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Check out this list of questions our installers are regularly asked by our customers, categorized to help you quickly find what you’re looking for.
As a general rule, all parts exposed when the window is closed should be washed down with warm soapy water (mild detergent), or a plastic cleaner.
Here are some other tips to keep those window frames tidy:
Glass is a durable material in normal weather conditions, but it can suffer some surface deterioration.
One of the most aggressive elements in the atmosphere is water. An absorbed layer of water can wreak havoc on glass surfaces, dissolving or releasing certain elements that cause the water to become alkaline. With repeated wetting and drying – without washing – the dissolved matter will appear as a whitish scum. This reduces the brilliance of the surface, and in severe conditions, can obscure visibility. This latter condition is common where condensation regularly builds up. So, frequent cleaning is essential to flawless glass.
To clean grease, oil, tape adhesive, crayons or paint:
To remove grime from old lubricant, airborne debris, remains of insect life, or other unwelcome materials, exposed parts of the open window should be wiped clean.
Drainage channels should be regularly and diligently cleaned to remain clear of blockages. Sash tracks should be kept dirt-free by using a small brush, and blowing the dust out of the tracks and corners.
Keep moving the sashes so that different areas can be cleaned. Use mild soap or detergent to clean all tracks and sash cavities. This will maintain smooth operation of the sash, preventing excessive wear on hinges, locks, rollers, and weather-stripping components.
Remove all dust and grit before lubricating pivot points, and all other moving metal parts with light machine oil. This should be done annually.
Light application of petroleum jelly or an equivalent will keep locking mechanisms and hinges in good working condition. A resin-free grease or lubricant should be used on sliding bars, gears, and faceplates. With sliders or single hung windows, a silicone spray (candle wax / furniture polish) can be used to lubricate the sashes to help them slide smoothly. With double hung windows, a few drops of light machine oil or spray such as WD-40, applied via the top end of the balance tube, will improve the operation of the balance.
Other maintenance tips for hardware & screens:
We would like to stress that extra care should be taken not to overreach or risk falling!
Pilkington Activ™ is manufactured with the same advanced pyrolytic technology used to produce glass panels for electronic and photovoltaic solar cell applications.
Applied to clear float glass via on-line, chemical vapor deposition, it is an integral part of one surface of the glass, and lasts the entire life of the glass.
Learn more about our glass features by visiting our Information Centre.
Any operating window, either horizontal or vertical slider, will leak some air and water – this is called air and water infiltration.
Water infiltration is more evident. Windows are constructed with weep holes to allow any internal water to weep to the exterior of the home. So depending on weather conditions, it’s normal to see water in the sill section of windows.
Excess humidity built in the form of a thin film of water on a cold surface is called condensation.
You may have noticed this on a humid, hot summer day, when condensation appears on cold glass. If the temperature changes, but no water vapor is added or taken away, the relative humidity will increase as the temperature falls. The relative humidity will continue to rise with falling temperature until the dew point is reached — that is, the temperature at which the relative humidity becomes 100 percent.
Any further decrease in temperature will force some of the vapor to condense as water (when the temperature is above freezing) or as frost (when the temperature is below freezing).
Condensation is the primary reason for window-related call-backs!
Condensation usually appears on windows first, as they have the lowest temperature of any of the interior surfaces in the house.
This is commonly known as “window sweating”. It’s a rare sight on walls because they are typically warmer. In the most extreme cases, window sweating can lead to mildew and the growth of mould.
To put it simply, yes.
It not only creates a nuisance by limiting visibility and wetting adjacent walls and floor surfaces, but in more severe cases, can cause wood rotting and paint / plaster deterioration.
This has always been problematic to builders, because the homeowner always assumes that the window construction or installation is faulty. What most homeowners don’t know is their own living habits are a part of the problem, or that a well-built house is often more vulnerable to excess moisture problems than one that is poorly constructed.
There are several factors that create condensation on windows.
Normal breathing and perspiration add three pints of water to the air every day for each person in your home. In fact, every activity that uses water adds more moisture to the air, including cooking, taking showers, dish washing, and doing laundry.
If you have too much moisture in your home, be mindful of:
No, condensation on windows is not the fault of the window.
However, by keeping windows closed or installing a new roof, you are reducing airflow in your home, making it more airtight. Tighter homes actually retain more humidity!
Condensation often forms at the meeting rail, and at the bottom of the lower sash on the interior of the glass. When warm air cools, it falls down across the interior surface of the window at the same time the air’s temperature is falling.
Yes. To limit condensation, humidity must be controlled and air movement must be generated.
As the exterior temperature drops, the humidity level needs to be decreased proportionally. Fortunately, window condensation can be controlled, once the cause is known.
Reduce the humidity and decrease the number of cool surfaces in your home.
Your first step is to find what the humidity level in your home is. This will need to be monitored regularly as the temperature outside varies.
Devices that measure humidity are called hygrometers. They can be purchased at most reliable hardware or home centre stores.
As a guide, the following chart should help:
Outside Temperature °F Inside Relative Humidity
| 20°F to 40°F | Not over 40% |
| 10°F to 20°F | Not over 35% |
| 0°F to 10°F | Not over 30% |
| −10°F to 0°F | Not over 25% |
| −20°F to −10°F | Not over 20% |
Yes! Choosing a window with low-e glass, argon gas filling and warm edge spacers will help reduce condensation. However, it will not completely eliminate it.
Learn more about our glass options by visiting our Buyer’s Guide.
Argon is an odourless, colourless, tasteless, invisible, non-toxic gas used to replace the air inside sealed window units to reduce thermal transfer.
It is six times heavier than air. Since argon gas is denser than air, and not in continuous motion like air, the transference of energy (heat and cold) is greatly reduced. In short, argon gas provides extra insulation!
We often see condensation and frost on windows, usually around the edges of window glass. The edge is where the panes of the sealed units are held apart by spacer bars.
Condensation is the primary reason for window-related call-backs. Non-conductive warm edge spacers reduce heat transmission of heat, limiting condensation. The material the spacer is made from affects the rate that heat travels through a window’s edge. Warm edge spacers can improve the U-value of a window by 10 percent, and boost the edge temperature by around 5°F, reducing condensation.
The main advantages are:
Low-e glass improves the insulating value of a window, roughly as much as adding an additional pane of glass.
Low-e glass combined with argon gas boosts energy efficiency by nearly 100% over clear glass. Like all gases, argon gas will leak from the window over time. However, it is non-toxic and safe. Studies suggest a 10 percent loss over the course of 20 years, but that will reduce the U-value of the window slightly.
The added cost for low-e glass and argon gas fillings is only about 10 percent of the window’s overall cost – it’s an easy decision!
Windows are thermal holes. An average home loses approximately 30 percent of its energy through them.
So it goes without saying energy-efficient windows save money. The additional amount spent for a solid, energy-efficient window will pay for itself in two to four years. Long-lasting windows cost less in the long run, while making your home more comfortable and cozy.
The heat loss of windows is measured using U-values or U-factors. U-values are the mathematical inverse of R-values: for example, an R-value of 2 equals a U-value of 1/2, or 0.5. Unlike R-values, lower U-value indicates higher insulating value.
Vinyl windows lose and gain heat by:
Conduction
Transmission of energy (heat and cold) through a solid material via direct contact. The lower the conductivity, the lower the heat loss and vice versa. Double-glazed windows filled with argon gas and warm edge spacers greatly reduce conduction.
Convection
In a cold climate, heated indoor air brushes against the interior surfaces of window glass, which causes air to cool, become dense, and drop downward. As the stream of air drops, warm air rushes in to take its place at the glass surface.
This cyclical movement of air forms a convective loop and is self-perpetuating. Double-glazed windows filled with argon gas and warm edge spacers raise inboard glass temperatures, thereby slowing down the convection cycle and improving comfort in your home.
Radiant transfer
This is the movement of heat from a warmer body to a cooler body.
Clear glass absorbs heat and redirects it outdoors. Radiant-heat loss through windows can be significantly reduced by opting for low-e glass that reflects specific wavelengths of energy. In a similar fashion, low-e coatings keep the summer heat out.
Air leakage
Air leakage through windows is responsible for most of a window’s heat loss. This is commonly referred to as air and water infiltration.
Well-designed windows have durable weather-stripping and high-quality closing devices that effectively prevent air and water leakage. Hinged windows such as casements and awnings clamp more tightly against weather stripping than double-hung windows.
How well the individual pieces of the window unit fit together also affects air leakage. Glass-to-frame, frame-to-frame, and sash-to-frame connections must be tight & consistent.
Less than half of the sun’s energy is visible. Longer wavelengths beyond the red part of the visible spectrum are infrared, which is felt as heat. Shorter wavelengths, beyond purple, are ultraviolet (UV).
When the sun’s energy strikes a window, visible light, heat, and UV rays are reflected, absorbed, or transmitted into the house. Low-e glass contains transparent metallic oxides that reflect up to 90 percent of the harmful UV rays.
We recently had our sliding patio doors replaced with garden doors with interior blinds. We have received so many compliments on our doors. Mike and his crew (Mike and Anthony) are very friendly and professional. It was a pleasure having them in our home. The installation was seamless and clean. They already have someone who will be ordering from them, after seeing these doors at our place. I'm sure there will be more to come. Thanks guys!
Reviewer: Maria Novielli
out of 5 stars
I have nothing but good things to say about the services I have received from Clera. About 4 years ago I purchased a new front door from Clera. The salesperson was knowledgeable and understood what I was looking for. When it came time for installation, the installers were professional and friendly. They discovered a small dent in the door at the bottom and told me that they had ordered a new door . This was done before my final inspection. Based on this experience, I had new windows replaced in a rental home in Kingston. This salesperson was also very knowledgeable and took the time to help us. He even inspected other windows and told us which ones did not need to be replaced. More recently, I have purchased two new windows for my own home in Ottawa and have been equally pleased with the service, quality of workmanship and the windows themselves. I always recommend Clera to anyone that I know who are looking for windows or doors.
Reviewer: Tammy Yazbeck
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent! We have loved our dealings with Clera. Rod was amazing in listening and understanding the look we were trying to achieve and then suggesting products with the appropriate features. The windows were delivered within the expected delivery time frame. The installation was done quickly and the crew was very professional and accommodating. The windows we had install have made the house much brighter. The doors we had install feel very solid, despite both presently unique challenges. Clera's quote wasn't the cheapest quote we had but their price was certainly competitive and the results have been well worth the money.
Reviewer: Eric Tang
5 out of 5 stars