We are considering upgrading some or all of our windows to High Performance Windows. Where should we begin?

Replacing some or all of your windows can easily cost thousands of dollars. This is a good place to start. The Consumers Guide to Buying Energy Efficient Windows and Doors is an excellent source of information. This will help you understand the basics of windows and doors, styles and features, to more detailed information on vinyl extrusions, Low E coatings, gas fills, spacers, as well as installation methods. Once you have familiarized yourself with this information you will be better able to access the quotes you receive.

Each company assures us that they do quality work. How do I know the job will be done right?

Written references are ok, but they can't show you the kind of workmanship that will be performed, nor can they guarantee that your installer is the same as the installer in a written reference. If at all possible talk with a previous customer. Windows must be installed squarely to ensure proper performance, an easy way to check this is to open 1 sash (on either a horizontal or vertical sliding window) then slide it slowly toward the main frame until there is a slight gap between the two. If this gap is uniform it indicates the window has been installed squarely, if the gap is wide at one side and small at the other, the window is improperly installed. Look at the mouldings that were installed with the windows, are the miters tight? On the exterior, look at any aluminum capping that has been done, are the joints tight and fastened with screws? Is the caulking neat?. Ask if this person's home was protected using drop sheets. Was the property left clean? Did the installer demonstrate how to operate your new windows?

Everyone talks about their "Spacer". Why is this so important?

A spacer is the material, which bonds 2 pieces of glass together, creating an insulated glass unit or "sealed unit". A good spacer can improve the efficiency of a sealed unit by up to 20%, reducing the transfer of cold from the outer to the inner pane. A warmer inside pane means greatly reduced condensation. A poor spacer (usually metal) allows for the transfer of cold to the inside pane, meaning more condensation. This moisture must drain and usually ends up under the sealed unit. When water freezes below an insulated glass unit it can cause stress on the unit resulting in seal failure (the bond between the 2 panes of glass is broken). Your sealed unit has now lost its insulation value. You now have 2 choices, to pay to have this unit replaced or to live with "foggy" uninsulated glass.
*Look for a high efficiency spacer with Warm Edge Technology, and a minimum 20-year non-pro rated warranty.

Should I have my windows installed inside my old frames or have the old frames replaced?

If your home was built in the 80's or 90's you should consider removing the old frames:

• Most existing wood window frames have very little or no insulation between them and the frame of the house. Having high performance windows installed on such frames is really only doing half the job, as cold air will still penetrate your home around the wood frame.
• You will lose a significant amount of glass area by having a new vinyl window installed on an existing wood frame.
• Existing frames are not shimmed to support your new vinyl window, which will cause it to sag in the future, resulting in problems with drafts and leaks with you new window.

If you choose to have your new windows installed "Brick to Brick" (or siding to siding) you will have eliminated the 3 problems stated above. You will also eliminate the bulky look of the aluminum capping that is used cover over wood that remains.

How do I know air won't leak in when I have my windows installed "Brick to Brick" (siding to siding)?

Your old wood frame is completely removed, and clearance is allowed when measuring so that foam insulation can be injected around your new window. The sources of drafts have been eliminated.

How do I know if I am getting brick to brick or siding-to-siding windows done the proper way?

Brick to brick (or siding to siding) windows will come from the manufacturer with a vinyl brickmould on the outside of your window, as well as an interior wood jamb extension. Wood is the preferred material for the jamb extension as it is easily adjusted for different wall thickness. New Interior mouldings (casing trim) should be included to finish the installation properly.

Why should I choose Vinyl over other materials used for windows?

We all know that wood windows require many hours of maintenance, and the end result is always flaking paint or rotting sills:

• Wood windows do not have an internal drainage system, meaning the water has to pass over the frames to drain.
• Fibreglass windows do have an internal drainage system but the corners of the frame are screwed and caulked together. This means that through expansion and contraction the corners will open up, resulting in air and especially water leakage.
• Aluminum Windows have the same corner leak problems as Fiberglass, as well as being colder.
• Vinyl is the most durable product with very little maintenance. All corners are welded together, leaving no chance of leakage.

However, not all windows are the same! Look carefully at a cross section of a vinyl window frame. Count the number of chambers, and note the thickness of the chamber walls. Multi-chamber construction is crucial; the frame must be able to properly support the glass. Also, the more chambers in an extrusion the better the insulation value. Avoid vinyl windows that require added steel or wood to the interior of the extrusion. This is usually an indication of a weak extrusion.

What is the difference between U.P.V.C. and P.V.C. ?

U.P.V.C. stands for Unplasticized Poly Vinyl Chloride, meaning it has no plasticizers added, making the extrusion more rigid and consequently more easily broken under stress. P.V.C has plasticizers added, giving greater flexibility without compromising the strength of the extrusion.

How is it possible for a window contractor to offer a 40% discount on my window order?

Beware of any window dealer offering huge discounts. Often they have inflated their prices to make an inferior window seem like a good deal. If possible try to obtain 2 or more quotes on the same brand of window, making it obvious which discounts are genuine.