Energy-efficient windows and doors available with more than 200 custom glass options
American Thermal Window of Chicago and Sahara Window and Doors of Niles have always been known for offering many different high-end window and door brands to homeowners, business owners and condominium associations. Now they have added yet another brand to their repertoire — Lincoln Wood Products, Inc. from Merrill, WI.
Lincoln is a 78-year-old privately owned company that manufactures and assembles a complete line of wood windows and patio doors and ships them nationwide for use in new construction, remodeling and light commercial projects.
Their staff utilizes state-of-the-art fabrication equipment and in-house testing facilities to design and build high quality arrangement, proportioning and design products. All Lincoln products are certified and verified by independent testing firms.
“Lincoln manufactures energy-efficient wood windows, patio doors and interior bifold doors at a nice price point for the high quality offered,” explained Iver Johnson Sr., president of American Thermal and Sahara. “Their quality is very similar to Marvin, Andersen and Pella and they manufacture using a variety of woods including mahogany, oak and hickory.”
“In addition, for a minimal upcharge, they include triple-pane glass which is great for withstanding the weather in our region. They also clad their windows with exceedingly hard paint which maintains its true colors for a substantial amount of the life of the window, even when darker colors are chosen,” he added.
“This established company offers a really good product that is frequently written into building specs by high-end architects,” Johnson stated.
Thanks to the addition of Lincoln, American Thermal/Sahara now offers 11 window lines and 58 different door styles with 36 standard paint and stain combinations and more than 200 custom glass options. Custom colors are also possible.
Ultramodern painted wood or fiberglass exterior doors with large art glass inserts have also been the choice of many who want to replace older doors with glass ovals and rectangles. They come in 40 standard paint colors and custom colors can also be mixed.
American Thermal/Sahara is also able to enlarge a standard window opening and replace it with a patio door, if that is what you are seeking.
Johnson emphasized that eye-catching bay, picture and other specialty windows add personality to a home while also keeping the interior of the home comfortable and saving the owner money.
“Window manufacturers are continually upgrading their products,” he said. “Today’s windows, which are generally available in fiberglass, wood, vinyl and aluminum, have much higher energy ratings than those being replaced, of course, so they save on heating and cooling costs. Fiberglas has become especially popular and is taking a lot of market share because it is stronger and more substantial than the other materials.”
He also said that those who want to retain their vintage windows in older homes may now purchase storm windows endowed with energy glass to keep their heating and air conditioning costs low.
When it comes to outside doors, fiberglass is a common modern choice because it is very durable, he continued, but his stores also offer nationally recognized Simpson Doors that are made of solid oak, birch, cherry, poplar and other woods, produced in America. Doors that must be fire-rated, however, (like those between a garage and a home) must be metal and the showrooms also sell those.
All of the brands that American Thermal and Sahara carry offer top-notch comprehensive warranties if a product needs to be replaced or services are required in the future. In addition, those product warranties are also backed up by American Thermal Window and Sahara Window and Doors’ own warranties.
In addition, if you have pets but still want to enjoy the lovely smell of fall coming in, you can order a fine mesh “invisible” screen that won’t succumb to pet abuse. New-style pet patio doors which allow pets to go in and out through special panels when the screen is off to the side are also an option.
Johnson cautioned that homeowners shopping for replacement windows and doors need to do their homework before choosing someone to supply those new windows and doors (no matter the brand) and then install them. When you contract with a company it should have a long track record and high standing on rating services like the Better Business Bureau, Google and Yelp like American Thermal/Sahara does, he said.
Most of Johnson’s installation crews are employed directly by American Thermal/Sahara although specialists are sometimes brought in for certain jobs. All are factory-trained and held to exacting standards. They always arrive in company trucks and the average installer has a minimum of 14 years of experience, he continued.
It also bears noting that Sahara and American Thermal have a good following with condominium and townhouse associations because they are willing to attend association meetings at no charge and offer a wide variety of fire-rated windows and doors for mid- to high-rise residential buildings and commercial properties.
The American Thermal Window showroom is at 5304 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago and the Sahara Window and Doors showroom is at 6619 W. Jarvis in Niles.
For an appointment, call (847) 259-9099 or (773) 774-3131, or visit www.americanthermalwindow.com or www.saharawindowanddoors.com.