flowerwindowboxes.com coupon codes "FLOWER" save 5%

FlowerWindowBoxes.com Coupon Code, Coupons for Flower Window Boxes

2009-08-03T13:30:00Z

FlowerWindowBoxes.com is proud to present a coupon code good for the Summer and Fall season of 2009. Use coupon code "WINDOW" to save 5% off your next purchase today. Flower Window Boxes coupon code "WINDOW" will be good through the end of the 2009 year. Simply type coupon code "WINDOW" at the end of your checkout to receive this discount. Flower Window Boxes coupons are also redeemable by phone as well. Call 770-845-5570 for more information today.

Hire a Landscaper to Increase Your Homes Resale Value During a Buyers Market

2008-07-08T17:02:00Z

Understanding how a buyers market works is crucial to figuring out how and where to allocate spending on improvement to your home in hopes to regain much of it back on increased demand and value of your home. While traditionally, kitchens and bath remodelling has been a good investment, current studies suggest that putting more money into curb appeal can go farther for your dollar.

Current statistics suggest that you will get back 80 to 90 cents on the dollar upgrading your kitchen or bath. On the other hand, professional landscape designers estimate that improvements to your lawn and garden can boost your home’s value by 7 percent to 15 percent. Those findings have been confirmed by survey results [from the Gallup Organization and the National Gardening Association (NGA)] this year, despite the economic down shift toward the real estate market.

Lawn and garden equity is all the rage these days as homeowners continue to invest heavily in their property values. The NGA says U.S. homeowners spent a $36.8 billion on their lawns and gardens in 2007, $11.4 billion of that on landscaping.

Dorcas Helfant, general managing partner of Coldwell Banker Professional Realtors, in Virginia Beach, Va., and the first female president of the National Association of Realtors, says her fellow baby boomers have a far different aesthetic than their parents.

“Our parents were not as particular. In the ‘50s, you had this era of bomb shelters and fear, and the homes we grew up in had these high windows where you couldn't see in or out of them,” she said in a recent New York Times article “Today we don't live like that. We want broad, open expanses and windows that look out on gardens and ponds. We're not willing to live as prisoners in a house.”

Homeowners are finding; however, that creating interest and harmony on the outside is far trickier than making upgrades to the inside. The sheer variety of trees (evergreen and deciduous), flowering plants (annual or perennial), and the walls, paths, custom window boxes, benches, arbors, and pergolas that landscapers call "hardscape" can create a dizzying array of choices and potential missteps.

Yes, you can get some creative ideas from popular HGTV shows such as "Curb Appeal" and "Landscaper's Challenge," but flash and dash from someone else’s plan won't necessarily work to your home’s advantage.

“There are a few people out there in the world who have an intuitive sense of how things should be put together, and everyone else doesn’t,” says Mel Senallé, landscape professional in the Atlanta area. “If you barge ahead on your own, you can make some horrendous mistakes and create some maintenance problems down the road that could have been avoided if you’d hired a designer.”

So, with this advice let’s take the challenge of looking at our home’s landscaping with a designer’s eye. There are trends out there that may help you paint your garden masterpiece. Wherever you live, proper landscaping can enhance both your enjoyment of your home and its ultimate resale value. The first thing you probably noticed about your home was its curb appeal. Even though your home’s appearance from the street is only part of creating the perfect outdoor environment, first impressions are often lasting ones for buyers.

Window Boxes Popular in Real Estate

2008-05-23T03:54:00Z

Real estate is a business where curb appeal is everything. The most important part of a home can often be the exterior where first impressions can set the entire mood for the rest of the homes showing. Let's just face it, no one wants to buy an ugly home. A good looking house on the outside can emotionally appeal to home buyers and sometimes be the difference maker in selling a home or having it sit on the market for months and months.

Window boxes are an affordable way to take a home's exterior to a whole new level. No rot PVC window boxes have come down in price and made it that much more affordable to dress up a home and make it more sellable. It's almost always a good move to spend money on the outside of the house, because you will almost certainly make that money back several fold by selling it for more and selling it quicker. There's nothing that makes a real estate agent smile more than to have a gorgeous looking house that is complemented on by the home buyer before they even step foot in the door.

PVC window boxes are a great selling feature as a no rot product. There's nothing worse for a real estate agent than having a potential home buyer asking if the boxes will rot out in a few years and not having a strong sell point to respond with. Wooden window boxes can be less expensive, but they can also kill a deal or change the tone when an informed home buyer begins to get picky. Having a window box full of flowers will work wonders to fill the space and show the home buyers just what kind of look can be achieved and may result in a quick sale to the client who just falls in love with the window boxes on the house.

As home buyers we make a list of houses that we consider as potential and we often list the pros and cons that each have to offer. Window boxes are less common and an upgrade that will set a house apart from an entire list. Whenever you can achieve that and add curb appeal for a reasonable price you having a winning strategy in real estate and you have a house that will not stay on the market for long.

PVC Planters are Emerging Concept

2008-05-22T03:46:00Z

Planters are a great way to add curb appeal to businesses and homes. Planters can be made from almost any material and cast planters have traditionally been the most popular. Cast iron and cement planters are very typical and offer a beautiful look to complement a front entrance to a home or building. Cedar planters are very popular in front of commercial entrances, especially restaurants. Vinyl planters have popped up as a nice affordable alternative to wood that will not rot and PVC planters have come on strong, emerging as an upgrade over vinyl capturing the look of wood and none of the maintenance issues.

The benefits of planters are obviously that they add curb appeal to almost any home or business. Each material choice for planters offer a different asset and look that is unique. Wood planters have always been a popular choice, especially cedar, cypruss, and teak. A good wood planter will typically last 5 years before mother nature begins to take her course. The vinyl planters are able to beat out mother nature in that respect, but have suffered from not being able to be painted and having a shiny finish to them. To solve that puzzle, PVC planters are now available which are paintable and have a matted finish to them. They can be built very custom for less since they are not moulded and they are completely resistant to moisture and rotting. Another advantage to PVC planters is that matching window boxes can be custom built. There are very few materials that can function as both planters and be mounted as window boxes on a home or commercial building. PVC window boxes are the gold standard in the window box industry and matching planters have become increasingly more in demand.

Many businessess nowadays are in need of custom planters that can be long and narrow or wide and tall to fit a specific need. Sometimes they need to add a planter in a corner or they need a long planter between two columns or they need a wide planter to fill a gap. If you're going to put time and energy and especially money into having custom planters built, then you almost certainly want to consider PVC planters because there are no other choices for you that offer custom, affordable, no rot, and wood appearance options. PVC planters are also solid and less likely to warp or crack than vinyl planters.

Flower Window Boxes Featured on The Today Show

2008-05-22T03:39:00Z

Congratulations to Flower Window Boxes for being featured on The Today Show. A full version of the article can be seen from MSNBC's website. Flower Window Boxes was part of a home improvement upgrade segment starring Lou Manfredini and the product was selected as a way to add curb appeal to your home and "transform it into an oasis." Their PVC window boxes were featured at the top of the segment as a great alternative to wooden window boxes which need to be replaced every five years.

Window Box Trends - PVC and Fiberglass window boxes

2008-05-18T02:33:00Z

Window boxes seem to be popping up all over the place lately. Over the last decade window boxes have become increasingly popular with online searches doubling from 2004 to 2005 and doubling again in 2006. Window boxes used to be a seasonal item that was only searched for online in the months of april and may. In 2007, searches were up 8-fold over 2004 for window boxes and reached high volumes from february all the way to october. This increasing trend for window boxes is due to a variety of factors. Low maintenance materials such as vinyl, PVC, and fiberglass allow window boxes to last much longer and look new many years after they were purchased. Also, the housing recession of 2007 and 2008 has many home owners and builders upgrading to improve the curb appeal and sell factor for their homes.

Window boxes have been most popular in the northeastern portion of the United States with strong showings in Cincinnati, Boston, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis. Atlanta, GA rounds out the top five for cities who most search for window boxes on the internet. The trend is not just isolated to the United States. In the United Kingdom and Canada as well, the trend follows a similar consistent rise. In Europe, window boxes, flower boxes, and planters litter the streets everywhere you look. More and more business are adding curb appeal to attract customers as well. Landscapers have begun requesting window boxes for landscaping and commercial projects. Gardeners and enthusiasts across the nation are beginning to discover window boxes. The trend doesn't show signs of slowing down and look to see continued growth through 2008 and 2009.

Vinyl window boxes became popular at the turn of the century and with the advent of PVC as an upgrade over vinyl, home owners are now enjoying the look of wood without any of the maintenance problems. Fiberglass window boxes have also been introduced as another alternative, but tends to price higher than PVC and vinyl and can be difficult to install as well as have issues being up during the winterr. Look to see window boxes and especially PVC window boxes to continue to gain in popularity, especially throughout the housing recession.

Atlanta Architecture New Hotspot for Fusion, Craftsman Comeback

2008-05-08T03:43:00Z

With the housing market in a small recession, home buyers are in a great power position to get the home of their dreams at a spectacular price. This is especially true in Atlanta where a very large surplus of homes has left the market flooded and plenty of choices for buyers to choose from. Builders are dropping prices and offering incentives and upgrades to the exterior to add more curb appeal for buyers. This has included architectural elements such as window boxes, cedar brackets and gables, garage door hardware, functional shutters, and more.

With excellent housing growth in 2006, Forsyth county was one of the five fastest growing counties in the nation. Builders were flocking in and trying to get in on the action. Many builders decided to construct custom homes to separate themselves from the track builders and mainstream. Because of this the architectural style in the north Atlanta area has undergone a great transformation in style which has seen a fusion of many differet architectural genres. This new "fusion architecture" has been a hit and many custom homes have continued to sell strong during the recession due to their ability to outshine track homes in a buyers market. This has caused many of the track home builders to rethink their strategy to consider adding some window boxes or other architectural accents. Many of them are now offering upgrades to the homes to try to be competitive.

Classic country-style homes, cedar shingles, and a mix of mission-style architecture are some of the highlights. Most custom homes offer a combination of rock, brick, siding, and cedar shingle fusion into the home that creates a distinct look of character and variety. Now, you can rarely find a boring custom home in Atlanta that offers simple repeated features all over the front. Because most custom homes in Atlanta are built on hills they are 2-story and this has given architects the freedom to expand into unique elevations that are not typical outside of the state. The new fusion architecture has definitely been a hit and has largely contributed to the growth success in the north Georgia area despite the housing recession.

How To Build A Window Box

2008-05-05T04:06:00Z

Building a window box is an easy DIY project that is great for any beginner. This article will teach you how to build a window box. The best choice of wood for a window box is cedar or cypruss, because both woods will naturally resist rotting the best. This will give your window box the best chance of lasting more than five years. The process of building a window box begins with measuring the window for window box length, followed by assembly, followed lastly by hanging it. Let's skip straight to the middle and focus in on the actual building of a window box and the steps that are required.

For simplicity purposes let's build a 36" window box from 3/4" thick cypruss. Cypruss wood stock can be attained from most local lumberyards in a variety of dimensions. For window box purposes, a 1"x10" board is recommended. For this box we will need roughly 12 feet of length. Now, miter the board at 34.5" three consecutive times such that you have three boards, one for the bottom, front, and back. We want to join these three boards with screws so that the boards are held tightly together. Butt two boards up at a ninety degree angle and join them with some gorilla wood glue as well as a few brad nails. Next countersink three small holes through the boards in preparation to pass screws in to more securely join the boards in a ninety degree fashion. I recomend countersinking a hole on the left, one in the middle, and one on the right. Next, sink a screw into the boards so that they grab tightly. The butt joint should show on the bottom of the box. Repeat the same steps to fasten the back board to the bottom boards. Once finished, you will have everything but the side pieces.

For fastening of the side pieces I recommend again using gorilla glue and brad nails to quickly secure the piece to the box. Follow that up with countersunk holes and screws to secure the side pieces to the box firmly. The side piece should be cut to size first. Once the side pieces are attached, the structural assembly of the box is complete. Next, use a drill with a 1/4" drill bit to drill drain holes in the bottom. I recommend placing a hole in each corner of the box and one in the very center where water will likely migrate to the most. Next, caulk inside the box to seal all the inner joints. This will reinforce the box and also keep water from seeping through. Lastly, staple an erosion tarp to the inside of the box. This will act as a filter between dirt and water so that water can drain through the box easily while keeping the dirt in. Viola, now you're ready to hang it and put flowers in it. It's just that easy. If you're not up for the challenge of building a wooden window box every five years, a good idea may be to consider investing in a PVC window box. They're moisture resistant, reasonably priced, and because they can't rot they're designed to last 30 years and more without any maintenance.

Craftsman Style Architecture Making a Comeback

2008-05-04T18:53:00Z

Craftsman style architecture was a huge hit in the early 1900s. The beautiful architectural style with unique craftsman trims and decorative exterior accents were a display of craftsman beauty, architectural dilligence, and pure woodworking expertise. The craftsman style faded, however, because as beautiful as these architectural accents were, they became maintenance nightmares on the exterior due mainly to rotting. Beautifully crafted architectural details were needing to be removed or redone in order to maintain the architectural integrity. Craftsman style homes eventually faded out and track homes took the limelight.

Lately, however, I've seen a reverse of the trend, especially with the 2008 housing recession in full gear. There are two reasons for this. Number one, it's a buyers market and there are too many houses on the market. This makes it easy for a homeowner to get a custom home or a house with upgrades and details at a stellar price. These houses are selling more now and track homes are sitting on the sidelines. Another reason the craftsman architecture has returned is because of products like PVC, TREX, and other no rot alternatives. Fabricators, manufacturers, and craftsman woodworkers have found better ways to develop architectural accents that are maintenance free. Because of this, quality architecture is beginning to return and make a comeback and the housing recession is helping to nudge this trend even faster.

Window boxes are one example of architectural detail that was very popular in the craftsman times that has made a roaring comeback. PVC window boxes are no rot and maintenance free and because they're made from PVC they are completely water resistant. Many builders phased window boxes out of the architecture in the early 1900s because the water would rot the boxes out in as fast as 3 years. It became a maintenance nightmare and their reputations for building quality products was on the line. Now, more builders are brining window boxes back, because they add architectural beauty and curb appeal and finally they are maintenance free. The best part is that PVC manufacturers are developing better and better ways to make the PVC look just like wood so that the details can be true to the style without any maintenance and without anyone even knowing the difference.

Window Box Repair - How to Fix Wood Rot

2008-05-04T05:13:00Z

Ok, so you bought a wooden window box and it was absolutely gorgeous when you first installed it. You remember it like it was yesterday, but now it's starting to show signs of rot and decay and problems are starting to loom. The real problem is that it really does seem like just yesterday that you put it up. That's because the average wooden window box only lasts 3 years. In many cases signs of rot begin to show in as little as months. I remember a story that a good friend of mine who used to be a builder once told me. He was building about a hundred houses in a neighborhood and it was a two year project. They had placed wooden window boxes on some of the first custom homes that were built. Before they had even finished the neighborhood and only one year into the project they were having to replace window boxes on those same first homes because they were already rotting out.

As beautiful as wood is it comes with a price and that price is maintenance. We all love the look of wood, but we just don't won't to deal with the hassles and the maintenance. For those of you who are new to window box gardening or are interested in considering a window box purchase, my best recommendation to you is to consider PVC window boxes. PVC window boxes look just like wood but without any of the maintenance. They can be painted and I've met many people who can't tell the difference between PVC and wood. Unlike vinyl, it does not have a shiny appearance or come off as plastic. And unlike fiberglass, which will never be mistaken for wood, it has a genuine look and is twice as affordable.

For the DIYs who already have a wooden window box and want to know if there is anything they can do to save them, here are a few tips. Bondo, bondo, and more bondo. Step one is to remove as much rot as possible from the window box. Any patch that is less than one inch in diameter can often be filled with bond and sanded smooth and flush with the box. If your window box has rot that extends more than two inches across, then it will be difficult to patch it and you will have to consider replacing it. An additional board in the bottom can sometimes be installed, but only if it can be screwed into parts of the window box that are not rotted from underneath.

Spring Window Box Gallery Announcement

2008-05-04T05:07:00Z

Flower Window Boxes is collecting pictures of window boxes for our spring gallery. All of our customers are eligible to send in their window box pictures and one picture will be chosen for our front page header. If you have purchased a window box from Flower Window Boxes and you would like to send in a photo, please email your pictures to sales@flowerwindowboxes.com. All pictures will go in our spring gallery online and will be displayed on our website. Additionally, you can call Matt at 770-845-5570 if you have any questions about our spring window box gallery collection.

Painting Window Boxes

2008-05-02T03:28:00Z

Window boxes are designed to be a part of the house and as such, color selection is crucial to matching or complementing your home. Because of this it is often recommended that window boxes be painted in one of four ways:

1. To match the trim around the window
2. To match the color of the exterior shutters around the window
3. The color of the cedar shingles or siding (if you have any)
4. A complimentary color if shutters are not already on the window such as the color of your front door

PVC window boxes are great for holding paint and the paint will not fade or peel. They're an upgrade over wood which has maintenance issues and vinyl which cannot be painted and have a shiny appearance to them. It's a good idea to choose a window box color that matches your architectural style and personality as well. Bright colors will attract people's attention to the window box, but may also make window box stand out more than the flower or plants in them. Neutral colors allow the window box to function as an accent to the home without being the main attraction. They can also showcase plants and flowers better. For PVC window boxes, if you decide to paint them, it is recommended that you use an exterior latex paint. Semi-gloss is better for minimizing sun absorption and Sherwin Williams even makes a vinyl safe paint that works well with PVC to do more of the same. Just remember to leave the inside of any window box unpainted no matter what material it's made from. You never want paint to be in direct contact with soil and water.

Commercial Planters - Custom-Built PVC Planters

2008-04-28T05:09:00Z

Lately, many businesses are using commercial planters in front of their buildings to appeal to their clients. It's not a bad idea, because it does this three different ways:

1. It adds a touch of credibility and professionalism to the businesses
2. It creates good subconscious vibes for the customer as they walk by
3. It gives curb appeal and attracts potential clients inward

There something about feeling good about being in a location. Your surroundings can generate that feeling by what is in them. Plants and flowers can give off great colors and fragrances as well as attract birds, butterflies, and other aspects of nature's beauty.

Commercial planters are a great way to also increase the property value and draw potential leasors in so it's not a bad idea for landlords in terms of the investment it offers. If the commercial planters can help the leasing business look better, it means more success for that business and there's nothing better than that for the leasor.

Many landscape architects are using commercial planters for their commercial projects, because they help create a very custom look that enhances the surrounding landscape design. It's a win-win for everyone. For more information about custom built PVC Planters call 770-845-5570. No project is too big or too small.

Builders Using Window Boxes to Sell Homes

2008-04-27T05:37:00Z

With the housing market in a slump it's no surprise that every home builder is looking for an edge over his competitors. The exterior of a home is often the first thing a potential homebuyer will look at and it can set the entire mood before they even set foot in the door. A great first impression on the outside can often make up for a lackluster inside. Alternatively, a bad first impression on the outside can often keep potential homebuyers from acknowledging the great assets on the inside of a well done home.

The builders bloom of 2006 has come to a halt and now there are many builders in 2008 sitting on houses. For the last couple years many of these builders have been trying to build a better house cheaper and sometimes this has meant cutting corners or keeping the exterior simple. Now, these same builders are having trouble luring any home buyers into the house. With a flooded buyers market, builders are having to go back and add extras, upgrades, and incentives to pull their clients in. It's no surprise that window boxes haven't missed a beat and are flying off the shelves faster than ever. Even the home owners who are trying to sell are having to dress up their homes to get any attention.

Without the coming of track homes, architecture in the 20th century has been somewhat simplified in regards to details, accents, and historical truth. The housing recession will certainly work to reverse some of that by not only correcting the housing market, but also by correcting the architecture. Click here for more information about custom window boxes.

Window Box Herbs

2008-04-24T03:03:00Z

As a landscape enthusiast I love to listen and hear about what people are doing with their home and landscaping and especially if they have a window box. I want to know what arrangement of flower and plants they have chosen and what kind of curb appeal they are getting out of it. On the flip side, the garden enthusiast in me also wants to know if someone has chosen to use a window box for gardening purposes as well. Window boxes are a beautiful and easy way to bring your garden right up to your home...and on your home. It's a convenient way for us to see how our little garden is doing everyday right through a kitchen or easy to access window. Growing herbs and vegetables in a window box can be a fun task. Having the right window box will make all the difference too. A wooden window box can rot off if not protected properly. Make sure to lay down a plastic lining to protect it from insects, water, and rot. A plastic window box can work better when up against the house to not only protect the house, but to form a water tight seal between your window herb garden and your siding.

For more information about plastic window boxes, please visit www.FlowerWindowBoxes.com.

Custom Window Boxes, Custom-Built Window Box, Custom-Made Flower Boxes

2008-04-09T06:02:00Z

Ahh...window boxes, who doesn't love them. There's nothing more beautiful than a house lit up with window box all over the front. There's only one problem with that, most windows vary in size and this means finding a window box that accomodate three or maybe four different window sizes. A lot of window box manufacturers nowadays make window boxes only in a few sizes or sometimes only one size! This is great, if that happens to be your size, but how often is that actually the case? The solution to this is to bring in the custom window box guns and get them done right. There's nothing worse then putting a 60" window box on a 66" window, because that was the closest size the manufacturer made. Custom window boxes also add value and curb appeal to your home and they will most definitely be unique. There are a few custom window box companies out there that can get the job done. Make sure you ask the right questions such as: how long will it take? How will it look? Are there any additional fees for custom sizes? Will it be structurally sound? Will it still drain properly? Will it install differently?

Another thing to note, is that if you're going to spend the money on custom window boxes, you should definitely find out how long the window boxes generally last. Many wooden window boxes are gorgeous, but can rot out in 2-5 years. PVC window boxes can cost a fraction more and last for virtually forever without any maintenance. There definitely a smart investment for custom window boxes if you plan to live in your home for several years.

Window Box Ideas

2008-04-09T06:01:00Z

When it comes to window box ideas, personality will tell the whole story. A window box should contain a mix of plants and/or flowers that considers size, color, layout, and most importantly style.

Here are some ideas to help you make your choice:

1. Hanging plants are a great window box idea if you want to give the look of fullness or if you want to blend the box into a garden are below: try using some potatoe vines, aubretia, or geraniums.

2. Climbing plants and vines can be used to integrate the window box upward and outward into the home: great choices are virginia creepers, wisteria, or ivy.

3. Tall plants are great window box ideas when surrounded by smaller complimenting plants: lillies, amaryillis, and gladiolus are all popular choices that act as great center pieces.

4. Perrenials are flowers that will last 2-4 years and are great choices for lesser maintenance: foxgloves are popular and one of my favorites. If you like the idea of switching it up more often make sure you get flowers that are annuals.

5. Color is a good way to make a window box idea stand out: Impatients, violets, tuplis, jasmins, and daisys are colorful options that are great for accenting a box on the sides or even for filling it up completely.

No matter which window box ideas you use, remember to take into consideration how you want it to look and feel. Should it stand out or blend in? Should it have color or be neutral? Should your window flower boxes have a mix or a consistent flow? There's no wrong answer, just let your imagination soar.

To view our Window Box Gallery of Ideas click here.

Window Box Gardening

2008-04-09T05:58:00Z

Window box gardening is the latest craze in the United States. With the advent of affordable, low maintence alternatives to wood such as vinyl and PVC window boxes, window box gardening is back after taking a break for several decades. Window box planting can be fun, creative, and challenging all at once. The hardest part is deciding what to plant inside. One suggestion is to use a removable liner inside your window box. The reason for doing this is so that the liners can be pulled out and dropped back in with ease. This will give you the most flexibility in keeping it interesting by mixing it up with your window box all year round.

Once you decide on an easily accessible location for your window box you're ready to begin planting. This is where you get to let your creativity and personality come out the most. The question is whether you wish to use the window box for gardening, planting, or landscaping. A window box on the front of the house will usually better serve to hold plants and flowers for landscaping. If you wish to enjoy your window box in a more private setting, gardening is a great alternative and can often be achieved from inside the house with some casual maintenance if you place your window box strategically. One suggestion for window box planting is to choose flowers or plants that coordinate well with the color and style of the home. Bright colors will bring more focus to the planters and green plants will often help the window box be more neutral and blend in.

Choosing a Window Box - Fiberglass, wood, PVC

2008-04-08T03:10:00Z

When choosing a window box it is essential that you have all the information in front of you. First off, there are many materials to choose from: wood, vinyl, PVC, fiberglass, aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper to name a few.

Wooden window boxes are the old standard that has been around for centuries and is an affordable solution to window box planting and gardening. The advantages are that they can be painted, custom sizes are usually available as an option and they are often affordable. The disadvantages are that the average wood window box lasts about 5 years and usually show signs of rotting after just 3 years. They will require a liner inside and they are vulnerable to splinterring, warping, paint fading and peeling, moisture, and insects. The ideal choice for wood window boxes are made from either cypruss or cedar. Both woods have the ability to resist rotting and will help the window box last a couple of extra years longer.

Vinyl window boxes are an alternative to wood that is a no rot solution to window boxes. Vinyl is resistant to moisture, however, vinyl window boxes usually do not accept paint, have a shiny appearance, and are made from thin double walled material that can crack over time as the seasonal temperature shifts cause it to contract and expand again and again. Vinyl is a great choice for someone who wants a no rot planter that needs to be white and lives in an environment where temperature changes are minimal. Vinyl window boxes are not ideal for supporting heavy loads and would be most recommended for smaller windows where durability is less of a factor, but can be affordable and available in custom sizes.

PVC window boxes are an upgrade over vinyl in that they are made from solid core material that will not split or crack over time. Additionally, PVC window boxes are moisture and rot free and have the ability to accept paint readily. Since they have a matted finish to them, they often look like wood after being painted. They are lightweight and also available in custom window box sizes. They are also ideal for supporting heavy loads and for large window box sizes and can be easily installed on all surfaces. The disadvantage is that PVC window boxes generally cost 15-25% more than wood and it is not recommended that you paint them black.

Fiberglass planters offer many of the advantages of PVC window boxes in that they will not rot and are moisture resistant. The advantages of fiberglass window boxes are that they are available in custom sizes and they can usually be painted as well. The disadvantages are that they are generally heavier, less customizable, pricier of all the options, and usually use a modified clip system for installation that may limit there ability to be installed on all surfaces.

Next, that takes us to aluminum, wrought-iron, and copper window boxes. Aluminum is an upgrade over wrought-iron in that it can be sprayed black to look like iron but will never rust. A wrought-iron window box will generally show signs of rust in 3-5 years and may require maintenance. Metal window box cages will need liners to hold potting soil directly or they can be used to hold potted plants instead. Some metal window boxes are bulk manufactured in certain sizes and are made affordable at that size. However, custom sizing can be pricey or limited in availability. Copper window boxes tend to be pricey, but offer a very distinct look that cannot be substituted in any way.

Window Boxes

Measuring Windows for Window Boxes

2008-04-06T02:54:00Z

Measuring Windows for Window Boxes

When installing a window box, it's very important that you get the size measured properly. There's nothing worse than an undersized window box planter or a severly oversized planter. Many window box manufacturers specify window box lengths that can include the outer trim. This can leave the actual box itself smaller than desired and sometimes means getting a window box that is smaller than the window itself. When getting a window box, it's important that the outer box dimensions themselves either matches the size of the window sill or overhangs it slightly by a few inches. Traditionally, window boxes in the past were often installed such that they were slightly larger than the window itself by a few inches. The reasons for this are likely due to proportions and window balance. You can always add a few inches, but you never want to take away a few inches! When measuring window boxes, you should measure the width of the window (most likely this will coincide with the width of the window sill) and consider adding up to but no more than 4-6 inches. Once you have this measurement, make sure you check with your window box manufacturer to get a window box that matches your measurement exactly and consider getting a custom window box if needed.