HOW THIS GRAVESEND WINDOW AND DOOR RETAILER HAS, FOR 31 YEARS, WEATHERED BIG BOX AND INTERNET COMPETITION

BY JESSICA JONES-GORMAN

For years, homeowners played it safe selecting mostly traditionally designed windows and doors to serve as the gateway into their homes. But recently, the standard wood, steel, and fiberglass entryways, adorned with familiar finishes and perhaps a decorative pane of glass, have become more complex.

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“The new trend seems to be a more modern look for windows, doors, and hardware,” noted Mike Tellone, owner of Brooklyn Window and Door Corp. in Gravesend. “Everyone seems to be wanting more bold and daring finishes for their hinges, locks, and hardware, as opposed to the standard brass and chrome. People are using more oil rubbed bronze, satin brass, polished nickel, and flat black options. We also see movement on exterior window colors…buyers are moving away from the standard white and going toward black, dark bronze, forest green, sandtone, or terratone finishes.”

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According to Tellone, it’s a design movement focused on originality and impact, a bold conceptual shift that the building industry has not seen in decades. And he should know: his business has been serving area contractors and homeowners for more than 30 years.

“We opened our doors in 1987 with a goal of providing better service for contractors, builders, and homeowners by catering to their needs with early morning deliveries, quality products, and competitive pricing,” Tellone said. “Since then, we’ve been growing steadily…serving the borough and the entire tristate area.”

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The company, located on McDonald Avenue between Avenue P and Kings Highway, sells over 40 national brands of doors, windows, skylights, hardware and moldings including Andersen, Pella, JeldWen, MI Windows, ThermaTru, Masonite, and Velux.

That said, in the three decades since its opening, the business has needed to adapt and evolve in a variety of ways.

“Because of technology, this sector has changed greatly,” Tellone said.

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“Homeowners can now look online for ideas, which opens their eyes to different colors, sizes, and styles. But that’s allowed us to expand our business, because we can help them access those styles and then assist with renovations.”

Tellone added that all of the DIY and home flipping reality shows and home improvement apps have been an additional boon to his industry.

“Our business is tailored to supplying building materials to professionals as well as DIY’ers,” he explained. “We are distributors, not installers, so DIY’ers can come to us looking for ideas and advice before tackling a home improvement project. We pride ourselves on service and quality, and are the largest stocking Andersen Window and Door dealer in the tristate area.

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Brooklyn Window And Door Corporation
1889 McDonald Avenue / 718.627.6400
brooklynwindow.com