Pandemic restrictions have made us realize, more than ever, just how important outdoor spaces are to the enjoyment of our homes. Many of us have also noticed our spaces could use some improvement, but we’re not sure how to get started.
That’s where W.A. Zimmer of Huntington, Ind., comes in. For 40 years, the company has been helping homeowners to make their outdoor spaces more comfortable year-round by installing maintenance-free, high-quality sunrooms, pergolas, patio covers and retractable awnings and screens.
“People usually have an idea of what they want, but they don’t know what we have to match their needs,” says Bill Zimmer, who owns the business with his wife, Marcia.
W.A. Zimmer takes responsibility for a whole project, start to finish, including obtaining permits when needed. If the products they build need servicing, they do that, too.
“One thing I learned right away is that everyone wants maintenance-free products,” says Zimmer. “We don’t build anything out of wood that needs paint and stain. We use grades of high-quality aluminum.”
The company evaluates trending products before offering them to customers.
One of the newest products to impress the Zimmers is the Skyview roof – a whole roof or section of a roof made from tinted glass, made by Temo Sunrooms of Michigan. It allows for light while providing a view and protection from the elements.
“These roofs have taken the place of skylights,” says Zimmer. “They’ve been around for a couple years and I’ve been paying attention to see how they’re working out for people. Because people are happy with the results and they look awesome, we started offering the product this past year.”
Decades ago, most of the Zimmers’ business was building sunrooms. Today, sunroom construction is about 25 percent of the business. People are enhancing their patios and decks by adding shades, awnings and screens to make them more livable.
Since 1983, the Zimmers have purchased about 75 percent of their materials from Temo Sunrooms, the largest sunroom and patio product manufacturer in the United States.
Zimmer’s first job out of high school was at a home improvement center. There, he learned that helping people to make their homes more enjoyable was what he wanted to do with his life. He opened his own business and relocated it in the mid-1990s to the present address. The 3,500-square-foot showroom has displays set up indoors and outdoors so customers can see how structures will look at any time of the year.
A 5,000 square-foot warehouse stores bulk supplies to help Zimmer cut wait times and cost for customers.
A second showroom is planned for South Bend, Ind., and will have its own sales staff and installation crew.
Sales Manager Ryan Lemon, the Zimmers’ son-in-law, will one day take over the business when the Zimmers retire. This succession plan will ensure customers enjoy the same quality of products and services they’ve come to expect, Zimmer says.
“Customers know that we do what we say we’re going to do and that brings them a lot of comfort.”
Learn more by calling (260) 356-1621 or stop in at 1700 N. Broadway, Huntington, Ind. ❚