Blog > Category > Posted: 2024-Oct-03, Updated: 2024-Oct-04

Energy efficiency & the importance of proper installation

Imagine curling up in a warm, cozy home during Ottawa’s frigid winters, or staying cool and comfortable when the summer sun blazes outside. Achieving this comfort isn’t just about choosing the right windows and doors — it’s all about how they’re installed.

Proper installation of both windows and doors plays a critical role in ensuring energy efficiency and preventing common issues like drafts, condensation, heat loss, or even damage to your property. Here’s how:

1. Air sealing and draft prevention

Professional installation of windows and doors ensures that frames are properly sealed to prevent air leakage. In Ottawa, this is essential to keep cold air out during the winter and hot air out in the summer.

Well-sealed windows and doors minimize drafts, improving overall comfort and reducing the need for heating or cooling, which leads to significant energy savings.

Entry/Garden Doors

  • Major areas for potential air leaks if improperly installed.
  • Requires tight seals at thresholds and jambs to prevent unwanted airflow.

Sliding Patio Doors

  • Require precise installation.
  • Tracks and seals must be free from gaps for optimal performance.

Swinging Patio Doors (French Doors)

  • Need special attention around hinges and door jambs.
  • Proper installation is essential to prevent drafts.

2. Thermal insulation

Proper installation ensures that both windows and doors are correctly aligned and fitted, reducing gaps that can lead to heat loss.

During colder months, improperly installed windows and doors allow warm indoor air to escape, forcing heating systems to work harder. High-performance windows with features like low-emissivity (Low-E) coatings, as well as insulated entry doors, need to be installed correctly to maximize their insulating properties and reduce heat transfer.

For doors, selecting insulated steel or fibreglass models with a foam core can greatly improve energy efficiency by reducing heat transfer.

Sliding patio doors with double or triple glazing and low-E glass also contribute to insulating the home when installed properly. Likewise, swinging garden doors or French doors with energy-efficient glass and insulated frames ensure that the outdoor elements don’t affect indoor temperatures.

3. Moisture control and condensation

Poor installation can lead to condensation forming between window panes or around door frames. This is especially problematic during Ottawa’s cold winters, as condensation can cause mould growth, damage to the frame, and even rot.

For doors with glass components, like sliding patio doors or garden doors, proper sealing is critical to prevent moisture buildup. Professional installation minimizes gaps and ensures that moisture doesn't infiltrate through weak points.

This protects both windows and doors from water damage and maintains a dry, comfortable indoor environment. The right sealant and flashing methods are vital for both windows and doors to avoid moisture penetration.

4. Energy efficiency ratings

Even high-quality, energy-efficient windows and doors can underperform if not installed correctly. Proper alignment, sealing, and insulation help both maintain their energy ratings, such as U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) for windows and R-values for doors.

These ratings are essential for managing energy consumption in Ottawa’s variable climate. For doors, energy-efficient options like insulated steel or fibreglass models with high R-values, when properly installed, reduce heat transfer and enhance indoor comfort.

Sliding patio doors and swinging French doors that feature double or triple glazing and energy-efficient glass coatings must also be installed correctly to preserve their thermal performance. In Ottawa’s climate, where energy loss through windows and doors can significantly impact heating and cooling costs, ensuring that all components are properly aligned and sealed is crucial.

5. Long-term performance and durability

Proper installation not only impacts energy efficiency but also the longevity of windows and doors. Poor installation can lead to warping, misalignment, or operational issues, especially for sliding or swinging doors like patio doors or garden doors.

Professional installation ensures that both windows and doors function smoothly and maintain their energy-saving features for years to come. For doors, this includes preventing sagging or sticking, which can lead to energy-wasting gaps over time.

Entry doors, patio doors, and garden doors must be installed with proper hardware and insulation to ensure smooth operation and protection from the elements. The use of high-quality, durable materials, combined with expert installation, helps prevent wear and tear that could compromise energy efficiency and structural integrity.

6. Protection of your property

Proper installation of windows and doors is essential for protecting your home from costly leak damage and health risks. Expert installers ensure airtight seals, utilizing flashing and sealants that effectively channel water away from vulnerable areas.

By keeping unwanted moisture out, a professional installation also helps control indoor humidity and condensation, extending the lifespan of your windows, doors, and surrounding framing.

7. Lifetime labour and material warranties

When choosing a window and door installation service, it’s important to look for a company that offers a lifetime labour warranty covering the installation, labour and materials used.

This type of warranty ensures that homeowners are protected against future issues that might arise from faulty installation or defects in the materials, without any additional costs. A lifetime labour warranty is especially valuable in Ottawa’s climate, where the extremes in weather can stress windows and doors over time.

Knowing that repairs or adjustments will be covered gives homeowners peace of mind, ensuring their investment in energy-efficient products continues to pay off for years to come.

Summary

By ensuring that windows and doors, including sliding patio doors, French doors, garden doors, and entry doors are installed professionally and sealed tightly, and by choosing a company offering a lifetime labour warranty, homeowners can maximize their energy-saving benefits, reduce drafts, avoid condensation issues, and maintain year-round comfort.

Proper installation and warranties are key to achieving the full potential of energy-efficient products, especially in Ottawa’s challenging climate.

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