Frequently asked questions about windows & doors

Yes, making your windows larger is a common request as homeowners who want to capture those Kelowna city views, Lake Country lake views, or Vernon valley views. Upon booking a site assessment, we will investigate the structural load above the windows, and ensure they are properly supported, and if there are any electrical wires passing through the wall. We also have red seal carpenters on staff, so we can complete the work. Depending on your needs, it’s likely there will be a higher installation costs because of this.

Once you’ve placed your order with Adera Windows and Doors, you can expect it will be 6-8 weeks until we can install your new windows and doors. This can slightly change seasonally, as spring and fall can be busier, while winter and summer tend to slow down a bit. If you need a tighter timeframe, to work around holidays, family schedules, or other needs, please let our team know and we’ll do our best to work within your needs.

Short answer, yes! Despite our cooler Okanagan winters, our technicians typically work up to -15C to replace your windows and doors. Once we remove your old wood, steel or vinyl window or door,  we use blankets to cover the exterior from the cold air while preparing the rough opening. When ready, we pull the blanket and quickly install the new window or door. We’ll then insulate around the interior perimeter, complete the liner and casing, and finish the exterior as we gauge the temperature versus the caulking adhesion guide.

To avoid scratches and keep your windows looking great and performing well through all four Okanagan seasons, it’s important to occasionally clean your windows. A healthy schedule to maintain is once early Spring, and then later in Fall before the snow flies. Use a mixture of dish soap and water, rinse it completely, and dry with a soft microfiber cloth.

The price of a window replacement in Kelowna, Vernon and Lake Country really varies, and is contingent on a number of factors:

• What government rebates are available – right now you can save $950 per opening, up to $9,500, with the CleanBC Better Homes rebate!
• Windows frame material – There is quite a variance between supplying vinyl, aluminum, fiberglass, and metal clad wood or metal clad vinyl window frames.
• Window operating style – There are picture, sliding, casement, awning, combination, or tilt and turn window types, and as you add more features, or the bigger they get, your costs per window will increase.
• Glass type – dual pane Low-E argon glass or energy star triple pane glass with specialty coatings.
• Window size -You can have small bathroom windows, or large combination rear facing windows to absorb the view.

On a typical West Kelowna vinyl window supply and installation project, you can expect an average window replacement to cost anywhere from $1,400 – $1,800 per window, before factoring any window rebates.

First off, your house is your home, so a big part of the answer is the value that it would add to your personal Okanagan living experience. In extension, there are the aesthetic, performance, functional, and operational considerations. Aesthetically, new windows have a large impact in making your home your own. That might include considering different material types, frame colors, glass technology, and operating or fixed windows. From a performance perspective, when installing replacement windows you will notice that with the new glass your home will be quieter and less drafty, and you can expect to save on winter heating and summer cooling costs. Functionally and operationally, your new casement or awning windows should smoothly open, close and lock, and your sliders roll with little effort for many years to come.

Another big investment consideration is who will be installing your new windows and doors, the process of the window installation (caulking, sealing, insulating), who will be installing them (in-house or subcontracting team), and the warranty and service (follow-up once the window replacement project is completed).

We wrote the following blog articles to help provide further insight on this topic: Things to Consider Before Replacing Your Windows or How New Windows and Doors Add Curb Appeal.

White vinyl windows featuring dual pane glass with low-E coatings and argon gas filled is the most affordable window option in the Okanagan, meet West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country and Vernon building code requirements, and generally provide excellent energy efficiency and require little maintenance for homeowners. Want to learn more about vinyl windows? Check out this blog article: Benefits of Vinyl Windows.

On window function, your most affordable operating style will be picture or fixed windows (no openers), then single-hung or horizontal sliding windows. The price point does increase when you consider casement or awning windows (that push-out), and a premium upgrade would be tilt and turn windows. Check out this blog article that we wrote which provides some more information on Which Type of Window is Right for You.

The short answer is yes, as the BC Interior does experience significant temperature swings, from hot summers to freezing winters. Triple pane glazing will help reduce outside noise, increase energy efficiency, and create a more comfortable interior living space.

If you have a tighter budget, triple-pane windows can cost 10-15% more than double-pane. Also, consider the location of your windows, as you may want more or less solar heat gain, so dual-pane windows with specific Low-E coatings might be better.

Our local expert team is here to help guide your window and door replacement experience and can meet you at our Kelowna showroom, or feel free to reach out to book a free in-home consultation.

The difference between dual-pane and triple-pane windows is really in the number of layers of glazing and insulating airspace within the sealed units. Double-pane has two layers of glass and typically filled with argon gas within the unit. Triple pane windows have three layers of glass and two airspaces for superior thermal performance and sound control.

Trying to figure out what type of glass is best for your Vernon window replacement project can be difficult, so we’re here to help navigate what to compare.

• Energy efficiency and thermal performance – Both are designed to lower heat transfer and improve interior home comfort. Dual-pane windows are a significant improvement from the old single pane aluminum windows, while triple pane offers superior insulation and sound control comparatively.
• Budget – Dual-pane windows are more cost effective for many homes, and may function better contingent on the location of the windows on your Okanagan home.
• Weight – Triple-pane windows are significantly heavier than dual-pane windows, so may need to consider if additional structural considerations need to be made during your window installation. Some windows are thicker in depth, so you may need to consider that as well if you have 2×4 or 2×6 wall construction.
• Weather – The Okanagan, whether you are living in Peachland, Winfield, or Coldstream, you’ll notice different micro-climates that may require different types of glazing. Are you in a cold windy area with a balanced budget, or moderate climate with high noise pollution, such as in downtown Kelowna, or above YLW airport?

Upgrading your windows, and selecting the right glass package can be challenging, but our local team is here to help! Reach out to schedule your free in-home consultation today!

Like any renovation, replacing windows and doors does require some preliminary preparations before window technicians arrive to install your new windows. It’s always great if you could reserve a wide spot for a work vehicle with close access to the house, so your window installation team can unload the windows and complete their mill work, including interior and exterior trim. If a bigger project, we may ask to store a roll away storage bin. On the interior, providing a path and 2-3′ of room around each relative working area is appreciated. Covering up any fragile equipment, or removing valuables is great, as the technicians will be moving in and out of your home. You may also need to remove of any blinds/draperies that are currently attached to your old windows, and any security contacts. At Adera, we use cordless tools, however, you will need to be prepared for noise disruption for a period of time throughout the day, so you may have to plan accordingly.

At Adera Windows and Doors, we do our upmost to care for your property during the window installation, and clean-up once complete. This includes using interior blankets for collecting debris that may fall during extraction, using HEPA vacuums when cutting hard exterior surfaces, and doing a light cleaning of the windows before we leave your home.

Typically, no, as we will be replacing your old windows with new windows that fit your exact size rough opening (wood stud to wood stud). When removing your old interior trim and liner, it will expose the old window. After removing the window from the exterior, we are left with the rough opening, which we will clean and water seal so it can receive your new replacement window. Once shimmed into place so it’s plumb, level and square, we’ll install your new wood interior liner (from window to edge of drywall), and install brand new factory pre-finished casing that will cover the old paint lines. Outside of your painter caulking the interior trim and applying the finished coat of painting, you’ll get to enjoy your new windows for years to come!

There could be a variety of considerations that would tell you when you should replace the windows in your home, including:

• Water has infiltrated into your home from the exterior
• Notice moisture inside your windows sealed units / glass
• See significant deterioration on the exterior of the window
• Feel drafts during cold snaps
• They are difficult to open, close or lock
• You know they’re 25-30 years old, and would like to lower your energy costs

Looking for a little more information? Check out our blog post When to Replace a Window.

In the South Okanagan you can experience really hot summers and mild winters. As you move into the Central Okanagan, including Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Lake Country, you experience that same heat dialed down a few degrees, and a few degrees cooler through the winter months. The biggest difference is noticed in the North Okanagan, areas like Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby, Lumby, or even up to beyond into Revelstoke, where you will enjoy beautiful hot summers, but colder winters, specifically during cold snaps.

So, how does a homeowner in the Okanagan choose windows for the our 4-season climate? Quad or Triple-pane windows really help with reducing heat transfer, prevent interior window pane condensation, and really help lower road noise. There should also be consideration for the glass coatings, as homes that have west and south facing windows will experience the intensity of the afternoon sun. In exploring different glass types, consider that the more layers and coatings, the less light will transmit and lower solar heat gain coefficient. However, you will enjoy less UV radiation transmission (Quad-452+ blocks up to 99% of UV rays!) and a better u-value, which will protect interior furnishings and keep you more comfortable through all seasons.

Overall, for south facing windows, a double or triple-pane sealed unit with an exterior coating of LoE-366, paired with an interior room-side LoE-i89 coating would create an exceptionally comfortable interior living space. This will help minimize the intense Okanagan summer heat and UV-rays while offering you optimal winter performance in heat retention. For north facing windows, you could consider LoE-180 to maximize passive solar heat gain. A good happy medium would be going with LoE-270, balancing moderate solar control on hot summer days with good winter insulation.

There are a few factors to consider when wondering when inspecting if should repair or replace your windows, as follows:

• Do you notice any drafts when you are close to the window, or condensation or moisture forming between the glass panels? Are there particular rooms that are hard to keep warm through the winter months? TIP: With your furnace fan off, use a candle near the window. As you move it around the perimeter of that window, check for any flicking of the flame. If it does, that would indicate a draft.
• Are there any operational issues when you go to open or close the sash? If wood windows, it could be that the frame has swelled from rot, or the aluminum frame has rusted. Vinyl does have a tendency to expand and contract, so seasonally you may find it’s harder to open than normal, but if it’s consistent, it could mean bigger issues.
• Is the hardware on the window broken, such as a casement handle or sash lock, and can they be replaced? Older windows use older parts that may not be readily available in the market anymore. If you phone around to local glass shops that have been  around for sometime they may have older parts, but chances are you’re probably looking at a full window replacement by that point anyways.
• How is the condition of the window exterior? Is it weathered, brittle, or can it be maintained or repaired? Vinyl windows can also become brittle and discolored from the intense Okanagan sunlight, while wood windows, the finishing can start flaking, or the wood can dry out, or become brittle, from being under maintained.

If you have cracked or broken glass, it may be that you only require a sealed unit replacement; however this is really contingent on the condition, and year of the actual window itself. A standard vinyl window, and the glass itself, generally has a 20-25 year lifespan. Any longer and it’s underperforming compared to that of new vinyl windows with upgraded glass technology.

Yes, it is very common for homeowners in Kelowna to just replace their patio door, as it is an opening that is used quite frequently as an access point to the back deck or yard space.

A casement window pushes out, or is fully opened to the outside by manually turning a casement handle or casement crank. This allows it to act like a “sail” and helps draw the air in. When closed, it seals tightly against weather stripping, increasing energy efficiency and reducing drafts.

On a sliding window, the sash slides horizontally or vertically (also known as a single hung) in the window frame track, typically in front of a fixed glass panel. When closed, the sliding panel typically interlocks into the fixed panel. They are often used in tighter spaces like walkways, patios, or places where an outward-opening window could get in the way.

Adera Windows and Doors technicians are factory certified entry door installation professionals, so you can have full confidence that your new entry door will perform as as new! Our team has been serving home owners from Enderby to Peachland, exclusively supplying and installing windows and doors, every day for over a decade! As a certified BC Better Homes contractor, we also get to keep up with industry installation best practices, so yes, we can supply, and install, your new entry door!

Front doors come in all sorts of sizes and finishes, so that is a really difficult question to answer without working through all the details. Some questions that we will need to consider…

• The size of the existing rough opening – will this be changing?
• Size of the door slab and if there are sidelites (stationary glass on the left or right), or a transom (glass above the door)?
• Do you have an sidelite-door-sidelite (SDS), and would like to consider going to a double door? Or visa-versa?
• If there is glass on the door slab, sidelites or transom, is it clear or obscure?
• What is the slab material type (steel or fiberglass). If fiberglass, smooth or textured?
• What type of door slab pattern matches your style, and enhances the curb appeal of the home?
• Will you want to order your door pre-finished, or are you up to the challenge of painting or staining it yourself?
• Would you prefer we supply and install the door hardware, or will you supply it?

Where this process can feel overwhelming, our team is happy to help guide you through the steps, just reach out when it works for you, or pop into our Kelowna showroom from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday!

Whether you are in Vernon or West Kelowna, a new door installation shouldn’t take any longer than one day. Generally, our team can install one door in 4-5 hours, but this is contingent on many factors like location on the home, size of the door, and the finishes.

It is one thing to replace your exterior door, it’s another thing to have it installed professionally, which can make all the difference! When searching for the right company to install your new entry door, you will want to understand and ask about different door materials, and what might work best for you. You’ll also want to consider the location of the door on your house. Does it get heavy south or west sunlight, or take lots of rain? Are you after specific energy efficiency requirements, or are you looking for a particular door style and function?

We’ve covered this question in more detail in the following blog post, feel free to check it out – What You Should Know Before Installing an Entry Door.

Yes, all our exterior entry door products are ENERGY STAR qualified and National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) certified, helping you save money on energy costs throughout all four Okanagan seasons. With fiberglass entry doors, you won’t have to worry about rotting when snow builds up against it, or warping or twisting, like that of wood doors, from the hot Okanagan summer sun. They are designed for extreme weather conditions and are resistant to moisture. You’ll achieve high R-values as Adera’s fiberglass door selections feature a polyurethane foam core, which provides up to four times the insulating R-value of wood.

Click the following link to learn more about the Benefits of Fiberglass Doors or reach out to connect with one of our door specialists!

The biggest considerations when deciding if you should purchase a French door or a sliding door is how you would like your space to function, and look. On the functional side, do you have room for French doors to swing into your interior space, or outside onto your patio space? In a standard 6′ wide French door set-up, they offer a larger wide opening, whereas a same size patio door will only offer a 2.5′ wide opening. When you choose a French door, you will have to consider the wind, unless you have some way of securing the doors. It’s also important to note that you’ll have more glass with a patio door, so consider your views! Then there are always the budget considerations. If you are looking for a product that is more budget friendly, a patio door is the way to go. If you’re house calls for French doors, or you just love the look and function, there are many different considerations, including solid door slabs, glass in slabs, sidelites or an upper transom, and whether you want the frame, and slabs, pre-painted, or not.

We wrote more about French Doors vs Sliding Doors in a blog article here! Feel free to click learn more.

Steel doors are not as commonly used in residential settings as they once were in the Okanagan, but are extremely strong and can be purchased at a lower upfront cost. Fiberglass has become a better long-term choice due to it’s low maintenance, durability (high dent resistance), and higher energy efficiency. They can also be ordered in different textures, such as oak or fir wood grains, and have more finishing options to that of steel.

Yes, Adera Windows and Doors is a CleanBC certified window and door contractor with the Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN). As such, you can be assured that we have a valid B.C. business license, hold third party liability insurance and an active WorksafeBC account. We also have received specialized training in best practices for window and door replacement, and signed a code of conduct to ensure professionalism and quality assurance. Our in-house staff can also assist you in learning more about the Energy Savings Program (ESP).

Our Kelowna office team is happy to guide you through the available federal and British Columbia window and door rebate programs and how they work, including their process. As a good starting point, you can read about them here, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our team Monday to Friday 8am to 4pm if you have further questions or to learn more!

Yes, we do offer financing through FinanceIt, a reputable Canadian lender and industry leader. You can learn more here, or apply now by clicking here.

Our in-house Kelowna operations team takes care of registering your warranty so that you can rest easy knowing you’re covered.

Your product warranty is generally transferable to the next homeowner for up to 10 years from the date of purchase, but we recommend contacting our sales specialists for specifics.