Written by Snow Blackwood

What does that mean for clients? You now get the quality of a custom-built product Versatile customers have come to know, but with the ease, efficiency and affordability of a modular product.

“Some of the ‘big-box’ window companies we were working with were supplying a less than average product. It was time for us to develop a line of our own,” says Versatile Wood Products owner, Richard De Wolf.

“Curtis, Alan [Rex’s product design team] and I had talked over the years of developing a book of standards similar to what we have for our cabinetry line. The fact that this is happening now, is very exciting for us. It’s going to change everything. With the ease and efficiency of a semi-custom product line, we can streamline the process for these jobs, while continuing to put energy and focus into the creative development of our fully custom products,” says Rex.

I’m not a window designer, architect, or remodeler, so Rex had his job cut out on detailing the process and the product. We started in the office, where he has laid out wood window prototype pieces.

“There are several things we consider when we design any product. Basically, we want minimum waste and maximum efficiency. We ask what is the style we are developing for? What wood species are we working with? What grain pattern is desired? How stable is the wood? Is it salvaged wood? Salvaged wood throws a whole new twist into things.”

Careful consideration of things like the jamb depths, joinery methods and window sills were important.

“When a client comes in with an old sash that’s not functioning properly, we ask; Where did it fail? Why? We designed our Ingenuity windows with a jamb thicknesses required for oversized windows, mortise and tenon joinery and a sill that prevents any accumulation or wicking of water up into the jamb, a common point of failure,” explains Rex.

“After testing various designs, we arrived at a 1 ½” thick sash with 5/8” thick insulated glass units. We revised the muntin bar details in order to retain the desired energy performance from the glass, while producing a sash that would fit into any of the jamb scenarios that were required. The designs will fit into an old house and look historically accurate, and will meet historic review standards.”

We head out to the shop to see the progress of the window development. Danil and Sarah  are in the process of developing a window as we speak. I get to see the drawings and the hardware selections.

“We selected the most sought-after finishes for the pulleys, sash locks and adjusters. Some of these pulley finishes were plated just for us,” Rex shows me the options laid out on boards.

Versatile quality means using the finest hardware. This means solid brass, made by longstanding hardware manufacturers such as IDH and Harwick.

On the drawings I’m able to see more clearly the details Rex was explaining which will allow for compatibility with older homes.

“Developing and streamlining the ordering process is a critical aspect of efficiency, both for the client during the ordering process, and for the shop during the build. We are in the process of creating eight different cut-sheets [architectural drawing/diagrams] for the different window types. The cut-sheets show how the window relates to the wall, so a contractor can make a quick decision. We want these to be very easy to use and readable,” Rex explains.

As we finish up the tour, I learn a little more about Rex. It turns out Rex started his career in architecture, designing luxury homes. Rex is humble and  introspective as he tells me about his path in architecture and product design.

“I loved working for the architect; he was incredibly creative and taught me a lot about luxury home design and the intricacy of structures,” Rex says.

“I started with the whole home and now I design the details, the architectural elements. Having an understanding of the underlying architectural structures helps lend context to designing the architectural details. The more you see these things, the more they start to make sense,” says Rex.

Photo Gallery (photos by Mitch Hose ):

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