Oftentimes, we visit classic North Shore homes and help them plan how new windows can bring in light or keep out cold. We suggest styles and colors to match an existing home.

In the case of the Delves home, we worked with the homeowner to fit into his plan. We found a way to enhance the effect he wanted.

We suggested wooden replacement casement windows that accentuated the classic architecture of the home while still brightening the room with plenty of natural light. The windows open up effortlessly to draw in lots of air, a particularly stunning effect as the garden blooms throughout the summer.

At the Don’s request, we made sure the color scheme remained flexible. For an older home, wooden windows are often the best choice. We used primed wood, rather than a complete finish, so the homeowner could select a custom color.

Our flexibility in product and willingness to enhance an existing plan really improved upon an already beautiful space for the Delves family.

Now, this month, Chicago Magazine has published a feature called “Boost Your Home’s Value”, which addresses ways for home owners to do just that. The first step is having at least a rough idea of when you’d like to sell your home. From there, you can decide what you should remodel and what you should leave alone to get maximum value for your home.

The feature breaks it down into three general plans:

If you want to sell this summer

If you want to sell in a few years

If you want to stay for a decade-plus

Consider which category you might fall in. And remember—when energy efficiency is a priority, windows, doors, and siding absolutely must be insulated.

Mention the April special offer email and receive up to $150
off your new McCann Entry Door!!!

See full offer and sign up to receive McCann’s monthly special offer email!

Crain’s Chicago Business this week reports that the home remodelers are busy again. “Most expect their volume to be up 30 percent or better in 2012.” Low interest rates and a high inventory of unsold homes make it more attractive to stay put and make stand-out improvements to your home. Read more in the Crain’s article “Rehab for the housebound.”

One way to make a statement is to consider the focal point of the house: the entry door. Architect Lynn Hopkins, writing in FineHomebuilding, points out that, “it’s important for the entry door to be appropriate to the house style.”

Her article provides drawings of doors that are appropriate to each of four broad styles: colonial, Victorian, bungalow, and modern. Read more in “Enhance Style with the Right Entry Door.”

If you want additional ideas for how windows, doors, siding, and roofing can enhance the beauty, value, and comfort of your home, call McCann or fill in the Contact Us form on this page, top right.

Articles on how to select a replacement windows contractor stress the importance of:

• getting at least three bids,
• checking contractor references ,
• making sure they are insured, and
• looking at reviews on Yelp, Angie’s List, and other consumer ratings services.

Those are all important, and you want to do them. (I have listed two such articles at the end of this post.)

In thinking about how I make important purchases and how I run McCann Window and Exteriors, however, I realized that there is another, more critical concern that comes down to one word: “trust”.

Do you trust the person sitting across the table from you?

I met a man last year who had needed new windows for years. He looked now and then and never found anyone he trusted. He didn’t think he ever would and just put up with the old windows.

The man finally selected us because he saw one of our crews working on a neighbor’s home and liked how they approached the job. They worked diligently, deliberately, and seemed courteous. Those were all hallmarks of trust to him.

You have to do basics of cost, license, insurance, and reference. But in addition to that, make sure you are dealing with a person who feels right to you, who you intuitively trust.

What criteria make you trust a home repair contractor? What do you look for that causes you to trust a service provider? Leave a comment and let me know.

How To Compare Replacement Window Prices – Vinyl Replacement Windows, Wood Replacement Windows

How to Find a Window Contractor

Yes, we’re serious! McCann is growing and we would love your support! We are looking for an addition to our sales family and we are offering a $1,000 reward for the right person. We appreciate your recommendations. Please call, e-mail or even snail mail.

Description
Have fun and make money working for a straight-shooting, 21-year-old, family owned North Shore exterior remodeler with a great reputation. Sell into our existing lead flow and generate your own opportunities in our cooperative team environment. Must have at least 2 years of remodeling sales success, a nice vehicle, great communication skills, and a college degree. Compensation includes commissions, bonuses, expense allowances, health insurance, and 401K. A good sense of humor and a ”can do” attitude are imperative.

Requirements
1. Proven sales ability
2. In Home selling experience of windows, doors, siding, or roofing preferred
3. Desire and ability to garner referrals and leads, and network to grow the business
4. Energetic and youthful personality
5. Effective communicator
6. Skills to follow through in handling details, documentation and processes
7. Ability to meet deadlines, goals, quotas, and job requirements
8. Available to work nights and Saturdays
9. Live local to office in Northbrook
10. Sense of humor
11. Excellent computer skills

Applicant can send to – HR@McCannWindow.com

The story behind the book and Lovenheim’s experience in meeting people he’s lived on the street with for years but has never really known is fascinating, and it reminded me of why I started McCann Window and Exteriors and started selling replacement windows in the North Shore in the first place.

I wanted to know people in the community, and I wanted to have a positive influence in neighborhoods.

I remembered in particular one customer, Linda Lewison. We replaced her windows on the 3900 block of Fargo St. in south Skokie about 10 years ago.

Linda loved the work we did. She was the hub of the block and told all her neighbors about her new windows.

Not only that, she got six or eight of them to have us install new windows. And she went around to all of the home after we had finished to make sure they were satisfied.

I started in business to be the area’s “window guy” in the North Shore, and Linda helped me see how that was indeed possible. I liked hearing about Peter Lovenheim’s book because I’m glad to know that people like Linda are still out there keeping neighborhoods together one conversation at a time.

Read a transcript of an interview with Peter Lovenheim.

That means it’s time to make sure they are in good shape and will provide a way to bring your yard and patio into your home.

Given the lightness of the winter, weather damage to windows and doors should be at a minmum, unless you had problems with high winds. Check them for how easy they are to open and whether they remain weather tight. You may notice that

• Sliding patio doors are either too tight or too loose on their tracks.
• Seals are not weather tight. Energy savings in the summer air conditioning season can be just as important as winter heating season.
• Screens are torn or worn. Problems with screens are the most common.

Finally, consider security. For the best security , get replacement patio doors with a foot bolt that fits in the door sill or doors with multipoint locks. Both types are difficult to break.

If you want to look at replacement patio doors, consider these three types:

1. Sliding French doors in wood
2. Inswing French doors
3. Vinyl or fiberglass sliding patio doors

Benefits of replacement doors include:

• Increased security.
• Easy operation and access to the outdoors
• Improved appearance
• Increased energy efficiency

For more information, read these tips on the perfect patio door.

For an assessment of your patio doors and to get a no-cost estimate, call McCann Window and Exteriors at 847-562-1212 or fill in the form at right.

We showed them a new European style tilt-turn window from Marvin that has the same look as their existing windows yet with an uncommon twist. Although from the street they look like traditional double-hung windows, where the bottom slides toward the top, these windows tilt open from the top. That provides additional ventilation. In a unique design, they also crank inward for greater air flow.

It’s a contemporary innovation the Evanston couple appreciated that maintains the historical design of their home.