Window Installation & Replacement in Ontario

Double glazing (two panes with a sealed gas gap) is the modern default. Triple adds insulation and noise benefits that matter most in cold climates and on noisy roads; elsewhere the extra cost rarely pays back. Spend first on installation quality and low-E coatings — a badly fitted triple-glazed unit performs worse than a well-fitted double.

Yes — pros replace one opening at a time so the house is never fully open, and cold-weather installation is routine in cold climates. Sealants and foams have temperature limits, so extreme cold or rain may shift a schedule, but winter is often the quieter, cheaper season to book.

Replacing a window in an existing opening takes 2-4 hours per window for an experienced crew — a whole house is usually 1-3 days. The wait is in manufacturing: made-to-measure windows typically take 2-8 weeks from survey to fitting.

uPVC/vinyl is the value pick: good insulation, low maintenance, mid-range look. Aluminium gives slim frames and durability (thermally broken frames fix its insulation weakness) at a higher price. Timber looks best and suits period homes but needs maintenance and costs most. Warranty and installer quality matter more than brand marketing.

Windows are priced per opening: the unit itself (frame material, glazing spec, size) plus installation labour. A standard-size replacement in an existing opening is the base case; enlarging openings, upper-floor access, bay windows and heritage styles add meaningfully. Whole-house jobs get per-window discounts.

Per-window pricing with glazing spec, removal and disposal of old windows, making good internal reveals and external sealing, hardware, and warranty terms for both the unit (often 10 years) and the installation. Cheap quotes commonly exclude making-good — the messiest part.

Like-for-like replacement is usually permit-free, but many places regulate windows through energy codes, safety-glass rules, and egress requirements for bedrooms — and heritage/conservation properties almost always need consent for changes. Your installer should know local rules; ask what paperwork you'll receive at completion.

In most of Canada, yes or nearly — the climate justifies triple-pane far more than in milder markets, and many rebate programs favour it. In coastal BC, high-quality double with low-E often suffices; on the Prairies, triple is close to default.