Did you know that windows alone are responsible for 25% to 30% of your home’s heating and cooling energy bills? Upgrading to energy-efficient windows and keeping them well-maintained will help save more long-term and cut down those monthly bills.
Finding the right window company and manufacturer is important. Different types of windows, materials, and certifications will affect how efficient and long-lasting your new windows are. Once you choose a company and product and start browsing windows, you’ll see many options and styles from which to choose.
To help make the process easier, read this guide for the five best window brands for your home. This guide will also breakdown some specific tips and factors to consider with a new window:
Four key considerations
Choosing the right window brand can be broken down into four key factors: frame, glass, design, and installation. Knowing what to look for in each of these areas will make the final purchase a much easier decision.
The frame
Window frames are more than just a visually aesthetic factor; they affect how well the window stops energy transfer. Wood is a traditional choice since it’s a natural insulator, but there are other materials to consider that can offer better thermal performance.
Vinyl: As far as budgets go, vinyl is a long-standing popular choice among homeowners. Advancements in manufacturing make some vinyl windows top of the line for best windows insulation and efficiency. It offers excellent energy efficiency and tightly seals to prevent any leaks. The colours are limited, though, which may or may not be an important factor depending on what you want.
Wood: Well-kept wood frames can last for many years before ever needing to be replaced. Still, wood does come with a much higher maintenance demand than other materials. If you don’t maintain your wood frames they could diminish in efficiency and function. That will mean extra costs over the years, which is something to consider.
Aluminum: If you live in coastal areas or where rain and humidity are typical climates, aluminum is the go-to choice. It doesn’t rust from salty weather and won’t swell like wood, making it a robust choice. Aluminum frames are also easy to customize, so it’s a great choice all around.
Fibreglass: These frames blend glass fibres and polyester resin, which gives them great benefits across multiple factors. The frame is robust, extremely energy efficient, highly durable, and easily customizable. The only downside is that they are much more expensive than other materials, but the long-term benefits do pay off.
The glass
Glass is the next thing to consider and comes down to two choices. Double-pane windows are the current standard across homes and make a big difference in monthly bills. The panes are sealed with argon gas that keeps heat or cold air in and boosts overall efficiency. They also protect against harmful UV rays, which can wreak havoc on flooring and furniture.
Triple-pane windows Canada adds an extra layer of glass, boosting the overall efficiency and save even more than a double-pane window. Choosing an ENERGY STAR-certified window, identifiable by the stickers, is the easiest way to choose a window. It ensures the highest ratings and quality for guaranteed savings. Both U-Value, window’s resistance to heat loss, and solar heat gain coefficient, how much heat enters, are better the lower the number. With an ENERGY STAR window, those low number savings are a standard.
The design
Window design comes down to visual aesthetics and also home security. Some windows are more secure against intruders, while others just look better and fit specific home architectures. The most popular styles include double-hung, casement, awning, slider, and bay or bow windows.
Double-hung: This window has two frame units of glass that slide up and down to let air in. They are a very popular design across most houses and are a good price.
Casement: These use a crank handle to open the window at a horizontal angle, much like a door opening. Casement is especially great at catching breezes and directing fresh, cool air into your home. They are also quite secure against intruders.
Awning: Like casement windows, awning windows open with a crank but pivot upwards from the bottom instead. They are ideal when you want to open the window even if it’s raining or to install in basement rooms.
Slider: Just like its name, slider windows open on a sliding horizontal track. In some styles, only one side opens, but in others, both frames can be opened. These are more popular in older homes and are budget-friendly with a long, durable lifespan.
Bay or bow: Despite the designs looking similar, bay and bow windows are two different styles. Bay windows extend outside the house in varying angles and include three or more windows, although three are typical. Bow windows also extend outside and include up to six windows but curve in a gentle arc and not sharp angles.
Fixed and skylight windows are two other popular styles. Fixed windows are mostly for aesthetics as they don’t open, while skylights bring in light from above.
The installation
Windows are never a DIY job and should always be left to a professional. Between the work involved and the skill required, it’s always best to hire someone who has those years of skill and knowledge. A company can also handle the work in a few hours or a day, so you don’t have to leave your home open to the elements. Unlike DIY, a company ensures you have legal protection and a warranty on any work done. That way, if any repairs or damages come up in the future, the costs will be covered and won’t become an unplanned expense.
6 Top-rated windows in Canada
Now that you know the breakdown of what goes into a good window, it’s time to find the best window brands. Any of these five top-recommended brands are great options for your next window renovation.
1. Nordik’s RevoCell® Windows
Best: Most energy-efficient windows
RevoCell® Windows tops Canada’s charts in energy efficiency. They are stronger than vinyl windows, with a higher performance than most competitors. RevoCell® Windows are priced in the mid-market range, comparable to generic PVC windows, making this high-end, high-performing window option affordable and cost-effective.
RevoCell® windows are manufactured by Nordik Windows and Doors, a full-service window and door replacement company serving homeowners in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, with affiliates in Ottawa and Boston. RevoCell® is the company’s trademark for its proprietary window design in microcellular PVC.
Con: RevoCell® windows are only available in Nordik and affiliates’ service areas.
Material: Composite (microcelluar PVC)
Styles: Casement, Fixed/Picture, Awning, Hung, Slider, Bay/Bow, and Custom-shaped.
Energy Star: Yes. RevoCell® Windows are rated most efficient, even with double-pane glass.
Colour: White, Ivory, Cashmere, Clay, Khaki, Iron, Ore, Brown, Black
Cost: $-$$
Contact:
| Website | https://nordik.com/ |
| Phone | 1-800-301-7366 |
| info@nordik.com | |
| RenovationFind Profile | https://www.renovationfind.com/companies/nordik-windows-and-doors-7813 |
2. Pella 350 Series
Best: Energy efficient windows
The Pella 350 Series window brand is designed to be a top-of-the-line competition to other vinyl windows. It’s highly energy-efficient with an ENERGY STAR certification to prove it. The windows come in Low-E triple-pane glass, so there’s less heat loss and less cold air sneaking in. It also guarantees the windows will last for a long time, upwards of 15-30 years. The only maintenance it may need is the occasional cleaning.
As far as efficiency savings goes, this is a top-of-the-line choice. The windows can be further customized with different grill styles, extra security sensors, different designs, and a range of colours. Whether a replacement or an upgrade, these windows are guaranteed to add major value.
Cons: Depending on how many windows you are planning to replace or upgrade, the cost can creep up and become quite expensive. The same goes for how much customization you choose to add to the windows.
Material: vinyl
Style: single-hung, double-hung, casement, awning, sliding, bay/bow, fixed, and custom
ENERGY STAR: Yes
Colours: white/almond, tan, brown, Hartford green, morning sky gray, black, brick red
Cost: $-$$
3. Andersen 400 Series
Best: replacement windows
The Andersen 400 series windows are a great choice if you are looking to replace old, drafty windows with quality ones. The 400 series brand is vinyl-clad with a wood frame, so you benefit from natural wood insulation with vinyl’s durability. Thanks to the cladding, you won’t have to worry about wood damage, repainting, or high-maintenance hassle over its 20-year lifespan. Efficiency-wise, you get higher efficiency than just a wood window, so you save more long-term. Everything from the style of window, size, colour, and extra accessories can be customized to suit your home. Andersen’s brand best windows are also sustainable and green.
Cons: The air infiltration rating is <0.30, which is a poor rating compared to other brands. Without skilled and proper installation, that can lead to long-term issues and extra expenses.
Material: pine wood
Style: double-hung, awning, casement, gliding, picture, bay/bow, custom
ENERGY STAR: Yes
Colours: interior includes white, black, dark bronze; exterior includes white, sandstone, canvas, dark bronze, and black
Cost: $$
4. Marvin Signature Series
Best: two-in-one and window customization
If you are looking for the best of two materials in a windows Canada brand, the Marvin Signature Series is the way to go. This window brand uses a wood interior with exterior aluminum cladding for twice the protection and efficiency. On top of that, it’s the most customizable brand range for any design, type of wood, accessories, colours, and more. If aluminum isn’t what you want, there’s also the option to use fibreglass instead. The wood quality is top of the line and carefully sourced to ensure just that.
In-house experts also monitor wood trends and grading to ensure that quality is never subpar. Thanks to the aluminum cladding, any weather from rain, snow, salty air, or heat won’t cause damage. All colours will last at least ten years, plus all windows come with a 20-year warranty for peace of mind with these top-rated windows in Canada.
Cons: The sheer range of customization and options can feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for. While a deterrent to some, speaking with a professional will help narrow down the perfect choice.
Material: aluminum clad exterior with wood interior
Style: awning, casement, bay/bow/ double-hung, corners, gliders, picture
ENERGY STAR: Yes
Colours: Wide range of colour options; wood options include mahogany, pine, and Douglas Fir
Cost: $$$
5. Milgard Ultra Series
Best: fibreglass performance windows
Fibreglass is a long-standing top contender when it comes to efficiency, cost, and durability. The material resists any swelling, rotting, or warping, so it’s a long-lasting option for even longer savings. The windows are also resistant to heat and cold, so there’s no risk of unwanted drafts or heat loss. The glass is further insulated, and the frames contract and expand with the glass to avoid excess strain on the frames. Once installed, you also get a lifetime warranty on the window, so there’s never any stress of future repair costs or problems. Aside from window customization, you can also customize the hardware for top-of-the-line materials or feature colours.
Cons: Milgard has various product lines, each with different benefits and features. Picking the right one can be hard, and the cost tends to vary towards high-end prices depending on the brand line.
Material: fibreglass
Style: single-hung, slider, casement, awning, picture, bay/bow
ENERGY STAR: Yes
Colours: black bean, bark, harmony, white
Cost: $-$$
6. Jeld-Wen Builders V-2500
Best: affordability windows Canada
Window replacements aren’t always cheap, especially if you want to invest in long-lasting, quality replacements. Jeld-Wen Builders V-2500 brand series is known to be a low-cost but high-quality vinyl window brand. The Builders V-2500 series is built to be low-maintenance by design, so there’s little extra cost to budget into future upkeep. The vinyl material ensures that the windows won’t fade, chip, or peel over their lifespan. The frames are also built to be sleek and narrow for a modern, streamline design. Despite being low-cost, there is still a range of styles and aesthetic accessories to add on. The windows are installed with a limited lifespan warranty and will last upwards of 20 years.
Cons: These windows are standard, budget-friendly options, so there are fewer colours and design customization options than other brands.
Material: vinyl or wood
Style: double-hung, single-hung, sliding, picture, bay/bow, custom
ENERGY STAR: Yes
Colours: interior includes white, desert sand, and almond; exterior includes chestnut bronze, dark chocolate, almond, white, and desert sand
Cost: $
What else to look for
Now that you are familiar with the different types of best windows brands, designs, colours, and options, there are a few final factors. With window brands, it’s important to find the right manufacturer/company, warranties, and trusty reviews.
Manufacturer and installer: Windows are manufactured by a certain company, but then they are also sold and distributed across many other sellers. As with any renovation process, finding a qualified company with the right window brand goes hand-in-hand. A company with a solid reputation, skilled professionals, and the right warranties and insurance will ensure a quality installation. Likewise, the right manufacturer behind the window brand will ensure the materials and design going into the windows are top-notch. The brands listed above are all trusted and quality choices, so you can choose any one that suits your needs.
Warranties: Top-rated windows in Canada warranties give you peace of mind and insurance should the worst ever happen, and the window fails. Quality warranties will help cover defections, the cost to remove and replace, or any repairs. Just because a brand says it has a warranty, though, don’t stop there. Always check to make sure that the warranty offers all the protection you want for your windows.
Trusty reviews: Take the time to see what past customers of the window brands have to say about the window. It’s the best way to find any flaws, deficiencies, or just above quality features. You can find which type is the most efficient, looks the best, or just suits your budget the most. In addition to reading any information on the manufacturer or company website, customer reviews give you first-hand and honest accounts.
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