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Exterior Doors and Windows

Save Energy and Stay Warm This Fall: Windows and Doors
​Save Energy and Stay Warm This Fall: Windows and Doors
How PROs Can Help Customers Choose Exterior Doors and Windows 


As a contractor, people look to you for honest advice as well as for getting things done. As you lead your clients through the planning, purchase and installation of new doors and windows, be sure to touch on these key points:  

​Why replace exterior doors and windows?


Reducing the energy consumed for heating and cooling is the #1 reason for replacing exterior doors and windows. The payback period is between 7 and 20 years, depending on the kind of windows and doors in place now, and the kind that are being installed.

Another benefit of new windows and doors is reduced road and neighbour noise in the house. Sound transmission is measured either with the Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating or the Outdoor/Indoor Sound Transmission Class (OITC). Either way, the higher the number, the better the sound blocking capabilities. 

​What features matter when it comes to choosing replacement windows and doors?

 

Doors: Features to explain include different insulation levels, different visual designs, (steel, fiberglass or even wood options), the presence or absence of a window, and the presence of divided lites or plain glass. Explain that most exterior doors are prehung on frames and this allows factory installation of high-performance weatherstripping and precision hinging. Doors with windows are much heavier than those without.

Steel doors can be painted, they resist warping, they’re very secure against intrusion and long lasting. 90% of all new exterior doors are insulated steel because the price is reasonable and performance is excellent.

For the ultimate in security, suggest that your clients go with a steel door in a steel jamb. This offers much greater protection against forced entry compared with the more common wooden door jambs. Even with a steel door, wooden door jambs are the weak link in security. One good hit with a shoulder and an intruder will break a deadbolt latch right through the edge of a wooden jamb, allowing entry. Steel jambs cannot be broken through in this way.

Fiberglass doors look more like wood than steel from a distance, and fiberglass can either be painted or stained. A long-lasting and stable alternative to wooden doors, fiberglass doors are available as smooth options or simulated wood grain textures.

​Double doors versus garden doors? Double-door installations are popular leading to backyard patios or decks right now, and both doors in a double-door unit can open and close. Garden doors look similar, but only one door is operable, saving a little on cost.

Are there major renovations going on in the house where you’ll be installing an exterior door? Temporary slab doors are available so finished doors don’t get damaged during construction. It’s also wise to protect the door sill during construction. Self-sticking sill tape is cheap to buy and only takes a few minutes to install. 

​Windows: There’s more to explain to clients when it comes to replacing windows than doors. The first thing is a decision about full replacement or retrofit replacement. Full replacement windows are just like the kind installed in new homes. They require new interior trim and include some kind of exterior trim or brick mold already in place. Replacement windows, on the other hand, are designed to make use of the existing window jambs, interior trim and exterior trim. All else being equal, replacement windows are less expensive than full replacement models, and they’re easier and quicker to install. That said, retrofit replacement results in somewhat more glass area, and they deliver new exterior trim and window sills.  
Either way, new windows will solve the problem of old windows not being openable because of paint or mechanical deterioration.

Another thing to consider is window performance levels. Besides the various insulation levels of double and triple pane units, the best windows also pass performance criteria as discovered by independent testing. 

Good windows improve the water resistance of a building envelope and can improve the appearance of the entire house, too. LoE coatings on window glass reduce the amount of energy lost by radiation, and argon gas between panes improves the overall R value of the entire glazing unit. As a contractor you know these facts, but most clients do not. Remember to explain it to them. Divided lites are an especially important visual window feature, especially with older, vintage homes. They add a lot.

Most homeowners want replacement windows of the same type as they currently have, but that’s not essential. Single or double-hung, casement and sliders are the most common options. Be prepared to show images of these different types of windows as you do your sales consultation.

What window installation tips matter most? 

 

How you plan to install replacement windows can be a powerful part of the selling process if you handle the opportunity well. Even if you know the steps and technical details like the back of your hand, explain to your client the steps you’ll be taking to ensure an optimal job, including the following points:

  1. Use caulking to seal the window mounting flange to the exterior surface of the building wrap if it’s visible. This caulking is part of the seal you need to create, but you still need exterior flashing. 
  2. Use low pressure/low expansion foam around windows. This helps ensure that window frames don’t bow inwards, allowing operable windows to be opened and closed easily.
  3. Install temporary props to support window/door jambs against bowing inward. This is in addition to application of gentle foam. Wooden props cut to fit between opposite sides of the window jamb absolutely ensure that foam expansion poses no problem.
  4. Always use flashing for full replacement jobs. Never rely only on the window installation flange for waterproofing a full window installation.  Flanges are for anchoring only, and while they do keep out some water, flanges alone are not enough for a reliably dry installation. Self-sticking or metal flashing must always be used for full window replacement. Install the flashing over the top of a window so it overlaps flashing on the sides. This side flashing must overlap the bottom flashing so the whole installation sheds water. 
  5. Install a plastic drainage pan. This is cheap insurance against window leakage. Drainage pans are sloped plastic devices made to sit underneath a window in the rough frame. If any leaks get past the windows, the sloped drainage pan directs the water out of the building harmlessly. 
  6. Lap any building wrap over window openings so all the layers shed water.
  7. Install support shims at all four corners of a window frame, and also every 12” along the bottom. Shims should always be used in pairs so they provide full support under the window frame, and made of plastic or solid wood that won’t fall apart if shims get wet.

New windows and doors installed correctly with new hardware will provide improved security over older maybe rusting hardware. As well tighter locking doors and windows will have less air leakage. They are a major investment and homeowners are counting on you to help them make wise purchasing and installation decisions. Recognize that clear communication is one of the most important responsibilities you have as a contractor. Prepare yourself to give great advice, install windows and doors with the same diligence you’d apply to your own home, then watch the repeat jobs keep coming in.

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