Wide selection of windows and doors, including high-end windows made in US
Chicago area home and condominium owners, as well as commercial property owners, who want windows and doors with a very sleek, clean and modern look now have a new choice. City Line Windows with OptiCore technology, which are made in the United States, are now available locally from American Thermal Window of Chicago and Sahara Window and Doors of Niles, according to Iver Johnson Jr., co-owner. There is a wonderful display of City Line and other windows in American Thermal’s recently renovated Chicago showroom at 5304 N. Milwaukee Ave.
“Owners and builders of green buildings, as well as those who want to maximize their viewing areas using floor-to-ceiling windows with very thin, dark lines in their office buildings, high-end homes and condominium buildings, are gravitating to this cutting-edge line of high-efficiency windows and doors, particularly in Lincoln Park, on the North Shore and in places like Barrington,” he stated.
“They offer a very dramatic look, come in customizable shapes and sizes and can withstand the wind pressure found on high floors,” Johnson continued. “But since they sell for price points like upscale products like Marvin or Pella, they are not for every home.”
In addition to City Line, American Thermal/Sahara offers nine other window lines (including Marvin, Pella, Andersen and European “tilt and turn” windows), 58 different door styles with 36 standard paint and stain combinations and more than 200 custom glass options. Custom colors are also possible.
Ultramodern 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.
Iver Johnson Sr., president, 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.”
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 (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 said.
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 recently renovated American Thermal Window showroom is at 5304 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago and the Sahara Window and Doors showroom is at 6619 W. Jarvis in Niles.
For either a home or showroom appointment, call (847) 259-9099 or (773) 774-3131, visit www.americanthermalwindow.com or www.saharawindowanddoors.com.