Home show still drawing large crowds

Curious yet conservative consumers descended upon the annual Old House New House Home Show in St. Charles Saturday, looking for the newest in comfort and a good bargain, too.

"The traffic this year has been as strong as it has been in years past. People are interested in buying, They're asking a lot of well-researched questions," said Bruce Diederich, president of Waukegan Roofing Co., which has been at the expo for 10 years. "The consumers have become more and more educated."

Warm weather played a part in large crowds over the weekend; exhibitors were targeting people who wanted to dress up their homes with landscaping, fountains, three-season rooms and more efficient air conditioners and windows in time for summer.

"There's a lot of people who seem to be interested in fixing up their homes," said Gary Fiala, production manager at Lehner Brunton Remodelers of Palatine. "Part of it is they're saying 'We're here, let's fix it up,' That's encouraging, in a good way."

Joe Wilda, co-owner of Tri-Star Custom Cabinetry, which has a showroom in Glen Ellyn, agreed.

"That's what's keeping us going now, remodeling and finishing basements. New house construction is way down," Wilda said, noting his firm had spent 10 years away from the home expo before returning this weekend.

"The turnout's fantastic," he said.

Fred Leydig and his wife were browsing some of the new refrigerators, cabinets and upholstering services.

The Barrington man said they were considering downsizing, but the sluggish housing market meant they would have to wait.

"It's a nice day to get out of the house," he said. "We're thinking of downsizing and some of these things (here) might be useful."

The expo is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today. Admission is $7 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for kids younger than 18. For details, call (800) 474-3272.