Mornings often begin with sunlight streaming over rolling hills and mist rising from open fields, a quiet beauty that begs to be invited indoors. For Jim Sanders and Lou Beltran of Efficiency Home Improvements, that light is more than just a backdrop. It is something to be welcomed inside and woven into the way a home feels, functions, and inspires.
“It’s about unplugging and reconnecting with nature and enjoying the view,” Sanders said. “Let the natural light in, it improves your mood. You will learn so much about nature if the screen you are most familiar with is your window screen instead of a smartphone or tablet.”
Sanders and Beltran have built their business around that idea: helping homeowners transform dark, closed-off rooms into bright and inviting spaces that frame the landscape just outside. It is work that blends aesthetics with science, balancing beauty, comfort, and energy efficiency.
“Studies show how sunlight can increase energy and prevent seasonal depression,” Sanders said. “Windows failing or heavy curtains always drawn due to heat or cold give you no natural light within.”
One of Sanders’ favorite projects was close to home…literally. “My favorite project is actually our own home,” he said. “We bought it for the view, so we maximized that feature.”
For many Williamson County homeowners, that view is part of why they fell in love with the area in the first place. Sanders and Beltran specialize in highlighting those surroundings rather than hiding them behind heavy framing or outdated styles.
“Update to simplified or no grids if the style of home/codes etc. will allow,” Beltran said. “Upgrade glass packages in the direction that gets the most sun to stay energy efficient and still let in the natural light. Stronger materials and tempered glass allow for larger sizes.”
While clients often dream of wide-open windows and doors, many are also concerned about rising energy costs or inconsistent indoor temperatures. Efficiency Home Improvements addresses both priorities at once.
We only sell and install windows and doors that are energy efficient,” Beltran said. “Even though the tax credit for Energy Star certified windows is going away, it still lets you know that you are going to save tremendously on your heating and air bills. Your home will instantly be quieter and let you enjoy the natural light and your exterior view without putting additional stress on your HVAC.”
That practical expertise is paired with an unusually personal approach. Every consultation begins with a conversation about how people actually live in their homes and what disrupts their comfort or peace of mind.
“When we have an appointment for a consultation, we ask a few questions,” Sanders said. “1) Why are you replacing? 2) Do you have any areas of your home where you can feel the sun beating down on your rugs/furniture or certain rooms that are always hotter/colder than others? 3) This is Music City. Do you have a neighbor with a drummer or garage band that you would like to not hear as frequently? Someone with a loud truck that starts up every morning and wakes your baby? We can help. 4) Always suggest reduced or no grids whenever possible to give you a more panoramic view.”
The team is also noticing shifts in style preferences among their clients, many of whom are opting for a cleaner, more modern look that better showcases the scenery around their homes.
“No window grids or at least reduced window grids,” Beltran said. “Changing up colors like black instead of white. Casement windows for a view that is uninterrupted by any sash lines.”
For Sanders and Beltran, these choices are not just about updating the look of a house. They are about restoring a connection to the world beyond the walls, capturing the glow of sunset across the fields, the soft green of spring leaves, and the quiet charm that makes Williamson County feel like home.
And as more residents embrace that idea, Efficiency Home Improvements continues to help them open their homes to the light that defines Southern living.
EfficiencyHomeImprovements.com