For 40 years, Magic™ has provided Ontario home and cottage owners with some of the most advanced replacement windows in the world. Our innovative designs can add style and performance to any home. Welcome to our blog, where we provide consumers with the information and inspiration they need to make informed decisions about replacing their home and cottage windows.
Considering new cottage windows in Ontario?
Cottages hold a special place in the lives of many Ontarians. And whether it’s been in the family for generations or it’s a relatively new investment, ensuring your cottage is able to withstand Ontario’s dramatically-fluctuating climate for years to come is important. Investing in new high-performance replacement windows can help. More than just durability, however, cottage windows should be stylish, efficient and designed to help you enjoy the beauty of Ontario cottage country.
Naturally, there is a lot to consider when it comes to purchasing and replacing cottage windows in Ontario. Here is some information to get you started!
What is the cost of replacing Cottage windows in Ontario?
The cost of replacing windows can fluctuate quite drastically when you factor in the materials used, the energy efficiency capabilities and additional features. Therefore, it’s important to have a trusted, reliable company assess your needs and provide a quote for the job. Committing to quality replacement windows is a significant investment, but it’s one worth making. Investing in quality now means saving time, money, and energy in the long run.
The Cost of Replacing Cottage Windows in Ontario
| Type of Window | Poor Quality | Low Quality | High Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Casement | $300-$700 | $600-900 | $1300 - $2000 |
| Double Casement | $600 - $1200 | $800-$1300 | $2000-$3700 |
| Single Hung | $300 - $600 | $700 - $1000 | $800 - $1600 |
| Double Hung | $400 - $900 | $600 - $1300 | $1100 - $2080 |
| Single Slider | $300 - $700 | $800 - $1000 | $800 - $1600 |
| Double Slider | $400 - $800 | $600 - $1400 | $1040 - $2080 |
| Awning Window | $500 - $700 | $700 - $1000 | $1300 - $2100 |
| Hopper Window | $300 - $600 | $500 - $750 | $800 - $1600 |
| Bay Window | $1500+ | $1800+ | $4000+ |
| Patio Door 2-Panel | $900 - $1200 | $1200 - $2500 | $4200 - $8000 |
| Patio Door 3-Panel | $2000 - $3500 | $3500 - $5000 | $6000 - $11,000 |
| Patio Door 4-Panel | $2000 - $4500 | $5000 - $8000 | $9000 - $13,000 |
| French Doors | $1200 - $2800 | $1500 - $2500 | $4000 - $10,000 |
| Window Wall | N/A | N/A | $5000 - $30,000+ |
Cottage Windows Styles: Which Windows Should I Consider?
Regardless of the style of your cottage, the windows you choose should let in more natural light, improve sightlines and help you embrace the beauty of your natural surroundings. They should also be functional, easy to operate and effective year-round.
Casement Windows
Casement windows swing outward like a door and attach to the window frame by one or more hinges on the side. This makes them ideal for airflow and ventilation and for providing an alternative means of escape. Traditional casements open and shut by means of a crank located at the bottom of the frame. When closed, locking mechanisms on the frame pull the sash up against the frame and lock it into position. But, as we’ll get into later, the crank is an outdated piece of hardware.
Want to learn more about casement windows and crank systems?
- Why Crank Operated Casement Windows Are Mechanically Flawed
- The Parts of a Window: A Guide to Window Design
- What is a Casement Window?
Patio Doors
More than a functional window and door system, a patio door can also be a beautiful aesthetic addition to a cottage. The key with these installations is understanding the configurations that will work with the opening size available. This will allow for patio door installations that maximize views, natural light, efficiency and durability.
The Window Wall: A Design Meant to Embrace the Outdoors
Instead of relying on rigidly-defined boundaries between inside and outside, the Magic™ Window Wall allows homeowners to embrace the outdoors like never before.
What is it?
Capable of covering walls up to 50ft in length, the Window Wall is constructed of glass panels that operate independently from one another. This allows you to customize the wall opening to whatever size you please. The configuration can range from a full wall of glass when the unit is completely closed, to a small entry door when just one panel is open, to a fully open wall that provides unobstructed views and access to a yard, deck, lake or patio.
Made for life in cottage country.
The Window Wall is specifically designed to perform according to different seasons. It’s the first product of its kind that’s specifically designed for Canada’s extreme climate. It’s free of any hinges or other mechanisms that could malfunction due to extreme temperature. When the Window Wall closes, its panels interlock into one another creating an airtight compression seal, making it durable and energy-efficient no matter whether it’s a summer heatwave or a nasty winter cold snap.
Cottage Windows: Durability, Performance and What to Look For
Cottages are exposed to the full extremes of Ontario weather: short and sweltering summers, long and bitter winters and everything in between.
Hybrid Fusion Frames: Combining High-Performance Vinyl, Aluminium and Galvanized Steel
While they are popular in the industry for their excellent efficiency and their lower upfront cost, vinyl PVC frames lack strength, rigidity and durability. They are highly susceptible to wear and tear as well as expansion and contraction in fluctuating climates. As a result, traditional hollow vinyl frames are not ideal options for cottages, as they cannot guarantee long-term durability and performance.
On the other hand, Hybrid Fusion Frame design uses a skeleton of steel and aluminum wrapped in vinyl (U-PVC). In this way, it provides the best of both worlds: the strength and durability of steel and aluminum with the efficiency of high-performing U-PVC. These frames adapt to changing weather and keep cottages better insulated year-round.
They also differ from traditional frame due to an ultra-slim design, which reduces the frame’s size and maximizes the glass surface to create a more contemporary look.
Parallex® Hardware: Say goodbye to the crank.
Remember those casement window cranks we talked about earlier? They are flawed for two reasons:
- The thin arm of the crank system has to hold the weight of the entire window sash (again, that’s the part of the window that actually opens and closes).
- The top of the sash and the bottom do not move in tandem. Over time, the force of gravity causes the sash to warp, sag and bow within the frame.
Parallex® hardware eliminates the crank, easing operation and improving the window’s durability, performance and functionality. Without the need for cranks or hinges of any kind, mechanical failures are a non-factor with casement windows installed with this technology. Parallex® technology also improves energy efficiency through tighter seals and creates a wider opening for better views, improved ventilation and a much more accessible route of escape in case of emergency.
Get more info on Parallex® Hardware here
Understanding Energy-Efficient Cottage Windows
Understanding the factors that determine a window’s efficiency can help cottage owners ask the right questions when the time comes to replace their windows. These are the factors used by organizations like ENERGY STAR® and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) to gauge energy efficiency.
1. U-Factor: U-factor determines the rate at which heat escapes through a window. The lower the U-factor number is, the better the window is at mitigating heat loss.
2. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): SHGC represents how much solar radiation a window lets into the home or cottage. In other words, it determines how well a window can resist unwanted heat gain. The lower the SHGC number, the better the window unit is at reflecting and repelling heat.
3. Air Leakage: Air leakage infiltration measures the amount of airflow into the building via the window and exfiltration is the flow of air out of the building. The lower the number, the better your windows will be at preventing unwanted airflow.
4. Visible Transmittance: This metric determines how well a window permits the flow of natural light into a home. The higher the VT, the better. By allowing more natural light, a window helps reduce the need for artificial light sources.
All of these factors matter when purchasing energy-efficient replacement windows for your cottage. To learn more about energy efficiency and windows, check out our blog post: Energy-Efficient Windows: Here is What to Look For.
Customizing Cottage Windows: Style and Performance for Your Space
Get cottage windows that work for you
We have been manufacturing windows for over 40 years. Over that time, we’ve come to understand the unique seasonal circumstances that home and cottage owners have to deal with year-round. That’s why we design, formulate and manufacture our own window units in-house. This is different than many other replacement window companies that outsource manufacturing and production.
As a result of this decision, we can provide Ontario cottage owners with a variety of customizable options that they can consider for their space, including glass types, gas fills, glazings, and coatings. The customization of our glass units allows us to maximize every window’s performance in accordance with specific preferences, climate, architectural styles.
Match classic cottage window styles or go with something bold!
Cottages in Ontario come in all shapes, sizes and models. As a result, we can work with you to ensure you are getting the designs you want, whether you’re looking to match something classic or go in a bold new direction. We offer custom colours, textures and grille patterns to make your window units pop or blend in seamlessly.
Replacing cottage windows in Ontario? We can help you achieve something special.
At Magic, we’re here to help you realize your vision and redefine your space with stylish, innovative, high-performance replacement windows, patio doors and Window Walls. Regardless of whether a replacement is necessary or you’re actively looking to refresh your cottage’s aesthetic, one of our qualified representatives will be happy to walk you through the window replacement process and help you find the configurations and styles that will work best for your space.
So let’s talk! Call us today to book a free, no-hassle consultation or simply book one online.
Learn More About Window Replacement On Our Blog:
1. Energy-Efficient Windows: Here is What to Look For
2. The Benefits of Retractable Window Screens and Blinds
3. 6 Ways to Tell if You Need to Repair of Replace Windows
4. Why Crank Operated Casement Windows are Mechanically Flawed
5. 4 Stunning Panoramic Window Walls
6. The Main Issue With Hollow Vinyl Replacement Windows
7. 3 Factors That Lead to Secure, Durable and Efficient Replacement Windows