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The Right Replacement Window Solutions for Your Toronto Home

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There are several reasons why people in the Greater Toronto area need replacement windows, and each case is as individual as a snowflake. Some homeowners, during the planning stages of a remodel or renovation, will decide replacement windows will add value, stylish looks, and increased energy efficiency to their project. A growing family with young children may decide that their family room needs to be brighter and more open and look to replacement window solutions to achieve this goal.

For the myriad reasons Toronto homeowners look for replacement windows, there are just as many, if not more, options for them to consider, and the selection process can be mind-numbing. One thing that is fairly straightforward to understand, would be the few types of installation options that go with window replacement. With few exceptions, every replacement window project will fall into one of these installation categories, and as you might expect, each has its unique advantages.

Replacement Window Options in Toronto

When replacing windows, there are only three main types of installation used. Full frame replacement/installation, pocket solution, and swing-out sash replacement.

  • Full Frame Replacement – Most commonly used when changing the size or shape of the window.
  • Pocket Solution – Quickly and easily replace the key parts of the window, without disturbing the interior or exterior trim.
  • Swing out Sash – Replaces the smallest amount of the window assembly, without disturbing the frame, interior, or exterior trim.

Full frame replacement is the right choice when you intend to change the size or shape of a window. The existing window is removed, all the way down to the bare studs. Interior and exterior trim and siding are removed and, depending on the requirements of your new installation, the hole can now be re-cut or reshaped. When preparation is complete, the entire window assembly is placed into the new framing, and secured with a nailing track along the outer edge. Now, all interior trim and exterior siding and trim can be re-installed.
Pocket Solution installation is a less invasive method of replacing windows, in that the existing frame remains intact, and only the actual window assembly is replaced. As long as you intend to keep with the existing size and style of the window, this is an affordable and easy replacement window solution. The bracket trim of the old window is removed and the window properly cleaned and prepped, then the new window assembly is just lifted into place within the old frame, and secured by re-installing the bracket trim. It really is that easy.
Swing out Sash window replacement solutions are the least invasive of all, and besides accurate measurements, are a snap to install. The old sash (just the framed glass portion of the window) is removed and the existing frame and window track are cleaned and prepped. The replacement window is then simply lifted into place and settled into the existing track, then the whole assembly is re-secured.

Quick, Easy Window Replacement in Toronto

So many more factors will affect your window replacement decisions for your home in the Greater Toronto area than just the right installation for your needs. A huge selection of styles and materials, colors, and especially energy ratings. Your new windows can be ordered in a variety of frame styles and virtually limitless colors, making for a very challenging buyer’s decision, but when it comes to energy efficiency, this is where the data can become downright confusing.

The energy efficiency of your new windows can make a huge difference in your heating and cooling costs – according to Energy Star, it can be up to 15 percent – and while you have those windows all taken apart, it is always advisable to inspect the exposed areas for insulation and make sure everything is properly sealed with caulk and weather stripping. Your new windows may be top-rated for energy efficiency, but that won’t mean anything if air is simply leaking around it.

Window shape, trim style, color, configuration, and features will all affect your final choices, just as well as price, but rest assured a friendly, expert window replacement specialist can walk you through all the options to narrow down your choices into something a bit more manageable. When you’ve chosen the style, color, trim style and features of the new windows, it may be a good idea to talk with your window replacement guy about the window’s configuration.

Configuration, in essence, refers to how a window functions in regard to opening and closing. Other basic features become standard with certain types of installation, but the configuration you choose will have certain advantages or disadvantages to bear in mind.
Casement windows are one-piece windows that swing open from the side, while awning windows do the same, but swing from the top, creating a sort of glass awning when open. Hopper windows swing out from the bottom. All of these window configurations offer good energy efficiency, because unlike sliding windows, the window is pressed into the frame when closed, effectively sealing the entire assembly.

Hung, and double hung, windows slide in a track within the window’s frame, and generally allow a certain amount of air leakage that can affect the efficiency rating of the window. Double hung windows are convenient, because each separate sash slides up and down for more airflow options and easier cleaning and maintenance. Sliding windows are basically hung windows turned sideways, like a glass patio door, and have the same air leakage issues to consider as hung windows.

For obvious reasons, fixed installation, or “set” windows, are among the most energy efficient, because the do not open. There are usually a few different places in your Toronto area home where you could use this type of window to help with your heating and cooling bills.
Whatever replacement windows you decide on for your Toronto home, remember to call the qualified, knowledgeable specialists at Toronto Doors and Windows to help you make the right choices for you.

Call Toronto doors & windows today for replacement windows in Toronto

 

Choosing the Right Windows and Doors for Your Toronto Home

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So you’re building a new home in Toronto, and you want your windows and doors to match the décor, and also provide security and comfort for your family. We all want style, function and safety from our windows and doors, but is there an easy way to choose from the myriad of styles and materials out there? Okay, not really, but maybe these pointers will help you narrow down your search.

The Best Doors and Windows for You

Too many times, we get hung up on price, looks or availability, instead of concentrating on the points that will keep us satisfied with our choices in the years to come. Remember, your home is a long-term investment, and it should increase in value over the years.
Many factors went into the design of your new Toronto area home; a lot of attention to detail, and those same details are important when selecting the right windows and doors. These factors include…

  • Durability – Do your windows and doors need to withstand a hurricane, or a neighbor’s stray baseball?
  • Energy Rating – How energy efficient are they?
  • Function – Do you need windows that swing in for easy cleaning, or do other features suit your needs better?
  • Security – How hard would it be for a motivated person to break into your home?
  • Design – You wouldn’t put a bay window on a bomb shelter. What windows and doors look the best for your style of home?
  • Pricing – What is the best quality of windows and doors that fit your budget?

When it comes to durability, this should be one of your main deciding factors, along with efficiency and security. You want the most rugged windows and doors you can afford, with the best energy rating available. Sure, the stray baseball is likely to happen at some point in the life of your home, but maybe not the hurricane. But a good summer storm can turn a tree limb into a projectile, and a single pebble picked up by the lawn mower could do some notable damage as well. Metal cased windows have wooden sashes and sills on the inside and sturdy metal casing on the outside, adding to the durability and security of the window and, in many cases, adding to the energy rating too.

Energy rating denotes how well your doors and windows insulate against the elements. If you’ve ever been in an older home during the winter months, and placed your hand on a pane, it was probably ice cold. Modern windows are generally 2- or 3-pane with inert gas between the layers to prevent the conduction of heat from one side of the window to the other. Energy Star claims you can save from 7 to 15 percent on your energy bills when you choose energy efficient windows, so examine your options carefully. The same holds true for doors. Steel doors are usually very well insulated, but not always, so be sure to look at the numbers and ask pertinent questions when viewing your selections.

More to Consider Than Price for Toronto Windows and Doors

Do you have enough space on the patio for doors that swing, or would you prefer doors that glide, or accordion fold? How about some pretty French doors? And what about your windows? Double hung windows are easy to clean, because both sections slide up and down, but they are not as easy to maintain as the ones that swing in. Do you want windows that swing open to one side or the other on the outside? Again, examine your options and decide what is right for you.
There are a lot of little things you can do around your new Toronto home to make it safer and more secure for your family. Many options are available that affect your home security. A steel front door with a sturdy, double cylinder deadbolt and chain, probably seems obvious. But you’ve got those big glass patio doors around back, and all those glass windows to consider. No home is, or ever will be, 100 percent burglar proof, but look for the windows and doors that will be the most work for a would-be intruder. Again, there are a lot of options available, so look things over carefully.
The windows and doors from a southwestern villa style home would probably look out of place on a Tudor style house. Yes, almost all windows and doors come in a variety of colors, but it will take more than good color choice to match the style of your home. Front doors come in several styles that include windows in them, and some have extra-wide view peepholes in them too. Look carefully at your options here as well.

Great Prices on Toronto Windows and Doors

Price will ultimately seal the deal on your window and door selection process, but don’t let it be the main deciding factor. Slightly more expensive windows with a higher energy rating will pay for themselves in lowered energy costs. Less expensive windows may not be as durable or secure, and you may end up paying to replace one sooner rather than later. You don’t intend to throw your money around, but think carefully about spending a little more of your budget for the best windows and doors you can get. Between energy savings, durability, and security, they will most likely be worth every penny.

The Right Company for Your Toronto Windows and Doors

You will be pleased to know that your Toronto area home, new or old, can get the quality windows and doors it needs. When you know what windows and doors you want, you can find them all at a great price from a company that is dedicated to customer service, with a great selection of styles and materials to choose from. When your Toronto area home needs windows and doors, call Toronto Doors and Windows, and we’ll take good care of you.

Call us today for all your Toronto windows and doors!

 

Save Money with Energy Efficient Windows in Toronto

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Your Toronto home is an investment, and anything you can do to save money is going to help you in the long run. Energy efficient windows are an easy way to do just that. The right windows can save you up to 15 percent on your energy bills. So just what makes an energy efficient window work to save you all that money? Here’s a little crash course.

What Makes Energy Efficient Windows Work for Your Toronto Home?

Energy efficient windows all do basically the same thing. They insulate the inside of your home from the outside. How well they accomplish this task is indicated by an efficiency rating, which is a number listed on the packaging. Your replacement window professional can help you understand what these numbers mean, and help you choose the right windows for your home or office.
Some of the numbers to look at when choosing the right energy efficient windows for your application are –

  • U-Factor – This is the rate that your window transfers heat from one side to the other. The lower this number is, the better.
  • SHGC – This stands for solar heat gain coefficient, and represents the amount of solar energy transmitted through the glass in the form of radiant heat. Again, the lower the better.
  • VT – Visible Transmittance indicates how much visible spectrum light is allowed to pass through the glass of your windows.
  • LST – Light to Solar Gain is a ratio between SHGC and VT and provides a gauge of how efficient a window is at transmitting daylight while blocking heat gain.

Energy Star claims the right energy efficient windows can lower your energy bills by 7 to 15 percent, which means your windows should be able to pay for themselves over time. Taking advantage of a window’s particular properties can make a big difference as well. For example, in passive solar applications, the south facing windows in a home are intended to aid in heating the home during the winter months. This same concept will help your energy consumption if you use windows with a higher SHGC that will allow more solar heat into your home in the winter. Overhangs or awnings over these windows will cut down on solar heat transmission in the summer.
Visible transmittance is important for your home application where your main window concern is natural lighting. Your home’s various rooms will have different lighting needs, some of which may be met most of the year with natural light, so the right VT windows in the right places will also be useful to you.
Light to Solar Gain rating will be the most important factor to consider for the summer months with regard to the rooms receiving the most natural light. These areas of your home will be brighter in the summer, but a good LST will prevent unnecessary heating.

The Right Energy Efficient Windows for the Job

As you can see, there are a great number of things that will go into choosing the right energy efficient windows for your Toronto home, and these factors may be slightly different for each different area and application of your house as well. The way energy efficient windows are constructed also affects how well they do their job, so be ready to ask pertinent questions before you make your final selections. Again, a qualified window replacement expert can help you make these decisions.
The construction and material of the window’s frame is a detail that affects the window’s U-Factor, because this is the place where the window can conduct the most heat. Glass is not particularly conductive in its own right. Most energy efficient windows are framed in aluminum or other metal alloy which is then vinyl coated to reduce the conductivity.
Besides its inherent non-conductive tendencies, the panes of the windows themselves can be coated in various compounds that either reduce visible transmittance, raise the insulation quality or provide additional solar heat gain coefficient to the windows.
Multi-pane applications basically sandwich an inert gas, like krypton, between the layers, producing non-conductive “dead air” space that virtually stops heat conduction entirely. Multi-pane windows generally have a higher U-factor and lower SHGC. These are among the more expensive windows on the market but, generally speaking, they are well worth the price.
Of course, one very important point to remember is, you can spend a fortune on the most energy efficient windows on the market, taking the time to hand pick every window for your home, making sure it will be the best one for that particular application, and none of this will do you any good if they are not properly installed. The windows must be properly sealed with caulk when they are placed in the walls, and quality weather stripping should be used as well.
And you should also put a little thought into the operation of these energy efficient windows. Some places around your home will be perfectly suited to windows that don’t open at all, while others may need to be used for lighting and ventilation during the warmer seasons. There are several different applications to consider here too. Casement windows are hinged along one side, and swing outward when they open, while awning and hopper windows do pretty much the same thing, except they swing out from the top and bottom respectively. These types of windows are more efficient than others because, the window is pressed firmly against the frame when closed, so there is less air leakage.
Sliding and hung windows are the more commonly recognized types that raise and lower, or in the case of sliding windows, open like a patio door. These generally allow a lot more air leakage, and are less energy efficient.
So it’s obvious at this point that a lot of different factors will influence your choices when selecting the right energy efficient windows for your Toronto area home. When you are ready for assistance choosing your energy efficient windows, call the pros at Toronto Doors and Windows, and we’ll be happy to help.

Call us today for your Toronto energy efficient windows needs

Choose From a Variety of Patio Doors

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Are you looking to install patio doors in your home? Then you have come to the right place. We have got a lot of variety to choose from.
Basically you need to understand how the patio doors will function in your home. As you know the patio doors are used to connect an interior room to the patio. If it is a home, this room could be the living room, drawing room or even a bedroom. The patio doors could be made of wood in Victorian style as they look beautiful or could be mostly of glass.

If they are made of glass, they will project the view of the beautiful patio to the inside and when out on the patio the doors will have to be practical as well as aesthetically appealing to accentuate the beauty of the patio. Keeping these things in mind you can now decide what kind of patio doors you need to install.
Patio doors are available in sliding, gliding or in hinged form. You can either choose to have them opened towards inside or outside. Then you can have double doors which look really pleasant but they took up a lot of place while opening, then there are accordion type patio doors as well.

The Versatility of Glass Doors

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Glass doors rank quite high because of their versatility. They can be used practically everywhere-in houses, offices, hospitals and hotels. The good thing about glass doors is that they are very inexpensive as compared to solid wood or steel doors.
The glass doors could be fixed anywhere and in any kind of door frame. For instance glass could be used to make French doors, sliding doors, pocket doors, bi fold doors and accordion doors.
Depending on where the glass doors are going to be used, you can choose to have them colored or frosted or simply leave it plain. Glass doors could also be painted on to create unique designs that will only embody your home or office.
The glass doors can be decorated with stained glass and this will give a really beautiful effect when the sunlight shines through.
Glass doors, other than the reason that they are cheap, are also preferred to enjoy the beauty of one room or place while sitting in the other.
However in offices glass doors are utilized to give the executives their private space in the office while at the same time providing the ability to keep an eye on the subordinates.

Glass Windows

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Windows are just transparent openings may be in a masonry wall or door to allow the passage of light and air. They are held in place by frames which prevent them from collapsing. They are usually glazed or covered by a transparent, translucent material like a float glass.

Windows enhance the beauty of the house along with its purpose of ventilation. Some home decorations have glass windows fitted in wooden or metal frame. Via this natural light can travel in to the room and the room gets a lighter look. Windows must add style and function to your room.

Generally speaking, our clear glass window is traditionally the best choice but we have numerous other options available depending on the purpose and features like heat blocking, security, strength, air and light, energy efficiency etc.

The basic question that pop-up is which glass to select for windows. Here are the basic categories that we offer:

* Float Glass: It derives its name from the process by which it is made. In this process a sheet of glass is passed several times on molten tin. This kind of glass gives high visibility and clarity. This can be further fabricated in to other categories like tinted, toughened etc. However, this is very vulnerable to break-ins and does not have insulation property.
* Double glass unit: In this two layers of glass are insulated with an aluminum spacer in between. They are sealed to form one unit and the space in between is filled with dry air to improve insulation. This is perfect to prevent traffic or aircraft noise. This also reduces electricity bills as it offers perfect insulation for air conditioning or heaters. It also enhances security but at the same time in case of breakage it turns out to be a costly affair.
* Toughened glass: This is tough and sturdy glass produced by applying special heat treatment to float glass, so that it softens and then begins to cool. Once toughened in can not be redone.
* Reflective Glass: The metallic coat on top prevents radiation and it also produces a mirror effect and prevents a person from seeing through the glass window. It is best for air conditioned rooms as it reduces the impact of heat and light from the sun. It is also best for offices as outside view is blocked but insiders can view outside activities
* Laminate Glass: Here two or more layers of glass are bound together with a tough durable PVB interlayer. When broken it does not leave the frame, thus prevents injury. It improves the best sound and light insulation and is very secure.
* Single and double Pane: Double pane improves energy efficiency and hence are best options for colder countries as some double pane windows have facility of argon gas between the panes for energy saving purpose.
* Low-E: Low-emissivity is of a higher quality energy efficient glass and can reflect up to 70% of the radiant heat back from the window.
* Tempered: This is the best choice for patio and stormy areas as it is very strong and if it breaks it crumbles in to tiny pellets.

When replacing or opting for a glass window, you can check the multiple options available on our website and select the best that suits your budget and location or you can even seek our professional help to solve your purpose.