McCann Window Northbrook Chicago IL

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

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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 Are My Windows Sweating?

What do you get when you combine cool glass with muggy summer air? A major annoyance to homeowners. Summer window condensation frustrates many homeowners. Unlike its cold-weather counterpart, summer condensation forms on the outside of the glass, making it challenging to wipe away on upper-level windows. Sweating windows fog up the view, and if it happens regularly, the condensation can seep into window frames to peel paint and form mildew. Windows Sweating? Luckily for homeowners in Northbrook, McCann Window & Exteriors has the solution.

How to Prevent Window Condensation

  1. fogged windowSwitch to double-pane windows. If a renovation project is in your budget, it’s time to upgrade your windows. Insulated glass is a simple solution to condensation problems. Energy-efficient coatings are another simple solution. Energy-efficient windows reduce the amount of heat that transfers through the glass, which often prevents condensation problems that can occur with non-treated glass.
  2. Adjust the thermostat. Condensation occurs when hot air meets cold air. Just like when your car windshield fogs up, an easy solution is to minimize the difference in air temperature. Adjust the thermostat by a few degrees and monitor the window condensation to see if it shrinks.
  3. Check the humidity. Depending on the humidity levels in your house, using a dehumidifier may solve your window condensation problem. If you’re using a humidifier in the house, turn it off until the weather cools down.
  4. Crack a window. Not only will you get a breath of fresh air, you’ll improve air circulation around the windows.

Do you have condensation problems? Call McCann Window & Exteriors in Northbrook, IL.

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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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Is Your Home Ready for Fall?

Fall is upon us, and for many Illinois residents, this time of year signals a start to preparations for the colder months. It’s time to pull the jackets and scarves out of the closet, but what about your home? As we move deeper into fall and winter, most of us have a tendency to spend more time indoors and in our homes. McCann Windows and Exteriors, located in Northbrook, IL, is here to help. We have compiled a checklist of essential fall and winter preparations everyone should perform for their home.

  • Inspect Your Gutters – More and more leaves are falling by the day, so it’s important to clean your Gutter Inspection gutters and downspouts to avoid clogging. This helps reduce the chance of ice dams, which can cause damage to shingles, gutters, and even the interior of your home.
  • Check Your Windows – Inefficient windows could cause the loss of valuable heat because of cracks or sealing issues with your windows. If this is the case for your windows, go to the hardware store and buy a tube of caulk. Are your windows too far gone for repair? McCann Window & Exteriors can help you learn about all of your options. We will guide you through what’s available and help you decide on a course of action that makes the most sense for your home.

 

  • Seal Your Doors – Cracks and crevices around your front door is another location that can cause you to lose energy. Want to save 10% on your heating bills? The U.S. Department of Energy reported homeowners who caulk or put weather-stripping around their doors and windows can do just that.
  • Assess Your Siding – Cracks in your siding can give your home a less than ideal look, but what is also affected is how efficiently it can insulate your home. Residing your property before winter hits is a great way to boost energy savings, add value to your home and improve curb appeal.

 

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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!