Photos by Pella
Windows and doors galore
Big windows and doors are back and they’re opening in new and exciting ways.
5 trends to keep in mind when replacing doors and windows
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f 2020 is the year you treat your home to new windows and doors, there’s never been a better time to upgrade. Bob Wood, the owner and president of Revolution Windows and Doors Ltd. in Dartmouth, says today’s windows and doors are significantly better than ones manufactured even just 10 years ago. “We’re seeing tighter windows and doors, better weatherstripping and better energy efficiency overall, which is good because Nova Scotians are always looking for products that can stand up to our damp climate.” Ready to replace your dinged-up doors and rattling windows? From what colours are popular to how people are choosing the best materials, here’s a look at the top window and door trends of 2020. 1. GOODBYE WHITE! HELLO, COLOUR! Over the past five years or so, Wood says many homeowners have been choosing windows in a colour other than — gasp — standard white. The move kicked off with people choosing dramatic black windows with satin
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THE REAL HOME SHOW • 2020
nickel or brushed-chrome hardware. While black windows are still very popular, a new frontrunner is emerging: grey! These black and grey windows are usually either stained or painted on the inside. Some
homeowners opt for a two-tone look, with windows that are black on the outside and white on the inside. But if you have your heart set on black windows, you might not want to choose
Canadian Home Builders’ Association Nova Scotia
vinyl — especially if they’re going in a brick or concrete building. Wood says black vinyl heats up quickly in the hot sun (especially in the summer) and the expanding and contracting can make the window more difficult to open and close. This can mostly be prevented with proper spacing and shimming, but he says fibreglass or aluminum-clad wood make a better choice than vinyl when it comes to black windows. Windows can come in bright colours, too, but experts say they tend to only be popular for cottages and camps — especially red or green windows. While a colourful front door has always been a popular look, more homeowners are choosing to buy a new door in a custom colour — rather than just slapping some paint on their existing door. “When it’s a factory paint job, it’s either powder-coated or heated on, like you’d paint a car,” says Wood. “It makes for a flawless finish. There’s no comparison.” When it comes to choosing a colour, there’s lots of room to take risks and choose a shade