When it came time for Brian and Kristine Troxel to construct a West Michigan Lakeshore Parade of Homes entry in 2013, the custom builders decided on a classic ranch-style home complete with a multitude of energy-efficient building components. High on their list? Simonton ProFinish Brickmould 600 vinyl windows with ProSolar Low E glass.

"As with so many of our other home projects, we rely on Simonton windows when we need quality products that offer both energy efficiency and low maintenance value for our clients," says Brian Troxel, co-owner of Troxel Custom Homes in Holland, Mich. "Many of the homes we build each year have Simonton windows in them. We offer them as a top selection to our customers because of the aesthetic appeal of the windows coupled with their quality construction and strong warranty."

For the nearly 2,000-square foot ranch-style home, the Troxels focused heavily on energy-efficiency features. "We really took the extra steps necessary to help this house achieve an ENERGY STAR 3.0 rating," says Troxel, a third generation homebuilder. "Including the energy-efficient Simonton windows was a big step in helping us achieve this important rating by a third party independent inspector. These windows come standard with ProSolar Low E glass with Argon gas in an Intercept Spacer System to create an extremely effective window unit.

"Part of the home construction process is educating our buyers on why we recommend products for their custom homes. When it comes to windows, we talk to them about the premium vinyl used to craft the Brickmould 600 windows. This vinyl is an excellent insulator and the multiple sealed air chambers in the profile provide increased insulation for the home."

Troxel points out that all the beauty doesn't lie beneath the surface of the window. "The Brickmould 600 series gives us the classic styling of wood windows with an attractive multi-tiered exterior profile but with all the benefits of low-maintenance vinyl," says Troxel. "Our homes primarily include double hung and casement windows. Homeowners really love the tilt-in feature on the double hung units for easy care and cleaning.

"As an added benefit, these windows will never require sanding or repainting to look beautiful for years to come. Finally, one of the best aspects for the homeowner is that the Brickmould 600 windows are backed by a Lifetime Limited Warranty that is transferrable to a subsequent homeowner. The warranty covers the vinyl, hardware, screen and glass for absolute peace-of-mind."

Other energy-efficient features of the home include a top-of-the-line Trane furnace with variable speed linked with a hybrid energy pump, a Navien tankless gas water heater, ComfortLink internet enabled thermostat and ENERGY STAR qualified lighting. The thermal enclosure system of the home also includes superior R-value insulation in the attic and walls plus a spray foam used on the rim joists and applied cellulose on concrete walls.

Troxel Custom Homes services all of western Michigan with custom home construction and remodeling services. For more than 30 years the husband-and-wife owned company has passionately designed and constructed quality craftsmanship homes.