Replacement Windows

All 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 of 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.

 

If the time has come to seriously consider replacing the windows in your home, the first thing you will need to do is to obtain a number of quotations from firms that supply and install them in Toronto. However, you will need to make sure that you are obtaining quotes from reputable firms or you may not be comparing like for like when you look at the overall cost each supplier has quoted. Below, we have compiled a list of tips that we hope will help you to zero in on the most reputable replacement window companies in the city.

Factors to Consider When Requesting Quotes for Replacement Windows

Before you ask a company for a quotation, consider the following factors and ask any questions you may need to ask, in order to ascertain whether they are a reputable, reliable supplier and installer.

• Previous Installations – The best way to establish whether a particular company is capable of delivering on their promises is to inspect previous installations they have completed. In some cases this will require permission from the owners of the properties in question but in other cases, you may be able to simply drive slowly past the houses to see the condition of the replacement windows they feature.
• Testimonials – A company in good standing that has been operating in Toronto and the surrounding area for a number of years is sure to be able to provide you with copies of testimonials they have received from satisfied customers. If this is not the case, it is probably best to cross them off your list and look for other suppliers in the area that can.
• Free Estimates – A reputable firm should not charge you for putting together an estimate. When you ask them how much the replacement windows you are interested in are likely to cost, they should be happy to provide you with a free estimate that is both accurate and detailed.
• Online Reviews – If you want to research a company before you approach them, you can search for online reviews that other customers have written. However, the absence of any such reviews is not necessarily a sign that the company in question is unreliable. If you cannot find any reviews on the internet, you may like to move on to the next suggestion.
• Asking for Personal Recommendations – Friends, relatives, and work colleagues in Toronto are all possible sources of information when you are looking for reputable firms that sell and install replacement windows. Make a note of any they recommend and be sure to ask those companies for quotations.
• Asking Awkward Questions – When you first get in touch with a company that you wish to request a quotation from, make a point of asking a few difficult questions to see how they respond. A reputable firm that is focused on customer service will be more than happy to provide you with any information you require whereas one that is only interested in turning a quick profit will probably be reluctant to answer all of your questions.

If you would like to obtain a competitive quotation for replacement windows from a well regarded company in the city that supplies high quality products and has a first-class installation team, please feel free to call us on 647-932-3667 during normal working hours. Alternatively, you can complete the Get a Free Quote form on our site and submit it whenever you wish. Once we have your phone number and email, we will be able to get in touch with you to discuss your needs at a convenient time.

There’s no shortage of websites and articles created by DIYers pleading with you to repair your old windows instead of replacing them. While everyone is entitled to their opinion the fact is that in the majority of cases when it comes down to repair or replace, replacement windows are the better choice. Perhaps the only time you should consider trying to resuscitate old, broken down windows is if your Toronto home is of historic significance. Short of that, replacement is typically the smart, cost-effective choice and we’ll tell you why.

Six Signs You Need to Consider Replacement Windows

There comes a time in nearly every homeowner’s life when they’ll be faced with the repair or replace dilemma. Here are six such circumstances:

• Your Heating bills have gone through the roof – If you’re sitting at the kitchen table staring in disbelief at January’s heating bill and you’re wearing a sweater to defend against the drafts coursing through the house: you can no longer afford to ignore the window problem.

• Let’s talk about that sweater – You wear a sweater in your home not because you’re trying to make a fashion statement with the pizza delivery guy but because you simply can’t crank the heat high enough to compensate for the cold air rushing in around the rotten casements. Time to take a long, hard look at the windows and decide whether to repair or replace.

• Your windows are rattling in the wind – You’re trying to talk to your friend on the phone but the rattling of the windows is drowning out their voice. When the rattling began a couple of years ago you thought it added character to the house, now you know that each rattle is costing your money and it’s time to consider repairing or replacing the windows.

• Your curtains take on a life of their own – If you’re sitting on the sofa trying to enjoy a movie and you notice the curtains bulging and fluttering there’s a better than even chance it’s not ghosts. Every time a burst of fresh, cold air pushes back the curtains, warm air you paid to heat is escaping the house to make room. Time to consider replacement windows.

• Your windows are nearly impossible to open or close – If your windows are sticking, catching and generally refusing to budge there’s more going on than just humidity. What happens if you need to open a window in an emergency? Time to discuss repairing or replacing them.

• You can clearly hear conversations of people in the yard – If you’re relaxing at your kitchen table and can overhear every word your kids are saying in the yard through the closed windows, it’s a clear sign that you need to consider either repairing or replacing them.

In all of these cases replacing the old windows will yield increased energy savings, enhanced curb appeal and increased market value for your home. Breaking out the screwdrivers, caulk, putty knives and window insulation kits instead will do little but kick the can of replacement responsibility down the road a bit or into the lap of the next owner. In the meantime you’ll continue to experience higher energy bills and lower home value than you would if you opted for replacement windows.

When it’s time to replace your leaky old windows with new, energy efficient, double-pane aluminum or vinyl windows call the experts at Toronto Doors and Windows. You can rest easy knowing that the GTA’s most trusted and experienced replacement windows company is on the job. In just a matter of days we’ll breathe new life into your beloved home and set it on a sustainable course for the coming years.