Home exteriors can have it rough in the Midwest

Withstanding the rigors of Chicago's weather extremes isn't easy - for people or their homes.

Those who have lived through years of wind, snow and cold during Chicago's winters, as well as the blazing sun and occasional wicked storm of the area's prairie summers, know what conditions exterior home products here are forced to endure. So Midwesterners are better equipped to design products that are specifically suited to our Chicago climate.

WindowWorks, based in Bolingbrook, is offering homeowners all around the Chicago area and northwest Indiana its own brand of windows and doors. The Enhancement Line of windows is made to exacting standards by WindowWorks in a joint venture with the Vista Window Co. in Georgia.

These foam-filled and fiberglass-reinforced replacement windows are made with high-tech, low E glass that is three times as strong as the usual window, said Doug Stein, vice president. The window frames are made of a composite vinyl and the windows meet and, in some cases, surpass, all National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) requirements.

"Our competitors generally offer one or two of these features, but we don't know of anyone who has put them all together in their windows like we have for significantly improved energy efficiency," he said. "And we have done it at a price that is extremely affordable. So we expect to install 40,000 windows this year."

"We carry only replacement windows because we feel it is a far better approach to make a window custom, to one-eighth of an inch, to exactly fit the existing opening rather than trying to make the house fit the window. It will seal better and have better curb appeal," Stein said.

"Our double-hung windows tilt in for easy cleaning and our muntin bars or grids are placed between the panes of glass, also for easy cleaning," he said. "We also offer casement windows, sliding windows, bay windows, bow windows, garden windows, patio doors - the full gamut. We can fill virtually any opening."

WindowWorks also offers exterior doors, made of steel and fiberglass, including some made with decorative leaded glass, as well as waterproof storm doors made with composite frames that will not warp, swell or rot, said Ron Varek, president of WindowWorks. The storm doors are manufactured in the Amish country of Indiana.

"We are truly exterior specialists. In addition to windows and doors, we also supply siding, soffits, fascia and gutters," Varek said. "All of our windows and doors are custom-made to fit a home's exact measurements so they seal tighter. We have no stock sizes."

"We also allow homeowners to make a statement with their windows and exterior décor," Stein said. "Gone are the days when everyone wanted rectangular white windows. We can help homeowners to perfectly match their décor by offering every color in the rainbow on the outside and four different wood grain finishes inside in arched, round, square, rectangular or even triangular shapes. For instance, if they want it, we could produce a window that is purple on the outside and Brazilian pecan on the inside."

A wide variety of homeowners find their way to WindowWorks. Some, Varek and Stein said, simply want to modernize. Others are tired of old inefficient windows while still others have discovered that they have newer, yet still inefficient windows. One winter dealing with the discomfort that goes along with drafty cold windows is often enough.

"Increasingly, we are replacing windows on homes built within the last 10 to 15 years. During the boom years, builders often built homes with the cheapest windows they could find. These windows are failing and need replacement," Stein said.

The replacement window industry, interestingly, actually grew during the recent recession.

"Our company has grown by leaps and bounds over the past six years. During a recession people are staying in their homes and not moving. They want to fix up what they have so replacement companies like ours do very well," he said. "Besides, we keep adding to the value side of the equation. Our products are literally laden with value because we are always improving them and adding new features."

In addition, Varek and Stein see good customer service as an opportunity to set WindowWorks apart from its competition.

"We maintain an eight-person service department that is charged solely with taking care of the customer after the installation. We will take care of a customer even if it 'wasn't our fault'," Stein said. "As for our installers, they have a minimum of three years of experience and go through an extensive vetting, training and inspection process prior to installing window No. 1."

"WindowWorks is just a different kind of company. While we love to make money as much as anyone, that is not our No. 1 motivator. We want our customers to enjoy the experience of doing business with us. We want our 180 employees and many vendors to enjoy their experience, as well. We try to have fun at what we do," he said.

"We also believe in over-delivering on our promises and we want to provide products that are laden with value. We probably won't be the cheapest and certainly won't be the most expensive, but we believe our products will offer more value than any other on the market," Stein said.

WindowWorks is primarily a shop-at-home company, sending consultants to clients' homes to consult on their needs. But the company also has a showroom in Orland Park at 7840 West 159th Street and a distribution center in Addison. A new superstore showroom in Naperville is due to open in January.

For more information, call (708) 340-7544 or visit www.mywindowworks.com.