Home replacement windows

[wigglee]

LTD 1275 Gerrard East http://www.ldtwindows.ca/ Since the 70's, small , family run, good quality and reasonable price.

 

[thesun]

For quality and performance, the only type of window worth buying is the ones that feature a wood core, i.e. the wood is the structure of the window and they get capped (only) with aluminum or vinyl.

End of story.

Solid vinyl windows are budgetary choice windows. It's like comparing an Audi S6 to a Chevy Cruz. They both will get you A to B, but that's where the similarity ends. I'm not a big fan of vinyl windows (except for a garage or a shed maybe). They just don't perform. But hey, this is my opinion.

As far as the type of window to buy, i.e. Double Hung vs. Single Hung, vs. Casement vs slider, vs awning.......

I personally also really like double hung windows. They just look "right" on a house. And also, being that I'm a city boy and not a suburb boy, double hung are more city than the others.

That said, casement windows are THEE best choice for practicality and energy efficiency. (Casements open with a crank like a door in order to vent.) The advantage of casements is that the seals don't get burned up by friction of opening and closing over time like double / single / sliders do. They retain their air tightness.

I would never bother with single hung, or sliders, especially the really cheap sliders. Worst windows in the world.

There are some times you have no choice but to use a slider (like if your house butts up against a driveway) and you can't have a window sticking out into the driveway. But for the most part, avoid sliders.

Also, casement windows cost more than double hung windows due to the cranks and hinges required.

There used to be a guy over in the junction, may have been Osler Avenue who manufactured those cheap ass aluminum jobs that you see all over Toronto. You see them everywhere because they are so fucking cheap. Just a large picture window with a sider vent in the lower quarter of the window. You'd need to slide 2 panes of glass to open the vent. ABSOLUTE FUCKING JUNK.

Worst fucking windows in the world.

Thanks James. I need to replace one window in my office. With your information, I feel much better but one thing is holding me back, which company should i hire to replace my window. I have no idea how to do it myself. Many thanks in advance.

 

[Goodoer]

I had Gentek's vinyl windows (out of Burlington) when I replacement my old wood windows. I thought they were great. I heard Trimbo are decent as well.

 

[james t kirk]

Thanks James. I need to replace one window in my office. With your information, I feel much better but one thing is holding me back, which company should i hire to replace my window. I have no idea how to do it myself. Many thanks in advance.

Loewen

Go to their showroom in oakville,, they will have contractors.

 

[thesun]

Loewen

Go to their showroom in oakville,, they will have contractors.

The only problem is i live in toronto and rely on TTC. Oakville is out of the question for me.

 

[Lady fisher]

Windows

Andersen are very excellent quality windows. You will not go wrong with them. They have a dealer on Dundas West who is quite good.The other name in the industry that is even better than Andersen is Loewen.

In my opinion, Loewen is better than Andersen because Loewen are made in Canada (so their prices may now be cheaper than Andersen which are made in the USA). They manufacture in Steinbach Manitoba.

Both Loewen and Andersen windows feature wood core. Loewen uses Douglas fir while Andersen uses Southern Pine. DF is a superior species of wood for strength and cracking. Loewen also features extruded aluminum exteriors and have an incredible range of colours. (Andersen used to have just 3 plus some optional colours) Andersen is all vinyl exterior with a vinyl sash and wood interior trim. Loewen is superior because it is a wood window with extruded aluminum cladding on the exterior. Even the sash is wood in Loewen (with the extruded aluminum exterior). Wood is required for strength. Loewen is all wood on the interior which you can finish however you like. A real dumb dumb test is the weight of the window. You almost need a fork lift to lift a Loewen window they are built that strong.

Andersen has 3 different lines as far as I know, so you need to be aware of just which line they are quoting you. There is a huge difference in both quality and price. Again, Dundas Windows would be better able to advise you on the various lines Andersen has.

Loewen only has 1 line, but they can option them out differently, which adds to the cost.

I've used Loewen, Andersen, Pollard, Ridley, Pella and Geldwyn in my days.

For a house, my number one choice is Loewen, but Andersen is a very close second. Everything else is hugely substandard to Loewen and Andersen. In fact, other than Loewen and Andersen, the rest are pretty much junk.

I will also say that the Loewen dealer in Oakville is not the easiest guy to deal with, BUT, he will stand behind his product. He will honour his warranty.

Lastly, before you place the order, make sure you get them to generate the shop drawings for you. You need to review the shop drawings and specs from top to bottom to make sure you're getting what you need / want. This is hugely important.

If they are going into an existing house, make SURE to specify NO NAILING FLANGE (though with vinyl, you just cut this off)

Also specify Lo E and if you want to add grilles to the windows, etc. (I like the ones that feature grills only on the top quarter of the window (old school looking))

all of these windows mentioned here are excellent

I personally have JELD-WEN WILMAR LINE COPPER CLAD
these windows are my lifetime windows