By Matt Wiley
There’s a cliche for getting in someone’s way, “You make a better door than a window.” However, when it comes to Custom Windows & Doors (CWD) in Port Richey, just a few miles west of Wesley Chapel, they’re good at making both.
For the past 21 years, since Bob Leggiere moved to Port Richey from Yonkers, NY, with his family and business that he began 20 years earlier, CWD has sat in the same location on U.S. 19, providing a number of services for both residential customers and area home builders in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.
Today, since Bob’s recent passing, Carole Leggiere and her son Gary run the family-owned business that provides everything you need for the outside of your home. The friendly staff at CWD is committed to making sure that all of the windows and doors sold at CWD meet all required codes, as well as coordinating proper permitting and even showing you how to install their products yourself, if you’re more “hands-on.” CWD even provides free quotes!
CWD carries everything from aluminum or vinyl sliding glass doors, fiberglass, steel and security doors, storm doors, French doors with decorative inserts or raise and lower mini-blinds, sidelites and transoms, to any type of window, whether the regular aluminum framed or even or acrylic or vinyl windows to replace the screen in a lanai. CWD also offers fabricated doors, customized to your liking.
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And, with hurricane season about to kick into high gear, it’s a good idea to make sure that your home is prepared. Whether you need hurricane shutters or impact-treated windows, CWD will make sure that your home is fully capable of weathering the storm.
In March 2012, the State of Florida changed its boundaries for the wind-blown debris areas near the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, forcing more builders to install windows that are resistant to stronger winds in more new homes. It is highly recommended that homes that had windows installed prior to 2012 have new windows installed so that they are up to code, or resistant to 140 mph, in most areas of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, a service that CWD is happy to provide. A stop in at the 2,000-sq.-ft. showroom will give you plenty of ideas about how to better safeproof your home, while at the same time making it easy on the eyes.
“I normally recommend impact-resistant windows because they’re good for much more than just protecting your home against a hurricane,” says Gary. “They’re burglar-resistant, as well, and energy-efficient. They even help eliminate noise.”
Since the windows are made to withstand getting hit with debris flying at high speeds in a storm, it is extremely difficult to just smash an impact window.
As far as conserving energy, Gary explains that not only will customers notice a decrease in kilowatt-hours used on their bill, but in many cases, they will be rewarded with energy credits, or a discount, on their bill from TECO or Duke (formerly Progress) Energy.
CWD offers hundreds of different inserts and styles of windows, featuring options from PGT Industries, Silverline Windows & Doors, Custom Window Systems, Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors and Soft-Lite Windows. Window options also include single- and double-hung, roller, casement and picture windows, all of which are Florida-approved and Energy Star rated.
Plus, CWD also sells hurricane shutters to help protect your windows. In fact, Carole says that CWD is the sole distributor in the area of a new kind of storm shutter: the Nautilus Rolling Shutter System, which works almost like a window shade.
“They’re hurricane roll-down shutters that are much easier to use,” says Carole. “Especially for older people, the problem is that the panic sets in when a hurricane is coming and they can’t get their heavy shutters down. It’s too hard for them. These shutters make it simple. Just grab them and pull.”
CWD also sells the classic hurricane storm panels, which are less expensive, but still serve the same purpose. They also carry accordion, Colonial and Bahamas-style shutters. To measure up to the new codes, homes usually need to be equipped with either impact resistant windows, or non-impact resistant windows with some sort of hurricane shutter, whether they are rolling or the classic panels, Gary says.
Tired of all of the dirt around your pool that your screened-in lanai doesn’t seem to do much about? CWD offers many vinyl window options that can replace screens and still allow the same amount of light. Vinyl windows have other uses, as well.
“If you have an emergency, such as if a kid kicks a soccer ball and shatters your window, we can come out and install a temporary vinyl window so there’s not a gaping hole in your wall and the A/C is blowing air straight outside until it can be replaced,” Gary explains.
Knock, Knock
CWD also features a door department on the premises, along with doors galore in the showroom, including vinyl, glass sliding, fiberglass, steel, double, sliding, stained glass inset and security doors.
“Everything we offer is custom made,” Gary says. “Any configuration you want, we can do it.”
By configuration, Gary means that CWD can outfit whatever door you choose with whatever glass insert you might want. CWD can even completely change your front entryway to fit your vision for your home. Gary says one of the more popular requests is to either make a double door entry way a single door entry with two sidelights, or vice versa.
Plus, he says, you never have to worry about a product not being the correct size.
“Sometimes, customers will tell me that they went to a big box home-improvement store and they were sold a door, but when they got it home, it didn’t fit the door frame,” he explains. “We can alter the products and still have them meet all warranties. We can design any sort of door you want. We can really increase your home’s curb appeal.”
Another great thing about CWD is that almost all of the work is done with in-house staff and very little sub-contracting is ever used, except on large projects that may include Stucco work or room additions, which CWD does also offer.
Despite the number of services offered, one of the most important to consider is the customer service provided. When Bob started the business in New York and later brought it to Florida, one thing always has remained the same: the company’s devotion to exemplar service, no-pressure sales environment and knowledgeable staff and skilled installation.
“Customers might come in to get a screen repaired, but will see the showroom,” Carole says. “They’ll sit down with us and realize that we’ll work with you and that it is affordable to do some improvements to your home. We’re here to help.”
For additional information about Custom Window & Doors, located at 7940 U.S. 19 in Port Richey, please visit Custom-WindowsAndDoors.com or call (727) 841-9490. The CW&D showroom is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and 9 a.m.-noon on Saturday. Other appointment times are available by request.
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