How to Choose the Right Windows for Your Home

Windows do more than just let in light—they impact your home's energy efficiency, comfort, curb appeal, and even resale value. Choosing the right windows means finding the perfect balance between performance, durability, and design.

Here’s what to consider when making your decision:

Choose the Best Frame Material

Each frame type has pros and cons:

Material	Pros	Cons
Vinyl	Affordable, low maintenance, energy efficient	Fewer color options
Wood	Classic look, great insulation	Expensive, needs upkeep
Aluminum	Strong, modern look	Poor insulator unless thermally broken
Fiberglass	Durable, stable, energy efficient	Higher cost
Composite	Combines benefits of wood and vinyl	More expensive

Match Style with Function

Window types should fit your home’s design and usage:

Casement: Hinged at the side, great for airflow and sealing tight

Double-hung: Classic, easy to clean, good for traditional homes

Sliding: Smooth operation, great for modern styles

Picture: Large fixed glass, great for views

Awning: Hinged at the top, ideal for rainy climates

Pick the Right Glass

Double-pane windows are standard.

Triple-pane windows provide better insulation—ideal for extreme climates.

Low-E (low-emissivity) coatings reflect heat back into your home in winter and block it out in summer.

Gas fills (argon or krypton) between panes improve insulation.

Consider laminated or tempered glass for added safety and noise reduction.

Factor in Installation

Even the best windows won’t perform well if they’re poorly installed.

Always hire a certified and experienced installer as Bison Windows & Doors

Ask about warranty (on both product and labor)

Ensure proper sealing, flashing, and insulation around frames

Balance Cost and Value

High-quality, energy-efficient windows cost more upfront, but they save money on heating/cooling bills and can increase your home’s value.

Pro Tip: Look into government rebates or incentives for upgrading to energy-efficient windows.

Look for Certifications

Reliable windows often come with:

ENERGY STAR certification

NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) label

CSA ratings (for Canadian homes)

These ensure performance and efficiency are independently tested.

ENERGY STAR windows are tested and certified to meet government standards.

You can check for:

The ENERGY STAR logo.

Climate zone suitability (Zone 1 to 3 in Canada).

ER, U-Factor, SHGC listed on the label.

ER - energy rating in windows refers to how well a window performs in terms of energy efficiency—specifically, its ability to keep heat inside during winter and outside during summer. In Canada (and much of North America), the energy rating is part of ENERGY STAR® certification, and it can be understood through several key metrics:

ENERGY STAR Climate Zones for Windows (Canada)

Zone 1: Warmest

Includes: Most of British Columbia (e.g. Vancouver, Victoria).

Milder winters, lower heating demand.

Minimum Energy Rating (ER): 25

Zone 2: Moderate

Includes: Parts of southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and the Maritimes.

Moderate winter temperatures.

Minimum ER: 29

Zone 3: Coldest

Includes: Most of Alberta (e.g. Edmonton, Calgary), Manitoba, Saskatchewan, northern Ontario/Quebec, and all of northern Canada.

Long, cold winters.

Minimum ER: 34

The U-factor rating (also called U-value) measures how well a building component, like a window or door, conducts heat. It tells you how much heat is lost—the lower the U-factor, the better the insulation performance.

Good U-factor range for windows/doors:

0.20 – 0.30 → Excellent insulation (common in triple-pane or high-performance units)

0.30 – 0.40 → Good insulation (standard for ENERGY STAR-rated double-pane windows in colder climates)

> 0.40 → Poor insulation for cold climates

The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a key factor when choosing energy-efficient windows, especially in homes that get a lot of sun.

SHGC measures how much solar radiation (heat from sunlight) passes through a window and becomes heat inside your home.

Range: 0 to 1

Lower SHGC = Less solar heat enters

Higher SHGC = More solar heat enters

Example:

A window with SHGC of 0.30 allows 30% of the sun’s heat through.

A window with SHGC of 0.60 lets in 60% of solar heat

Why It Matters:

Cold climates

You might want a higher SHGC to let in winter sun and reduce heating costs.

Hot climates or sunny exposures:

You want a lower SHGC to block excess heat and keep your home cooler.

How SHGC is affected:

Several factors can affect SHGC:

Glass coatings: Low-E coatings reflect heat and lower SHGC

Window tinting

Window orientation (south-facing windows get more sun)

Shading (trees, overhangs, blinds)

What SHGC Should You Look For?

Climate SHGC Recommendation Cold 0.35 – 0.55 (to allow solar heat in) Hot/sunny 0.20 – 0.35 (to block heat gain) Mixed 0.30 – 0.40 (balance of both)

Visible Transmittance (VT):

Percentage of visible light that passes through.

Ranges from 0 to 1.

Higher = more daylight.

Air Leakage

ENERGY STAR sets a maximum air leakage rate of:

≤ 0.3 cfm/ft² (cubic feet per minute per square foot of window area)

This means that under standard test conditions, no more than 0.3 cubic feet of air can leak through a square foot of window each minute.

ENERGY STAR windows limit drafts effectively.

They help maintain consistent indoor temperatures.

They reduce heating and cooling costs compared to non-certified windows.

Even though there’s still some leakage allowed, it’s minimal and tightly controlled.

Choosing the right windows means thinking about performance, aesthetics, and budget—while keeping your local climate front and center. Whether you’re renovating or building new, quality windows are an investment that pays off in comfort, energy savings, and style.