Although changing your doors and windows is one of the most important renovation decisions you can make as a homeowner, it’s also one of the most frequently put off. You get used to drafts, ignore the condensation building up between window panes, and put it off until next year. But the signs of wear and tear on your windows and doors shouldn’t be taken lightly. Knowing how to recognize the signs lets you act at the right time to improve your comfort, reduce your energy costs, and maintain the value of your home.
We’ve put together this complete guide to help you recognize the signs and replace your doors and windows at the right time.
Why changing your doors and windows is a worthwhile investment
Homeowners often see replacing doors and windows as an expense, but it’s actually one of the most profitable investments homeowners can make, for 3 main reasons.
1. Reducing heat loss
Quebec winters are long and harsh, and a poorly insulated home loses a significant amount of heat. Installing double- or triple-pane windows (also called double-glazed or triple-glazed windows) creates an effective thermal barrier against the cold, limits thermal bridging, and maintains a stable interior temperature, even at –25°C.
Did you know?
Poorly insulated doors and windows can account for up to 25% of a home’s energy losses, according to Natural Resources Canada. Moreover, a single-pane window loses 10 to 20 times more heat than a well-insulated wall of the same area.
2. Saving on your energy bills
Higher-performing windows mean lower heating bills, especially if you get ENERGY STAR®-certified windows that are specifically designed for the Canadian climate and rigorously tested by Natural Resources Canada. The older your current windows are, the more noticeable the difference will be from the very first winter!
Did you know?
ENERGY STAR-certified windows are 20% more energy-efficient than standard windows on average. Product lines recognized as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient can get up to 55% additional efficiency.
3. Increasing the value of your property
In addition to saving you money, changing your doors and windows also increases the market value of your property, which is a major advantage if you’re planning to sell or refinance your home in the next few years. It’s the kind of investment that reassures potential buyers and can tip the scales in your favour!
RenoAssistance by Desjardins is here to help you plan this type of project and maximize your return on investment.
Did you know?
Replacing your doors and windows lets to recoup between 50% and 75% of your investment when selling your home.
What are the signs that it’s time to change your windows?
If you know how to spot them, you’ll see the signs that your windows are nearing the end of their useful life before they fail completely. Here are the most common and telling signs.
Drafts and poor seal
Drafts around a window are often the first sign that the seal has been compromised. An easy way to check for drafts is to hold your hand or a lit candle near the edges on a cold day. If you feel cool air or the flame flickers, air is leaking through the window (this is called air infiltration).
The most common causes of sealing issues are:
Worn or detached weather stripping
Cracked or missing caulk
A frame that’s been warped by freeze/thaw cycles, leaving gaps
These problems force your heating system to work harder, which inevitably increases your energy bill.
Condensation between panes or foggy windows
Condensation on the interior surface of a window is normal in extreme cold. However, condensation between the panes is a serious sign that it’s time to change the window.
Fog or water droplets between the panes means that the window seal is broken and the argon gas has leaked, meaning the window has lost most of its insulating properties. Replacing the window is necessary.
Difficulty opening, closing or locking windows
Does your window stick? Doesn’t lock properly? There are two distinct causes for this problem:
A mechanism such as the handle, locking bar or hinge is faulty, which can generally be fixed with a targeted repair.
The frame has been warped by extreme temperature swings between summer and winter, which usually means it’s time to change the window.
Damaged, rotted or cracked frames
Wooden window frames are particularly vulnerable to the harsh Quebec climate. When they start to deteriorate, you may notice rot, cracks or flaking paint.
Beyond esthetics, these problems can lead to water infiltration, promote mould growth and create thermal bridges that cancel out the insulating effect of the glazing.
3 elements to inspect regularly:
The bottom of the frame, which is often exposed to moisture
The corners of the glazing, where water can accumulate
The junction between the frame and the wall
Water infiltration and mould
Moisture stains, blistering paint or mould around a window frame are warning signs that should never be ignored. Untreated water infiltration extends silently into the surrounding wall, which can lead to far more costly damage than simply changing a window.
3 elements to inspect after heavy rain or rapid snowmelt:
Silicone joints around the frame
Windowsill
Wall around the window
Excessive exterior noise
Can you clearly hear traffic, neighbours or bad weather from your living room? This is a sign that your windows are no longer providing enough acoustic insulation and is especially common with single-pane windows.
Changing your windows to double- or triple-pane windows will significantly reduce noise levels, which is especially noticeable if you live in an urban area or near a busy road.
Frost on the inside of the window
Ice or frost on the inside of your window in cold weather means severely deficient thermal insulation. If you notice this, it’s best to change the window right away, as it is no longer working as a thermal barrier.
What are the signs that it’s time to change a door?
Entry doors are often overlooked in renovation projects, yet they play a crucial role in your home’s thermal insulation. An entry door that’s starting to deteriorate can have a significant impact on your comfort, security and energy bill.
In short, replacing your doors is just as important as changing your windows; in many cases, it makes sense to plan these projects together.
Here are the main signs to watch out for.
Poor thermal insulation
Just as with windows, an excellent way to check your door’s airtightness is to hold your hand near the edge on a cold day. A draft along the frame or door threshold means the insulation is failing.
Did you know?
Modern entry doors feature a high-performance insulating core and multi-layer weather stripping that make a real difference to your winter comfort (and your heating bill!).
Warped, cracked or hard-to-lock door
If your door no longer closes properly, rubs against the frame, or is hard to lock, the problem may be structural deformation. This issue affects entry doors, patio doors and sliding doors alike.
Beyond the inconvenience, a door that doesn’t close properly is an obvious security risk, requiring quick replacement.
Water or air infiltration around the door frame
Cracked caulking, worn weather stripping, and gaps between the door and the door frame can allow water to seep in unnoticed. Damage to the floor and walls may build up for several seasons before it becomes noticeable, so it’s important to check on a regular basis.
3 elements to inspect regularly:
Caulking joint around the frame
Door threshold (often the first area to fail)
Gap between the door and the door frame
What is the lifespan of your doors and windows?
How long your doors and windows will last depends largely on what material they’re made of and how well they’ve been maintained over the years.
This table is a useful reference for assessing the condition of your doors and windows.
Material | Estimated lifespan | Required maintenance |
|---|---|---|
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/vinyl | 20 to 30 years | Minimal |
Aluminum | 30 years and more | Low |
Wood | Highly variable depending on maintenance | High (for paint and sealing) |
Steel/fibreglass (entry door) | 20 to 30 years | Low |
These lifespans vary depending on maintenance and installation conditions. In Quebec, freeze/thaw cycles can significantly reduce the useful life of your doors and windows.
The impact of Quebec winters on your doors and windows
Quebec’s northern climate is particularly harsh on building materials, but some hold up better than others.
Wood is the most vulnerable to freeze/thaw cycles. Without rigorous maintenance, it warps, cracks and eventually lets in air and water.
PVC and aluminum resist temperature fluctuations better and require little maintenance.
Steel is one of the most common materials for entry doors in Quebec because of its durability, weather resistance and low maintenance requirements.
Repair or replace? That is the question!
You don’t always need to change your windows; in some cases, a targeted repair is enough. Let’s look at how to decide!
When repair is enough
Repairing your windows is appropriate for isolated, easy-to-fix situations, such as:
A loose or cracked caulk joint
Worn weather stripping that needs replacing
A defective handle or locking bar
An isolated problem on a window that’s less than 10 years old
In such cases, repair by a qualified contractor can generally resolve the issue quickly at low cost.
When replacement is needed
You’ll need to replace your windows when:
They’re more than 20 years old and shows multiple signs of wear
The thermal seal is broken (you can see condensation between the panes)
The energy performance is clearly insufficient
The frame is warped or rotted
Tip
Replace the window if the cost of a repair is at least half the price of a new window. You’ll get better energy performance, a warranty and peace of mind!
How to choose your new doors and windows
Choosing your new doors and windows is about more than how they look. Here are some essential criteria to consider.
ENERGY STAR certification
Look for the ENERGY STAR label on your new windows. This certification guarantees that the product has been tested according to strict requirements designed for various Canadian climates, including Quebec’s.
In addition to maximizing energy savings, ENERGY STAR-certified windows may be eligible for certain financial assistance programs for energy-efficient renovation work.
Glazing
The type of glazing has a direct impact on a window’s energy and acoustic performance. These are the most common options available on the market.
Double-glazed: Made up of two panes of glass separated by an insulating chamber, double-glazed windows are the standard in most Quebec homes. They offer a good performance-to-price ratio.
Triple-glazed: With three panes of glass and two insulating chambers, triple-glazed windows offer superior acoustic and thermal insulation. They’re a great choice for homes in extremely cold climates.
Argon gas: Argon gas has low thermal conductivity. When injected between the panes, it replaces the air and reduces energy loss.
Low-emissivity glass (Low-E coating): Low-E glass has a microscopic low-emissivity coating, reducing the amount of ultraviolet and infrared light that passes through your window without blocking natural light.
Did you know?
In Quebec, Low-E glass and argon gas are now standard on most windows.
Material
The frame material affects both durability and thermal performance. Here is an overview of the most common options.
Matériau | Avantages |
|---|---|
PVC | Excellent value for money, low maintenance and good insulation |
Aluminum | Durable, contemporary esthetic and weather-resistant |
Steel | Sturdy and affordable, low maintenance and resistant to Quebec’s harsh climate |
Wood | Warm, natural esthetic and good thermal insulation. Wood requires more maintenance than other materials. |
Installation quality
Even the highest-performing window will be ineffective if it’s poorly installed, and it can take years before you notice the damage caused by a shoddy installation, making it costly to correct.
RenoAssistance by Desjardins can help you avoid expensive damage by connecting you with certified specialists who are fully trained to install windows and doors according to industry standards!
What’s the best time to replace your doors and windows?
Even though spring and summer are ideal for changing your doors and windows, it can be done in cold weather. Let’s take a closer look.
Spring and summer are ideal
Spring and summer are best for changing your doors and windows, as the warmer weather makes installation, sealing and caulking easier. Plus, lead times are generally shorter than in the fall, when demand is at its peak.
Tip
Plan for at least 4 to 6 weeks for manufacturing and an additional 3 to 4 months for installation, depending on your region.
Winter installation is possible
Experienced contractors have the tools, techniques and sealing products needed to change doors and windows in the middle of winter. There are even some advantages to changing your doors and windows in the winter:
Shorter lead times
More competitive pricing
Immediate improvement in comfort
The key is to trust the work to a qualified contractor, no matter the season!
How much does replacing your doors and windows cost?
The cost of a project varies according to several factors, such as dimensions, materials, region and the contractor chosen.
Here are some general price ranges to help you plan.
Type of door/window | Estimated cost (product + installation) |
|---|---|
Standard window (PVC, double glazed) | $600 to $1,500/unit |
High-performance window (triple-glazed) | $1,200 to $2,500/unit |
Entry door | $1,500 to $4,000 |
Patio door | $2,000 to $5,000 |
Prices can vary depending on your situation. Tell us about your project for an accurate, no-obligation estimate.
Financial assistance
You may be eligible for financial assistance to offset the cost of your project. Most notably, the Rénoclimat program offers $150 for each door or window replaced with an ENERGY STAR-certified product, up to a maximum of $3,000 per project.
Desjardins also offers flexible financing solutions to help you spread out the cost of your project, depending on your repayment capacity.
Important
The terms and availability of these programs may change. Contact the relevant organizations directly to see if you’re eligible before starting your work.
RenoAssistance by Desjardins: Your partner for a job done right
Which contractor should you choose? How many quotes do you need? How do you ensure quality workmanship? There are plenty of things to consider when changing your doors and windows. RenoAssistance by Desjardins makes the process easier by connecting you with verified, qualified, recommended contractors. This way, you get personalized support at every step of your door and window installation and replacement project.
The result? Less stress, more confidence, and a job done right the first time!
