McCann Window Northbrook Chicago IL

847-562-1212 | 3375 Commercial Ave. | Northbrook, IL 60062

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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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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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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.