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5 Things You Shouldn’t Forget to Do When Buying Windows and Doors

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Buying new windows and doors

Buying new windows and doors for your property can be a great way to transform people’s first impressions of your home. This simple facelift can have a huge effect on how your house looks from the outside, and how it feels on the inside. However, it’s not quite as simple as clicking on the ones you like and buying online – there are a few things to consider first, and luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of things you shouldn’t forget to do to make it easier for you.

1. Consider the costs – save money now on windows and doors, or in the long run?

Given the climate in Toronto, you’re probably going to want to buy energy efficient windows and doors that not only keep heat inside during the winter but also help to repel heat in the summer. Whilst these models tend to be more expensive, you’re left with one important question – save money now on cheaper ones, or buy better models but run up the bills keeping your home hot or cold? Long term, the latter makes more sense, so you shouldn’t forget to consider this option.

2. Choose a material

As you know, doors come in all manner of different materials, from steel to wood to fiberglass. Steel doors may be cheaper, but you’re rather limited when it comes to a design or pattern. Whilst a wooden window or door may give your home more of a rustic feel, it tends to require more maintenance and care than the other options. Some fiberglass options often have a realistic wooden look, whilst also requiring little maintenance and are good insulators, so don’t rule them out.

3. Don’t forget to think about safety for your doors…

Toronto is many things to many people, but it is a big city with some areas more prone to crime than others. Regardless of where you live, the safety of those inside your city is paramount so you shouldn’t overlook it. There are many things you can do to ensure your home is safer.
For doors, a strong steel or wooden-core door helps to prevent it getting kicked in, and a strong door bolt adds even more security. A windowless door also prevents the windows being broken and burglars having access to anything in the immediate vicinity, or even reaching around and unlocking the door itself.

4. …and for your windows

For windows, make sure they also have a strong lock so would-be burglars can’t pry them open or that they have reinforced glass. More extreme options include window grilles and bars, but these aren’t always necessary.

5. Don’t get pressured into buying what you don’t need

We all know how effective salesmen can be. One minute you’re looking around a showroom, the next you’re walking home with a bunch of windows and doors that you’re not even sure you need. It’s a big, important investment for you home, so make sure you take your own time to research and rethink what it is exactly that you need. Remember – a good salesman walks you to the edge of the pool for you to jump in yourself; a bad salesman pushes you in.

In Conclusion

As you’ve read, there are many things to consider when it comes to buying windows and doors for your property. They can help you to feel cooler, warmer and safer in your home, whilst also be helping you to save on your heating bills. They’re not just the pretty face of the house, and so you shouldn’t forget to consider all of these facts when picking new ones for your home.

Why Price Doesn’t Always Indicate Performance with a Window Installation

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Replacing the windows in your home is a huge and often costly undertaking. Many homeowners find themselves overwhelmed by the many variables that go into window installation.
Better technology in windows can seem to spell out higher cost and greater complication. But homeowners need not fret. New window technology is there for your benefit. Understanding a few basics about what to look for in a window installation can be the key to turning a renovation nightmare into a breath of fresh air.

Is a Full Window Installation  Needed?

Many homeowners in areas with extreme weather like Toronto, often find themselves disheartened by high energy costs. However, changing out your windowsPrice | Performance | Window Installation | Is a Full Window Installation Needed? simply to reap the benefits of better energy bills may not be the best bet to save money in the long run.

High-tech windows can come with a higher price tag, and the savings on energy bills will take a long time to make up for an unnecessary window replacement.

Consider a new window installation only when necessary. When windows or frames have rotted or developed defects that let condensation in, for example. In some cases, replacing the entire window is not necessary and homeowners can save money by repairing or replacing only the areas that need it.

Material Matters

Consumers have become familiar with the concept that newer, higher cost materials generally mean better quality. However, this is not always the case, especially with windows.
Window frames come in many materials, but the main three are wood, vinyl and fiberglass.

The cost for a fiberglass double-hung window is generally 50-100% higher than the cost of a vinyl window. But according to Consumer Reports, fiberglass frames perform far below wood or vinyl windows in keeping out moisture.

Wood windows are the time-honoured material. Customers who expect to pay a bit more up front for their classic quality can also expect some hidden costs. They must be painted and repainted as they undergo regular wear and tear. They can also be purchased pre-painted or with an outer casing made of vinyl, adding a higher cost per window.

Vinyl windows, which come with the lowest price tag, actually need the least amount of maintenance and perform as well as wooden windows against wind and rain.

Does Energy Efficiency Pay Off?

Homeowners in need of a new window installation may be dreading the cost of energy efficient windows. Consumers in a four season climate like Toronto will be especially aware of this issue.
Energy efficient windows are designed to prevent leaks in the desired climate of your home. The most common types of energy efficient windows seen are multi-glazed and Low-Emissive. Multi-glazed windows consist of two or more panes with an insulating pocket of air or argon between them. Low-Emissive windows, commonly called Low-E, are treated with an invisible coating that reflects heat.

If it sounds like these extra measures will cost more money, it’s because they will. But again, homeowners need to weigh the long-term costs and benefits in window installation.
As long as replacements are definitely needed, market research suggests that though costs can be 10% to 20% higher on the outset, energy efficient windows will tend to pay off in the long run.

A Window is Only as Good as the Installation

The prices of windows and installations will vary greatly depending on the area. But finding a local, reputable installer is worth the extra legwork.

Don’t fall into the trap of picking an installer based solely on price. Great installers will be backed by a great reputation and body of work. Armed with a little bit of knowledge of what to look for in a window installation, you can shop around with confidence and make sure your investment falls into the best hands.

6 Ways in Which Entrance Doors Can Impact Your Home Financially

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Entrance doors are the centrepiece in the exterior of a home. Behind their obvious functionality and style however, unexpected financial benefits may lie in wait.

Entrance Doors are the Gateway to Unseen Benefits

Your home is a sealed space, carefully constructed to stave off the elements, while keeping the interior comfortable and safe. There are so many factors in the makeup of a home, that we don’t often assess each individually.

Entrance doors are particularly important. They are representatives of your home, conducting all traffic in and out of your cherished enclave while simultaneously guarding it. An improperly installed, poorly maintained, or outdated door can be an underestimated sap on your finances. On the other hand, give this household component some love and attention, and you’ll be quickly rewarded with some extra change in your pocket.

Here are some ways in which entrance doors may influence your home financially:

 Curb Appeal

Just imagine you are in the market for a house. When the realtor takes you out to look at homes, what’s the first thing you’ll most likely notice? The front door.

In the ever-competitive Toronto housing market, entrance doors can convey a lot about the value of a home. They are often the first impression prospective buyers get, not just of the style of the home, but of how the home has been cared for. A well-installed, maintained, and attractive door will start off any prospective sale on a positive note.

Energy Buffer

Aside from being an attractive asset, entrance doors can also save on energy bills. As energy-efficient technology moves forward, entrance doors are no exception. Doors must now be carefully crafted to meet energy performance standards and compete in an energy conscientious market. A door which utilizes modern technology is an ideal way to keep out extreme Toronto weather and keep costly energy leaks from occurring.

Tax Asset

As a bonus, there are now many government incentives that offer tax breaks for energy efficient renovations. A new entrance door could mean not just a lighter energy bill, but also a break on your taxes.

Prevent Break-Ins

Nobody likes to imagine the scenario, but home invasions are an unfortunate reality. What’s more, burglars are often bold enough to use your very own entrance doors to get inside. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 34% of culprits enter through the front door. Having a solidly installed entrance door, up to date in durable materials and locks is a simple way to minimize your home’s susceptibly to burglary and damage from an intruder.

Keeping the Outside Out

Water damage and pests are a common and costly problem in many homes. Homeowners report spending anywhere from $50 to as much as almost $600 on insect control per year and thousands of dollars on water damage. While it is very unlikely that all or even most of the damage is coming from vulnerable entrance doors alone, this is a simple point of entry to eliminate for these problems. Rotting wood, worn flashing, and open gaps can easily be solved with updated weatherstripping, simple adjustment, or refitting a new door.

Home Insurance

When all previously mentioned points are accounted for, insurance companies take notice. Much like a prospective buyer, insurance companies factor in the entrance door as an indicator of the vulnerability of a home. When a door is secure, properly fitted with adequate locks, weather tight, well-maintained and installed, it is viewed as a good protector against scenarios that would require an insurance payout and can therefore help to lower your home insurance rate.

What’s Behind Door Number One

Whether style icon, sturdy protector, or energy buff, behind every solid door unforeseen assets lie in wait.

Windows and Doors: 5 Things that Should Be in the Installer’s Contract

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windows and doors contractMany Toronto homeowners will have replacement doors and windows fitted this year, with the aim of improving the appearance of their properties, but not all of them will be happy with the results they achieve. Disagreements with contractors are one of the major sources of disappointment, which is why it is crucial to have a well-written contract in place before work commences on your home. If you are not sure what terms and conditions should be included in your contract, the suggestions we have included in the guide below are an excellent place to start. If you would like to hire a contractor who always ensures their customers get what they want, please do not hesitate to call us and request a competitive, no-obligation quotation: we have helped many local homeowners to transform their properties without spending an absolute fortune in the process.

Ensuring the Installation of Your New Windows and Doors Goes Smoothly

The easiest way to make sure that you are not disappointed with the work carried out on your property by the contractor you hire is to sit down and write a custom installation contract together. When doing so, be sure to cover the following 5 important points:

  1. Start Date – The date your replacement windows and doors are fixed should be stipulated in the installation contract to ensure that there are no misunderstandings. Whilst a good contractor will minimize any disruption that the installation process causes to you and your family, you will almost certainly need to be present when the work is carried out so it is important to know exactly when this will be.
  1. Scope of Work – Both you and your contractor should be in complete agreement regarding the scope of work that is to be carried out. The best way to ensure this is the case is to specify all the relevant details in your installation contract: which windows are being replaced, how many doors are included in the price you have been quoted, whether any remedial repair work will be required, etcetera.
  1. Completion Date – Just as important as the date the work is expected to commence, the anticipated completion date should always be included in the installation contracts for replacement windows and doors that Toronto homeowners draw up with their chosen contractors. This will often be the same as the start date but larger jobs may take more than a day to complete so it should be stipulated to avoid any possible confusion.
  1. Penalty Clauses – In the event that your contractor is unable to comply with the terms and conditions laid out in your agreement, it should be clear what penalty they must pay to compensate you for any inconvenience their incompetence may cause. In the majority of cases, penalties consist of fines that are deducted from the total cost of the installation work for your new windows and doors but you may choose any form of penalty that both you and your contractor feel is fair.
  1. Insurance Cover – The financial consequences of hiring a contractor with inadequate insurance could be catastrophic, which is why it is vital to ask your installation company to specify the extent of their cover in any contract you draw up together. Comprehensive liability insurance is something that all reputable contractors will have.

For more advice on what to include in your contract or to make an appointment for a member of our team to visit your home and prepare a detailed quotation for your evaluation, call or email us at any time. We supply and install top-quality replacement windows and doors across the GTA.

Design Possibilities with Vinyl Windows

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vinyl windows design possibilitiesNot so many years ago, vinyl windows were only manufactured in a handful of styles and almost all of them featured plain white frames. This meant they were only really suitable for contemporary homes with modern exteriors. However, the replacement windows industry has changed almost beyond recognition in the last couple of decades, with a huge variety of styles and colours now available to homeowners across the world today. No matter what type of property you happen to own or which part of the Greater Toronto Area you live in, we are sure you can find quality replacement windows that are perfect for your needs and within your budget. Below, we discuss just a few of the design possibilities that modern double glazing units have to offer local homeowners who wish to improve the appearance of the exterior of their houses.

How Vinyl Windows Can Transform Your Home

If you would like to get a better idea of what you can achieve with modern windows in terms of exterior design themes, consider the following possibilities.

  • Wood-Style Frames – One of the reasons that older replacement windows were unsuitable for traditional properties was the fact that white vinyl frames simply looked incongruous in such settings. However, modern vinyl units with realistic timber colours and grain effects are almost indistinguishable from windows with real wooden frames, making them an excellent choice for owners of handsome period properties in Toronto and the surrounding area.
  • Large Picture Windows – Gone are the days when manufacturing limitations meant that vinyl windows were only available in a selection of standard sizes. Today, you can order custom fabricated units in almost any size you desire and large vinyl picture windows are a popular feature of many exterior design themes for local residential properties. If you live in a house that is located in a remote suburb, with panoramic views over the surrounding countryside, this style of window is sure to be a great addition to your home.
  • Coloured Frames – Owners of homes with coloured exterior cladding have traditionally opted for windows with wooden frames, owing to the ease with which they can be painted any colour that is desired. However, modern vinyl windows can be manufactured with frames of any conceivable colour, making them an excellent choice for this type of application. Furthermore, because the pigment in each unit is actually part of the frame itself, they never need painting once they have been installed. With just a minimum of maintenance they will look fantastic for many years to come.
  • Tilt & Slide Units – If you wish to redesign your home to maximize ventilation and minimize cleaning difficulties, sliding sash units that can be tilted inwards are the perfect solution as far as windows are concerned. Vinyl windows of this nature are a great choice for contemporary properties and are sure to add real value to your home if they are properly fitted by a reputable team of experienced installers. To ensure that your home remains a bug-free zone during warm summer evenings, these units can be equipped with precision-fitted insect screens before they are installed.

While vinyl windows are suitable for many types of properties and exterior design themes, they may not always be the best choice. If, for example, the windows in your home are extremely unusual in both shape and size, you may find that timber-framed units designed specifically for your property are considerably cheaper than their vinyl counterparts. For a professional opinion on what would be the best choice for your home, call and speak to a member of our team today.

How to Tell Good and Bad Replacement Windows Design Apart

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good and bad replacement windows designAll men may be created equal but all replacement windows are not. While there are a number of reputable replacement window manufacturers out there, there are an equal number of cut-throat discount manufacturers who know how to produce a window that looks like a quality product but begins to exhibit problems almost from the moment it’s installed. But how do you tell the difference between the quality window and the fraud? It’s a question that’s kept plenty of Toronto homeowners awake at night and we’ll do our best to answer it in this post.

How to Identify Quality Replacement Windows

There are a number of different things to look for when attempting to identify a quality replacement window. Below we’ll get into a number of them.

  • The Vinyl Itself: Both “virgin vinyl” (aka that which is newly made) and recycled vinyl are virtually maintenance free. So you need to find some other way to determine quality. With vinyl that way is simple: measure the thickness. Most replacement window retailers will provide a cross section of the window. Take a good long look at it and, if possible, measure the thickness of the vinyl. You’ll want to go with the window that uses the thickest vinyl.
  • Check the Corners: There are 3 common methods used for creating corners in vinyl replacement windows; fusion welding, screws or chemical welding. Fusion welding uses heat to fuse the corner elements together into a virtually unbreakable joint. A replacement window that uses thick vinyl that is fusion-welded is a quality window. Screws and chemical welding do an adequate job but over the long-term they’re prone to cracking and leaking.
  • Look for the EnergyStar® Label: EnergyStar® is a government-backed initiative that rates the performance of appliances, building materials and the like and then displays the results on labels that are attached to the items. Some discount manufacturers, knowing their product will do badly with regards to an EnergyStar® rating simply bypass the process. If you’re contemplating a particular set of windows make sure they have the EnergyStar® label.
  • The Warranty: Of course someone who produces an inferior product is not going to offer much in the way of warranty so you should always inquire about the warranty details before you buy. How many years’ coverage do they offer? What type of warranty are they offering? (Just on the windows or on all aspects of the product?) Can you transfer the warranty to someone who buys your house? If the vinyl is painted on the outside does the warranty cover the painted finish? More is always better with warranties.
  • You Get What You Pay For: This is usually true whether you’re talking about cars or replacement windows so windows that are unbelievably cheap are probably not going to last long. Also if you see 2 windows from different manufacturers that seem comparable but one is considerably cheaper than the other, beware: they had to make up the difference somewhere. It may just take you a bit longer to discover where they cut corners. So don’t jump at a certain window just because on the surface it seems like a great deal.

Vinyl windows will make a huge difference in the way you experience your home and the amount of money you pay for heating and air conditioning. If you purchase quality. If you just go for the lowest price or neglect to look for the above quality indicators you may wind up with windows that will have to be replaced themselves in just a few years. Contact Toronto Doors and Windows for more information about high-quality vinyl replacement windows.