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Replacement Windows? Factors that Could Lower Your Household Insurance Premium

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replacement windows to lower household insurance premiumIt’s vital to ensure that your home is as safe and secure a place as it can be, from the point of view of your family’s and your well-being. However, the same factors also influence how much you pay to insure your home, and they can reduce the amount you pay for your premium each month, as well as drive it up. That’s why it’s extremely important to consider the effect that any renovation, particularly something like installing replacement windows, will have on your household insurance premium.

What You Need to Consider Before Installing Replacement Windows

Insurers won’t provide cover unless they see that you provide at least a minimum amount of security. There is no fixed standard, as burglary rates vary from one area of Toronto to another, and different types of cover come with different requirements. Many policies require, for example, that certain types of windows be fitted with particular types of locks. It is possible, if you ignore your policy when installing replacement windows, that you could actually invalidate your insurance by not fitting the required locks onto the new windows. This is definitely something you should look out for, along with other issues, such as:

  • You Can Reduce Your Premiums by Providing Higher Security – If you’ve decided to replace single-glazed windows with double-glazing replacement windows, or if you’ve installed toughened glass where there was previously only ordinary glass, you not only reduce the chances of someone breaking into your home and stealing your money and valuables – you also reduce the likelihood of your insurer taking it from you. If your insurer won’t reduce your premiums after you have made improvements to security, it’s worth looking around for alternative policies, and making it known to your current insurer that you are doing so.
  • One Rule Is Not for All – This is a major consideration if you are replacing one type of window with another, as insurance policies tend to specify exactly what types of locks need to be on which windows. In addition to that, the policy may vary in what it accepts for different window locations – the requirements for a bedroom window on the second floor, for example, are likely to be lower than those for patio replacement windows or French windows.
  • Know Your Locks – Insurers love five-lever mortice locks, so if you have the opportunity to upgrade any locks, this is usually a good choice. It’s great for your own peace of mind, too – it has five locking levers that drive into pockets in the window where the lock is fitted. Some policies may require you to have these locks fitted on all lower-level exits and windows in order to qualify for a discount. Next best to these are multi-point locking systems, which use three locking points. Regular key-operated window locks are a basic requirement for all opening windows and provide the bare minimum in terms of security.
  • Be Aware of Special Cases – As mentioned earlier, policies can be very specific in their requirements – that’s why they are often very long documents. Non-compliance with just one small item can invalidate your insurance, however, so it is important to be aware of all items which apply to you, and ensure you satisfy their requirements. One example of this is French windows, which, in addition to key-operated locks, are usually required to have key-operated mortice rack bolts on the upper and lower parts of both doors.

Whichever area of Toronto you live in, and whether you’re making minor repairs or having completely new replacement windows installed, it’s definitely worth considering whether you will be able to reduce your insurance premiums in the process.

Avoiding Windows and Doors Buying Hiccups: Have a Solid Plan

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windows and doors buying Buying windows and doors is something that seems simple enough on the face of it, but which actually has quite a lot of considerations that need to be made, including some pitfalls that must be avoided. It is important to work with suppliers and contractors who are local to the Toronto area, as they will have a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t in terms of climate, local regulations and overall architectural styles in the city. In order to make sure everything goes smoothly, it’s definitely worth having a plan or a strategy when buying.

What You Need to Consider in Your Plan When Buying Windows and Doors

Take these points into consideration before attempting to decide on exactly what you want. Your contractor may be able to offer advice and guidance, too, but the ultimate decisions will lie with you. Here are some of the things you’ll need to think about:

  • Compliance with the Building Code – All construction projects in the Toronto area are subject to the Ontario Building Code, which focuses primarily on ensuring public safety in new projects and establishes the qualification and registration requirements of building practitioners.
  • Thermal Insulation – Any new windows and doors will need to ensure that no drastic changes in temperature occur in your property as this will have an effect on the amount of money you spend on heating or cooling, in addition to your family’s overall comfort. Ensure that any new windows you order meet the requirements laid out in the building code.
  • Means of Escape – Also stipulated in the building code are each property type’s requirements for windows and doors that can be used to safely exit the building, especially in an emergency. You’ll only need to consider this if you are altering egress windows, or changing the location of any windows and doors. If you are blocking up any exits, you should consult the code to ensure your renovations will be legal.
  • Safety Glazing – Be sure that the glass you purchase meets safety requirements, especially if it is to be installed at low levels. Ordinary glazing is not approved for these areas and you will need to purchase toughened or laminated glass. For smaller panes and those at higher levels, ordinary glazing satisfies the regulations, but you should also consider your home’s security – ordinary single glazing offers very little protection from would-be intruders.
  • Safety of the Overall Structure – If you are making large-scale changes, such as widening window bays and moving doors, you will need to ensure that the proper structural support is not compromised. Be particularly cautious of carrying out any such changes in older buildings, as the timber frames of windows were often used to carry the loads of walls or roofs, without the use of lintels. Your new window frame will probably need to be reinforced.
  • Adequate Ventilation Needs to Be Protected – Bear in mind the size of windows and windows openings and take into consideration what effect they will have on the overall ventilation of each room and the building as a whole. Even if it is permitted under building regulations, installing windows which do not open at all is generally not a good idea, as problems can and do occur from time to time with furnaces and air conditioners.
  • Choose a Style, Materials and Colours that You Like – It’s your home and you’re the one who is going to be living in it, so make sure that you get the styles and colours that you want. uPVC windows can last over 30 years, aluminum over 50 years, so you’re unlikely to replace them more than once, if at all.

If there is a particular reason for your refurbishment that is of special importance to you – it might be energy efficiency, capturing a certain style or sustainability – then discuss this with your contractor at the outset of the project. It’s important that you’re both on the same page from the get-go, in order to achieve the results you want, from the design stage, through to the sourcing of the right materials and the installation process, right up to adding the final touches. Be clear about what you want and don’t easily compromise.

Window Installation: Why Professionals are Worth their Money

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window installation professionals are worth their moneyWhile the DIY movement is laudable in many regards there are times and circumstances when the impulse to do it yourself at all cost should probably take a back seat to caution. Window installation is one of those times and there are a lot of reasons why that we’ll get into below. Before we begin though you might want ask yourself the following questions if you’re contemplating installing your own replacement windows.

  • Do you have any knowledge of house framing?
  • Do you know anything about siding?
  • Do you know the difference between a jamb and an apron?
  • Are you familiar with local building codes?

If you answered “no” to these questions you’ll likely want to enlist the help of a qualified window installation professional. Otherwise you could wind up not only installing the windows improperly but damaging your home and voiding the warranty in the process.

4 Good Reasons to Hire Pros for your Window Installation

The knowledge and experience necessary to install new replacement windows on your Toronto home far outstrips the knowledge necessary to say, replace tiles on your kitchen counter backstop. Windows are essential elements of the home’s environmental, security and value profiles. Mucking up the installation can have far reaching implications. Here are 4 reasons why you should never install windows yourself.

  • Time: A professional can typically install 1 replacement window per hour. Chances are it might take even a talented DIYer a half day or more to get the window installed properly. During that time the house is wide open to the elements. Multiply 4 or 5 hours by the number of windows in your home and you have an idea why people prefer to have pros do it. On top of that, if you have a multi-storey home it will likely take you the better part of a day to install a second or third floor window properly.
  • Experience: There’s simply no substitute for knowing what to do when things hit a snag. Maybe the framing is not configured the way you expected or the exterior siding shears off unexpectedly or the new window simply doesn’t want to square up the way the other windows did. Experienced window installation pros have seen it all so when a bump in the road occurs they’re ready.
  • Coverage: Let’s say a DIYer is installing a replacement window on the second floor and suddenly they lose their grip. The window goes crashing to the ground not only breaking into pieces but injuring a person who was standing below watching. In that most unfortunate of circumstances the DIYer will be wholly responsible from both a financial and legal standpoint. Having a pro install your windows shifts responsibility to the installer who will be fully covered in case of just such occurrences.
  • Warranty: While most warranties won’t specify that you must use a professional installer they will specify that if the job is not done to code and to the manufacturer’s exact specifications that the warranty is void. Realistically, who do you think has the better chance of bringing the project to completion in a way that will satisfy both local building codes and those manufacturer’s specs? If you said the professional you’re absolutely right.

Toronto Doors and Windows are the company to call for all your door and window needs. From sales and installation to repair and maintenance we do it all and we do it for a price that won’t cause sticker shock. If you’re contemplating a replacement window installation for your home give us a call on 647-932-3667 and discover for yourself the difference experience makes.

Are Vinyl Windows the Best Choice for Your Home?

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vinyl windows are perfect for your homeVinyl windows have become so popular that whenever the topic of replacement windows comes up people automatically assume you’re talking about vinyl. That’s both a testament to what vinyl brings to the table and a commentary on how little folks remember about the positive qualities of the alternative materials; notably wood and aluminum. Because no matter how much market share vinyl gobbles up wood and aluminum windows are not yet obsolete and still have things going for them that might make them the right choice for your Toronto home.

Determining if Vinyl Windows are your Best Choice

Like many things that are wildly popular vinyl windows are neither as perfect as their proponents say they are nor as awful as their detractors claim. Fact is they’re perfect for many types of homes and maybe not so perfect for others. Below we’ll take a look at vinyl vs the main alternatives.

WOOD

Wood was the window material of choice for hundreds of years but in the past few decades it’s seen its share of the window market drop precipitously. However, wood still has certain attributes some homeowners find irresistible and they include:

  • It’s the genuine article.
  • Wood is a great aesthetic fit for older homes
  • New wood window frames compare favourably to vinyl in energy efficiency.
  • Complete design freedom, including the ability to paint them whatever colour you choose.

Just as wood still has some attributes that make it a smart choice for some homeowners it’s not without its potential downside. Negative aspects of wooden window frames include:

  • They rot and crack over time.
  • They need a lot of attention.
  • They tend to be less secure from break-ins.
  • They’re expensive.

ALUMINUM

Aluminum were cutting edge for a while but saw their star fade like wood, with the ascendancy of vinyl. They still have some definite advantages over wood and vinyl though, including:

  • They tend to be more durable than wood.
  • They can be painted or powder-coated.
  • They tend to be stronger than wood or vinyl.
  • They’re lighter than wood or vinyl.
  • They can be completely recycled.

Those are all good things but you know there have to be some drawbacks or aluminum would be the window material of choice instead of vinyl. Those drawbacks include:

  • Aluminum tends to pit and can corrode over time.
  • Aluminum windows are, unfortunately, great at conducting heat or cold.
  • They are not as good at noise reduction as vinyl are.
  • Tend to be more expensive.

VINYL

And finally we come to vinyl, which, because of its extraordinary popularity doesn’t mind waiting to go last. That extraordinary popularity is based on the fact that vinyl replacement windows:

  • Won’t fade, pit or rot over time.
  • Are completely corrosion resistant.
  • Are generally more attractive than aluminum.
  • Are far more scratch resistant than aluminum.
  • Provide some of the best energy efficiency ratings in the industry.
  • Are virtually maintenance free unlike wood or aluminum.
  • Are typically less expensive than aluminum or wood.
  • Conduct virtually no heat or cold.
  • Retain their finish for years.

But as we stated at the outset vinyl windows aren’t perfect. Some of their known vulnerabilities include:

  • Thicker frames than aluminum or wood i.e. slightly smaller window panes.
  • Typically not a great match for older homes, especially if you seek authenticity.
  • You should be careful who you buy them from since the market is flooded with low quality knock offs from overseas.

With all they have going for them it’s pretty easy to see then why vinyl windows have made such inroads into the replacement window market. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of vinyl replacement windows call Toronto Doors and Windows today.

Entrance Doors: Your complete pre-winter health check-up

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entrance doors pre-winter checkWinter in Ontario is no joke. Snow starts falling in November and doesn’t stop until April. At the same time temperatures can spend weeks in a row below zero with howling winds out of the northwest and ice coating everything from the driveway to the knob on the front door. No, winter in this part of the world is not for the meek or the weak, nor does it show any pity to homes that are not properly prepared. This year, when holiday guests arrive to spend time and share in the joy of the season, make sure they’re not afraid to take off their sweater by securing your entrance doors against the worst of the elements.

Entrance Doors Let in More Than Your Guests

Most drafts originate at or around the entrance doors. With that in mind and winter looming autumn is then the perfect time to perform an entry door check-up before the polar vortex imposes itself on your holiday celebrations. Here are some things to look for visa-vie your entry doors before the winter sets in.

  • Check the weatherstripping: The weatherstripping around your door is there for a reason. Make sure it’s the first thing you check on your entrance doors. No special abilities are required to add new or replace worn weatherstripping. Any DIYer can handle it with relative ease. If your weatherstripping was in bad shape then restoring it to its proper state should produce a significant reduction in drafts as well as a difference on your utility bill each month.
  • Paint the door: The Toronto winter takes no prisoners when it comes to the exterior facing elements of your home. If things aren’t properly sealed against the forces of nature they’re in for a rough ride. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your entry doors in the fall will help them weather the coming storm (both literally and figuratively) and emerge unscathed in the spring time.
  • Check the hardware: Loose hinges can cause entrance doors to hang unevenly on their frame and allow air to leak in, even if your weatherstripping is up to snuff. Have someone in to check all the door’s hardware including the hinges, doorknobs/handles and locks before the winter starts. Also, if you have a deadbolt, make sure the action is smooth and that the bolt doesn’t get caught at any point on the door jamb.
  • Consider upgrading: If your door has seen better days the smartest move may be to simply replace it, frame and all. Entry door replacements provide the highest ROI of any home improvement project. Did you know that? Installing a new insulated steel door and frame will not only stop the drafts and keep the precious heat in the house where it belongs, it will also make your front entryway virtually impenetrable.
  • Gussy it up: The holidays are coming for Pete’s sake! Don’t let your front door say “I don’t care”. Get in the spirit of things by going out and getting a nice big holiday wreath to hang smack dab in the middle of the door. Better yet, recruit the kids and make a family project out of creating your own holiday wreath. Your front door will love you for it.

Toronto Doors and Windows are the GTAs premier window and door sales and installation professionals. If you’d like to make sure your home’s entrance doors and windows are secured against the coming winter give us a call. We’ll send someone out to make sure your home will be cozy warm and inviting for your family and friends until the flowers begin pushing up through the ground come April.

Window Replacement? Why You Won’t Regret Choosing Casement Windows

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Benefits of Casement Windows for window replacementCasement windows swing open like doors and have long been a favourite of homeowners. They can be hung individually or as an opposing pair within a single frame. Casement windows are sometimes confused with awning windows which, unlike casements, open from the bottom and hoppers which pull open from the top. Casements can be seen on virtually every type of home in the Greater Toronto area from classic Victorians in Cabbagetown to ultra-chic odes to minimalist splendour in Rosedale. Below we’re going to take a short walk through the many advantages and benefits of window replacement using casement windows.

6 Reasons to Consider Casement Windows for your next Window Replacement Project

Casement windows. The very name has an air of sophistication and luxury about it. And that’s just one of the many positive aspects of this style of window replacement. Here are 6 more:

  1. Beauty: Before they’re anything else casement windows are just plain beautiful to behold. They can be classic or contemporary, add subtle charm or modern pizzazz, swing open or crank open and they let in the sunshine like nobody’s business. Frames are available in a variety of colours and can be mixed and matched to create a clean, elegant profile.
  1. An airtight seal: Almost no other type of window will seal up as tight as casement windows. When you pull your casement shut and turn the handle to the closed position you have the closest thing a homeowner can get to a vacuum seal. Virtually no air will leak in or out meaning the days of bundling up on the couch against drafts will be history.
  1. Energy efficiency: Where this type of window replacement really shines is when you purchase them with double pane insulated glass. Between the vacuum seal and the double panes of glass you’ll experience significant savings on your heating and air conditioning bills as compared to old wood framed single pane windows.
  1. Increased air flow: In the spring your casement windows will swing open completely allowing for a level of air flow you likely never experienced before. Casement windows have long been known for their ability to promote ventilation and new casement windows won’t let you down in that regard. If the breeze won’t come to you they’ll reach out and catch it, redirecting it into the house and clearing out the mustiness of winter.
  1. Easy maintenance: If you’ve ever spent hours trying to get into the upper corners on the outside of standard windows you’ll raise your hands in celebration at how easy casement windows are to clean. No more struggling. No more having to hire window cleaning services to reach the outside of those attic windows on the 3rd floor. And if you have casement windows that open inward cleaning is absurdly simple.
  1. Durability: Because there are very few moving parts on a casement window and no need for them to slide up and down on tracks there are fewer things to go wrong than with some other types of windows. This is true whether yours swing open or crank open. A number of factors will play into how long your new vinyl casement windows will last but if you take proper care of them their lifespan will be measured in decades not years.

Toronto Doors and Windows are GTA’s go-to source for quality vinyl and aluminum window replacement. With more than 15 years of experience we’re experts in the field and will match you up with new replacement windows that will make your house shine while providing substantial energy savings, enhanced function and market value. Call us today to find out more.