Homeowner guide

Window Buying Guide for BC Homes

Frames, glass, warranties and installation: what to know before you replace windows in the Lower Mainland.
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Jump to frame options
Frame materials

Choosing the right frame

Three options cover most BC homes. Costs shown are typical per window.
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Most popular in BC

Vinyl (PVC)

$600–$1,200 · 25–40 years
Excellent insulation, zero maintenance and the best value.
  • ✓Lowest cost option
  • ✓Never needs painting
  • –Dark colours can absorb heat and expand
Best for colour

Aluminum-clad vinyl

$900–$1,800 · 30–50 years
A vinyl interior with a painted aluminum exterior.
  • ✓Bold colour options
  • ✓Weather resistant, keeps vinyl’s insulation
  • –Costs more than standard vinyl
Premium choice

Aluminum-clad wood

$1,200–$2,500+ per window
Real wood inside, low-maintenance aluminum outside.
  • ✓Real wood look and feel indoors
  • ✓Exterior needs little upkeep
  • –Interior wood needs periodic care
What to check

5 things to look for in new windows

Five checks that separate a good window from an expensive mistake.
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01

Energy Star certification

Look for Zone 2 compliance for the Lower Mainland. Certified windows may also qualify for rebates.
02

Warranty coverage

Ask for separate frame and sealed-unit warranties. Typical is 20–30 years on the frame and 15–20 on the sealed unit.
03

U-value

Lower means less heat loss. Aim for below 0.30 with double-glazed Low-E glass at minimum.
04

Glass options

Double-glazed Low-E is the BC standard. Triple-glazed suits north-facing walls and premium builds.
05

Installation quality

The best window fails with poor installation. Flashing, shimming, insulation and sealing matter.
Our window partners

Ply Gem and Vitrum

The windows we install, with lifetime frame coverage from Ply Gem.
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Avoid the pitfalls

5 common window buying mistakes

Most window regrets trace back to one of these five.
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01

Choosing on price alone

Cheap windows mean higher energy bills and earlier failure. Quality windows can pay for themselves in 5–8 years.
02

Ignoring the sealed-unit warranty

Sealed units often fail before frames. A 15-year sealed-unit warranty is the minimum to look for.
03

Overlooking installation

Up to 80% of window performance issues come from improper installation, not the window itself.
04

Forgetting the building envelope

Windows must tie into the rain screen, water-resistant barrier and flashing to keep water out.
05

Skipping Low-E glass

Low-E adds only 5–10% to the price but cuts energy transfer by up to 48%.
Reading the label

The numbers on an energy label

Four figures tell you most of what a window will do. Here is what to look for in Zone 2.
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1.40 or lower

U-factor

The Energy Star Zone 2 target. Single-pane is about 5.0.
0.20–0.35

Solar heat gain (SHGC)

A balanced range for most BC homes, adjusted by wall orientation.
0.40–0.70

Visible transmittance

How much daylight passes through the glass.
ER 25+

Energy Rating

The minimum to look for on the label.
Low-E 270 suits north and east walls. Low-E 366 suits south and west walls.
Read the glass guide
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.
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A typical home with 10–15 windows takes 2–4 days. Each window takes about 1–2 hours to remove, prep, install, insulate and flash properly.

Full replacement is usually more cost-effective because setup charges are shared, but phased replacement is available.

Retrofit keeps your existing frames. Full-frame removes everything so we can inspect and flash properly, and is recommended when frames are damaged.

This comes down to double vs triple pane windows. Triple-pane is worth considering for north-facing walls or premium builds, and typically costs 25 to 40 percent more than double-pane.

Fog or condensation between the panes, drafts, windows that are hard to open, rot, higher energy bills or excess outside noise.

Aim for 1.40 or lower for Energy Star Zone 2. Single-pane windows sit around 5.0, while quality double-pane Low-E is 1.4–1.6.

Energy Star windows may qualify for programs such as CleanBC Better Homes and the Canada Greener Homes Grant. See our BC rebates guide for current details.

At minimum, a 20-year frame warranty and a 15-year sealed-unit warranty. Ply Gem offers lifetime frame coverage.

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Ready to replace your windows?

Our team will visit your home, measure every opening and recommend the right frame and glass for your budget.
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(604) 754-9392
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