When snow is falling and wind is whistling outside your windows, consider upgrading to high-quality windows and doors to increase your home comfort, energy efficiency and satisfaction in your dwelling. 

Whether you work from home, savour your evenings and weekends at home or plan to hibernate the whole winter through, a cozy nest will bring you comfort on those long, dark days of winter. 

Plan now for necessary maintenance, upgrades or replacements to keep your family comfy and protected for years to come while ensuring your home retains its value and curb appeal. 

Harness the Benefits of High-Quality Windows and Doors

Our Canadian climate is known to be challenging, in both winter and summer. With fluctuations from extreme heat to extreme cold, window and door frames repeatedly expand and contract, creating stress on the overall unit and its various parts.  

While this is natural and unavoidable, today’s premium windows and doors are better designed to withstand weather challenges, for long-lasting home comfort and top-rated energy efficiency.  

JELD-WEN of Canada designs windows to suit different tastes and budgets, including durable options made from vinyl and aluminium-clad vinyl. We are also proud to offer a wide range of beautiful, strong exterior doors crafted with steel or fibreglass. 

New window designs tackle the challenges of expansion and contraction with a number of innovations, including high-quality spacers that relieve the pressure on fixed window elements. They also boast improved Low-E (low-emissivity) glass coatings to help keep your home toasty in winter and refreshingly cool in summer. 

Today’s premium door designs are also built for durability, requiring minimal maintenance while offering enhanced aesthetics, improved energy efficiency and long-lasting curb appeal. 

Set Realistic Goals

When jotting down your home improvement resolutions, set realistic goals and timelines for upgrades or replacements. Maybe you plan to renovate in spring when the weather is ideal for outdoor renovations, with neither extreme heat nor extreme cold. Research your options now, set a budget that works and ensure that your custom doors and windows will be ready come spring.  

If your home comfort is truly suffering and you can’t stand drafty windows any longer, or if you’re planning to sell your house in spring and want to increase your home's curb appeal and resale value, know that windows and doors can indeed be replaced in winter.  

In fact, there may be some advantages to replacing doors and windows in winter. As spring and fall are more popular times for home renovations, you may find installers have more flexibility in scheduling in winter. Your installer will work with you to ensure that the weather is right and potential negative impacts from snow and extreme cold are minimal. 

Read this guide to window and door renovations for more steps to planning a renovation project. 

Care For Your Windows and Doors

If your home improvement resolutions include cleaning more often, don’t forget cleaning and maintenance of your windows and doors. Regular care of both old and new windows and doors can help to ensure better performance and longevity. 

Remove build-up of dust, airborne pollutants and condensation from windows and glass inserts in doors. Proper window cleaning protects your family from mould and keeps Low-E coatings working as they should. Dirt may reduce your home’s energy efficiency, preventing sun from penetrating. Check out our expert tips on window cleaning for exact steps and tools. 

Monitor aging windows and doors for signs of deterioration. Regularly inspect windows and doors for damage, including cracks, gaps and rust. Note any drafty areas, condensation on glass and units that are difficult to open or close. Doors and windows that are sealed improperly can leak air, reducing energy efficiency and increasing heating and cooling costs.  

Sometimes weatherproofing and other simple maintenance are all that’s required to help protect your home from the elements. This might include the application of caulk or weather stripping to seal gaps and prevent drafts. Larger issues may require the replacement of glass or the whole window or door unit.  

Choose Windows and Doors That Complement Your Home's Style

There are a multitude of available style options when it comes to choosing new windows and doors. Avoid decision fatigue by first narrowing down the choices based on the style of your home.  

Consider the architectural style of your house, your colour scheme indoors and out and, of course, your personal preferences. 

Vinyl windows are a low-maintenance option with a clean, modern look. They are built to face up to temperature extremes and provide excellent insulation. With a range of interior and exterior options and colours, you’ll get energy efficiency, and a style tailored to your unique vision.  

For a modern look, consider large windows that maximize light and capitalize on outdoor views. JELD-WEN® of Canada’s JWC8500 series offers expansive glass that seamlessly connects indoor and outdoor spaces. Minimalist frames prioritize the view, and you can opt to add personality with bold colours or unique finishes. 

For a contemporary home that blends old and new styles, sliding glass doors or French doors support indoor-outdoor living when the weather is right. Sliding doors are space-efficient and offer unobstructed views when open. French doors add elegance while still maintaining a strong connection to the outdoors. 

Visit this previous blog post for a thorough guide to window and door styles that will suit your dream home.

Make Energy Efficiency A Priority

Windows and doors can be a significant source of heat loss. For better home comfort, energy efficiency and reduced energy costs, look for ENERGY STAR®-qualified windows, which boast features like Low-E glass, argon gas in sealed units, spacer bars and improved air tightness. ENERGY STAR® windows reduce overall annual energy costs compared to standard products.  

Choose high-performance doors that meet the criteria for ENERGY STAR® certification too. The ENERGY STAR® symbol guarantees a door that has been laboratory accredited to withstand harsh Canadian weather. Look for door features that help to keep your house comfortable in all weather extremes, including an insulated core, effective weather-stripping and Low-E coating on glass inserts.

Invest In New Windows and Doors for Greater Home Comfort

Windows and doors are important investments in your home. With proper maintenance and attention, high-quality windows and doors last for decades.  

Consider replacing windows that have only a single pane of glass. Over time, single-pane windows can add to your heating and cooling costs and reduce home comfort. They can also allow more noise to enter from the street and may be easier to break. 

Additional panes of glass increase the insulating factor. Choose from dual pane (two glass panels with a sealed space in between) or triple pane windows (three glass panels separated by two half-inch spaces).  

Tri-Pane windows cost more initially, but will provide enhanced energy efficiency, saving you money on heating and cooling costs and creating greater home comfort. JELD-WEN®’s Northern Tri-Pane Collection is the gold standard for long-term savings and comfort. 

Also look out for steel and fibreglass exterior door options that incorporate strong insulating properties to save on energy costs, protect the environment and contribute to a more comfortable home environment for you and your loved ones. 

Talk to your window and door professional to determine whether repairs, new glass or complete window or door replacements will best suit your needs. 

For more inspiration and detailed insights, be sure to check out our previous article on the top window and door trends of 2024.