Beverley Hills Home Improvements 201 Barton Street Stoney Creek, ON L8E 2K3‎ (905) 578-2292 - offering quality replacement windows and doors in Hamilton and surrounding areas.

1. Homeowner’s Guide to
Windows and Doors

2. Introduction
• If you’re buying a new home, renovating the one you have or
looking for ways to save money, the subject of windows and
doors has likely come up.
• The concept of a window only being something to look
through and a door being a way to get in and out is long gone.
• Windows and doors are important parts of your home and a
lot of consideration must be given to both, no matter what
stage of the game you’re in.

3. Assessment
• According to Natural Resources Canada, the first step to
having great windows and doors is assessing your situation.
It’s important to check for drafts, cracks, improper fit and
signs of age when moving in to a home or trying to improve
the energy efficiency of your own.
• Once you have accurately assessed the situation, you’ll know
where the inadequacies lie and you can go about fixing them.

4. Using the Sun
• Since energy efficiency is such an important factor when
choosing windows and doors, designing your home to take
advantage of the sun is a wise choice.
• As Natural Resources Canada points out, the energy you get
from the sun is absolutely free, so why not take advantage of
it.
• The sun’s light and heat increases the brightness in your home
and will cut down on heating bills. Of course, the positioning
of your windows can also lead to excess heat coming in during
the summer months, so it’s a balance.

5. Using the Sun
• There has always been unwritten rules regarding window
placement and heat gain or loss, but with new technology
comes new thoughts and new rules.
• Today, try to keep the ratio of window area to floor area in
your home at around 1:10. This helps to prevent overheating
from solar heating. Energy efficient doors also play an
important role, especially if your home has patio doors in
different locations.

6. Important Considerations
• When it comes to selecting effective windows and doors for
your home, Natural Resources Canada suggests making
several important considerations.
• Don’t use price alone as a guide for quality or performance.
Most of the time, a cheaper unit will perform poorly, but
sometimes they will outperform more expensive units.
• High performance windows are quickly becoming the industry
standard, so you may not notice a price differential between high
performance and standard windows.

7. Important Considerations
• Try to find the most energy efficient windows and doors possible
to suit both your needs and your budget. Just because price isn’t
everything doesn’t mean that budget isn’t an important factor.
• Consider windows and doors as a long-term investment and act
accordingly. Ask a lot of questions and take your time making a
decision.

8. Window Benefits
• Here are some of the homeowner benefits to using high
performance, energy efficient windows in your house:
• Reduced heating costs – energy efficient windows keep the warm
air inside and the cold air out.
• Reduced cooling costs - in the summer, the reverse is true, and
the warm air stays out and the cool air stays inside.
• Improved comfort – air leakage and drafts become a thing of the
past with proper windows.

9. Window Benefits
• Less exterior noise – the gas fills in high performance windows
that are designed to prevent energy loss, also reduce the noise
from the exterior to interior.
• Increased daylight – since high performance windows help you
regulate temperatures so well, they can be placed in spots that
get more sunlight without worrying so much about solar gain.
• More humidity with no condensation – high performance
windows can keep the humidity levels higher in winter to prevent
dry throats and static shocks, but without the condensation that
can produce mold and other issues.

10. Door Benefits
• Even though doors have less impact than windows concerning
energy consumption, choosing the right ones still offers
benefits.
• Improved energy efficiency - Proper installation is important to
reduce drafts and air leakage between the frames and the door.
• Security – properly installed, heavier doors will enhance the
security of the home.
• Reduced heat flow – choosing the right type of door for your
home will keep the heat flow into the house to a minimum.

11. Where to Buy?
• When you’re ready to buy your windows and doors, it’s
important to choose a supplier that will provide you with
exactly what you need. Look for a supplier that:
• Is up to date on the latest technology.
• Offers advice about which windows and doors are best for you.
• Visits your home to take measurements beforehand.
• Offers references for you to contact.
• Has a proven track record and a lot of window and door
experience.