McCann Window Northbrook Chicago IL

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

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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 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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Plan Your Garden and Landscaping, But Don’t Rush It

Gardners Resist the Urge!

Tip from Maureen Taylor, Master Gardener, and Landscape Designer of Taylor Made Landscape Design in Chicago. 

After a long, cold, snowy winter like we’ve just had in Chicago, we gardeners are more than eager to get out and get to work clearing and cleaning, but I urge you to hold off a bit…for now anyway.

You should resist the urge to clean up your beds too early. Even though we are all anxious to see what is starting to grow, it is better to wait it out a bit. Hopefully, you kept the leaves from last fall in your flower beds. These leaves help regulate the temperature of the soil. Removing this organic cover too soon will expose the tender shoots to our unpredictable spring weather. The old leaves will decompose on their own and give essential nutrients back into the soil.

As consistently warmer weather arrives, (usually around mid-March or later) you can start to remove some the leaves to expose the crowns of the plants, but do not put the leaves in the trash can. Leave this material around the roots of the plants instead.

If you can live with the look of the decomposing leaves for a few extra weeks until the plant fully leafs out, your garden will thank you for it by being more productive!

Winter and early spring in the garden is a series of freeze and thaw cycles. These cycles create tiny air spaces called “pores” in the soil which are essential for healthy plants. Soil is a living organism and as such needs, oxygen to exist. Without adequate oxygen, it becomes waterlogged, and roots of plants will rot.

If you dig or even walk on your garden beds too early when the soil is wet, you will do a lot of damage to your soil by eliminating these air spaces. If you must walk in your garden, lay down a plank of wood and walk on that instead.

Maureen Taylor is a Master Gardener, Landscape Designer, past president of the Irving Park Garden Club and owner of Taylor Made Landscape Design. www.taylormld.com

For more expert tips on Spring planning, check out Houzz Garden Guide.

Or maybe you want to bring the garden indoors with a new garden window. Contact us for 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. 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 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 put new siding on your house? Here are 4 great reasons

Is it time to update your home siding? There’s plenty of time to get the job done while summer is here. McCann Window & Exteriors has 4 great reason to give your home and vinyl siding a summer makeover:

  1. James HardieThe ease. The older your home siding is, the more maintenance it needs to stay clean and attractive. Replacing your siding gives you sturdier, less weather-worn siding. Your home will also gain the benefits of the technological advancements building materials have made since your home’s original siding was installed. We’ve come a long way from the cheap vinyl sidings of the past. Today’s selections look just like wood, but with added longevity and less maintenance.
  2. The style. Did you know that curb appeal can increase your home’s value by up to 10 percent? That means more than just keeping things clean and pressure washed. Replace your outdated home siding with something smooth, elegant, and timeless.
  3. The structure. Vinyl siding is about more than just looks. It protects your home from exterior damage from the sun and storms, helping to prevent structural damage due to rot, mold, or pest infestations. And a solid house is something worth investing in!
  4. The savings. The benefits of an energy-efficient home are numerous, and they’re not all outside of your front door. Installing energy-efficient windows and home siding can reduce home heating and cooling costs, resulting in a lower energy bill each month. Vinyl is also an eco-friendly material that doesn’t negatively impact the environment.

Want to Learn More about New Vinyl Siding? Schedule a Free 60-Minute Consultation?

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Take Spring Cleaning Outside

Who says spring cleaning is just for inside the house? Winter can be rough on the outside of your house. Start fresh with these spring cleaning tips for your home’s exterior.

woman washing windowsWash Your Windows

You can extend the life of your windows by keeping them in good shape. Clean away pollen and dirt buildup, as well as any debris that’s collected on the windowsill.

Clean Home Siding

Does your siding look lackluster? It’s time for a spring clean. Pressure wash home siding to remove built up grime. Be careful not to scour wood or other soft siding with too much pressure. If there’s mildew growing on your home’s exterior, add a mildew cleaner to the water in the reservoir before spraying the house.

Clean the Deck

Because decks are flat surfaces, they get direct abuse from the elements, standing strong under piles of snow, layers of ice, and extended moisture as winter finally melts away. Use your pressure washer to remove dirt from your deck. If the seal is wearing thin, reapply stain to protect your deck from the elements.

Repair the Roof

Look for loose shingles on the roof, paying special attention to areas near chimneys, vents, and other openings. Replace any missing shingles. Clean debris off of the roof, especially in joints like where the roof meets the chimney.

Clean the Gutters

How do we know it’s spring? Because it’s time for annual gutter maintenance. Clean the gutters of leaves and debris. Check the gutters for clogs by running water through them. If gutter repairs are necessary, take care of them before the rainy season starts.

Does your home have old siding, gutters, windows, or doors? Call McCann to refresh your home exterior for spring.

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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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An Old House Becomes a New Home with New Windows and Exterior Remodeling

For many people, an older home in an older Chicago suburb can have an almost romantic appeal.

The exterior reality of a home in the 70-year age range, however, can be at odds with the interior’s beautiful patina of aged oak finishes.

A Glen Ellyn couple recently called on Todd to give their home some exterior love. What they didn’t expect is that the interior would feel more comfortable as a result.

First off, the couple has a newborn. They realized that drafty windows in the nursery would not do, and plastic interior sheeting would be an eyesore in the winter. So we replaced all the windows with modern, energy-efficient Alside windows that fit the historic period of the home, leading to exterior beauty, interior comfort, and cost savings.

Then there was the siding. When the wood looked beat years ago, it was covered over with aluminum. In recent years, that aluminum became bent and dented, drawing unwanted attention in a neighborhood in which many of the other older homes have been torn down and replaced by large new ones.

McCann replaced the siding with James Hardie fiber siding, again maintaining the period look of the home but providing additional energy savings in a nearly maintenance-free exterior. All in all, it took only two weeks to complete.

The energy savings can be greater when we replace both windows and siding on a home. Our crew can do a more complete insulation job when the windows and siding are off at the same time, as they can get more insulation around the window openings.

A total exterior remodel is also a great investment in the resale value of a home, especially in this soft housing market. Updating a home’s windows and siding helps it stand out (in a good way) in the neighborhood and makes it much easier to sell, should the owners ever decide to.

For further reading about the benefits of external remodeling, I suggest you read Rachel Koning Beals’s article, “Remodeling choices that add value”. In it, she writes, “Construction experts emphasize the importance of attending to the shell first, including fresh paint, low-maintenance siding or a new roof. … Curb appeal, both structural and decorative, is vital to increasing homebuyer foot traffic and to closing the deal.”

 

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Chicago Homeowners Remodel Rather than Move

Two articles caught my attention this past week. Both reinforce what I see daily as I meet homeowners. People are remodeling and rehabbing when they see that they can’t sell their homes.

Crain’s Chicago Business this week reports that the home remodelers are busy again. “Most expect their volume to be up 30 percent or better in 2012.” Low interest rates and a high inventory of unsold homes make it more attractive to stay put and make stand-out improvements to your home. Read more in the Crain’s article “Rehab for the housebound.”

One way to make a statement is to consider the focal point of the house: the entry door. Architect Lynn Hopkins, writing in FineHomebuilding, points out that, “it’s important for the entry door to be appropriate to the house style.”

Her article provides drawings of doors that are appropriate to each of four broad styles: colonial, Victorian, bungalow, and modern. Read more in “Enhance Style with the Right Entry Door.”

If you want additional ideas for how windows, doors, and siding can enhance the beauty, value, and comfort of your home, call McCann or fill in the Contact Us form on this page, top right.