New windows and doors can be one of the best ways to improve the appearance, energy-efficiency and value of your home.
However, installing new windows and doors is a big undertaking – and investment. The more you understand about windows and doors, the more confident you’ll be in making your decisions – about window type, size, style and brand.
To help you learn more about the basics of windows and doors, check out the information in this section of our website or refer to our Glossary for definitions of commonly used terms.
Learn the Basics
Getting Started
- When to Replace
- Building a Home
- Remodeling
- Commercial Windows
- Government Incentives
- Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re building a new home, remodeling an existing living space, or replacing old, leaky windows and doors, Bayview has the quality, custom-made products to fit every need – in every shape and size.
Our quality windows and doors are made of durable vinyl, so they never need to be painted. And because they look great, as well as being energy efficient, they will increase the value of your home while they reduce your energy costs.
There are plenty of reasons to replace your windows and doors. And while improving the energy efficiency of your home is always a priority, new windows and doors also enhance the appearance of your home – which, quite frankly, makes it a nicer place to live.
The key signs that it’s time to replace your windows include:
- Old, single-pane glass
- Moisture damage and rotting wood
- Noticeable air leaks
- Cracks in your sashes and sills
- Condensation or fogging between glass panes
- Excessive noise from outside
- Windows or doors do not open and close easily
You’ve chosen the perfect location. You’ve picked the ideal floor plan. Now it’s time to choose windows. What should you look for? Well, your best investment is to install high-quality windows that suit the design, color and style of your new home.
Energy-efficient windows save you money in the long term by keeping your home cool in summer and warm in winter. Look for durable vinyl windows with, at minimum, double-glazing.
Vinyl is an attractive and low-maintenance option because they’re easy to clean, energy efficient and built to last, while “glazing” refers to the number of panes of glass in the window. Double or triple glazing provides excellent energy efficiency in colder climates.
The size, shape and location of your home’s windows can help you maximize sunlight and airflow, and increase privacy.
Because there’s no single solution to fit every home’s need, North Star offers a range of windows and doors. Built with the best materials, they not only enhance the look of your home, but improve its energy efficiency.
Installing new windows and doors is a great way to remodel or renovate your home and fill it with more natural light, making your house cozier and homier.
New windows are also a wise investment because they will save you money on energy costs, while increasing the value of your home. On average, a home’s value increases between 5 and 10 per cent when renovations such as new windows are made. How’s that for an air-tight investment?
New windows and patio doors are a great way to improve the energy efficiency, beauty and comfort of any living space.
At Bayview, we’re known for making homes more efficient and more beautiful. But we also supply windows for commercial applications. North Star windows are not only competitively priced, but our superior products and excellent service ensure commercial projects of any size or complexity are problem-free over the long term.
Installing new windows and patio doors is always a sound investment. You’ll use less energy, save money and increase the value of your home.
Government grants and incentives can help you start saving now. For more information, refer to the links below:
There’s a lot to keep in mind when purchasing new windows and patio doors, so we’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions you might have. If you need more information, please feel free to contact us.
1. Why do old windows even need to be replaced?
2. Why should I choose vinyl?
3. North Star’s self-cleaning windows need rain in order to be cleaned. What if it doesn`t rain?
4. How good is North Star’s warranty?
5. What is "Low-E" glass?
6. Condensation is a nuisance on my old windows but I hear it can also cause damage. Is that true?
7. What industry standards do Bayviews windows meet?
1. Why do old windows even need to be replaced?
There are several factors to consider.
- Energy loss: Perhaps 25 per cent of your energy bill is lost through windows. A 3`X5` window with a 1/16" gap around the sashes is like having a hole the size of a brick
- Condensation: Energy-efficient windows stay warmer on the interior surface, so humidity can be raised without getting moisture on windows, which can eventually damage walls. Less condensation also helps reduce growth of mold.
- Air quality: Tight windows keep out dust, bugs, pollen and sound – so the indoor environment is healthier.
2. Why should I choose vinyl?
Vinyl is an excellent option for windows and doors because of its energy efficiency, strength and versatility. Vinyl is resistant to moisture, doesn`t need painting and has a very good insulating value. Wood windows have similar insulating value but they will warp and rot if not painted, resulting in poor efficiency. Vinyl is an attractive low-maintenance option for renovators and homeowners.
3. North Star’s self-cleaning windows need rain in order to be cleaned. What if it doesn`t rain?
If there has been no rain, a simple spray with the hose should restore clean windows. Also, keep in mind, if windows were recently installed, it may take up to seven days for the self-cleaning process to be activated.
Our self-cleaning glass will last a lifetime but don`t expose the exterior glass to harsh chemicals such as silicone. Particular attention should be paid to avoiding sharp or abrasive materials that may damage the treated surface.
4. How good is Bayviews warranty?
North Star stands behind its products with a transferable, limited lifetime warranty. The generous protection provided to the original purchaser is extended to a subsequent owner. More details about our Warranty is available online in our Resource Center, or you can contact a North Star for more information.
5. What is "Low-E" glass?
Low-E stands for low-emissivity. Emissivity is a measure of how much a glass surface transfers radiant heat.
LoE 366 (Cardinal)
LoE 366 – Is recommended when cooling costs outweigh heating costs in your energy usage, or where summer discomfort from heat build-up should be an important concern. This is the best glass for most applications in a southern climate. It has a very high reflection rate of the radiant outside heat to prevent heat gain in summer and in winter it still retains radiant once you turn on your furnace! LoE 366 has a lower Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) in order to minimize Solar Heat Gain that results in extra work for your air conditioning unit.
LOF (Libby Owens Ford) / Pilkington Energy Advantage
LOF – Pilkington Energy Advantage Low-E is the best glass for most applications in a northern climate. It has a very high retention rate of the heat in your home in winter and prevents heat gain in summer. Energy Advantage Glass has a higher Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) than Low-E glass designed for southern climates. It provides free winter heat for your home. Since as much as 95% of your energy expense for heating and cooling combined is for heating, this glass is more cost effective than other glass without a high SHGC.
6. Condensation is a nuisance on my old windows but I hear it can also cause damage. Is that true?
Condensation can be a serious problem. The moisture produced by everyday activities such as cooking and showering shows up first on cool dense surfaces such as windows. Over the long term, this dripping can damage windows and nearby surfaces such as drywall and promote growth of mould, a potential health hazard. One solution is to reduce humidity but levels can`t always be lowered sufficiently, especially in the winter when moisture is needed to prevent drying. A better solution lies in the windows themselves. North Star windows feature Super Spacer® technology which boosts window R-values by 30 per cent. The advanced warm-edge technology in North Star windows keeps the glass much warmer so they are less likely to fog.
7. What industry standards do Bayviews windows meet?
The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) established the CSA-A440 standard as a sort of a final exam – it doesn`t matter how good you say your windows are because now there`s evidence. The CSA-A440 standard measures and rates windows for airtightness, watertightness and wind resistance, and even evaluates a window’s susceptibility to forced entry. Bayviews windows have been tested – and the excellent results speak for themselves. Be wary of windows that have not been tested to CSA-A440 standards.
Our windows are also CSA certified, which means that they are not only tested according to the standard, but are certified by CSA. Random CSA audits ensure that the windows we manufacture are identical to those tested according to the CSA standard and match the performance of the test windows.
