Does your Toronto home have very old or inefficient windows? If so, it may be much more cost-effective to replace them rather than try and improve or repair them. When replacement windows are properly installed, they can benefit you and your home in many ways. Not only will they eventually pay for themselves with lowering your utility costs but they will greatly improve the comfort of you and your family all year round. When you have decided it’s time to get new windows, the whole process can seem a little overwhelming at first. After all, there are many choices to make. Don’t worry this guide from Brock Doors and Windows was created to help you choose the perfect replacement windows for your Toronto home.

Energy Ratings Are the Ideal Place to Start

The first element of replacement windows you should consider is design. Before you select new replacement windows for your home, you should determine what kind of windows will work best and how you can improve on your home’s energy efficiency. It’s a good idea to get an understanding of energy performance ratings for windows, so you know what ratings your windows should have based on our Toronto climate and your home’s design.  Energy Star has established minimum energy performance rating criteria by climate, allowing you to choose the ideal replacement windows for your home. There are three main ratings that you should familiarize yourself with. These are the U-factor, Air Leakage, and the SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient). The U-factor measures the rate at which a window conducts the flow of heat. Generally, the lower the U-factor is, the more energy efficient the window. Air Leakage determines the rate of air movement that occurs around a window in the presence of a specific pressure difference across it. When a window has a low Air Leakage rating, it will be tighter than one with a high Air Leakage rating. The SHGC rating tells you how much solar radiation can penetrate a window. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat it admits through a window, and the greater shading ability it has. Remember that your home’s climate, orientation and other factors will determine the best SHGC, U-value and Air leakage ratings for a window. This is why it is always a good idea to have a professional from Brock Doors and Windows help you determine the best ratings for your replacement windows in Toronto.

Window Glazing

The types of glazing that are available for replacement windows can also have a great impact on the performance of your windows. Low-E glass is a microscopically thin layer of metallic oxide, which is deposited directly onto the surface of your glass windows. Low-E glass helps create more energy efficient windows by absorbing a large fraction of the incoming solar rays. 

Let the friendly folks here at Brock Doors and Windows, help you turn your replacement windows project into the perfect investment for your Toronto home. Call us today for a free consultation!

Brock Doors and Windows Inc
278 Orenda Road Brampton, ON L6T 4X6
(905) 791-2850
2131 McCowan Rd Scarborough, ON, M1S 3Y6
(416) 293-9777