Doors and Windows

Exterior Passage Doors

All doors, especially exterior doors, are exposed to a variety of climatic conditions (including inside humidity variations from summer to winter) and are subject to dimensional variations and possible warping. Exterior doors are naturally subjected to more extreme conditions. They must withstand the differences of heat and moisture on the inside and cold dry air on the outside in winter, this situation may be reversed or equalized while in summer.

Doors tend to swell in summer and shrink in winter, so do not be hasty in adjusting your door by planning, shaving or cutting, as the condition will usually stabilize. It is possible to maintain a tight seal on these doors with the adjustable striker plates and thresholds. The operation of the exterior door may vary due to seasonal temperature changes.

Spring-loaded hinges are installed on the garage to house door to prevent carbon monoxide fumes from entering the house. With some types of wood doors, warping is to be expected. Variations of up to 1” out of plane in any direction of the door is considered normal.

Interior Passage Doors

Variations in grain pattern and colour on oak doors are normal in natural materials. Paint grade doors are very consistent in finish and are not susceptible to warping.

NOTE: Rubbing or binding of the door and frame is usually caused by settlement of the structure and should be reported immediately to avoid further damage. Periodic tightening and lubrication of hardware is recommended.

Pocket Doors

Pocket doors may require adjustments and lubrication during the first year of occupancy. If any problems arise, your Warranty Technician will adjust it at the 3 or 12 month Multi Checkpoint inspection.

Bi-Pass and Bi-Fold Doors

Keep clothing from between the door panels to avoid damage to the door and/or clothing.

Doors & Windows FAQs

Frost on the door – is it leaking?

Question: When it is extremely cold outside, frost forms on the metal striker plates on the doorframe. Does this mean the door is leaking?
Answer: Not necessarily. In very cold conditions the cold will conduct through the metal plate and become frosty when it meets the warm, moist interior air.

How to use the adjustable door strikes?

Question: How does one use the adjustable door strikes?
Answer: Remove the two (2) screws and move the insert portion of the strike to the desired position to achieve a tight fit to jamb weather-stripping. Re-install the screws. It is important to maintain this to prevent the outside weather from entering and causing damage.

How to adjust entry door thresholds?

Question: How does one adjust the entry door thresholds?
Answer: Exterior door thresholds come with adjustment screws which are visible at the top of the threshold. By turning these screws, the threshold can be lowered or raised to accommodate a tighter seal on the bottom of the door. Seasonal adjustment may be required as the doors close differently in summer months than in winter months.

Are adjustments required for passage doors?

Question: Are any maintenance adjustments required for passage doors?
Answer: Periodic tightening of the doorknobs may be necessary. With repeated usage, the doorknobs may loosen themselves. To prevent damage to the door finish, tightening the knob is imperative.

Is door warpage a warranty concern?

Question: Is warpage of doors a warranty concern?
Answer: Some warpage is considered tolerable. Doors which exceed 1” warpage are considered excessive and should be given attention.

How to lubricate the door and window hardware in the home?

Question: What should be used to lubricate the door and window hardware in the home?
Answer: Although any household lubricant will work, a clear silicone based spray is recommended. Use caution when spaying door hinges as the lubricant may drip onto the carpet. Keep a cloth handy.

Are adjustments required on bi-pass doors?

Question: Are there any adjustments that may be required on bi-pass doors?
Answer: Periodic adjustments may be necessary. If it is noticed that the bi-pass doors screw mechanism located on the inside corners of the bi-pass doors. When turning these screws, the corner of the door can be raised or lowered to allow the side margin to be parallel to the jamb.

Draft coming from the windows during the winter?

Question: Why does it seem like there is a draft coming from the windows during the winter?
Answer: It may appear that there are drafts around windows during cold weather, even though they are adequately glazed, fitted and weather-stripped. With some possible exceptions, such as extreme wind conditions, the draft felt may be due to vertical air movement over the face of the window-this is convention-warm air rising and cooler air dropping. Another common sensation is that of a draft experienced when sitting or standing close to a window. This chill may be due to heat radiating from your body to a relatively cooler surface-the window.

Water in the bottom track of window during rain?

Question: Why is there water in the bottom track of the window during rain?
Answer: During rain or when watering the grass, water will go through the window screen and into the bottom track. The window is designed in such a way that any water that is forced into the lower track will run to the corners and into these slots, it continues through to exit out of the drain holes located at the bottom outside of the window. Keeping the drainage slots and exit holes clear is a must for the window to function as designed.

Window is not sealing properly?

Question: What if the window is not sealing properly?
Answer: To ensure a proper seal, the window lock located at the side of the interior window should be in the locked position. This enables the outside pane and the inside pane to close together properly, ensuring a proper seal.

Windows

Condensation and frost on double-glazed windows will occur if high relative humilities are maintained inside the house during periods of very cold weather. Air circulation is very important in maintaining proper humidity levels. It is imperative that you use your discretion in setting the gauge as each home produces its own levels of added humidity. Running furnace fan continuously may help minimize frost on windows during very cold weather.

A silicone lubricant is recommended for use on weather-stripping and tracks of windows. If your windows are the horizontal sliding type, and that particular design includes weep hole to the outside (at the bottom of the track or frame), they must be kept clean to allow for drainage. A piece of wire should regularly be used to remove dust, debris or insects, as part of the homeowner(s)’s maintenance program or when washing windows.

NOTE: Also refer to the Condensation section.

Exterior Windows

The exterior windows are built using high quality materials and standards. Seasonal cleaning of the slider tracks and lubrication of locks, tracks and mechanisms should be the only maintenance required.

Weather Stripping

Annually check the weather-stripping around doors to reduce air infiltration in the winter and dust and dirt in the summer. Many types of weather-stripping are available, some of which are adjustable. Regardless of the type used, there are distinct advantages to ensuring that the seal is snug. Keep weather-stripping free from paint.

Skylights

No maintenance is required for skylights. The exterior may be cleaned by using mild soap and water solution.

NOTE: Always use extreme caution when climbing onto the roof, taking care not to damage the roof surface. Many professional window cleaning services are available for your convenience and safety.

Condensation

Condensation or moisture on windows is a common occurrence in most houses in winter. However, it is a source of annoyance, and if corrective measures are not taken at an early stage, serious damage from staining, rotting and mould can result. While the problem is more acute during the first winter when the house is “drying out” (many of the materials in construction contain moisture that must be dissipated), normal living habits are additional and continuing contributors to high Relative Humilities (R.H.) in many instances.

The problem applies particularly to today’s homes as they are tighter and better insulated than ever before. This is due to new and improved building practices, increased energy costs and comfort levels, commonly required by today’s new home buyers. Windows are a good guide for checking the R.H. level in your home. As soon as excessive condensation is noticed, steps should be taken to reduce the R.H. by controlling moisture sources and/or increasing ventilation.

Windows are commonly relied on for general ventilation, and whenever possible the windows nearest the source of moisture should be opened. Ventilation is often the only effective means available to the homeowner(s) for removing moisture. Dehumidifiers are not a practical solution, except for limited areas. Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom are useful for drawing off moisture from cooking and bathing, before the vapor can circulate through the house. These fans should be vented to the outside of the attic space. Leave blinds, shades and heavy curtains open during the day to ensure air movement around the windows.

While we have concentrated on the condensation problems common to winter conditions, it should be noted that basements frequently experience condensation in summer. In warm weather, basement areas, particularly near the base of the walls, in corners, and in parts of the floor, are relatively cool as they approximate surrounding earth temperatures. When hot, humid air is allowed to enter from outside in the summer through open basement windows, it will seek out those cool areas, along with cold water pipes, and condense there.