Beware of any window dealer offering huge discounts. Often they have inflated their prices to make an inferior window seem like a good deal. If possible try to obtain 2 or more quotes on the same brand of window, making it obvious which discounts are genuine.

Written references are ok, but they can’t show you the kind of workmanship that will be performed, nor can they guarantee that your installer is the same as the installer in a written reference. At Superior Home Improvements we do NOT subcontract work out, period. Continuity of the workmanship is assured because we don’t have staff turnover.  If possible, talk with a previous customer, that’s how we get most of our business, from referrals. If anyone ever has an issue, Karl, one of the owners, is always just a phone call or email away to help.

If your home was built since the 1980’s, chances are it’s a frame house using brick veneer or siding, and you should consider removing the old frames. A brick to brick (stud to stud installation).

Most frame houses, have window frames with very little or no insulation between them and the stud wall, and they can suffer from movement as they aren’t anchored to the brick wall of the home. Having high performance windows installed on such frames is only doing half the job, equivalent to changing the glass only, as cold air will still penetrate around the wood frame. The weight of the new vinyl window can also cause issues if installed on the old frame, that isn’t well anchored and not shimmed properly to support the new window. This can result in sagging and difficulty in operating the new window sash. You can lose a significant amount of glass area by having a new vinyl window installed on an existing wood frame, not to mention still suffering from drafts and potential water leaks.

If you choose to have your new windows installed “Brick-to-Brick” (or stud to stud) you will have eliminated the issues stated above. You will also eliminate the bulky look of the aluminum capping, that is used to cover the exterior frame that remains.

Before the 1980’s many homes were “solid brick homes”, with no air space between the walls, no movement with the window frames, no leaks around the windows, and quite often have nice decorative interior trim, or maybe just a plaster opening. These homes can choose a “Retrofit” installation, whereby the new window is anchored into the existing frame. This allows them to keep the interior trim, costs less than a brick-to-brick installation, and is a structurally sound installation.

Brick to brick (or stud to stud) windows will come from the manufacturer with a vinyl brickmould on the outside of your window, as well as an interior wood jamb extension. Wood is the preferred material for the jamb extension as it is easily custom sized for different wall thickness. New Interior mouldings (casing trim) should be included to finish the installation properly. Beware companies cutting corners by not including the exterior vinyl brickmould and just caulking the vinyl frame straight to the brick, like many new home builders unfortunately.

Good spacers have come a long way. Look for a high efficiency spacer with Warm Edge Technology, and preferably a true Lifetime, non-prorated warranty.

Whichever method is used to install your windows, low expansion foam is used to seal all cavities. All drafts and leak pathways are eliminated.

The industry has been using vinyl cladding, or the cheaper aluminum capping for years. Our partner Dorplex has developed a vinyl laminated system that is glued to the wood substrate. It will not buckle or warp under intense heat which is a major concern with your typical vinyl cladding. Vinyl cladding is also prone to getting water under it, as the corner joints are only caulked, which can lead to warping. If a company uses aluminum capping to cover the entrance door frame, it will get dinged and scratched from the flow of people and items passing through over time. Since Dorplex invented the superior vinyl laminate system, we don’t install a door without it. It has the bonus of being very attractive and can be painted to match the door system.

We have all seen old, yellow, door light frames. The door light frame is what holds the glass in place in your door system. Dorplex’s frame is made of a strong foam PVC material that resists warping. It is made of a non-yellowing material and comes with a screw cap cover to hide the fastening screws. The frame is sealed with three co-extruded seals that do not require sealant, which tends to ooze out when heated.

Yes, if you install a storm door on top of a steel door system, then the warranty becomes null and void due to excessive heat build up. Many people still choose to install storm doors, in which case we advise them to ensure that the ventilation panel is open most of the year, to avoid excessive heat build up. Damage to the steel door can still occur, especially to the paint.

Dorplex is the market leader and innovator in custom steel and fibreglass door technology in Canada. Their steel and fibreglass doors are more durable and energy-efficient than wood doors. Because of their commitment to quality, their lines of steel and fibreglass doors are backed by a limited Lifetime Warranty, the best in the industry.

No. Dorplex steel doors are comprised of a polyurethane core with a steel skin over the top. A solid steel door would be prohibitively heavy and would most likely tear out the hinges. 24-gauge steel is used for the skin of the door. In addition, a wood frame, called a stile, surrounds the perimeter of the door, none of the polyurethane is visible on the edges of the door.

To clean your screens simply remove them and hose them off with water. Do not use a high-pressure sprayer or any cleaning solvents.

Unlike other materials, our vinyl is guaranteed not to pit, peel, fade or flake. The vinyl never needs painting. Airborne contaminants and dirt should be removed with a mild detergent and water, applied with a soft rag. Do not use any abrasive cleaning agents or an abrasive pad to apply. Rinse with clean water and wipe dry. Do not use a high-pressure sprayer to clean windows and doors.

We no longer operate our own showroom as the amount of traffic didn’t justify the expense. All products can be viewed online, and our partners do have showrooms available to the public.

Not only do we remove all job-related debris from the site afterwards, but we use drop sheets everywhere throughout the home to protect your floors. We even vacuum the area once the job is complete.

All our products are Energy Star Rated. Our windows are Energy Start Certified to meet the strictest rebate program requirements.

We welcome the chance to provide you with an in-home estimate and there is never any cost or obligation on your part. We are also happy to quote small jobs over the phone or via email, if need be.

Low-e glass improves the insulating value of a window roughly as much as adding an additional pane of glass does. Low-e glass combined with argon gas boosts energy efficiency by nearly 100% over clear glass. Like all gases, argon gas will dissipate from the window over time, however since it is non-toxic, it is safe. Studies suggest a 10% loss over the course of 20 years. Even if that happened, it would reduce the U-value of the window by only a few percent.

An odorless, colorless, tasteless, invisible, non-toxic gas used to replace the air inside the sealed units to reduce thermal transfer. It is six times heavier than air. Since argon gas is denser than air and is not in continuous motion like air, the transference of energy (heat and cold) is greatly reduced. In short argon gas provides extra insulation.

Low-E glass stands for low emissivity glass. It is a technologically advanced insulating glass, that improves energy efficiency by reducing the transfer of heat or cold through windows. Coatings are microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on glass surface to reduce the U-factor by suppressing the radiant transfer of energy (heat and cold).

While we do our best to complete our installation within your ideal time frame, we are committed to providing realistic time estimates and will keep you in the loop as to manufacturing and installation schedules. Once you’ve signed a contract, we will send a recheck person to your home to get the exact dimensions of the windows or doors you have ordered. Then we place your order with the manufacturer. We always provide customers with an estimated date of installation, typically 6-8 weeks, and confirm this date a week or so before we are due to arrive. Our busiest times of year are usually late spring and fall and our quietest time of year is late winter. If you have the flexibility to order your windows or doors in January or February, installation will happen more quickly.

Vinylbilt goes one step further than their competition. For example, Vinylbilt is one of the first manufacturers to obtain CSA certification for combination units. To achieve this certification requires a very rigorous series of tests that run numerous times, it is also considered as one of the most difficult tests. Vinylbilt goes the extra mile to provide quality and safety assurance on their combination windows.

Not all windows are created equally. Do not confuse Vinylbilt with other window manufacturers that do not have CSA certified products.
Most other manufacturers have less rigorous standards such as:

• CSA Approved
• CSA Compliant
• CSA Tested

To achieve CSA certification, Vinylbilt Platinum Series are not only certified in the CSA lab, but they are subject to frequent performance audits at their manufacturing facility. These audits ensure every product they manufacture is in accordance with CSA standards and that Vinylbilt continues to produce products at the highest level.

If you select high-quality energy-efficient windows, and just as importantly install them properly, your windows will “payback” your investment in savings that you will realize with lower cooling and heating bills. Well-built windows developed with the latest technology have been proven to lower home energy consumption considerably. These benefits along with the increased resale value of the home are generally considered to make a positive financial contribution within approximately 5 years.

** Many of our customers are taking advantage of the current Greener Homes Loan program. This allows you to lock in windows and other energy saving renovations, at today’s prices interest free for 10 years. **

Condensation is a natural occurrence on all windows and is caused by humidity, or invisible water vapor, present in the air. When this water vapor meets a surface that is cooler, the vapor turns into droplets of moisture. (See our detailed condensation information page)

Vinyl windows are available in all popular models. The most common are fixed (aka picture windows), double hung, horizontal sliding, casement, single hung, awning, decorative bay and bow windows. Vinyl windows are custom made to fit any size or shape required by the architectural style, existing openings, or personal taste. Various colours, grill options and hardware options are available.

Here are some sure signs that your old windows need to be replaced:

• Difficult to open or close
• Drafty, with air leaking through or around the window
• Excessive condensation on the inside of the windowpanes
• Windows rattle in the wind
• Paint chipping or peeling
• High utility bills
• House is always -too hot in summer or too cold in winter
• Water leaks or damp areas around or below the windows. Cracking of drywall or visible mould in the vicinity.