It’s essential to read the fine print on a warranty when purchasing a new window. Many companies that sell or install windows offer a manufacturer’s warranty on parts and labor, but only for the first year. Some companies will offer labour for another year on top of the manufacturer’s original warranty, but they’ll charge you for the replacement of small parts that relate to the window’s function. Not a great scenario to be in when the windows are essentially brand new. Also, interestingly – some companies will offer lifetime warranties  - which sounds fantastic until you learn that the company has only been around for a couple of years. It’s kind of difficult to have comfort in a lifetime warranty with a limited track record to date.

Here’s the kicker. Read this article by Clayton Dekorne at Remodeling. Did you know that 30% of the windows that are replaced are only about 7 years old? The article makes a few great points about the necessity to really read the fine print on the supported warranty with whoever you’re purchasing your windows from, as in many cases, it’s got conditions and exceptions that can be unreasonable and which don’t exactly work in your favour or reflect a quality product. This is a highly important aspect of things in our opinion. So important, that it should be front and center in terms of your decision on a purchase. Here’s a few bullet points from the article to look out for when reading the warranty paperwork on some of the windows you might be considering…

• “Non-prorated” warranties, which will cover the entire purchase price of the window for the term of the warranty. Remodelers are familiar with prorated warranties on roofs. But a well-made window shouldn’t gradually degrade with exposure as rapidly as roofing materials do, so there is little justification for such a warranty structure.
• “Fully transferable” warranties. These are a sign that the window maker means business. For a homeowner selling a home, it can be a value-added feature that the remodeler ought to make available when recommending a window. For the record, our warranty is fully transferable for it’s 20 year duration.
• “Non-glass” component warranty. Hardware, in particular, should carry a minimum 10-year warranty. A good window with bad hardware is a bad window, Mathis insists. If a lock breaks or the crank handle strips out, it will reflect poorly on the remodeler who installed the window. Think about the window manufacturer’s capacity to stock replacement parts well into the future.
• “Labor and installation.” Unless a certified representative of the manufacturer installed the unit, few warranties will cover the cost of installation. Some may, but largely this will fall to the remodeler who installed the window — even more reason for remodelers to stick with brands they can trust.
• “Exclusions.” Some warranties specifically exclude coverage for damage from environmental factors such as high humidity or salt spray, making installation especially inappropriate in many locations. Often the exclusion applies to the glass, as well as the hardware and finishes.
• “Finishes.” Coverage on finishes is rare, but some warranties do cover exterior coatings and finishes on cladding. However, painting or refinishing the exterior to match the home may null this coverage. This is particularly true with warranties on aluminum-clad and vinyl units.

With all of this to say, we’re not just shedding light on this without backing it up with our 28 years in the business and what many consider one of the best warranties in the industry. You can read about our warranty – here. We offer a 20 year warranty on our products that includes the parts AND the labor.

Food for thought? We think so! Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home or have questions about our warranty.

Awning windows are ideal replacement windows for basements for a variety of reasons. They’re considered more contemporary, stylish, and aesthetically pleasing than hopper and sliding windows. They open by swinging from the bottom out and are hinged to the top of the window frame and offer better protection from the elements because of the way they open. Awning windows allow for better passage of light and ventilation, and are generally considered very secure for basements. They can also be placed high on walls to provide good lighting for a room.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. You can also view our gallery for images of some our custom made products.

We were honoured to be the recipients of the Windows and Doors award for 2011 recently. You can find out profile at Home Stars here:

http://homestars.com/companies/2593758-verdun-doors-windows

Why is this important? We’ll explain.

Window glass appear to be smooth but they’re actually porous if you were to view them under a microscope. Glass contains many microscopic peaks and valleys that can capture and trap debris, road salt, pollen, rust, and even calcium deposits. Windows glass that has never been cleaned can become water spotted and appear weathered over time. These things can gradually etch the window and lead to a loss of integrity within the glass itself.

Windows are designed to provide an “R-Value” – also commonly known as the value that indicates it’s resistance to heat gain or loss – it’s “efficiency”. This value is based on the assumption that windows are clean. The accumulation of debris in the porous element of window glass can compromise the R-Value of even the most expensive and most energy efficient windows on the market. Keeping your windows clean can improve this resistance to heat gain or loss and allows the glass to better regulate the effects of the exterior temperature.  There’s a great article on cleaning your windows at TLC Home. Read it here. We recommend cleaning your windows at least twice a year.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. You can also view our gallery for images of some our custom made products.

How do we manage to remove an old window and replace it without having your home exposed to the cold for a prolonged period of time? We manufacture your windows on site in our factory within the greater Ottawa area, meaning, that we custom size at the point of measurement, and create a product that is literally and perfectly fabricated for the opening it is being put into – regardless of the season. After the removal of your old product, the new one can go into the opening within minutes. The process of taking an average sized window out and replacing it is a 20 to 30 minute procedure. The finishing – both interior and exterior- is what takes time, but at that point, insulating foam has already been applied and heat is no longer allowed to escape.  The same principles also apply to a door replacement. We also use silicone based sealants, which are tolerant to freezing temperatures during the curing cycle.

The best part about considering a window replacement in the winter months is that installation schedules are typically less busy during these times. In other words, you get your windows installed faster. Through a combination of efficiency, precision, and other heat retention techniques on site through the course of a replacement installation, our winter customers are often surprised at how simple it can be even if snow is on the ground.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. You can also view our gallery for images of some our custom made products.

In short – it explains how items and functions in the home are more interconnected than previously thought when considering how heat circulates and how energy is consumed. As an example, a simple window replacement is but one area to start if looking at the house on the whole in an attempt to reduce energy consumption. A qualified energy advisor will help you look at other considerations – like ventilation, draft proofing, window coverings and decoration, and weather stripping.

You can read the article here: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/homes/Look+picture+before+renovating/5487651/story.html

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home.

When interior humidity levels are too high in comparison to the cooler outdoor temperatures, condensation can form on the coldest surface in a room – often times the glass in a window or door. While windows and doors do not cause condensation, they may be one of the first places it shows up.

Can you control or reduce window condensation? Yes. Here’s some tips:

• Monitor the furnace humidifier and employ and monitor a interior humidifier.
• Ensure vents for the attic, basement, and crawl space are open, adequately sized and cross-ventilated.
• Run the exhaust fans for kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms for longer periods.
• Make sure exhaust fans vent directly outside and not into attics or crawl spaces.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for venting gas appliances.
• Make sure your furnace is in proper working order and is serviced regularly.
• Open a door or window for several minutes each day to refresh the inside air.
• Open window coverings – like blinds or drapes – during the day to increase airflow over the glass.

There’s also a great link here concerning condensation and humidity from Natural Resources Canada.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home. Our team can answer your questions about window condensation and how you can prevent it further through product selection and other considerations prior to the purchase of replacement windows.

A proper window installation will include the following steps – widely considered to be best practice in the industry.

• Accurate measurements: A visit or assessment being done in your home by a seasoned installer with credentials is a must. If you are dealing with a window installer that hasn’t pulled out a measuring tape and taken the time to record precise measurements of the existing window, you may have reason for concern. A seasoned installer will double and triple check in this first step and then verify those measurements before selection or production of the replacement windows.
• Removal: The removal of the old window is a delicate procedure. A good installer will be mindful of damaging a work area by removing an existing window too quickly – paying special attention to mouldings and fixtures that will need to be put back into place when the new window is put in.
• Post removal inspection: Good installation includes inspecting the exposed area once the old window is removed. Ensuring that the existing area – including any wood or drywall – is in good condition. Inspection also entails making sure that the opening is adjusted if need be to ensure proper support for the replacement window.
• Installation and Securing: An installer who simply swaps the window and adds caulking or silicone is something to watch out for. This step in the process is arguably  the most important. A properly secured window will be done with quality shims – not wood chips or fragments. The window must be perfectly level and square. If the window is properly secured, there will be no retraction when the temperature changes.

These are just a few of the key steps in the process and don’t reflect all of tasks that an installer will run through as they are replacing a window, but we hope this creates an appreciation for the details, and what sets apart a “quality installation” versus a quick one.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home, and let our seasoned team of professionals simplify the process of enhancing what we consider to be the most important investment you have – your home.

• Check for broken components, parts, and seals.
• Carefully check the glass of your windows, especially at edges, for cracks – either hairline or large. Is the glass intact?
• Check for moisture between the panes If you see any, this is evidence of a broken seal and will in most cases require the window to be replaced.
• Do you find the windows difficult to open? If they are, they shouldn’t be.
• Can you see daylight emanating from visible cracks around the edges? Do you see any evidence of mold or water staining?

Any of these can indicate that a window is either broken or has deteriorated enough to justify a replacement. Many times, window coverings will prevent you from sometimes seeing the obvious. After each winter, we’re advocates of a quick check of your existing windows while simultaneously checking for signs of draft or moisture during the colder season. Even a small crack in the glass of your window that isn’t noticed will result in heat loss during the colder months, and can hike up a hydro bill during the colder season. Pull the drapes back or roll up the blinds to see if you can spot the obvious.

Contact us or request an estimate if you’re considering replacing the windows in your home, and let our seasoned team of professionals simplify the process of enhancing what we consider to be the most important investment you have – your home.