Advice centre
Doors and windows: clear answers.
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- Before you buyQuestions to ask before you sign a quoteThe checklist for an honest comparison before you sign — products, installation, warranties, exclusions.
- Before you buyHow do you compare two door and window quotes?Do not compare totals alone: align products, installation, finishes and exclusions.
- Before you buyWhen do you really need to replace your windows?Drafts, persistent fogging, tired frames: the signs that actually matter.
- ProductsPVC or hybrid windows: how do you choose?PVC remains the most common; hybrid helps with dark exterior finishes.
- ProductsCasement or sliding window?Casement on the façade for airtightness; sliding when outdoor space is limited.
- ProductsDouble or triple glazing?Double 3+3, 6+4 for noise, triple 3+3+3, Solarban.
- PriceWhat is included in a window quote?Products, options, installation, finishes… and what stays off the quote until measuring.
- InstallationWhat does window installation involve?Measuring, manufacturing, then install by our crew — not subcontractors.
- ProblemsWhy do my windows have condensation?Often household humidity — sometimes a sealed unit. Here is how to read the signs.
- DoorsHow do you choose a steel door?Steel for most homes; we compare models, glass, colour and finishes.
- PatioHow do you choose a patio door?Budget, mid-range or high-end — we start from the opening and how you use it.
Before you buy
Budget, quotes, timing, and questions to ask before you sign.
- Questions to ask before you sign a quoteThe checklist for an honest comparison before you sign — products, installation, warranties, exclusions.
- How do you compare two door and window quotes?Do not compare totals alone: align products, installation, finishes and exclusions.
- When do you really need to replace your windows?Drafts, persistent fogging, tired frames: the signs that actually matter.
- Do you need to replace all your windows at once?Not required. Often we prioritize — façade, bedrooms, then plan the rest.
- How do you plan a replacement budget?Number of openings, glazing, installation and finishes: that is what really drives the budget.
Understanding products
Opening types, glazing, Low-E, argon, ENERGY STAR® and performance.
- PVC or hybrid windows: how do you choose?PVC remains the most common; hybrid helps with dark exterior finishes.
- Casement or sliding window?Casement on the façade for airtightness; sliding when outdoor space is limited.
- Double or triple glazing?Double 3+3, 6+4 for noise, triple 3+3+3, Solarban.
- What is Low-E?A thin coating on the glass that helps keep heat in… and manage the sun.
- What is argon gas used for?It replaces air between the panes for better insulation — discreet, but useful.
- What is an ENERGY STAR® window?A performance certification — useful for comfort and sometimes for grants.
- How do you read a window’s energy performance?U, SHGC, airtightness: the useful numbers — without drowning in jargon.
- What is a window’s U-factor?The lower the U, the better the window holds heat — roughly.
- What is the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)?It indicates how much of the sun’s heat enters the house through the glass.
- Why can two windows of the same size have different performance?Size is only one line. Glazing, frame and airtightness do the rest.
- Basement egress window: what should you know?Compliant emergency exit: opening mullion and egress hinges, not just tilt-and-turn.
- Can you enlarge a window opening?Yes, sometimes — but you’re altering the structure. It is no longer a simple replacement.
Price and quotes
What’s included, what drives the price, and fees after measuring.
- What is included in a window quote?Products, options, installation, finishes… and what stays off the quote until measuring.
- Is triple glazing worth the upgrade?Often yes for winter comfort — not always required on every opening.
- How do you compare windows from different manufacturers?Same logic as two quotes: aligned specs, then service and installation.
- What fees can be added after measuring?Damaged frame, difficult access, finishes off the quote: the most common add-ons.
Installation
How the install works, preparing your home, finishes and install quality.
- What does window installation involve?Measuring, manufacturing, then install by our crew — not subcontractors.
- How long does a replacement take?A one-day install is common; total lead time depends mainly on production.
- How do you prepare your home before installation?Clear 1 m around openings, remove fragile blinds, plan access: simple and effective.
- Why is installation as important as the window?The product gives the potential; installation decides the everyday result.
- How do you know a window was installed correctly?It opens well, closes well, does not whistle — and the caulking is clean and continuous.
- What happens to the old windows after replacement?We remove them from the site as agreed — you do not have to manage the pile yourself.
- Do you need to redo interior trim?Sometimes we reuse; sometimes a clean look requires new casing.
- Do you need to redo the exterior cladding?Not always. Often we rebuild the window surround — sometimes the cladding must follow.
Problems
Condensation, drafts, fogged sealed units, noise, cold — and what to do.
- Why do my windows have condensation?Often household humidity — sometimes a sealed unit. Here is how to read the signs.
- Why is there water at the bottom of my window?Condensation running down, blocked drain, or real infiltration: three different causes.
- Why does my window let air in?Seals, closing adjustment or install airtightness: we isolate the cause before changing everything.
- Why is my window hard to open?Dirt, paint, seasonal swelling… or a frame that has shifted.
- Why is my sealed unit fogged?Fog between the panes = failed sealed unit. It is not room humidity.
- How do you know if your sealed unit has failed?Fog or haze between the panes that does not clear: classic sign.
- Why does my window make noise?Air whistling, hardware rattling, or simply traffic noise.
- Why do I feel cold near my windows?Cold glass drains comfort — especially with basic double glazing and near drafts.
- Is a window that condenses necessarily defective?No. Much condensation comes from household humidity, not a defect.
- Can you repair a window instead of replacing it?Yes for seals and hardware; no when the frame or sealed unit is at end of life.
Entry doors
Steel, glass, colour, lockset, frame and drafts.
- How do you choose a steel door?Steel for most homes; we compare models, glass, colour and finishes.
- Is a glazed entry door less insulating?Yes, glass insulates less than a solid panel — but good glazing limits the gap.
- How do you improve an entry door’s insulation?Weatherstripping and sill first; then glass or a full door if it is worn.
- Why does my entry door let air in?Almost always the perimeter — weatherstripping, sill or a door that no longer seats.
- Why is my door hard to close?House movement, hinges, or a panel that has shifted — adjust before forcing.
- Should you replace only the door or the full frame?Sound frame: sometimes replacing only the door panel is enough. Tired frame: better the full system.
- How do you choose an entry door colour?Harmony with the façade, and realism about maintenance under Quebec sun.
- Which lockset should you choose for an entry door?A solid handle and deadbolt as a base; multipoint locking if you want a higher level.
- How do you choose glass for an entry door?Light vs privacy: full lite, half lite, or corner glass — we decide with you in the showroom.
Patio doors
Operation, weather sealing, insulation and resizing openings.
- How do you choose a patio door?Budget, mid-range or high-end — we start from the opening and how you use it.
- What is a lift-and-slide patio door?The sash lifts before it slides — useful when the glass is very heavy.
- Why is my patio door hard to open?Tracks, rollers, adjustment… or a system not built for the weight of the glass.
- Why does my patio door let air in?Seals and where the sashes meet: classic weak points of an older slider.
- How do you improve a patio door’s insulation?Seals and glazing first; then a higher-performing line if the frame is worn.
- Can you replace a window with a patio door?Yes, by enlarging the opening — it is a structural project, not a simple swap.
- Can you replace a patio door with a window?Yes — we close part of the opening. Plan structure and finishes.
Comfort and energy
Noise, sun, cold rooms and heating bills.
- How do you reduce noise with new windows?Airtightness first, then glazing — windows help; they do not make a soundproof room.
- Which windows should you choose near a busy road?Prioritize airtightness and “heavier” glass — especially street-side.
- Does triple glazing really reduce noise?Yes, often — especially if the current double is thin and the install is airtight.
- How do you improve your windows’ energy efficiency?Cut leaks, then step up glazing performance — in that order.
- Do new windows really lower the heating bill?Yes, in general — especially if the old ones leak. The size of the gain varies from house to house.
- Why are some rooms colder than others?Orientation, leaky windows, or unbalanced heat — often a combo.
- Which glass should you choose for a very sunny window?We work with Low-E / SHGC to limit overheating without turning the room into a cave.
- Why do some windows have more condensation than others?A colder window or a more humid room condenses first — physical logic.
Warranty
Manufacturer vs installation warranty, lifespan and after-sales support.
- How does a window warranty work?Two layers: the product (manufacturer) and the installation (us). Not the same thing.
- Manufacturer warranty vs installation warranty: what is the difference?Product on one side, install on the other — both must be clear on the quote.
- What does a window warranty generally cover?Sealed unit, frame, sometimes hardware — with exclusions (breakage, misuse).
- What should you do if a window has a problem after installation?Call us with photos and a description — we sort product vs installation.
- Who do you contact when a window is defective?Us first — we are your single contact for product and installation.
- Is a window warranty transferable when a house is sold?Often yes in residential, but the manufacturer’s terms decide.
- How long is a window supposed to last?Decades if well chosen and installed — with minimal maintenance.
True or false?
Myths about PVC, triple glazing, condensation and more.
- True or false? Triple glazing is always betterFalse. Often advantageous — not automatically the right choice everywhere.
- True or false? All PVC windows are equivalentFalse. The base material does not tell you system quality.
- True or false? A more expensive window is necessarily betterFalse. Price mixes performance, options, service… and positioning.
- True or false? A new window eliminates all condensationFalse. They help; indoor humidity remains a factor.
- True or false? All windows must be replaced at the same timeFalse. You don’t have to — and we often phase the work by budget.
- True or false? A window that lets air in is necessarily defectiveFalse. Often adjustable — sometimes a sign you should replace.
- True or false? The number of chambers in a profile determines qualityFalse. Useful to know — not enough to judge alone.
- True or false? Argon gas disappears quicklyFalse. In a healthy sealed unit, argon lasts a long time.
- True or false? Hybrid windows are always higher-performing than PVCFalse. Different, not automatically “more insulating.”
- True or false? Changing windows hugely lowers the electricity billMostly false — at least on the word “hugely.” They help, but don’t expect miracles.
Dumoulin — showroom in Deux-Montagnes, North Shore.