, why not try the Marvin Tilt Pac Replacement System?

I have installed these Tilt Pacs several times and they are a very convenient and efficient way to upgrade the glass performance of your current windows and replace old, rotting window sash.

The Marvin Tilt Pac replacement system includes two new sash, two new jamb liners that will convert your existing double hung window into an easy to clean tilt in sash window. The kit also includes new locking hardware and any of the following options:

• Clad or wood exterior because sometimes you want to maintain the authenticity of your historic home
• Removable grilles, Simulated Divided light grilles or Authentic Divided Light grilles for historic replication. All available in standard or custom patterns.
• Standard or Custom sizes available for a great fit into your existing frames
• Magnum sizes available for those unusually large older openings

If you are an installer, I can tell you from my previous life experience that the Marvin Tilt Pacs install quickly. My crew installed 25 in one day on a job that I had figured would take two full days. We all could use a few more pleasant surprises like that.

If you are a homeowner, the Marvin Tilt Pacs are a great way to upgrade your existing windows without a complete window out-window in job. You do need to be aware though that if your existing frames are not in good shape or are really out of square, you might need to consider the Marvin Ultimate Insert Window that we discussed last week.

In either case, Marvin Windows has great options for window replacement solutions and if you want to learn more, please feel free to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or directly at (201) 705-5352.

Next week, we'll look into other great window replacement choices carried at Kuiken Brothers.

0 Comments - Add Comment

Replacement Window Series – Marvin Windows Ultimate Insert Double Hung Window

Tuesday, 08 November 2011 11:48

Well, I had planned to begin this series on replacing your old drafty windows before the first snow flew, but.......the snow flew a little earlier than any of us expected. I believe that first big storm was a fluke and we are going to have a legitimate fall season after all. So, there is still time to consider lowering your energy bills and making your home more comfortable by replacing your existing windows with a more energy efficient option.

I plan to share information with you every week on the different brand of replacement windows that we at Kuiken Brothers carry and give you the opportunity to contact me with any questions you may have.

So this week, let's focus on Marvin Windows.

Marvin Windows & Doors

Marvin Windows manufactures a few different types of replacement windows. If you want to upgrade your current windows, but don't want all of the hassle and mess of completely removing your old windows, Marvin has some wonderful solutions.

Marvin's Ultimate Insert Double Hung Window will allow you all of the advantages of a new window, while only requiring you or your contractor to remove the existing sash and wood stops from your current windows. The original frame of your windows can stay in place and will serve as the frame for your new Marvin Double Hung (assuming your existing frame is in good condition).

Marvin's Ultimate Insert window features the same high quality features of their new construction windows such as an extruded aluminum cladding that exceeds most residential standards for strength and durability. Marvin's Low E glass reflects the sun's heat in the summer and absorbs it in the winter to make your home more comfortable, all while reducing the harmful UV rays that can damage furniture and carpeting.

 

The Marvin Insert window has a flat frame or a beveled frame option so that it will work with most existing window openings. The sashes tilt-in for easy cleaning and you can pick and choose from many different optional features that Marvin offers in all of their products.

Anyone can quote you a price on a vinyl replacement window, but if you plan to stay in your home for awhile, if the finer details of a window's appearance are important to you and if using products that are made with superior quality, I urge you to consider using Marvin Windows for your next replacement window project.

If you would like to learn more, please contact me, Dan Hughes at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone (201) 705-5324.

 
We look forward to working with you on your window replacement project.

0 Comments - Add Comment