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Windows & Doors FAQ

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Windows & Doors We Offer

What types of windows does Total Home offer?

We manufacture vinyl casement, awning, single-hung, double-hung, sliding, tilt-and-turn, hopper, fixed, bay and bow windows through our TotalSeal Classic and UltraSlim series, plus aluminum windows for sleeker, larger openings. Every style is ENERGY STAR® certified and built in our own Vaughan facility.

Yes. Casement windows are part of our core TotalSeal lineup and are popular across the GTA for their tight, crank-operated seal against wind-driven rain. See our full window styles for specifications and pricing guidance.

Double-hung windows have two sashes that slide vertically for top-and-bottom ventilation, while sliding windows move horizontally on a track. Both are available in our TotalSeal series with the same ENERGY STAR® glass packages.

Bay windows project outward in three angled panels, while bow windows use four or more panels for a gentler curve. Both add floor space and light; read our guide on measuring a bow window before ordering.

Yes, fixed and picture windows can be combined with bay, bow, or custom shapes for a decorative focal point. Our design team helps match specialty configurations to your home’s existing architecture during a free consultation.

Vinyl is our most popular material for energy efficiency, low maintenance, and price, while aluminum suits modern homes needing slimmer sightlines and larger spans. Both come with ENERGY STAR® certified glass packages and full workmanship warranty.

Energy Efficiency & Performance

What does ENERGY STAR® certification mean?

ENERGY STAR® certified windows and doors meet strict energy-efficiency criteria for the Canadian climate zone, reducing heat loss and utility bills. Every TotalSeal product we install carries this certification as standard, not an upgrade.

U-value measures how much heat a window loses, so lower is better, while R-value measures resistance to heat flow, so higher is better. Canadian window ratings almost always use U-value and Energy Rating (ER).

ENERGY STAR® certified windows for our climate zone typically fall between 0.20 and 0.30 U-value. Our Low-E argon packages comfortably meet this range for GTA winters and humid summers.

Low-emissivity coating reflects heat back indoors during winter and blocks solar heat in summer, cutting energy bills year-round. Compare the payback in our Low-E argon cost guide before choosing a glass package.

Argon between panes slows heat transfer more than plain air for a modest premium, and most homeowners recoup it through lower bills. Full breakdown is in our argon gas windows cost article.

Triple-glazing adds insulation and sound dampening but costs 20-50% more than double-glazed units, and opinions in the trade are genuinely divided on payback. We’ll model both options against your home during your free estimate.

Yes, significantly. A sealed double-pane unit with argon fill outperforms single-pane by a wide margin and is now the practical minimum for any ENERGY STAR® certified replacement window in Ontario.

Savings depend on your existing windows’ age and condition, home orientation, and local climate, but drafty single-pane or failed seals waste the most. See real numbers in how old windows affect your heating bill.

Warning signs include visible condensation between panes, cold drafts near the frame, difficulty opening or closing, and unexplained jumps in heating bills. Any of these usually points to failed seals or worn weatherstripping.

Yes, multi-pane glass with argon fill and tight fusion-welded frames noticeably cuts traffic and neighbourhood noise compared to older single-pane windows. Triple-glazing offers the largest additional improvement if noise is your main concern.

Bay windows can perform as well as flat windows when glazed and sealed correctly, though their projecting roof needs proper insulation. Details are covered in are bay windows energy efficient.

Pricing & Installation Costs

How much do vinyl windows cost installed?

Pricing depends on size, style, and glass package, but our full window replacement cost guide breaks down typical GTA ranges by window type so you can budget accurately before your quote.

Aluminum windows carry a premium over standard vinyl due to material and fabrication costs. Current GTA pricing by size and style is detailed in our aluminum windows cost guide.

Size, glass package, frame colour, grille pattern, hardware, and installation complexity all affect the final quote. Custom shapes like bay and bow windows cost more than standard rectangular units of the same square footage.

Labour typically makes up a meaningful share of any project, more for full-frame replacements than simple retrofits. Our estimates always show material and labour separately so you know exactly what you’re paying for.

Yes, every consultation includes a free, no-obligation, in-home measurement and quote. Call 416-661-6666 or book online to arrange a visit from our GTA-based estimating team at a time that suits you.

Yes, we offer flexible payment plans including 0% or low-interest options and start-now-pay-later programs, so a full-house replacement doesn’t have to happen all at once. Ask your consultant for current plan details.

Whole-home projects generally receive better per-window pricing than single replacements, since setup, delivery, and crew time are shared across more units. Your quote will reflect any volume savings automatically.

Installation Process

Do you provide professional installation, or just sell materials?

We handle both manufacturing and installation in-house, so there’s one company accountable for the whole job. Buying materials separately and hiring an unrelated installer often voids warranty coverage and complicates any future service call.

Most homes with 10-15 windows are completed in one to three days, depending on style and whether it’s a retrofit or full-frame replacement. Larger projects or custom shapes may need extra time.

We don’t recommend it. Improper fit or sealing causes drafts, leaks, and reduced efficiency, and self-installation can void the manufacturer’s warranty entirely. Our trained crews follow manufacturer specifications on every job we complete.

Most straightforward like-for-like replacements in Ontario don’t require a permit, but enlarging an opening or altering a load-bearing wall usually does. Our team can advise on your specific municipality’s requirements during consultation.

Our crews protect flooring, furniture, and exterior finishes throughout the job and restore any disturbed trim or siding. Read a real example in improper window installation, cold air and ants showing what poor practice looks like.

Yes, with proper technique, materials rated for cold application, and extra attention to flashing and sealant cure times. Our crews install year-round across the GTA and adjust methods for temperature and moisture conditions.

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable working conditions, but a properly trained crew can install safely in summer heat or winter cold. Scheduling mainly depends on your availability and product lead times.

Clear a path to each window, remove nearby furniture and window treatments, and keep pets and children away from the work area. Our crew will walk you through anything else specific to your home.

We remove and haul away your old windows and packaging as part of the installation service, so there’s nothing left for you to dispose of or recycle separately.

Materials, Durability & Colours

How long do vinyl windows last?

Quality vinyl windows with proper installation typically last several decades, backed by our lifetime warranty on frames, glass seals, and hardware. Climate exposure and maintenance both influence real-world lifespan on any installation.

Our UPVC frames are warranted for life against chipping, cracking, warping, and discolouration under normal use, which is far stronger coverage than older or budget vinyl products typically carry from other manufacturers.

Yes, our TotalSeal frames are engineered specifically for freeze-thaw cycles, humidity swings, and UV exposure typical of Ontario winters and summers, with fusion-welded corners for maximum air and water tightness.

Standard white is included in every quote, with additional exterior and interior colour options available for a modest upgrade. Ask your consultant to see current swatches and any wood-grain finishes during your free estimate.

Colour and finish options, including wood-look foils, are available on select TotalSeal series; availability varies by style. Confirm current finish options with your consultant, since our full colour range isn’t listed online.

Very little: occasional cleaning with mild soap and water, and annual lubrication of hinges and tracks with silicone spray. Unlike wood, our vinyl frames never need painting, staining, or sealing to stay weathertight.

Vinyl is almost always the more practical choice, since it eliminates the ongoing painting, staining, and rot risk that made your original wood windows fail in the first place, at a lower long-term cost.

Doors

What types of doors do you install?

We install steel and fiberglass entry doors, sliding, bifold, tilt-and-turn, and stacking patio doors, garden doors, storm doors, porch enclosures, and garage doors, all available with ENERGY STAR® certified glass packages.

Steel is strong and budget-friendly but can dent and eventually rust, while fiberglass resists denting and rust entirely, insulates better, and mimics real wood grain, for a modest premium over steel.

Quality sliding or tilt-and-turn patio doors last decades with regular track cleaning and lubrication. Many issues like sticking rollers or worn seals are repairable long before a full replacement is ever needed.

Worn weatherstripping and an unadjusted threshold are the usual culprits. Our step-by-step guide on how to seal an exterior door covers the fixes homeowners can try before calling a professional.

Trimming is sometimes needed after a frame swells or an opening is slightly out of square. See how to trim an exterior door for a perfect fit for the correct technique.

Insulated garage door options are available and recommended for attached garages or GTA homes wanting better temperature control. Ask your consultant to compare insulated versus standard panels for your specific garage.

Steel and some fiberglass garage doors can be repainted to extend their look between replacements. Our guide on how to paint a garage door covers prep and product choice.

Multi-point locking systems, reinforced frames, and impact-resistant glass options are available across our entry and patio door lines, giving meaningfully better security than a standard single-deadbolt door.

Warranty

What warranty comes with Total Home products?

We provide a Limited Lifetime Warranty covering UPVC frame defects, glass seal failure, hardware, and workmanship, for as long as you or a subsequent owner occupy the home.

Yes, coverage transfers automatically to the new homeowner for the remaining warranty period, which is a genuine selling point when you eventually list your property on the market.

Glass breakage, damage from unauthorized installation, foundation settlement, acts of God, and condensation caused by excessive indoor humidity aren’t covered. Full exclusions are listed on our warranty page.

Contact us with proof of purchase; we inspect the issue and repair or replace the defective component at no cost, with replacement parts shipped directly from our own manufacturing facility.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

My new windows are drafty. What should I do?

Contact us right away, since fresh installations shouldn’t draft. This usually points to an installation or sealant issue that our crew can diagnose and correct under your workmanship warranty.

This is almost always a sign of gaps around the frame from improper sealing or shimming. See our detailed case study on brand-new windows letting in cold air and ants for what to check.

Fogging trapped between glass layers means the sealed unit’s gas fill has escaped and the seal has failed, which is different from harmless surface condensation. This is covered under our lifetime glass warranty.

Argon slowly diffuses over many years even in an intact seal, gradually reducing insulation performance. Our guide on the cost to replace argon gas in windows explains when it’s worth doing.

Clean the tracks of dirt and debris, then apply a silicone-based lubricant to hinges and rollers, never oil or WD-40. If the problem persists, contact us for a warranty inspection.

Use mild soap and water with a soft cloth, avoiding abrasive pads, bleach, or high-pressure washers that can scratch or discolour the frame finish over time.

Clean glass at least twice a year and inspect weatherstripping and caulking annually, replacing either if cracked or compressed, since worn seals are the most common cause of drafts and leaks.

Company, Service Area & Consultation

How long has Total Home been in business?

We’ve been manufacturing and installing windows and doors across Ontario since 2007, completing over 28,000 installations from our own 60,000 sq. ft. Vaughan facility.

Yes, Total Home is fully licensed and insured, holds a BBB A+ rating, and has won HomeStars Best of the Best four times, alongside a 4.9/5 average Google rating.

We serve Toronto and the wider GTA, including Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, and Hamilton, plus Southern Ontario communities from the Golden Horseshoe up to cottage country.

Yes, our showrooms are at 7250 Keele Street, Unit 167, and 8810 Jane Street in Vaughan, open Monday to Friday 9am-6pm and Saturday 9am-3pm.

Call 416-661-6666 or 1-855-550-0610, or book online through our website for a free, in-home consultation and measurement with one of our GTA estimators.

Rebates, Financing & Choosing an Installer

Are there government rebates for window replacement in Ontario?

Various federal, provincial, and municipal energy-efficiency programs periodically offer rebates for ENERGY STAR® certified replacements. Program availability changes often, so ask your consultant what currently applies to your project.

Yes, since every window and door we install is ENERGY STAR® and CSA certified, our products typically meet the technical requirements for most current rebate programs in Ontario.

Even premium windows perform poorly if installed with gaps, poor shimming, or inadequate sealant, while a well-installed mid-range window can outperform them. Always weigh installer reputation and warranty as heavily as the product itself.

Ask how long they’ve operated locally, whether they manufacture their own product, what the workmanship warranty covers, and whether the quote includes removal, disposal, and permits, so nothing is a surprise later.

Bargain windows and rushed installation crews often mean weaker seals, shorter lifespans, and warranty gaps that cost more to fix than the original savings, especially once drafts or leaks appear within a few years.

Toronto Installation Costs & Getting Quotes

How much does it typically cost to install around 10 standard windows in Toronto?

Retrofit installation across the GTA is priced per window based on size and style, with labour making up a meaningful share of a multi-window job. Our free in-home estimate gives you an exact, itemized figure.

Labour commonly accounts for roughly a third to half of total project cost, while material pricing swings more with glass package, frame colour, and style. Every Total Home quote itemizes both separately.

Retrofit reuses your existing frame and costs less, while brick-to-brick removes everything down to the masonry for a full reset, costing more but correcting rot, poor sightlines, or structural issues underneath.

Yes, comparing a few written, itemized quotes from licensed local installers helps you judge fair pricing and spot vague or incomplete estimates before committing to a full-home project.

More Window Type Comparisons

What is Heat Mirror technology, and is it worth considering?

Heat Mirror suspends a reflective film between panes to approach triple-glazing performance in a slimmer, lighter frame. It’s a niche option some manufacturers offer; ask your consultant whether it suits your project.

Soft-coat Low-E is applied inside a sealed unit and gives the strongest winter heat retention, while hard-coat is more scratch-resistant but less thermally efficient, which is why soft-coat is now the industry standard.

A casement sash closes against the frame like a door, so wind pressure presses it tighter, whereas sliding or hung sashes rely on friction fit alone, which loosens as hardware wears with age.

Compare warranty length and coverage, U-value and ER ratings, and frame construction, but weigh the installer’s own local track record just as heavily, since installation quality affects real-world performance more than any spec sheet.

Choosing the Right Installer

Should I buy windows separately and hire my own installer?

We don’t recommend it. Splitting manufacturer and installer means no single company is accountable if something goes wrong, and many warranties, including ours, require installation by the certified team that made the product.

Poorly installed windows can draft and leak even when the glass itself is excellent, cause water damage inside walls, void your warranty, and sometimes lead to costly structural repairs years down the line.

The manufacturer’s warranty covers defects in the glass, frame, and hardware, while a workmanship warranty covers installation quality. Total Home issues both under one roof, so there’s no dispute over who’s responsible.

Confirm licensing, insurance, years operating locally, a written workmanship warranty, and real customer references or reviews. Total Home is fully licensed, insured, BBB A+ rated, and has completed over 28,000 GTA installations.

Some flexibility exists, especially on larger whole-home projects, but be cautious of quotes that drop dramatically, since that often signals corners will be cut on materials or crew experience.

Ask about their local track record, what the estimate includes, whether removal and disposal are covered, their workmanship warranty length, and expected timeline, so there are no surprises once work begins.

Wood vs. Vinyl Windows

How do wooden windows compare to vinyl?

Wood offers a traditional look but needs regular painting or staining and can rot if neglected, while vinyl needs virtually no upkeep and resists moisture entirely, making it the more practical long-term choice.

Switching to vinyl is usually the smarter move, since it removes the recurring maintenance and rot risk that likely caused the original failure, at a lower total cost of ownership over the window’s life.

Yes, modern wood-grain foil finishes on vinyl closely replicate the appearance of stained wood without any of the associated maintenance, so you don’t have to sacrifice looks for durability.

Security Film & Hardware

How much does security window film typically cost?

Quality security film installation is generally priced per square foot including labour, with cost varying by film thickness and window size; ask your consultant for current pricing if this interests you.

Yes, quality security film reinforces glass so it holds together and resists forced entry far better than untreated glass, though correct professional installation matters as much as the film itself.

Each addresses security differently: tempered glass resists breaking on impact, reinforced frames resist prying, and film holds shattered glass together. Combining options gives the strongest overall protection for entry-level windows and doors.

Yes, most window hardware can be upgraded to multi-point or keyed locks. Mention security as a priority during your consultation so we can recommend hardware matched to your specific windows.

Climate & Regional Performance

Do windows need special handling for winter installation?

Yes, cold-weather installation uses sealants rated for low temperatures and extra care with flashing, since standard caulks cure poorly in the cold. Our crews are trained and equipped for year-round GTA installation.

Triple-glazing, Low-E coatings, and argon or krypton fill all boost cold-weather performance. For exposed or rural properties north of the GTA, we typically recommend upgrading past standard double-pane packages.

Areas with more moisture exposure benefit from corrosion-resistant hardware and consistently maintained seals and weatherstripping, since humidity accelerates wear on lower-quality components faster than in drier inland locations.

Some heritage districts restrict exterior appearance changes, including window style and colour. We can advise on compliant options during your consultation if your home falls within a designated heritage area.

Standard like-for-like replacements rarely trigger permit requirements, but enlarging openings, altering egress windows, or structural changes usually do. Your municipality’s requirements are confirmed as part of your project planning.

Troubleshooting Specific Issues

Is some condensation on new windows normal?

Light condensation right after installation, as materials settle, is normal, and morning condensation on the outside of the glass actually signals your windows are insulating well, not a defect.

Confirm the installation is fully cured, then look for visible gaps or missing caulk around the frame. If drafts persist and your installation is still under warranty, contact us for an inspection.

This points to a flashing or sealing issue and needs prompt professional attention. Contact your installer immediately, since water intrusion can cause hidden damage the longer it’s left unaddressed.

Clean the tracks and hardware, then apply a silicone-based lubricant rather than oil or WD-40. If the window still won’t operate smoothly, it likely needs a professional adjustment or part replacement.

Yes, haze trapped between panes means the sealed unit has failed and moisture has entered, which is different from a simple surface smudge. This is exactly what our lifetime glass warranty covers.

Minor surface cracks can sometimes be sealed as a temporary fix, but a structural crack in the frame generally requires replacing that unit. We’ll assess it and advise the most cost-effective path.

Measuring & Sizing

How are replacement windows measured?

We measure width and height at multiple points on-site, since older openings are rarely perfectly square, and always recommend professional measurement rather than DIY to avoid an ill-fitting custom order.

That’s common in older homes and is handled with shimming and careful frame alignment during installation, so a slightly irregular opening won’t prevent a proper, weathertight fit.

Some adjustment is normal, but a significantly different size usually calls for a custom-built unit or minor framing changes, both of which we can quote during your in-home consultation.

More Maintenance, Rebates & Disposal

Should vinyl windows ever be painted?

It’s not recommended, since paint can interfere with the frame’s expansion and sealing over time. Our colour range is designed so you shouldn’t need to paint your windows at all.

Exterior caulk typically lasts several years before it cracks or shrinks. Inspect it annually and have it refreshed if you notice gaps, since failed caulk is a common, low-cost cause of drafts.

Many of our styles include tilt-in sashes so upper-floor windows can be cleaned safely from inside. Ask your consultant which styles offer this feature if easy cleaning is a priority.

Programs come and go at the federal, provincial, and municipal level. Since our products are ENERGY STAR® and CSA certified, they typically qualify whenever a program is active; ask your consultant what’s currently available.

Planning Your Project

Should I replace all my windows at once or a few at a time?

Replacing everything together usually costs less per window and finishes the job faster, while a phased approach spreads cost over time. Either way, prioritize your worst-performing windows first if budgeting gradually.

Cost scales with window count, style, and glass package, so figures vary widely between homes. Our free in-home consultation gives you an accurate, itemized number rather than a generic online estimate.

Prioritize installer quality as highly as the product itself. A well-installed mid-range window consistently outperforms a premium window installed poorly, so reputation, warranty, and local track record matter enormously.

Yes, a free in-home consultation lets us assess your actual openings, discuss glass and style options suited to your home, and give you accurate pricing instead of relying on rough online estimates.

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