Frequently Asked Questions
Window and Door Replacement can be overwhelming, feel free to browse through our frequently asked questions or contact us with any of your own. We are here for you, willing to meet at your home and go over your needs together.
- I am planning an entire exterior renovation, do I need to plan my windows first or my siding first?
Ideally, when the opportunity is there to replace your entire exterior in the same renovation you plan your windows first. This gives us access to peel back the layers on your home and install your windows and doors against the framing of the house, this will also allow a clean finish since the new siding will be installed against the new window frame.
- Why is it better to do my window and door replacement at the same time as new siding?
As a company that specializes in renovation this is the ultimate scenario. Often windows and doors tend to fail before the existing siding, naturally homeowners look to replace these as their own entity. When given the opportunity to do siding at the same time as your window installation we have full access to the building envelope of your home. This allows us to use superior installation methods using the latest knowledge and technology to keep your home properly sealed. This really is such an important process that we increase our installation warranty from 2 years as an individual install to 5 years as a combined install.
- How much does an average exterior renovation cost?
When given the opportunity to work within a realistic budget we try to find ways to maximize the value of your renovation and share a few options with you to make the final decision. An average renovation including new windows and doors, exterior vinyl siding, some accents like shake or stone and new soffit, fascia and eavestrough will usually start at $35,000 for a bungalow and $50,000 for larger homes. James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding is approximately twice the cost of Vinyl and averages $45-$70,000. These are just averages, we appreciate a budget and will do our best to work with you and create valuable changes to your project
- How much should I expect to pay for replacement windows?
This is one of the most commonly asked questions by homeowners. In comparing price, it is critical for you to understand what you are getting for the money you will be investing. Be sure that you are making an “apples-to-apples” comparison. If a price sounds too good to be true, it likely is and some important details will likely be missing, you may not have the knowledge to be aware of what to look for and this should be explained in detail. So, why is there diversity in price? While some companies are only in the business to engage in a “one-shot” transaction, you can not rely on long term reliability if and when something goes wrong, choosing a contractor based on price alone can often mean paying for an installation more times than necessary since you have to find someone to fix a problem from an installer who can no longer be found. Contractors should have an Alberta Contractor’s License, WCB and Liability coverage to perform work on your home – this is for your protection both as a consumer as well as a homeowner.
All windows and doors are not the same – this goes for installations too. What may seem like a simple job is more than just the know how. We choose only specific manufacturers because we have a long standing history with their products, with 30 years in the industry of exterior renovations we are very picky – because the end result reflects on us. Now, to answer the question with more than an explanation of why – most window installs will average to $1000 per window – many factors can obviously affect this price but as a good rule of thumb, if you have 16 windows in your home then a budget of $16,000 for full replacement of white vinyl windows would be a reasonable expectation.
- How long do I have to wait and how long does installation take?
Windows are typically ready in 8 weeks and most installations are 2-3 days from start to finish. Doors can vary from 6-12 weeks depending on just how custom the selection is, factory painted and stained doors tend to take a little bit longer. Once your door is ready the installation in most cases is done in one day. Siding Installations can range from a week to a little over a month depending how extensive the project is, we are able to give a guideline as to what to expect.
- Can I get low maintenance vinyl windows in a colour other than White?
Yes, colored windows are available in both vinyl and metal clad wood. In vinyl, exteriors are painted with an elasticized heat/UV resistant paint called Kynar and interiors usually remain white, however there are many interior materials and colours available depending on your needs. Wood Metal Clad windows are Metal on the exterior with a chosen color and solid wood interior
- Are all Low E coatings the same?
No. There are different Low-e coatings that allow you to customize the glass performance based upon the location of the window in the home. Some coatings prevent more heat from entering, while others allow more heat to enter your home. This gives you the opportunity to control the comfort of each room individually, thus minimizing your energy consumption and lowering your costs.
- How can I tell if I need new windows?
Here are some sure signs that your old windows need to be replaced:
> Drafty, with air leaking through or around the window
> Excessive condensation or icing on the inside of the window panes
> Windows rattle in the wind
> Paint chipping or peeling
> House is always too cold in winter – or too hot in summer
> Difficult to open or close - I have replaced all of my windows, why am I getting condensation inside?
As part of the extreme weather that we get in Prairie Provinces it’s not unusual to have below zero temperatures outside, allowing for a difference of 30-40° from either side of the window. When this happens, the glass surface reaches the “dew” point much faster than when the temperatures are not as varied. To help control this, do your best to keep the humidity levels around 20-25% within your home, keep in mind that areas like your kitchen and bathrooms create excess moisture from cooking and showering, so venting that moisture whenever possible will help. Other considerations to keep your windows from having condensation;
- Leave your blinds up from the bottom of the sill about 2-4” so that the warm air does not get trapped within the space and turn to ice, leaving your blinds open even this little bit helps with ventilation. There is a heat vent strategically placed in front of most windows for this reason.
- In extreme cases implementing a small fan into the room will reduce condensation build up. This will help if you have a room that is closed off from others or maybe has a lot of plants in it, the purpose of this is to get the air moving.
- In extreme cold, turn the fan on your furnace so your vents are consistently circulating the air.
- Turn down / off your humidity, not always the answer we want to hear but it is often the culprit!
There is a great amount of information available on the web on this subject, please contact us and we would be happy to send more information to you.
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