An essential part of a house or a business... is windows and doors. Different sizes, colors, and shapes. That is what a local company has been focusing on for people right in this region now, for many decades.

A precise operation to make windows takes place in a plant off McClelland Avenue in Erie. 

The windows are crafted by employees at Seaway Window. There's one shift of workers who also make doors for homes and businesses. It's a decades-strong, family-run operation.

"We manufacture replacement windows, in-door sliding patio doors, as well as sunroom products," said Patrick Goodrich. "Predominantly for the Northeast U.S., so that's going to be residential retrofit. So we go into everybody's home, typically replacing products in their home, on a custom basis."

Replacement or new construction products—locally and into the southern U.S. Patrick Goodrich knows the operation well. The engineer by trade once made the windows.

He's the third generation—he and his mom run things now, following his dad's retirement.

It's a business that's changed with the industry since his grandfather started Seaway in 1959. The history includes a more than 20-year-old partnership.

"We partnered with two partners at the time with Niagara Window and have grown that, rebranded that with Seaway Direct and Seaway Window," said Patrick. 

Paul Komorowski is the managing director for Seaway. He oversees the retail, installation, and community involvement.

Like snowblower and window giveaways that work closely with us here at Erie News Now. The locally made and installed windows are fit to weather Erie conditions.

Patio doors have been pretty popular since the 1970s, but nowadays one of the biggest sellers are double-hinged windows, and one of the reasons why is the windows open up, making them very easy to clean.

No matter the color or kind, it starts with meeting the customer. That can turn into staff creating an important piece of a home.

"We want to meet their schedule and make it convenient for them. It's a no-cost, free estimate," said Patrick.