Contact us at
 1578 London Line Sarnia, On N7W 1A8
Phone:  519-542-5443
Fax:  519-542-7556

Email:
 [email protected]

Office Hours
Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Evenings, Saturday by appointment only

Methods of Payment
Cash, Cheque or Debit 

Keep these important points in mind when selecting a new window...

What's your style?

     Replacing a window is a great opportunity to jazz up the look of your home. A classic, double-hung window may be just what you have in mind, but there are many alternatives. A bay or bow window opens up a room, inviting the outdoors in. Replace an ordinary window with a garden-style window to wash a room in sunlight. You may be surprised how creative choices enhance the appearance of your home. Companies offer a variety of styles and finishes, and you may even customize the window to match your home's paint color scheme.

    
What type of installation is best for you and your home?

     Replacement (sash-only) windows are installed in the existing window frames, leaving both interior and exterior trim in place. Since the old frame is left in place, installation is quicker, easier and less expensive. Many older-style windows used sash weights and open weight pockets, which allow cold air to come in around the windows. Although a replacement window replaces most elements of an existing window, it does not replace all. The existing window frame is retained, and the replacement window is fitted into this frame. Thus, the glass area of the replacement window will be slightly smaller than the existing window. Replacement windows typically are vinyl, with sealed glass.
  

Pros	Cons
A more "custom" look Less prone to leakage No loss of glass area	Usually requires damage to trim More expensive Takes longer to install

How much do you want to invest?

     After replacing the window, there's the maintenance to contend with. Painting and repainting can grow tiresome, and wood that rots or succumbs to insects is another concern. A vinyl-framed window is one alternative that will not rust, pit or peel because the color is integrated throughout the material. And upkeep for vinyl is pretty simple – just wipe with a damp cloth for a like-new look.

     Finally, vinyl windows can add to your home's resale value. Unattractive windows can be a deal-killer for even the most beautiful home. Figures vary, but some studies show that new vinyl windows can add $20,000 - $30,000 to a home's asking price.

What about energy efficiency?

     We spend millions of dollars every year to heat our homes and businesses. That is why it is so important to understand the role that windows and doors play in how buildings use energy. With heating and cooling costs a big concern among homeowners, consider the thermal dynamics of the windows you choose. Look for the Energy Star label, which indicates compliance with government mandates for energy conservation.

          Many consumers are aware of R-Values – a measurement of a product’s resistance to heat loss – and have learned that materials with higher R-Values are more energy efficient. R-values are still widely used within the industry, however, windows are very different from other building products in that they operate, allow light in and allow people to see out. They react to outside air temperatures, sunlight and wind, as well as indoor air temperatures and occupant use. They interact with their environment in ways that insulation does not. Windows are strongly affected by solar radiation and airflow around them yet the R-Value does not accurately reflect this interaction.

     Another way (and one of the best ways) in which the energy efficiency of window products can be determined is in terms of thermal transmission, or the U-Factor. U-Factor measures how well a product prevents heat from escaping a building and is particularly important in winter months. U-Factor ratings generally fall between .20 and 1.20. Emissivity is the ability of a product to absorb certain types of energy and radiate that energy through itself and out of a room. The lower the conductivity and emissivity of the glass, the lower that rate of heat loss, thus the lower the U-Factor.

     The biggest difference between the U-Factor and R-Value is that the U-Factor measures the rate of heat transfer through window materials, taking into consideration the airflow around the window and the emissivity of the glass, while the R-Value measures conductivity and the resistance to heat loss. Where R-Values rate the energy efficiency of a single component (i.e. the sealed glass unit of a window), U-Factors rate the energy efficiency of the combined materials (i.e. the sealed glass unit, frame material, weather stripping etc.). Because each of these components works together as a unit, the U-Factor is used to indicate the energy efficiency of the entire assembly.