Constant and Never Ending Improvement

Since its inception by co founders William Barr and Michael Strmac in 2002, Universal Windows Direct has lived by the philosophy of CANEI – “Constant and Never Ending Improvement”. This philosophy holds true in all aspects of our business, from sales and marketing to installation and service and has catapulted UWD from a small, local home improvement company to one of the largest exterior remodeling companies in the country.

Every one of our employees strives continuously to be the best in the business at what they do and provide our customers with only the highest levels of sales, service, and support. We think our company’s history speaks to this goal and to the power of what we can accomplish by never settling.

Mike Strmac and William Barr

Co-founders William Barr and Michael Strmac meet at The Diner on Clifton in Cleveland, OH to discuss launching a new business together. Universal Windows Direct is created from that meeting.

A View of the First Office in Akron, OH

The first office location is opened in Akron, OH

Eric Sears - Universal Windows Direct

Mike & Bill hire UWD’s first employee – Eric Sears

A View of the Office in Valley View, OH

UWD relocates their office to Valley View, OH

Bill and Mike at a Franchise Show

UWD opens it’s first authorized retail (dealer) location

Top 500 2008

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #129 home improvement company in the nation. Read More

Mike and Bill Outside of the Oakwood Village Office

UWD relocates to Oakwood Village, OH

Top 500 2009

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #73 home improvement company in the nation. Read More

Top 500 2010

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #46 home improvement company in the nation. Read More

Exterior 200 2010

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #32 exterior remodeling company in the nation. Read More

Mike and Bill with Awards

Mike and Bill receive the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year. Read More

Weatherhead 100 Award Winner

Weatherhead 100 award winner.

Top 500 2011

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #34 home improvement company in the nation. Read More

Exterior 200 2011

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #26 exterior remodeling company in the nation. Read More

Universal Windows Direct of Charlotte

Universal Windows Direct of Charlotte location opened

Owners Bill Barr and Mike Strmac with Richard Branson

CEO William Barr featured in Small Business Magazine. Read More

Top 500 2012

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #31 home improvement company in the nation. Read More

Exterior 200 2012

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #16 exterior remodeling company in the nation. See article

Window and Door Magazine Dealer of the Year

Window & Door Magazine – 2012 Dealer of the Year for Excellence in Marketing. Read More

Inc 5000 Recipient

Inc. 5000 – One of the fastest growing companies in the nation. Read more

Top 500 2013

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #28 home improvement company in the nation. Read More

You'll Be Saying... 'I Love My Windows!'

The UWD motto and jingle are born: You’ll be saying… “I Love My Windows!”

Exterior 200 2013

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #16 exterior remodeling company in the nation. Read More

Remodeling 550 2013

Remodeling Magazine – #14 on the Remodeling 550 list

Top Workplaces 2014

Voted a Top Workplace 2014. Read More

Bill Barr and Mike Strmac with Brian Hoyer

Partnership with the Brian Hoyer of the Cleveland Browns

Top 500 2014

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #29 home improvement company in the nation.

Weatherhead 100 2014

Weatherhead 100 Winner – #43 fastest growing company in the region. Read More

William Barr, “Four Keys for Setting and Achieving Goals” – TEDx

Exterior 200 2014

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #23 exterior remodeling company in the nation. Read More

Remodeling 550 2014

Remodeling Magazine – #15 on the Remodeling 550 list

Joe Thomas

Partnership with Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns

Top 500 2015

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #20 home improvement company in the nation. Read More

Hip 200 2015

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #17 home improvement pro list. Read More

Free Window Experience

Launch of the Free Window Experience

Universal Windows Direct of Indianapolis

Universal Windows Direct of Indianapolis location opened

Remodeling 550 2015

Remodeling Magazine – #11 on the Remodeling 550 list

Hue Jackson

Partnership with the Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns

Top 500 2016

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #16 home improvement company in the nation.

Remodeling 550 2016

Remodeling Magazine – #9 on the Remodeling 550 list

Universal Windows Direct of Columbus

Universal Windows Direct of Columbus location opened

Fifteen Year Anniversary

Celebrating 15 years of service!

Cleveland Indians Partnership

Partnership with the Cleveland Indians

Buy in July promotion is a huge success. UWD gives away over $2 million in home improvement because the Cleveland Indians win 15 games in a row

Top Workplaces 2017

Voted a Top Workplace 2017

Top 500 2017

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #15 home improvement company in the nation.

Universal Windows Direct of St Louis

Universal Windows Direct of St Louis location opened

Remodeling 550 2017

Remodeling Magazine – #7 on the Remodeling 550 list

Universal Windows Direct of Northwest Kentucky

Universal Windows Direct of Northwest Kentucky (Louisville) opened.

Qualified Remodeler 2018 - Number 11

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #11 home improvement company in the nation.

Remodeling 550 2018 - #8

Remodeling Magazine – #8 on the Remodeling 550 list

Voted a Top Workplace 2018

Voted a Top Workplace 2018

Partnership with the Indianapolis Colts

Partnership with the Indianapolis Colts

Partnership with OSU Athletics

Partnership with Ohio State University Athletics

Weatherhead 100 Winner

Weatherhead 100 Winner

Joe Thomas Approved

Renewed our partnership with Joe Thomas formerly of the Cleveland Browns

Universal Windows Direct of Pittsburgh opened.

New Corporate Headquarters

Universal Windows Direct Corporate Headquarters in Bedford Heights, OH

UWD’s new home is designed to create a more fluid customer service experience while providing employees an exceptional place to grow professionally and personally.

Voted a Top Workplace 2019

Voted a Top Workplace 2019

Inc. 5000 2019 - Number 870

Inc. 5000 #870 – One of the fastest growing companies in the nation.

Remodeling 550 - Number 7

Remodeling Magazine – #7 on the Remodeling 550 list

Qualified Remodeler - Number 10

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #10 home improvement company in the nation.

Universal Windows Direct of Chicago opened

Universal Windows Direct of Milwaukee opened.

Qualified Remodeler Magazine

Qualified Remodeler Magazine – #12 home improvement company in the nation.

Virtual Consultation

Developed Virtual Consultations in response to the Global Pandemic – allowing us to continue providing service to homeowners while protecting both them and our employees.

Top Workplace 2020

Voted a Top Workplace 2020

Remodeling Magazine

Remodeling Magazine – #6 on the Remodeling 550 list

The Future

The future for Universal Windows Direct will continue to revolve around our philosophy of constant and never ending improvement. For our employees, this means always working to be the best, always growing, and always learning. For our customers, this means getting only the best quality products possible, at a reasonable value, and knowing that your investment will be protected for as long as you own your home with world-class service and support.