Going from design to construction involves so many decisions that it can be overwhelming for many clients. Likewise for the builder, especially when sitting down with clients who have trouble visualizing how their new home will look. Andrew Hershoff, a partner in Melrose Partners, a design-build firm in Chicago, is one of those builders who has adopted new technology from Pella Corporation to help alleviate client nervousness using a new visualization tool for selecting doors and windows.

The system, called the Pella configurator, allows customers to look at their Designer Series windows and doors in a new way, and facilitates the relationship between the homeowner, the manufacturer and the homebuilder.

"The Pella configurator is a great use of technology that invites the customer to participate in the design process," says Hershoff, who focuses on single-family, inheritance-quality homes in Chicago. "Most people can't visualize the final product, so having an application that allows people to interact with the product and have it appear in a realistic environment helps make the whole process smoother."

Besides giving the buyer confidence in the selected design and installation, the software also provides a sense of collaboration for the client. "It helps bridge the gap between the builder and the buyer," says Hershoff. "Having the buyer better informed and better integrated into the process is a definite advantage."

A Better View

Pella Corporation, a manufacturer of doors and windows, addressed the challenge of accurately displaying a product's attributes online with the "configurator." Using the configurator, users can view the company's windows in a detailed virtual setting, comparing products and their individual attributes in the rooms of an actual home. Users select one of three basic window products (awning, casement or double hung) or one of two door products (hinged or sliding patio doors), then see the product displayed in a room where users can select a room color. Users then customize the product, selecting shades or blinds, the fashion operation, grille style, interior and exterior color, hardware finish and screen type. The configurator application uses 5,000 unique images, which provides 6.5 million product combinations. Also, since the application builds from one step to the next, providing features and styles only appropriate to the selected product, the process is said to be seamless and error-free.

The configurator also includes a glossary, providing definitions, product benefits and video demonstrations. The glossary helps users learn about specific features or attributes, how they work, and even see them in action. Pella has included information about almost every aspect of their products; there's even information on installation and cleaning tips.

The Pella configurator was developed by Elevation, a Chicago-based interactive consultancy, which used actual photographs of doors and windows to ensure the most accurate and realistic depiction of the products.

Providing an accurate view of windows and doors not only helps customers better understand the products, it also facilitates the buying process. The completed, customized design created with the configurator can be saved, printed, or sent to a local store. So when a customer meets with a sales representative both buyer and seller have an understanding of what style and features the customer wants, and how they want it to look within the home.