Outdoor Living
Could Your Outdoor Spaces Be Better? By Peggy Werner
P
andemic 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, highquality sunrooms, pergolas, patio covers and retractable awnings and screens. “People usually have an idea of what they want, but they don’t Homeowners enjoy the option of sun or shade from their Skyview patio cover and pergola installed by W.A. Zimmer. know what we have to match results and they look awesome, we started offering the product their needs,” says Bill Zimmer, who owns the business with his this past year.” wife, Marcia. Decades ago, most of the Zimmers’ business was building W.A. Zimmer takes responsibility for a whole project, start sunrooms. Today, sunroom construction is about 25 percent of to finish, including obtaining permits when needed. If the prodthe business. People are enhancing their patios and decks by ucts they build need servicing, they do that, too. adding shades, awnings and screens to make them more livable. “One thing I learned right away is that everyone wants mainSince 1983, the Zimmers have purchased about 75 percent tenance-free products,” says Zimmer. “We don’t build anything of their materials from Temo Sunrooms, the largest sunroom and out of wood that needs paint and stain. We use grades of highpatio product manufacturer in the United States. quality aluminum.” Zimmer’s first job out of high school was at a home imThe company evaluates trending products before offering provement center. There, he learned that helping people to make them to customers. their homes more enjoyable was what he wanted to do with his One of the newest products to impress the Zimmers is the life. He opened his own business and relocated it in the midSkyview roof – a whole roof or section of a roof made from tint1990s to the present address. The 3,500-square-foot showroom ed glass, made by Temo has displays set up indoors and outdoors so customers can see Sunrooms of Michigan. how structures will look at any time of the year. It allows for light while A 5,000 square-foot warehouse stores bulk supplies to help providing a view and Zimmer cut wait times and cost for customers. protection from the eleA second showroom is planned for South Bend, Ind., and ments. will have its own sales staff and installation crew. “These roofs have Sales Manager Ryan Lemon, the Zimmers’ son-in-law, will taken the place of skyone day take over the business when the Zimmers retire. This lights,” says Zimmer. succession plan will ensure customers enjoy the same quality “They’ve been around for of products and services they’ve come to expect, Zimmer says. a couple years and I’ve “Customers know that we do what we say we’re going to do been paying attention to and that brings them a lot of comfort.” see how they’re working Learn more by calling (260) 356-1621 or stop in at 1700 N. out for people. Because Bill and Marcia Zimmer and family Broadway, Huntington, Ind. ❚ people are happy with the Tell them you saw it in ... Smart Living Fort Wayne
October 2021 • II
23
