Blog

Side view of an awning hopper window sash opened on its top hinge

Hopper Windows: A Complete Guide for Canadian Homeowners

A hopper window is a compact window that opens into the room, making it a natural fit for basements, laundry rooms, and any spot where an outward-swinging sash would hit a walkway, deck, or window well. At Canadian Choice Windows & Doors, our version is the awning hopper: a top-hinged DraftLOCK window that tilts into the room and holds itself open with a locking hinge.

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White uPVC window with rigid frame and handle in a home

uPVC Windows: What They Are and Why They're Different from Standard PVC

uPVC windows are rigid frames made from unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. The "u" means no plasticizers were added to soften the polymer, so the profile holds its shape instead of flexing. That is the difference between a window frame and flexible PVC products such as cable insulation, sheet flooring, and garden hose.

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Sliding patio door with glass panels in a bright dining room

How to Secure Sliding Patio Doors: Locks, Bars, and Anti-Lift Devices

You secure a sliding patio door in three layers: a lock that catches the frame, a bar that stops the panel from sliding, and a stop that keeps the panel from being lifted off the track. Patio door security fails when only the handle is locked, and the head of the door still has room to rise. The practical answer is to check those three layers in that order, then decide whether the frame is still worth keeping.

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Worker manufacturing uPVC window frames in a Canadian window factory

How Canadian Choice Windows Are Made: From Raw Material to Installation

Canadian Choice Windows & Doors™ makes its vinyl windows to order. That order starts with measuring every opening. The custom unit is then manufactured in Canada, which takes about two to four weeks. A factory-trained crew installs it, and any manufacturing or installation issue after that day stays with the same company.

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Retrofit windows

Retrofit windows: when an insert installation works and when it doesn't

Retrofit windows are new windows made to fit inside your existing window frames, so the old frame, interior trim and wall finishes stay in place. The method works well when those frames are sound, and it's the wrong choice when they hide rot, water damage or a leak that keeps coming back. This guide helps you judge which side of that line your home is on before an installer arrives

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White vinyl window with autumn trees visible through the glass

Canadian Choice Windows & Doors Warranty Explained: What’s Covered

Canadian Choice Windows & Doors™ covers all its windows, including vinyl, wood and aluminum-clad windows, with a 25-year transferable warranty, and TrueCrankless windows with a 40-year warranty.* The promise includes the product, installation, and service for a covered problem.

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Best Windows for Canadian Winters

Best windows for Canadian winters: what to look for, part by part

The best windows for Canadian winters share six things: a well-insulated frame, a low-E glass package with argon fill, a warm-edge spacer, an operating style that closes against a compression seal, certified ENERGY STAR performance and careful installation. The brand matters less than how those parts work together.

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DraftLOCK and standard windows displayed side by side in a showroom

DraftLOCK vs. Standard Window: What's Actually Different?

A DraftLOCK™ vs. standard window decision is a seal and frame decision. A standard window sits in the 3 1/4 inch frame the industry treats as typical, with a seal setup that varies by maker. DraftLOCK closes with a triple seal and a welded frame built 4 5/8 inches deep, so the unit can sit further into the wall.

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Standard exterior entry door size in a Canadian home with front door installation

Standard exterior door size: a complete guide for Canadian homeowners

Door sizing involves more than one measurement. The rough opening, frame dimensions, slab size, and clearance allowances all interact, and a mistake at any stage can cause installation problems. This guide covers standard dimensions for common door types in Canadian homes, how to measure correctly, and when building code or custom sizing comes into play.

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How to Safely Remove Adhesive Residue from Vinyl Window Frames

How to Remove Adhesive Residue from a Vinyl Window Frame

Most sticker residue can be removed safely in a few minutes using gentle tools and vinyl-safe cleaners. The biggest mistake homeowners make is using sharp blades or strong solvents that damage the frame itself.

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416-800-8834
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780-651-7002
Winnipeg:
204-272-8117
Vancouver:
604-229-1747
Dartmouth (NS):
902-707-4462
Bridgewater (NS):
902-442-7627
Truro (NS):
902-608-5068
Amherst (NS):
902-445-9365
Berwick (NS):
902-816-2032
Charlottetown (PE):
902-707-2938