Excited for the first snow of the year? As fall ends, colder temperatures, strong winds, and frost become common across Canada, making it essential to ensure your windows and doors are ready for the season.
But are your doors and windows prepared to withstand the upcoming harsh weather? If not, then it’s time to choose new materials for an upgrade.
But how to choose the right windows and doors for Canadian weather? To simplify this process, you need to consider the following factors:
- Weather conditions in your location
- Your home’s design preferences (style, colour, and finish)
- Energy efficiency and maintenance requirements
Want to get into the comprehensive guide on choosing doors and windows? Keep reading!
How to Choose Windows and Doors for the Next Season
Not all the available window and door options are suitable for use in all seasons in Canada. Canadian homes need an exceptional option that can deal with the melting heat of summer and the bone-chilling winter.
Here’s how to choose the right windows and doors:
Consider the Climate in Your Location
The first thing you should consider is your home location. How is the weather in the area you’re living in?
Living in southern Ontario, including cities like Toronto, Barrie, and Hamilton, means experiencing cold winters and warm, humid summers.
In this case, you should change your windows and doors to solidly manufactured ones.
On the other hand, if you’re living in the milder regions such as British Columbia, including cities like Victoria, you can change the window and door according to the weather.
In short, depending on your location, the climate can throw diverse challenges. Understanding how the weather affects window longevity can help you choose materials that last longer in your local climate.
Therefore, it’s necessary to select doors and windows that meet the challenges of the weather in your city.
Types of Challenges Canadian Homes Deal with
The decision to select doors and windows partially depends on the types of challenges that your home’s windows and doors will go through. Generally, the challenges are
- Extreme stress on the window and door frames caused by heavy snowfall
- Compromised installation due to repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Weakened seals caused by high humidity levels
- Temperature differences between summer (above 35°C) and winter (below -25°C), which change the comfort inside your home
Your Design Preference
Now, it’s time to choose the look that resonates with you: traditional, modern, or something uniquely yours.
Each material brings its own character and benefits to your design. Choosing the right window type for your home ensures the style, performance, and functionality align with your needs.
For instance, wood has a warm, timeless charm but requires regular care. Vinyl, on the other hand, captures details beautifully and keeps upkeep minimal.
But the crucial factor is that you need to select a material ideal for the harsh nature of the weather. There are many materials available in the market, but vinyl has secured a highly favorable place.
Vinyl windows are sturdy and are highly resistant to moisture damage. Besides, this material prevents the heat from escaping your home through windows and offers noise insulation.
Therefore, vinyl windows are apparently the best pick to withstand harsh weather in winter.
But what if you don’t prefer vinyl windows? The best alternative material is fiberglass windows.
You can increase the sophisticated look of your home with this material. It offers pretty much the same characteristics as vinyl windows with low maintenance facilities.
However, Wood windows are better suited for milder climates and require proper protection and maintenance in harsh winter conditions.
Material of Doors
Whether you’re looking for door material options for winter or summer, steel and fiberglass doors are the popular choice for homeowners.
Steel doors are durable and offeradded safety against potential intruders at affordable prices. This strong material can withstand storms and strong winds easily.
However, you must follow proper maintenance as steel is prone to dents and rust. During winter, the moisture from snow can cause rust, but it shouldn’t be an issue if you can maintain regular cleaning.
On the other hand, fiberglass doors are the peak choice for their exceptional features and aesthetic appeal. Fiberglass is comparatively more expensive than steel, but its features justify its premium price tag. Fiberglass doors offer several advantages:
- Require minimal maintenance and resist rust and rot
- Provide excellent insulation for both winter and summer
- Provide excellent insulation for both winter and summer
Factor in Energy Efficiency
When considering new windows and doors, focus on features that lower your utility bills month after month. But it doesn’t only save a few Canadian dollars but also makes your living space more cozy and comfortable.
Go for standard products with double or triple-paned glass, as these glasses have argon or krypton gas between the panes for improved insulation.
Consequently, the strongthermal barrier in the glasses can hold warm air during winter and repel hot air in summer. You can learn more practical ways to reduce utility bills by exploring how to maximise home energy savings with windows. Some standards for energy-efficient products are
- ENERGY STAR® certification according to Climate Zone
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) between 0 and 1
- Energy Rating (ER) of 40, as it’s the most efficient
- U-factor of 1.22 W/m2 or lower
- Visible Transmittance (VT), which measures how much natural light passes through the glass
Additional Considerations
Struggling to decide which windows and doors will be the best pick according to Ontario’s weather? Then, you can consult a professional like NUVO and get help.
We’ll listen to what type of windows and doors you’re actually looking for and find you the best one, considering your budget.
In addition, you should focus on proper installation, as poor installation may lead to needing to repair it the next day. While you have a professional to install your new doors and windows, make sure you ensure
- Proper water drainage system
- Caulking and sealing
- The right coating in the frame
- Appropriate vapor barrier integration
- Thorough inspection right after installation
Lastly, you should take care of your windows and doors to make your investment fruitful and long-lasting. Though some materials need low maintenance, you still have to follow the basic care of cleaning and lubrication.
Conclusion
So, how do you choose windows and doors for your home? You need to consider the location, home style, materials, and energy efficiency. The weather conditions should be considered first when picking the best one.
Once you set up the budget, do research on the materials to gather precise knowledge about them. Keeping all these things in mind should help you come up with a decision that will increase comfort, value, and aesthetic appeal for the future.
FAQs
The following are some of the frequently asked questions about how to choose doors and windows:
Q: How long do windows and doors usually last?
You can expect a service life of 20 to 30 years, probably more, with proper maintenance and care. Generally, it depends on the quality of materials, how well weatherstripping is maintained, and the quality of applied coatings.
Q: What is the ideal size of windows and doors in Canada?
Measure your existing openings carefully and check for square or plumb frames before removing them. Consider any necessary modifications, like interior or exterior trim. However, Standard exterior door sizes in Canada typically measure around 36 inches wide by 80 inches tall, though sizes can vary.
Q: What window and door styles work best for my home type?
Colonial and other historic homes often suit single-hung, double-hung, or casement styles. Modern architecture is a good fit for large pane windows or sliding glass doors. Consider your home’s aesthetic and layout.
Q: Should you match my existing windows and doors?
For consistency, continue with matching styles if in good shape. Blend new with old if necessary by replicating dimensions, materials, and decorative elements like grilles. Updating improves efficiency too.
