EXPERIENCE THE SIGNATURE DIFFERENCE
BY SHALEEN DESTEFANO
Windows offer the feeling of openness to the world outside, while providing shelter. They’re truly one of the most important elements of a home. We were very lucky to have an opportunity to sit down with Melony Sebastian of Signature Windows + Doors to take a deeper look at this local, customer-service-driven business.
Signature Windows + Doors has been a trusted, local outfit for over four decades. Can you give us a quick history of how SWD has evolved over the years?
Like many successful businesses, Signature Windows + Doors was founded in a garage in Lafayette in the 1980s. At that time the company was known as Rocky Mountain Solar Glass. Jon and Dave Becker, brothers from a multi-generational family furniture business, eventually purchased the company and took the reins on what was then the only specialty window company in Boulder. When their younger brother Boone Becker wasn’t following the Grateful Dead, Boone would pick up the odd job here and there to help his brothers and gather funds for his next adventure.
In 2006 Gwenael Hagan purchased the company from the Beckers and brought about the new name, Signature Windows + Doors. From the 80s to now, the company has undergone a number of changes, though other things haven’t changed that much. Boone decided to make Boulder his home and over the years he has established himself as one of our most sought-after Design Consultants. If he’s not at his desk or on a site visit, he’s probably at a Phil Lesh show in another state or he is local seeing live jazz at Dazzle.
The largest company change was a deliberate shift regarding which product lines the company carries. The strategic choice was made to discontinue selling vinyl products and to commit to selling Marvin windows and doors. Marvin products are made in the United States and provide some of the best performance-rated products in the window and door industry, especially suited for Colorado’s extreme climate. One of the other impactful changes was to pivot from being a window supplier to creating an in-house installation team and no longer using subcontractors. This move allowed SW+D to become an all-inclusive solution for homeowners and builders and introduced a different method of working with clients. Over time, we’ve worked to create a process that is by-design consultative and holistic in terms of aesthetics, performance, and functionality for the homeowner’s lifestyle. Our showrooms in Denver, Boulder, and Aspen have transformed the way we work with our customers and are unlike any other window and door showroom in the Colorado market.
Wash Park is no stranger to home renovations and new builds. For those about to head down this road, can you tell us what sets SWD apart from the rest?
Having lived in the Wash Park area for years, one of the most enjoyable parts of my walks in the neighborhood is admiring the many different periods and styles of architecture. Wash Park has become a live construction zone, with roll-off dumpsters on every other block. Whether it is a remodel or a new build, SW+D is uniquely suited with Marvin products to support an architect’s modern farmhouse aesthetic that sits adjacent to the lovingly maintained original Wash Park bungalow. All of the design options are available and we can be a stand-alone contractor or be a value add for any GC or subcontractor you prefer to work with. For those that plan to remodel or opt for window replacement only, we create a seamless experience for the customer that allows them to feel confident that their home and time will be respected throughout the installation process.
Talk to us about glass walls, because this seems like a trend with staying power.
The trend is here to stay. Over the years we increasingly receive architectural drawings that incorporate large spans of glass, when architects dream it, it becomes the manufacturer’s mission to build it. As a company, we are dedicated to the Signature Difference: Superior Window + Door Solutions through Excellence in Execution. When you’re choosing to incorporate large spans of glass, you can not sacrifice product selection or installation. Energy performance must be top-of-mind. Between the coldest and hottest parts of the year, a Colorado home is experiencing a 120 temperature fluctuation. We’ve worked to select the best products and learned what matters to keep the home environment comfortable. Everyone wants the best view, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your comfort in your own home.
Speaking of trends, what do you think about the modern design aesthetic? Some would argue that modern design speaks to a lifestyle as a whole.
Form follows function. The functionality of windows and doors change as we change. The pandemic has changed the way we live. We’ve seen an increase in requests for large door openings that allow the outside in. We’ve seen kitchen pass-through (servery) windows become a must-have for homeowners as they host more backyard get-togethers and prefer to deliver margaritas with greater ease from the kitchen to the patio. That’s a modern solution, but is it modern design?
In terms of design, it has taken some time for windows to catch up but now we have square, clean, angular options that prioritize glass and work beautifully whether they’re going into a facade that’s stucco or brick.
What exactly is a sky-frame arc?
Sky-Frame is the Swiss Army watch of windows. Sky-Frame is a manufacturer offering frameless sliding door systems. The top and bottom and the outward sides of the door are buried into the wall, with very thin, vertical profiles between the glass. They are the epitome of a glass wall, but a moving operable sliding glass wall. We recently had a customer who wanted an operable sliding door curved, Sky Frame made this happen. It brings in an organic contour to an otherwise square environment.
What are the consumer benefits of having your installation team work directly for SWD, versus hiring contractors?
Why do you get your car serviced at the dealership? You trust that they’re best suited to service your case since they deal with that brand of cars day in and day out and want to uphold the reputation of their product. We’re exactly the same. We own the entire process from start to finish. We deal with Marvin all day, every day. We are window and door professionals who specialize in Marvin products. We are not painters, drywallers or window covering mavens. Because we specialize in this, we can do better than anyone else. Giving us much more control over the whole process. We plan accordingly so that your install experience matches the rest of the experience. We have our system down. Our install team retention rate means we have a group of guys that have been installing as a team for over ten years. From a service perspective, our Director of Customer Service + Logistics has been with the company for 25 years and has a wealth of institutional knowledge that is an asset to every customer and team member.
You primarily work on residential projects. Do you also do commercial work?
We have a number of commercial projects we’re proud to have completed. Just to mention a few: The Ramble Hotel, DU’s First Year Residents Hall, the Epworth Building in Rino that is now home to the Little White Dress, and a number of restaurants throughout Colorado. We specialize in specific commercial projects when it fits our niche. We lean into projects that have a special edge and at times boutique.
What can we expect from SWD in the future?
Many businesses build their business on repeat business. If we’ve done our job well, you’re not coming back to us for windows for some time. Our mission is to stay focused on the reality that you’re only as good as your most recent project. We continually strive to improve, remain uncommon, accountable and relentless in everything we do. We are dedicated to becoming the most desirable business to work for in the fenestration industry in Colorado. We know that our team is where our success lies. When we’re treating our team well, they’re treating our customers well.
If you’d like to learn more about Signature Windows + Doors, visit signaturewindows.com.