THE SIGNS 

1. Seals are breaking.

2. Frost appears at the bottom of windows in cold weather.

3. Air leakage: visible by placing an open flame or a sheet of paper in front of the infiltration area.

4. Mold appears around windows.

5. Water vapour condenses in large quantity on windows regardless of the house’s normal humidity level.

6. The door or window frame has deteriorated.

7. Damaged or hard to manipulate hardware.

8. Old non-thermal windows (over 10 years old).

9. Window is no longer hermetic: condensation or halos appear on the glass.

10. If the window is in good shape you can only change the glass and therefore cut cost in half.

USEFUL TIPS

Go for Energy-Efficient Products

Energy Star labelled doors and windows improved remarkably since 2000. They offer double or triple glass with low-E coating, reducing heat loss and blocking UV rays.

The glass contains a noble gas (argon or krypton) and has dividers (hardware which maintains the spacing between glass panes) with low thermal conductivity. They are 20% to 40% more efficient than traditional models and allow a reduction in heating costs; better comfort in winter and summer and increased home values.

Additionally, pricing is more affordable than they were a few years ago thanks to their popularity. That said, costs vary depending on a number of factors including the product materials.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

Room orientation, housing construction material and region lived are criteria to consider in purchasing  the right window.

Specialized distributors are resources that will help you make the right choice while considering, among others, frame composition (aluminum, wood, PVC, fibreglass), type of window, opening mechanism (guillotine, sliding, pivoting and tilting) and energy efficiency.