McCann Window Northbrook Chicago IL

847-562-1212 | 346 Anthony Trail | Northbrook, IL 60062

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Want Better Health? Use Windows to Bring More Nature Into Your Home

Windows Boosts Wellbeing by Connecting the Indoors and Outdoors

Windows are good for you. Really.

Here’s why: They connect you with nature—with sunlight, with views of sky and trees, with fresh air and with changing the weather.

It turns out that connection is very important for your health. Even though today we spend most of our time indoors, human beings evolved in close proximity to the out of doors. So our environment still affects us profoundly. Research shows that patients in hospital rooms with windows that look out on nature heal faster and need fewer painkillers. Similarly, office workers in buildings with views of trees and greenery do better at managing stress, reporting lower blood pressure and heart rates, better emotional functioning, and better levels of concentration.

Windows, it seems, makes us better people.

Biophilic Design Explained

Actually, windows aren’t the only things that are good for us that way. So are plants, water, fire, animals, and natural materials like wood and stone. All are elements of the environment that we respond to in positive ways, often without realizing it.

This emotional and physiological response to nature is behind a hot concept in building called “biophilic design.” The term “biophilic” combines the Latin words for life (“bio”) and love (“philia”). So biophilic design honors our love of living things. And it seeks to introduce more such elements into our spaces. Think: A soaring atrium in an office building, an inner courtyard landscaped with trees, a plug-in fountain that gurgles on your desk, green roofs, fireplaces, even a cat snoozing near your chair.

And windows! Because if a biophilic design works in commercial settings, it definitely works at home, too.

Windows Connect Us With Nature, Safely and Beautifully

Windows are powerful tools in biophilic design because they blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor worlds. Windows allow us to connect strongly with nature in numerous ways while still staying warm, safe, and dry.

The first way windows connect us with nature is visual. We like to look at the natural world: Homes that look out on pleasing views tend to command higher prices. While you maybe can’t change your home’s location to improve the views, you can still use windows to frame existing perspectives in attractive or dramatic ways. Opening up a wall with windows or glass doors that overlook a balcony, deck, landscaped yard or porch suddenly brings nature much closer. Or, add a skylight to a dark corner, dim hallway, or closed-in bath to transform a space with natural light.

Another way windows connect us with nature is through sound and air. You may have all the light that you already want coming in through your windows. But if some of those windows no longer open, you’re missing a biophilic element that can enhance your health. Working windows let in fresh air and wholesome sounds. A breeze moving through the house not only feels and smells good; it also carries the soothing noises of rustling leaves, birdsong, or the patter of rain. These sounds calm us and improve our mood and functioning.

How Can We Help?

While we aren’t trained in biophilic design at McCann, we are expert in figuring out how to get more happiness into your home via windows. So let us take an inventory of what’s working for you and what could be better in your home’s design. We think your house should not only be the place where you feel comfortable, but also the place where you feel and are your best. Give us a call if you have questions about restoring, repairing or replacing your windows and home exterior. We’re ready to serve you and estimates are free. Just visit www.mccannwindow.com or call (847) 892-4071.

Naturally yours,
Kevin McCann

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Birds vs. Windows: Can’t We Just Get Along?

Make Your Windows Bird Safe

You know the sound. You’re sitting quietly in the house when you hear a sharp “thwack” as something hits the window. You look out, expecting to spot sheepish kids retrieving their baseball from your yard. Instead, no one’s there. 

Then you look down. Sigh. On the ground in front of your window lies a little bird, stunned or dying after smacking into your plate glass. 

Bird vs. window: It’s a long-standing conflict. About 1 billion times per year—yes, 1 billion—a bird accidentally crashes into the window of a home or office building. It usually doesn’t go well for the bird.

How come this happens so often?

During the day, windows reflect the sky, trees and greenery nearby. Birds get fooled by the reflection, thinking they’re heading for open space. At night, especially if the weather’s rainy or foggy, migrating birds often get disoriented by illuminated office buildings and miscalculate their flight path. And day or night, a smaller bird being chased by a predator can take a panicky turn that ends in a collision with your home.

Estimates vary on the number of birds who die each year from window strikes, but even the lowest numbers are in the millions. That’s a lot of beautiful, environmentally important creatures to lose unnecessarily.

What can you do?

Fortunately, homeowners have lots of options when it comes to preventing close encounters of the collision kind between birds and windows. Some involve the area around your windows and some involve the windows themselves.

 

Ironically, of course, we often put feeders, birdbaths and attractive landscaping near our windows because it’s fun to watch birds and we want to attract them. But ask yourself: Are you seeing regular collision patterns? If “yes,” think about moving items like birdfeeders closer to your windows, not farther away. The reason? It’s hard for birds to generate enough airspeed to hurt themselves if they’ve only flown a couple feet before striking your window. And you’ll be able to watch your feathered friends even more closely.

Then, there are simple things you can do such as partly closing curtains or lowering shades halfway in unoccupied rooms during the day, or turning off lights at night in spaces where you don’t need them.

Your windows themselves can also become part of the solution with the help of certain products. 

  • Marking your windows with soap or tempera paint is an easy, inexpensive solution using materials most homeowners already have on hand. Creating a grid or other pattern on your glass will alert birds to the presence of this surface. Because they are relatively easy to wash off, soap and tempera markings are also more temporary.
  • One-way transparent films applied to your window offer a longer lasting but still removable solution. Such films let you see out while making glass appear opaque from the outside. Because they slightly reduce the amount of light coming in your windows, these films can also have a cooling effect you might like. Visit https://www.collidescape.org/ to learn more.
  • Window decals—in reflective materials, bright colors, or predator silhouettes—are easily applied to windows. Experts warn these are only effective if placed closely together, though.
  • Mylar balloons or strips of Mylar tape can be attached near problematic windows to scare off birds as well as other wildlife and are easily found at local grocery or hardware stores. Another inexpensive solution, you just have to not mind the appearance of fluttering Mylar near your windows. 
  • Screens and netting installed over your windows can be very effective in breaking a bird’s impact.  Mounting the netting into a frame makes for easier installation and removal with the seasons.
  • Acopian bird savers are closely spaced thin ropes that hang over windows. Also called “Zen Wind Curtains,” these simple and aesthetically pleasing devices are DIY or can be made to order. Learn more at https://www.birdsavers.com.

In spite of your best efforts, a bird may still smack into your windows this season. If that happens, here’s how to help:

  1. Cover the bird with a cloth and gently move her to a paper bag or cardboard box lined with paper towels. Don’t punch holes in the container. Do secure the lid or top with a clip or tape. If the bird can’t be moved, cover her where she lies.
  2. Let the bird rest in a quiet place that’s warm and dark. Don’t touch the bird and don’t try to feed or water her. Avoid checking in on her often, too, which only causes stress.
  3. After 30 minutes, or if she seems to be recovering, take the bird outside in her box or bag. Open it, step back, and see if she tries to fly. If she doesn’t, take her back inside and try again later.
  4. If the bird isn’t recovering but is still alive, consider calling a bird rescue facility, such as the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors (CBCM), at (773) 988-1867. Learn more by visiting http://www.birdmonitors.net.

At McCann, we thank you for helping to care for our environment. Give us a call if we can be of help with your concerns regarding your home’s windows, doors, or siding. We’re ready to serve! Visit https://mccannwindow.com or call 847-807-1290.

Happy summer!

Kevin McCann

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New Hardware Gives Doors a Turn for the Better

SA Baxter Architectural Hardware

You can upgrade your decor for minimal cost and effort just by installing new hardware — knobs, pulls and locks on your interior doors. You’ll also find many new hardware levers, which are easier for many to operate than the traditional knob. If you plan to stay in your home for the rest of your life, installing lever types is a great fix for long-term ease of use. Replacing door hardware is also a good idea if your house has basic door hardware but you want to bring more personalized style to your doors.

You will want to find hardware that is congruent with the architecture of your house. Brass and bronze tend to suit traditional architecture, while crystal knobs can be more specific to Victorian designs, for example. 

Style. Many of us are used to traditional brass hardware in the shape of a ball or flat round.

Cost: There are plenty of basic choices from $10 to $30. Of course, as with anything in home improvement projects, you can spend much more.

Coordinate. A suite of knobs, levers, and locks can coordinate your entire house (pictured above). These knobs begin at around $43, while the door handles begin at around $80. High-quality hardware like this typically must be bought through your professional.  SA Baxter Architectural Hardware.

Something different. This design functions identically to the brass knob in the second photo, but its lines and finish stand far apart with a sleek modern execution.

Finish. You will be shocked to see how many door hardware choices there are. This bronze knob (third, right) goes beyond the ordinary — note the variance in the bronze treatment.

Function. Notice the lever style is labeled “dummy.” These are used in locations where both sides of the door do not need a handle. For example, you might have a shallow linen closet with a full-size door; this type of handle is placed only on the outside of the door.

Lockability. A privacy lockset has handles on both sides of the door, and the ability to lock the door from the interior of the room.

Fancy. Doorknobs with more elaborate designs and higher-end materials and finishes, such as brushed nickel (bottom, right), can easily be double the price of simpler hardware. In the high-end world, manufacturers provide seemingly infinite finishes and spectacular designs for prices in the hundreds of dollars per set. Some brands may require the assistance of an architect or interior designer, as they are available only to the trade.

Examine the delightful variation in these doorknob designs from SA Baxter Architectural Hardware, and you see can that this is like choosing jewelry for your house. This is one thing you can really make personal and specific to you. These remarkable embossed designs come in several different finishes and begin at around $500.

First step: Whittle down choices before you start shopping by determining the categories important to you. I am finding that my clients are so overwhelmed by the vast range of products that it is better to narrow your search before you look at what is available. You can always expand your options once you start seeing things you like, but beginning with a focus will help keep you from being overwhelmed. I recommend Sheena Iyengar’s TED talk to better understand the implication of so many choices and to help you deal with this inevitable homeowner conundrum.

Checklist: Here is a quick list to consider when beginning your search for the perfect doorknob.

  • Set a budget per knob or lever.
  • Narrow down the finishes to a manageable few and become familiar with the variations of your favorites.
  • Determine if you want a knob or lever design.
  • Determine your home’s style: modern, Craftsman, Victorian, eclectic etc. Learn more.
  • Check what will work with your existing decor.

Ready to install a new exterior door? Contact us: We will help you with all the details.

Reprinted from Houzz: To read the entire article or check out products click here>

 

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Our commitment to open, honest communication sometimes means saying, ‘You don’t need us’

At McCann Window, open and honest communication is at the heart of how we operate. And sometimes, that means telling a homeowner, “You don’t need us.”

Such was the case recently when I met with the owner of an 80- to 90-year-old home in Evanston. The home had the original muntin bar, or sash, windows.

The homeowner was thinking of selling, and he wondered if replacing the windows would enhance the value of the home and make it easier to sell. He asked his realtor, who referred him to us.

As I walked through the house with the gentleman, I talked to him and really listened to what he said. What I heard was that he didn’t really need new windows. And I told him as much.

Yes, the windows were old. But the frames weren’t rotted. They still opened and closed. The glazing was fine. The glass wasn’t cracked. There were no complaints about drafts, being cold or being concerned about safety. There was no compelling reason to replace them, and if the home were to be put on the market, there’s a good chance of finding a buyer who appreciates the vintage windows.

There are other window installers who would have happily taken this man’s money. But at McCann, that’s not how we operate. We take pride in making integrity a part of every conversation we have and every action we take. And we treat our customers as if they are our own neighbors who we will see tomorrow.

In this case, I was happy to do this homeowner the service of being honest with him and advising him to save his money.

Contact us a free consultation>

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Rehabbing a house with McCann – one room at a time for 20 years

It’s like night and day. Our house is beautiful…like a new house. It was a magical transformation.

—Lourdes Ryczak, Chicago

The Ryczek family, longtime customers | McCann Window Northrbook, Chicago, Deerfield

Find out what a real homeowner like yourself says about working with McCann Window

Second in a Series: We don’t like to brag. Yes, we can talk all day about the benefits of choosing McCann to replace windows or doors. However, we would rather have real clients share real stories about what it’s like to work with us.

Choosing the Right Window

Lourdes Ryczek of Chicago first learned about McCann Windows 23 years ago in Evanston at the World’s Largest Garage Sale. “I was looking for a specific window manufacturer, which Kevin (McCann) happened to represent in his display,” she says. “We started talking to him about our needs as homeowners with our rehabbing projects. He explained how he could make what we want happen.”

They met for a consultation and hired McCann to install several windows. Then when it came to replace the dining room window, Kevin helped them choose a window that was not on their original list. “He helped us choose a more aesthetically pleasing window than I originally picked,” Lourdes says.

house siding exterior
The new siding was “like night and day” for the Ryczek’s home.

1 Rehabbed Room A Year for 23 Years

The Ryczek family continued to hire McCann for about 20 years, rehabbing about one room each year. Throughout the years, they got the window installation process down to a science.

“My husband would have the window framed,” Lourdes says. “Then Kevin and his crew removed the old window, put in the new window, and then insulate it. My husband would finish the job on the inside, and McCann would clad the window on the outside.” (Editor’s Note: When you hire McCann to replace your windows, you don’t have to do ANY of the work. In the Ryczek’s case, they chose to do some of the work because of the ongoing rehab in their home.)

Time for an Exterior Makeover

Four years ago, a hail storm damaged the siding on the Ryczek’s house. This was actually a good thing.

“We had been waiting 20 years to replace the most hideous green siding we’ve ever seen in our lives,” Lourdes says. “Because we had such a successful relationship with Kevin, we called him to give us an estimate for the siding. We also got other estimates, but we were confident that even if his price wasn’t the lowest, we knew we could trust him and he would provide us with a good job.”

ugly green siding pre siding project
Lourdes Ryczek says the house used to have “the most hideous green siding we’ve ever seen in our lives.”

Lourdes and her husband hired McCann for the siding project, and Kevin and his crew did not disappoint. For starters, Kevin offered a lot of useful information to help Lourdes and her husband choose the best siding. He recommended websites where they could look at ideas, and he suggested looking around the neighborhood for inspiration. His advise was: “When you’re driving somewhere, pay attention to what you like and don’t like on a house. He said it was important to take pictures, so we could show him the ideas we wanted to use for our own home.”

Kevin also recommended molded millwork above the upstairs windows to give the home a bit of an architectural accent. “This was a piece that I never thought I would need or want,” Lourdes says. “But aesthetically, it added more color and more dimension to the job.”

The Work Begins

House ready for new vinyl siding | McCann Window
Preparing the house for the new siding.

When it came time to begin the work, Kevin’s crew removed the green aluminum siding and took it away for recycling, which “was a big deal for me,” Lourdes says.

Underneath the aluminum siding, the house was covered in thick, wooden shingles, which also had to be removed. The final preparation step was to insulate the house before “the real artistry began.”

“Kevin’s workers came and didn’t just side at will. They set up scaffolding. They were as responsible as could be.” Lourdes says. “We had put on a deck before that process began, and they had to go around the deck. They were able to make that job look flawless, like it had all been done together. That was good for us because it looks like it was well orchestrated.”

The end result? “It’s like night and day,” Lourdes says. “Our house is beautiful…It was like a new house. It was like a magical transformation.”

Thank you for the Referrals

At some point in every rehab, you’re sort of done with the work, Lourdes points out. “I don’t have any more windows to replace, no more siding to do. But we’ve had several friends we’ve recommended to McCann. We were really glad we could extend [what we knew] to friends who were taking on a big project. It’s a big expenditure and you don’t want the risk of not having any information about your contractor.”

What Did Lourdes Love about Working with McCann?

“Kevin is incredibly honest and decent and somebody that you can trust. He’s not trying to take advantage of us,” Lourdes says. “When we didn’t know something, Kevin would explain it to us. His team provides quality work and they do a good job.”

Schedule Your Free, 60-Minute Consultation

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Why Homeowners Shouldn’t Fear Winter Window Replacement

Needing or having to replace a window is never fun, and ultimately speaking there is never a good time to have to do so. But having to replace your windows during the winter months may be seen as a little more daunting than any other time of the year. You shouldn’t be afraid of the task of winter window replacement… in fact you should embrace it. For one thing you are taking care of a problem that could be very costly if ignored. Old windows can bring on air leakage allowing more cold air to come into your home, making your energy costs go up. When you replace your old windows you don’t have to worry about any cold air leaking in.

 

Replacing your windows during the winter will leave you in a better position in various ways when you look at the bigger picture. Not only will it get rid of the draftiness that you may be experiencing due to having old windows, but new windows are also easier to clean, they’re energy efficient, they control noise, they have light control, they give you better ventilation when you need it, and they will improve the appearance of your home!

When you replace your windows you don’t have to worry about the process taking long; you can rest assured that you will get your old windows out and your new windows put in place in no time! If you find that you need to replace your windows this winter in Northbrook, IL there’s one place for you to go. McCann Window & Exteriors is who you want to call. There is no other home enhancement company that will be able to get your new windows in place with ease. Give us a call at 847-562-1212. We are located in Northbrook, IL on Anthony Trail!

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“McCann’s Gets All the Stars”

man offering handshakeMcCann Windows & Exteriors cares about our customers. Home exterior upgrades can put a lot of stress on homeowners, but our team works hard to make replacing windows, siding, and exterior doors easy for customers in Northbrook, IL. We pride ourselves on our integrity, attention to detail, and individual attention to the needs of every customer. And there’s nothing we love more than hearing that we’ve succeeded in making our customers lives (and home) better.

“When We Saw McCann’s Reviews on Yelp . . .”

McCann was a light in the darkness of getting quotes for a window replacement.  We contacted three other companies for quotes and two of them, including Sears, insisted on having at least an hour to make their presentation (although both took 2).  We have an infant daughter and were only replacing one window so those meetings were an absolute nightmare.  We were about to give up until we saw McCann’s reviews on yelp and decided to call one more company.

Kevin McCann came to the house, did his measurements, and explained our options in a very clear, concise manner.  There was no BS with the heat lamps, endless props, or hard sell.  I can’t stress how big this was for us after the process we went through with the other companies.  And on top of that, the quote he gave us was the lowest of the 4 .  I wanted to give him a hug.  Now we have an absolutely gorgeous window and we could not be happier.  McCann’s gets all the stars.

Stephanie E., Evanston, IL

Thank you for sharing your experience with the McCann team! If you need energy-efficient windows in Northbrook, call and schedule an appointment today.

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A Window into Serving Generations

From time to time, I take the opportunity to write about my business philosophy as we have developed it at McCann Window and Exteriors throughout our more than 20 years in business. Working with multiple generations in our network of North Shore customers matters deeply to me, as does the reciprocal nature of the relationships we have developed among our customers in Deerfield, Northbrook, and other North Shore Chicago communities.

I have written about the importance of community to our business, and we recently completed a job that reinforced our community commitment even more.

We have worked with a Deerfield real-estate agent twice over the years when we bought and sold our homes here. She has become a good friend, and we’ve done work on her home and, more recently, the homes of two of her daughters.

A few weeks ago, we replaced windows for one of her daughters. She and her husband are expecting their first child. Given the importance of such a life event, we made sure the job was completed to the couple’s satisfaction well before the birth. They had enough things to worry about, and windows didn’t have to be one of them. We took extra care to make sure that the mother-to-be was not exposed to any harmful fumes. And I related my experience in becoming a father to a nervous first-time dad.

Our efficiency, attention to detail, and strict concern for customer safety are always inherent in our work. But the deep feeling of satisfaction I felt from helping that couple prepare for life as a family makes this project stand out to me. I know the father appreciated my advice, and I know our long-time friend liked the care we gave to her daughter and new grandchild. And who knows, the child may one day become a third-generation customer!