Three brands are top if you’re replacing windows and doors

If you are ready to sell your home or condominium and want an upgrade to tout on the listing, be sure to mention if you have replaced windows or doors with high-quality national brands like Andersen, Pella or Marvin because they are almost universally recognized as an upgrade because of their long-term durability, according to Iver Johnson Sr., president of American Thermal Window of Chicago and Sahara Window and Doors of Niles, authorized dealers for all three national brands.

Each brand offers both wood-clad and fiberglass products. In case you are unaware, fiberglass is uniquely durable in the Chicago-area climate.

And all three brands 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.

American Thermal/Sahara website product pages are so complete that customers can make some initial decisions about choices between different brands and styles without leaving their homes, according to Johnson.

“The website product pages can offer great insight into offerings for all tastes and home styles and pricing for all budgets,” he explained. “Obviously, the windows and doors that you put into a vintage Victorian home would be different than those you would choose for a modern home or condo, church or factory. Hints about all of that can be found on our website and once you have done some initial online shopping, we will be happy to send a product representative out to show you our range of options in person or welcome you into our showrooms in Niles and Chicago.”

“I would shy away from companies that don’t have showrooms. You wouldn’t buy a car if you couldn’t visit a showroom and see an example in person, would you?” he asked.

American Thermal/Sahara offers 10 window lines, 58 different door styles with 36 standard paint and stain combinations and more than 200 custom glass options. Custom colors are also possible.

Ultra-modern 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. Fiberglass 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.

He also 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 13 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 located at 5304 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago and the Sahara Window and Doors showroom is located at 6619 W. Jarvis in Niles.

For an appointment, call (847) 259-9099 or (773) 774-3131, visit www.americanthermalwindow.com or www.saharawindowanddoors.com.