Vinyl Windows
Multi-chambered PVC frames insulate well, never need paint and cost the least, which is why vinyl covers most homes in the region. Our vinyl windows page explains how to tell a well-built vinyl frame from a cheap one.
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Styles, frames and glass, explained plainly
New Windows for Kitchener-Waterloo Homes
GTS Windows & Doors has supplied and installed new windows for Waterloo Region homes since 1986, from our base on Bridge Street East in Kitchener. This page is the starting point for choosing them, because every window purchase comes down to three decisions: the style, the frame material and the glass package. Most people start with style because it is the part they see, but the frame and glass decide comfort and running costs for decades.
We work with homeowners replacing tired windows, families finishing additions and basements, and builders, contractors and property managers who need a dependable supply-and-install partner. At the consultation our job is to explain the trade-offs honestly, including when a less expensive option will serve you just as well as the premium one. We serve Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph, plus Woolwich, Wilmot, Wellesley, Elora, Puslinch, Acton and Rockwood.
Every window we supply is ENERGY STAR rated, installed to CSA A440.4, the Canadian standard for window installation, and covered by our 20-year parts and labour warranty, which protects both the product and our workmanship on every window. Once you know what you want, see how we handle window replacement in existing homes, or window installation for new construction, additions and enlarged openings.
- Since 1986Four decades in Waterloo Region
- 20-Year WarrantyParts and labour, in writing
- Licensed & WSIBFully insured crews
- ENERGY STARRated windows and doors
- SAWDAC MemberIndustry association
Window Styles
Style controls how a window opens, how tightly it seals and how easy it is to clean. Here is the one-line version of each, and our window styles guide compares them room by room.
- Casement: hinged at the side and opened with a crank, with the tightest seal of any opening style.
- Awning: hinged at the top, so it can stay open in light rain.
- Single and double hung: sashes slide vertically for a traditional look on older homes.
- Slider: sashes glide sideways; simple, affordable and common in basements.
- Picture and fixed: no moving parts, the most glass and the best energy performance.
- Bay and bow: groups of windows that project from the wall to add space and light.
- Tilt and turn: European hardware that tilts in for ventilation or swings in fully for cleaning.
Frame Materials Compared
The frame decides how the window looks, how long it lasts and how much upkeep it needs. This is how the four main materials compare for a typical Waterloo Region home.
Fibreglass Windows
Fibreglass expands at close to the same rate as glass, so seals stay tight through big temperature swings and dark colours are less of a risk. Find out when fibreglass windows are worth the extra cost.
Aluminum Windows
Slim, strong frames suit modern designs and large glass, as long as the frame has a proper thermal break. Learn where aluminum windows make sense in a home.
Wood Windows
Real wood brings warmth and heritage authenticity, and exterior cladding cuts the maintenance. Our wood windows page compares solid wood with clad wood.
| Frame | Relative cost | Typical lifespan | Maintenance | Colour options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | Lowest | 25 to 35 years | Very low | White, almond and laminated colours |
| Fibreglass | Moderate to high | 35 to 50 years | Very low | Wide range, paintable, handles dark colours |
| Aluminum, thermally broken | Moderate to high | 30 to 40 years | Low | Powder-coated in almost any colour |
| Wood and clad wood | Highest | 30 years or more with upkeep | Higher, especially unclad wood | Stain or paint inside, clad colours outside |
All Windows Services
- Window InstallationWindow installation in Kitchener-Waterloo for new homes, additions and new openings.
- Window ReplacementWindow replacement in Kitchener-Waterloo, retrofit or full-frame, since 1986.
- Custom WindowsCustom windows in any shape, size or colour for Kitchener-Waterloo homes.
- Insulated WindowsEnergy efficient windows installed in Kitchener-Waterloo.
- Triple Pane WindowsTriple pane windows: are they worth it for your home? Honest comparisons, typical costs and careful triple pane installation across Kitchener-Waterloo.
- Low-E Glass WindowsLow-E glass keeps heat inside in winter and cuts glare and fading in summer.
- Soundproof WindowsSoundproof windows for Kitchener-Waterloo homes and offices.
- Stained Glass WindowsStained glass window installation, protection and upgrades for Waterloo Region homes, churches and businesses.
- Vinyl WindowsVinyl windows installed across Kitchener-Waterloo.
- Fiberglass WindowsFibreglass windows installed across Kitchener-Waterloo.
- Aluminum WindowsThermally broken aluminum windows for modern homes and light commercial buildings in Kitchener-Waterloo.
- Wood WindowsSolid wood and clad wood windows for century homes, heritage districts and custom builds in Kitchener-Waterloo.
- Window Film & TintingWindow tinting and privacy film for Kitchener-Waterloo homes and businesses.
Glass Packages and Energy Performance
Glass makes up most of a window's area, so the glass package drives most of its thermal performance. A good frame with basic clear double glazing still loses far more heat than the same frame with a modern sealed unit.
In Canada, ENERGY STAR certification requires a U-factor of 1.22 W/m²·K or lower, or an Energy Rating of 34 or higher, with one standard for the whole country. The options below take you past that minimum.
Insulated, Energy-Efficient Windows
An insulated glass unit combines two or three panes, argon gas and a warm-edge spacer that keeps the glass edge from frosting. See how each part adds up on our energy-efficient insulated windows page.
Low-E Glass
A microscopically thin metal oxide coating reflects heat back into the room in winter and cuts solar heat and UV in summer. Different coatings suit different orientations, as explained on our Low-E glass windows page.
Triple Pane Windows
A third pane and second gas space lower the U-factor further and keep the inside glass warmer, which reduces condensation. Find out when triple pane windows pay off and when double glazing is enough.
Specialty Windows and Glass
Custom Shapes and Sizes
Arches, circles, gable-end trapezoids and oversized picture windows, built from a template of your opening. See our custom windows service.
Noise-Reduction Windows
Laminated glass, unequal pane thicknesses and wider air spaces cut traffic and train noise. Read about soundproof and acoustic windows.
Stained and Decorative Glass
New stained glass panels, or original ones protected inside a sealed unit. Our stained glass window installation page covers both.
Privacy Film and Tinting
Frosted, decorative and solar-control films add privacy or cut glare without replacing the glass. Explore window film and tinting.
Budgeting for New Windows
Most standard replacement windows in Waterloo Region run about $650 to $1,900 installed per opening, depending on style, frame, glass and whether the job is retrofit or full-frame. Custom shapes, bay and bow units and new openings cost more.
Our window and door cost guide for Kitchener breaks prices down by window type and walks through whole-house examples. ENERGY STAR certified windows may also qualify for Ontario's Home Renovation Savings rebate when you meet the program's requirements.
How We Help You Decide
At an in-home consultation we look at each opening, ask how you use the room, and bring samples of frames, colours and glass so you can see and handle them. You get a written quote that lists the style, frame and glass for every window, with alternatives where they make sense.
We are licensed, insured and WSIB covered, a SAWDAC member, and rated 4.5 stars from 31 Google reviews. Consultations can be booked seven days a week, Monday to Saturday 7am to 9pm and Sunday 9am to 5pm.
New Window FAQs
What is the best frame material for new windows in Ontario?
For most homes, a well-built vinyl window gives the best value, since it insulates well and needs no painting. Fibreglass is the upgrade for dark colours, large units or longer life, while wood suits heritage homes and aluminum suits modern designs with slim frames.
Are double pane windows good enough for a Kitchener winter?
Yes, modern double pane windows with Low-E glass, argon and warm-edge spacers meet ENERGY STAR requirements and perform well here. Triple pane is worth considering for north-facing rooms, bedrooms near busy roads and homes where condensation is a problem.
How long do new windows last?
Good vinyl windows typically last 25 to 35 years, and fibreglass often longer. The sealed glass units and hardware are usually the first parts to wear, and both can often be replaced without replacing the whole window.
Get Help Choosing Your New Windows
Book an in-home consultation and we will walk through styles, frames and glass for each room. You will get a clear, written quote with no pressure to upgrade.
Call or text226-806-0597- Monday to Saturday: 7:00am to 9:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am to 5:00pm - 47 Bridge Street East, Kitchener, ON N2K 1J7