Gary Eenigenburg is the owner of Window Genie’s Chicago Southwest location.

Every week, we ask a real estate professional for their Short List, a collection of tips and recommendations on an essential topic in real estate. This week, we talked with Gary Eenigenburg, the owner of Window Genie’s Chicago Southwest location, about some of the key trends right now in residential windows.

3. The Value that Quality Windows Adds to a Listing – Quality windows can significantly increase the value in a listing. Windows can get very expensive when they need to be replaced. Foggy windows, which are a common problem I’ve seen throughout the Chicagoland area, are caused by the seal failing in the insulated unit. A standard sash of a double hung can cost as high as $300 each. That is something both Realtors and buyers should look out for when negotiating a price and/or repair. Furthermore, having clean windows significantly increases the curb appeal of a property.

2. Industry Window Trends that Agents Should be Aware of – Most homes in the Chicagoland area are either nearing or over 10 years old, which is the average life expectancy of an insulated glass unit. This happens when window seals begin to fail. If you see one, you can expect many more to begin failing shortly thereafter.

1. Where I See Design Trends Heading for Windows – We are seeing that newer windows are often containing “false grids,” which simulate the look of older multi-paned windows and are permanently glued to the glass. When broken, these become very expensive to replace and are extremely difficult to match-up with existing windows. These “false grids” are purely cosmetic and provide no other benefit to the owner.

Gary Eeingenburg is the owner of Window Genie of Chicago Southwest, which is multi-service entity that provides home services that people can not do themselves, ranging from window cleaning to tile and grout cleaning and sealing. He can be contacted at: 708-429-8195 and Chicago-sw.windowgenie.com.