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22 | August 29, 2019 | 22nd Century Media home improvement
22ndcenturymedia.com
Schaaf celebrates 60 years in Chicagoland
Sixty years, seven locations,
hundreds of different
products, thousands of
cherished customers and
one owner, Schaaf Window
has had a long and storied
history in this area. The
family-owned business celebrates
its 60th anniversary
this June, a testament to its
success and long history of
having the best customer
service in town.
Schaaf Window was
founded in 1959 as Schaaf
Glass Company by George
Schaaf Sr. and his father,
Fred. They began the company
by re-glazing windows
out of three garages
behind his father’s home
in Englewood and ran the
business out of his home.
About a year into their
business, they were big
enough to move into a real
office and warehouse, so
they made a deal with a
local car dealer to use his
building while he used the
parking lot. At this time,
they added glass storefronts
to their product offerings.
Just two years later, they
had already grown out of
the building and George
decided that this time
he would build his own,
against his father’s advice.
He built a brand new
building in Evergreen Park
and even outgrew that one
so fast that he was forced
to convince the lady next
door to sell him her house
in order to construct another
new building. In these
years, the company began
offering patio doors and
framed mirrors.
Even with the addition,
the company grew too
large, and George again
had to build a new location,
this time in Bridgeview.
They moved into this
building in 1972 and immediately
began expanding
their product lines. In
1974 the business really
took off when Schaaf began
assembling their own
windows. The success of
the window business led
to the separation of the
glass and the window departments,
and the official
incorporation of Schaaf
Window Company.
In 1980, George turned
an old stadium in Bridgeview
into offices and a
shop. He had helped build
the stadium when it was
going to be used for a local
semi-pro baseball team, but
he was never paid by the
builder. He bought the land
and decided to turn it in to
a new location for Schaaf
Glass; however, five years
later Schaaf Window
moved into this location
and Schaaf Glass moved
back to its old building.
Again, the company grew
so that additions had to be
made and eventually an entire
adjacent building was
constructed to add capacity.
While at this location,
Schaaf Window added
millwork and interior doors
to its product lines.
In 2003 Schaaf Window
moved to its current location
in Tinley Park. It has
since become the largest
independent window company
in Illinois, and added
shower doors and installation
to its mix of products.
It is also now co-owned by
two of George’s children,
Bob and Barb, along with
George himself. Today,
Schaaf continues its commitment
to superior customer
service and offering
high quality products.
As summer rolls around
and you start your home
improvement projects,
keep Schaaf in mind and
see what 60 years in the
industry can do for you.
Submitted by Schaaf Window
Co. Inc, 18445 Thompson
Court in Tinley Park. For
more information, call (708)
342-0900, or visit schaafwindow.com.
To trend or not to trend
Superior Cabinet Supply answers timeless question
When it comes to kitchen remodeling,
many homeowners wrestle with the question
of whether or not their cabinet selection
– both color and style – will still be
popular in 10 to 20 years for resale value
and appeal. Certainly, this is a valid concern
with any investment in your home.
Do you want the latest trend in navy blue
or bright teal or the play-it-safe many
shades of white or gray? What will stand
the test of time?
Recently, Houzz (the online design,
home improvement and idea-gathering
go-to website) surveyed 1,300 of their
website users who had completed a kitchen
remodel in the past 12 months or plan
on starting one in the next three months.
According to the 2019 U.S. Houzz Kitchen
Trends Study results, the most popular
cabinet style is Transitional (that’s a blend
of traditional and contemporary), Shaker
or Shaker-like cabinets and the winning
color pick is (drumroll) …white (43 percent)
then stained wood (25 percent) and
lastly, gray (11 percent).
A Kitchen and Bath Industry expert,
Mary Jo Peterson (certified kitchen and
bath designer) and columnist for Kitchen
and Bath Design News had this to say:
“Your best bet is to choose a wood stain
finish somewhere between blond and brunette.
Well-built cabinetry will last much
longer than the finish will stay in style.
Pick a simple door style and a medium
finish, and if you want a new look just
change out the hardware every 5 years.”
Paul Dybdahl (another CKD) suggests,
“if you are considering the purchase of
painted cabinets a shade of white is always
classic”.
There are and always will be many
opinions out there. So how do you make
a decision based on all these opinions?
Thoroughly peruse several kitchen and
bath trade magazines and a variety of online
sources such as HGTV, Coastal Living,
Country Living and professional design
experts on Houzz.com. Narrow your
choices to two favorites and bring your
ideas to Superior Cabinet.
“Ultimately, your cabinet purchase decision
is a subjective one” said Frank and
Sandy Klauck, owners of Superior Cabinet
Supply in Frankfort. With 34 years
of experience as a kitchen and bath dealer
and designers, Superior Cabinet has seen
what was trending in 1985 come full circle.
“White or gray cabinets were in then
and they are in now,” Frank said. Sandy
goes on to say, “When Frank designed
and built our current home 18 years ago,
we decided on a simple Shaker-like door
style in natural maple by Mid Continent
Cabinetry. Eighteen years later, I still love
my cabinets and the Shaker door style is
definitely a top choice amongst our customers.
The pictures seen here were submitted
by our customers and I would not
hesitate to say they have a timeless appeal.”
Submitted by Superior Cabinet Sup- ply,
19800 S. Harlem Ave. in Frank- fort. Visit the
showroom and website today at www.supe
riorcabinetsup ply.com or call (815) 464-
2700 for more information.