SW_HI_ZB_082919

20 | 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 familyowned
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 schaaf
window.com.
See pristine, state-of-art homes on third annual Tour of Homes
Builders from across
the southwest suburbs will
showcase their new construction
as the SouthWest
Suburban Home Builders
Association’s 2019
Tour of Homes makes its
third annual return for two
weekends: Sept. 14-15 and
Sept. 21-22.
The free, informationrich
tour aims to introduce
potential homebuyers
to their move-in-ready
homes by showcasing diverse
structures crafted by
talented area builders.
In the past two years,
the event has successfully
fostered a rare, one-on-one
connection between builders
and consumers, making
the event a must-attend
for anyone who is looking
to call the bustling southwest
suburbs home.
“We’re just really trying
to promote the Tour
of Homes name and keep
growing the event to have
it be a name people know
and an event people look
forward to each year,” said
Shannon Rocha, the executive
director of the association.
“We really want
the public to be able to see
what our SSHBA members
do.”
Nineteen homes — including
townhomes, single-family
homes and duplexes
— are highlighted
in this year’s tour.
The tour of homes
stretches across Lemont,
Orland Park, New Lenox,
Channahon, Lockport and
Frankfort. Maps of the featured
homes will be made
available as the event
nears, allowing attendees
to plan their routes.
Many of the builders’
names will be familiar to
repeat attendees, and those
who have yet to attend will
surely recognize the names
as being some of the best
in the business.
“Most of the builders
that are in it, this will be
their third year that they’re
continuing to put their
homes in,” Rocha added.
For those who have not
previously attended the
tour but are looking for
a new home, Rocha said
don’t be intimidated by the
prospect of buying a new
home; it is just as easy as
purchasing a preexisting
home, she said.
Further, those in the
market for a new house
can rest assured that all
SSHBA builders represent
the best of the best in the
industry, as the association
vets the builders and
ensures that they are up to
date on industry trends and
rules, among other expertise.
SSHBA’s membership
comprises roughly 180
members and 50 builders
in the southwest suburbs,
with members of the Orland
Park-based association
hailing from as far as
Channahon, Morris and
Coal City.
The highly anticipated
Tour of Homes enables
SSHBA to connect its
members with the broader
public in an intimate, hassle-free
setting as individuals
and families are able
to come and go at their
leisure.
The SSHBA Tour of
Homes has three premier
sponsors: James Hardie,
Lakeside Bank and Hines
Supply. This year, the
SSHBA also will have
a kick-off party for the
tour where builders will
be presented with various
awards.
For more details on the
upcoming tour and to learn
more about this year’s featured
builders, visit www.
sshbatourofhomes.com.
SouthWest Suburban
Home Builders promotes
high standards, professionalism
and service within
the building industry and
supports the American
dream of home ownership.
Submitted by SouthWest Suburban
Home Builders. For
more information, visit www.
sshba.com.
Written by 22CM Boost, the
content-writing division of
22nd Century Media, publisher
of this special section
and newspaper.