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Do you have windows and doors in need of repair? Are they cracked, fogging up, developing mold, not opening or closing properly, or leaking? Were they installed by Decora Windows and Doors?

If you’re answering yes to all these questions, Imperial Doors & Windows is your trusted Greater Toronto Area (GTA) installation service in Toronto that can help put your home back in top shape. With over ten years of experience, our respect, integrity, education, and high-quality products are like no other.

Who Is Decora Windows and Doors?

Decora Windows and Doors declared bankruptcy after many unhappy customer complaints and various lawsuits filed against them. Not only did their customer service leave people appalled, but so did their lack of professionalism and care when it came to help look after people’s homes. A home is the single most expensive transaction you’ll ever make in your life, so you shouldn’t have to worry about adding on the extra costs of fixing windows and doors after moving in.

If you move into a home and notice Decora Windows name pressed into the metal, call us immediately. You’ll also know you have a Decora window if the following occur:

Why Their Products Are Lacking?

It’s not news that Decora Windows products are cheaply made and they don’t use the proper materials. The spacer bars they use are typically made from steel which begins to rust quickly. Their products are also cheap and sourced from China. They don’t care about looking after your home the way we do, nor do their warranties even exist anymore to cover these issues that many homeowners are facing.

Fix decora windows

Customers have been leaving poor reviews for Decora Windows for years;

“Our new home was built with Decora windows in 2003/2004. The casement style windows were tolerable, but all of the sliders were extremely poor in build quality. All leaked significant amounts of air where the two panes met in the middle of the window. [...] As for the service, it was a joke. For the living room window that leaked so badly, their solution was to stick a piece of cardboard under the track that the window sits on to raise it higher. Not only did this not work, but it also left us with a black mold-ridden piece of goo in the window. [...]. If your builder is using Decora windows, either pay to have them use a reputable brand or find a different builder. [...].”
- from an unhappy homeowner in Niagara Falls eight years ago.

How Decora Windows “Fixes” Problem Areas

Not only did Decora Windows customer service leave people feeling helpless, but so did their actual service. Instead of helping homeowners fix the problem, they made the problems worse. Fixing a fogged window or getting rid of condensation due to a glass seal failure is difficult. It’s actually much easier to just replace the whole unit. Instead, they opt for a spraying or cleaning solution without inspecting why the foggy glass on the Decora windows occurred in the first place.

Glass seal failure

They also replace their cheap products like Decora window cranks from China with the same product.

“[...] Beware of this terrible company and their substandard products. They will take your money and never resolve your issues with the products.”
- from an unhappy homeowner in Los Gatos five years ago.

How Imperial Windows & Doors Differs

Here at Imperial Windows & Doors, we value our customers and treat every home as though it were our own. We pride ourselves in our respectful, professional, high-quality customer service and our high-quality products. We’ve been serving the GTA for more than ten years now and look forward to many more successful years to come.

Even if you live beyond Ajax, Aurora, Barrie, Brampton, Markham, Mississauga, Oakville, Oshawa, or Richmond Hill, we’d still be happy to hear from you to see how we can help.

Glass seal failure

We’re a one-stop-shop and if you’re looking to replace your Decora Windows doors and windows, or are looking for an experienced and professional installer in general, we’re dedicated to ensuring our customers are more than satisfied with the products we provide. We no longer want you to stress about your foggy glass, window cracks or leaks, or rusting bars or cranks.

We want you to enjoy your home and make sure you’re getting your money's worth and not spend your time worrying about how you can fix Decora windows. This is why we also provide a free estimate so you know what to expect during our replacement service and so you’re confident in our reputable business.

What We Do

We have a wide range of different products for both your doors and windows. For doors we can install or repair the following:

For windows we can install or repair the following:

No matter the material; vinyl, wood, metal, cement, or steel, we’re knowledgeable in all areas. Regardless of your renovation needs, we go above and beyond to utilize our products and high-quality customer service.

Say goodbye to those Decora windows and doors and Decora window cracks, and hello to your new and improved (and leak and crack-proof) products.

You Can Trust Imperial

We are very proud of the level of service we provide in the GTA. We’ve established strong, trusted relationships, networks, and bonds with leading manufacturers which means our clients are getting the best brands and prices available.

Foggy Glass on the decora windows

We don’t cut corners and install cheap products from China in our clients’ homes. From energy-star products, to eco-friendly and super sealed Health Smart Windows, our quality and care for our clients’ homes is our number one priority.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

“Imperial Windows And Doors are very dedicated to their workmanship and service that they provide and pride [themselves] on their company’s reputation. [...] They stand by their words and do everything they can to correct issues.”
- from a happy homeowner in Thornhill.

“I recently had two windows and a door replaced by Imperial Windows & Doors, and I’m very happy with their quality of work, product, and professionalism.”
- from a happy homeowner in Vaughan.

“Imperial Windows & Doors did a great job replacing all the windows in my house. The guys from Imperial were nice, honest, and professional. [...] I’m very happy with their job and definitely will recommend this company to anyone who wants to get their windows done.”
- from a happy homeowner in Toronto.

The dropping temperature of the fall season is a stark reminder of the harsh winter that is just around the corner. But it should also be a reminder to replace your doors before winter.

Ten Reasons Why You Replace your Door Before Winter Comes in Full Force

  1. It Will Keep Your Home Warm

Winters can be brutal on you and your home. When temperatures plummet outside, they drop inside. No matter how great your heater might be, your home might remain cold. Old doors with bad insulation let all the cold air into your house, and don’t keep warmth in effectively.

Keeping warm during winter

When you replace your doors before winter, you can stay warm. New doors have great insulation. They keep the cold air outside, and keep your warm air inside. Instead of bundling up inside, you can lose the layers and enjoy the warmth, as well as enjoying the money in your pocket that you will save on heating costs.

  1. You Can Prevent Break-Ins

Theft and break-ins are threats all year long. However, property crimes are particularly prevalent in the winter. The winter tends to have more property crimes than any other season.

Although no one knows for certain why the winter has high rates of property crimes, there are some theories. In the cold weather, people without shelter have a higher need for it. They might be more likely to break-in to avoid the cold.

There’s also the issue of darkness. In the winter, the dark comes earlier. It’s easier for people to get away with property crimes under the cover of darkness.

With a strong new door, you can prevent break-ins. Your door can be a deterrent for intruders; it protects you and your home.

  1. It Might be More Affordable

Typically, door replacement businesses are slower in the winter. For that reason, some companies offer special promotions and deals. If you schedule your door replacement in the fall, you might be able to save money.

  1. You Can Get Years Out of Your New Door

Replacing a door doesn’t only protect you for one winter, it lasts many seasons. Why live in discomfort this winter when a new door will last for years?

If you don’t replace your door before the winter, you risk damage to it. Old and deteriorating doors don’t have the sturdiness to make it through a winter. You could save yourself a great deal of trouble by replacing it before the harsh weather arrives.

  1. It Prepares You for the Spring

In the spring, many homeowners hustle to pick up in their yards. They pick up debris, plant new flowers, and add lawn features. In the midst of everything, there’s no time for door replacement.

By replacing your doors before the spring and winter, you can save yourself some time. You won’t need to scramble to change out your door. Additionally, it prepares you for the possibility of selling your home in the warmer weather.

front door preparation for spring

Your front door is one of the first details people notice about your home. When you replace it, you make your home look more appealing. As a result, you can have your home looking great for the spring and summer months.

  1. Easier Clean-Up

Snow and ice tend to be messy on your door. As the snow and ice melts, mud forms. This can collect on your door and leave unsightly markers.

Old doors are difficult to clean. When you have guests coming over for the holidays, you might not have enough time to clean your doors. Fortunately, new doors are easier to clean. They are more resistant to stains and don’t require as much attention. When guests come to your home, they walk up to a clean door.

  1. Cheaper Heating Costs

In the winter, your heating system needs to work hard to heat your home. However, it needs to work harder if you have poor insulation. Old windows and doors don’t insulate your home from the cold. Instead, they allow for air to flow in and out.

Certain features can help your door reduce that air flow. For example, weatherstripping, glazing, and low-emissivity glass can reduce heat loss. As a result, you can save money on your heating bill.

When you replace your doors, you can get doors that keep in the heat. It’s an easy way to lower your heating bill.

  1. Avoid Damage to Floors and Carpets

It is possible for your old door to experience damage during the winter. If a harsh wind blows debris into your door, it could break.

In the winter, a broken door could mean damage to your home. The result could be snow on your hardwood floor or carpet. Unfortunately, the snow could melt and cause serious problems, including mold damage.

A new door limits the chances of your door breaking. If harsh winds come, your home will be safe.

  1. The Late Fall is a Better Time for Installation

You can replace your doors any time of the year. However, it is more difficult to perform installation in the warm weather. The heat makes the frame of your home expand. When you try to replace your doors, they fit into the expanded frame.

The cold weather then shrinks your frame. Unfortunately, your door does not shrink with it. You are left with a gap between your door and your frame. This makes for poor insulation.

By installing in the cold weather, you get a tight seal between your door and your frame. The result is even more energy savings.

  1. Installation is Quicker

If you try to replace your doors in the spring or summer, you could be on a long waiting list. Typically, people make their home repairs in the warmer months.

quick door installation

Before winter, you can get a quick installation. It might not take long for someone to install your new doors.

Replacing Your Doors Before Winter

There are many winter preparations that homeowners need to make. A door replacement is one of those preparations. It can save you from discomfort, damage to your home, and more. Before the winter comes knocking on your door, you should replace it.

If you’re trying to sell your home, then you have some competition. There are many other homeowners with the same goals of selling their homes for high prices. Fortunately, a front door replacement is an easy way to stand out and get your home noticed.

Why Does Curb Appeal Matter?

In the real estate market, the supply of homes for sale tends to be greater than the demand from buyers. While this is good news for buyers, it’s bad news for sellers.

If you want to sell your home, then you’re competing against all the other sellers in your area. There are many ways in which you can up your game. However, many of these methods are expensive. They also aren’t obvious.

You need a cost-effective way of making it obvious to prospective buyers that your home is the best option. While interior remodeling can help you sell your home, it’s not obvious at first glance. Exterior changes, like front door replacements, affect curb appeal. As a result, people notice the changes from the street.

Making a Good First Impression

Curb appeal is about making a good first impression. When a prospective buyer drives up to your home, he sees the exterior. The first thing he sees is your driveway, your siding, and your front door. If anything is out of place or run down, he’ll notice it.

Often, buyers revert back to that first impression. It’s likely that a prospect has visited multiple homes. When he compares those homes in his head, that first impression is what stands out.

If you want to make a good first impression, then you need to consider your curb appeal. Little details, like a front door replacement, make a big difference. They make your home look new, modern, and appealing. Potential buyers will also assume that what is on the inside will match and be more compelled to keep looking around.

Many sellers tend to ignore the exterior of the home. However, fixing up the exterior is an easy way to make your home stand out. You can sell your home quicker and for a higher selling price when you have curb appeal.

Front Door Replacements for Curb Appeal

Every prospective buyer approaches your front door. In fact, it’s likely that every buyer notices your front door before exiting the car. It’s a focal point that doesn’t go unnoticed.

An old, dull door does not say good things about your home. As a buyer approaches a worn out door, he gets a negative mindset. No matter how nice your home might be, that negativity can make your home seem unappealing.

It’s unlikely that a buyer will refuse to buy a home because he doesn’t like the front door. However, it is likely that the front door can have a subconscious effect on his decision. Here are a few reasons why the front door has such a major impact on your curb appeal:

  1. It says a lot about security

People want to live in a safe home. If you have a worn out front door, then safety does not seem like a priority. Prospects might consider your home vulnerable to intruders.

On the other hand, a new and secure door can give a buyer a sense of security. This could make him more likely to purchase your home. Your curb appeal improves greatly when safety seems to be a priority.

priority home security

Not to mention, the buyer may be concerned your old front door is drafty, letting cold air in and warm air out in the winter. Nobody is going to be excited about the possibility of high heating costs.

  1. It makes your home look new

When you have an old front door, it reveals the age of your home. A coat of paint or a new light fixture only goes so far. Despite your attention to detail, your worn front door will make your home seem old.

If you want your home to seem new, then you need to consider replacing the front door. When you update the door and work on your landscaping, you can take years off your home. For most prospective buyers, this makes your home more appealing.

  1. It gives prospects something to remember

When a prospective buyer pulls up to your driveway, she needs a focal point. The front door can be that focal point. If you replace your front door, then it can be the one thing that stands out in your front yard. People will remember how new and updated your house appeared.

Why Should You Replace the Whole Door?

When it comes to curb appeal, the devil is in the details. There are many details in your front door that need to be perfect. If you fail to update every feature of your front door, then it won’t have the right impact.

Here are a few of the details that matter:

  1. Your Paint

The dullness of your paint could make your door unappealing. If you have a door that is a few years old, then it’s ready for a new coat of paint. You can repaint it in the same color or go for something bolder. However, you should choose the colour carefully. An odd colour could be a turn-off for buyers.

  1. Hardware

The hardware on your door also matters. Over time, the shine on your hardware fades. You should replace it with new hardware to make it look new.

  1. The Screens or Glass

If your front door has a screen or glass, then you might need to replace it. Glass can crack and screens can tear.

Saving Time and Money with Front Door Replacements

Instead of making many updates to your front door, you can hire someone who specializes in front door replacements. This can save you time and money. You don’t need to worry about applying a coat of paint, changing out hardware, or making repairs.

In the long run, your door replacement can get you more money for your home. On average, a homeowner gets back 75% of the cost of a new door upon the sale of their home.

home door replacement

Additionally, your new door can get you a quicker sale. Although it costs a little money to make the change, the return is well worth the cost. Your curb appeal could make all the difference.

If you’re ready to replace your front door, contact us at Imperial Windows and Doors. We can help you improve your curb appeal with one simple installation.

Wood, steel, glass or a modern composite?  That’s the choice facing anyone looking to buy a new external door for their home.

You may think that price, durability, the security aspects, and the overall design of a door are the most important considerations in selecting a front door. In selecting the material your door is built from, you are also making a choice which influences each one of those features.

Hence, the material the door is crafted from has a significant impact on its functionality.

Choosing the Best Materials for Your Front Entry Doors

House style

The key factor for many people is that of curb-appeal.  The aesthetics of your front door are important both as an entry point into your home and as something in-keeping with its surroundings.  As a feature of your house which both sets the tone of design style and it also affects the value of your property.

As such your door must be something which is chosen with great care and consideration.  From the color and the patterns used on the door itself to the auxiliary features such as handles, house numbers, and letterboxes, all of these details need to be factored into the overall look of your home’s entry presentation.

Sizing Your Door

One of the biggest mistakes many people make is the assumption that all exterior doors are of an equal size.

Before you begin searching for possible doors and options, you should measure your existing door opening to identify your possibilities.  While most doors fit a regular set of industry specifications, many doors may require custom sizing which can have an impact on your overall end result.

Explore Your Door Build Options

Armed with your requirements and your known budget, you can begin to focus in on which design is best suited for your home. Whether you wish for something modern or traditional, fashionable or functional, conservative or unorthodox, you will need to know what material you prefer your door to be made from.

Below, we identify the five most common materials to give you a starting insight into your available options.

Wood Doors

If you want something timelessly classic, wood is by far your best option. There is nothing more traditional than a wooden door to welcome you home, something which has resulted in many modern materials taking on a faux-wood appearance in their design and construction.

wood for entry door

More than just good looks, wooden doors are also excellent insulators both regarding soundproofing and in terms of heating. Beneath their natural and elegant appearance, wooden doors also offer a very sturdy and safe option when it comes to security.

They are, however, a more expensive option than most other materials, especially hardwood doors as opposed to softwood doors. Both of these wood types will require more maintenance than the other materials we outline below.

Furthermore, you should always ensure that a wooden door has been pretreated to water-proof and maintain its integrity against the elements.

Fiberglass Doors

A more modern solution which has become increasingly popular during recent years is fiberglass. Commonly designed with a wood-like appearance, this material is also a great insulator as well as being a strong and reliable option. Like wood, it is also a more expensive material, however, it has many advantages over the traditional wooden door.

Fiberglass does not warp and distort due to sunlight or water and is far easier to maintain as there is no need to paint or varnish it every few years. This makes it the ideal choice for anyone living in particularly cold or wet environments but who still want a classically authentic look to the front of their home.

uPVC Doors

Versatile, durable and inexpensive, it’s easy to see why uPVC (plasticized polyvinyl chloride) has become so popular. Used in the making of many modern window frames, this can also add a sense of uniformity to the appearance of your house-front.

Similar to fiberglass, modern uPVC doors also look far more attractive than many people expect them to. From textured wood grain effects to smooth, weatherproof finishes in almost any conceivable color.

door for your home

With metallic reinforcements within the body of the door, uPVC doors are far more secure than the early versions proved to be. While they are generally durable, they often fade in color over time and can be difficult to repair if they suffer significant damage.

Metallic Doors

The thought of metallic doors immediately springs to mind images of bleak warehouses and unattractive but secure entry points. But while they are the most secure material for a door, they don’t necessarily have to be unappealing.

Like other modern materials, manufacturers have devised ways to make these doors more attractive. This includes the use of various coatings, veneers, paneling, and forged elements to decorate them.

Steel and aluminum are the two metals most commonly used but both offer relatively low sound and heat insulation. To address this, many metallic doors have an insulating filling but these options are at the higher end of the price range.

Glass Doors

While not a common choice, solid glass doors are growing in popularity. They provide a clean, modern look and allow more natural light inside your home.

Modern glass doors have evolved a long way over the past decade. It’s now possible to maintain your privacy with one-way glass that prevents your neighbors from seeing inside your house. Insulation and security are also becoming less of a concern with advancements in double glazing that will keep you safe and warm.

glass door material

While full-glass doors are still a relatively rare choice, more doors are being made with glass used as part of their design. From small details to lavish finishes, glass can add a sleekness few other materials offer and is something which should at least be considered.

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