Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it’s even more important for window and door installation companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Collier Warehouse, Inc., the key to achieving and maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction is simple: draw upon its three-plus decades of industry experience to provide its clients with the best possible products and installations. “Our experience allows us to determine the right product and installation method for every situation,” says owner Paul Akin. “Our customers know we’ll be able to help them make smart choices that will benefit their homes and businesses for many years.”

Collier Warehouse has been providing and installing windows, doors, storefronts, skylights, and solariums for residential and commercial clients throughout Northern California since 1977. The company exclusively works with high-quality products made by industry-leading manufacturers like Marvin and Fleetwood, and its San Francisco showroom features full-size product displays that allow customers to review applications before making final decisions.

Unlike less experienced window and door installation companies that rush from job to job in an effort to maximize their workload volume, Collier Warehouse focuses on one project at a time, which allows it to guarantee high-end installations that function as they were designed to. “We take our time and pay attention to details, like how new windows interface with the building,” affirms Mr. Akin. “We’re not interested in getting a job done quickly and moving on to the next one—we make sure everything is done correctly and the customer is completely satisfied with our work.”

Another distinguishing attribute of Collier Warehouse is its dedication to quality control in every aspect of its operations. “Our installers understand the importance of fulfilling both manufacturer specifications and customer expectations, and when we combine that with follow-up checks on every job and continuing education for our staff, that’s a recipe for success,” says Mr. Akin. “We want our clients to be happy with everything we do, so we’re always learning how to get better.”

If you want to brighten up your home, consider installing skylights or sun tunnels. Owners of older homes (and even some modern homes) often complain about a lack of lighting and windows that are too small to bring in enough natural light. Luckily, there’s an easy fix to those problems: skylights. “Skylights are a great addition to any house because they let in a lot of natural light and make the home feel warmer, brighter, and cheerier,” says Paul Akin, owner of Collier Warehouse, Inc. in San Francisco. “They can also address a lot of problems that homeowners have with their existing windows. Large, custom skylights can be the focal point of kitchens, family rooms or entertainment areas, and smaller skylights can accent certain parts of rooms.”

Sun tunnels, which are sealed tunnels that allow light to come in through the roof and filter through the attic space and into the home, are also good options for many homeowners. “Sun tunnels bring natural light to hallways, bathrooms, interior rooms with no windows and even walk-in closets,” explains Mr. Akin. “When you want light in a room but don’t want the focal point that a skylight brings, sun tunnels can be the answer.”

Replacing existing skylights that have become fogged or don’t provide enough light is also a smart idea for homeowners who want a fresh pop of natural light. Modern advancements in skylight technology mean many problems that homeowners used to experience with skylights are no longer an issue. Leaking, cloudiness, fogged glass, and even the inability to close off or put shades on skylights have all been addressed by many industry-leading skylight and sun tunnel manufacturers.

Is there any place you shouldn’t put a skylight? Mr. Akin says most contractors recommend against installing skylights in bedrooms. “A bedroom skylight can make it harder to sleep in or take afternoon naps. However, some skylights come with built-in automatic or electric blinds, so a product like that can give you the light you want and the darkness you need.”

Q: Do you install the products you sell?

A: We install about half of the products we sell, including windows. We also sell products directly to contractors who perform installations.

Q: Can you help me determine which types of windows are best for my situation?

A: Absolutely. Once we learn what you want to accomplish, we’ll help you find window products that meet your budget and design preferences.

Q: When will you deliver my new windows and doors?

A: Delivery time can be anywhere from two to 20 weeks, depending on the product. We custom-order every item to fit the specific needs of our customers, so it takes longer to get windows and doors because we don’t keep those types of products in stock.

Q: Who will take the measurements for my new windows and doors?

A: If you choose us to install the products, our installer will come to your home and take the measurements. If a contractor is installing our products, they’ll provide us with the measurements for manufacturing. Every installer has a different method when it comes to installing windows and doors, so the measurements need to be accurate to ensure a quality installation.

Q: Do you have a showroom?

A: Yes, our San Francisco showroom features full-size displays that allow you to touch, operate and work with different products so you can make sure you’re getting what you want before you place an order.

Q: What is low-E glass?

A: Low-E stands for ‘low emissivity’—essentially, it’s a coating that goes on a window to keep heat in and cold out during the winter. Depending on the low-E coating you choose, you can even control heat gain when the sun shines on the windows.