Author: Valaria

The doorways into your home are the first glimpse of your personal style. You want your entryways to be warm, welcoming and visually pleasing as well as secure, durable and energy efficient. These days you can choose from many different door styles, colours, hardware and other options to create a look and feel that is uniquely yours while offering you protection from the elements.

Here are five beautiful ways to enter your home:

1. Elegant Entry Doors:

Whatever your style — state-of-the-art modern, Art Nouveau, or classic European — you can create a stunning front entrance by choosing an entry door that reflects your distinctive personality. Make a statement with a splash of colour or be adventurous and choose to go with a full glass entry door.

Download our catalogues of available door panels:
click here for modern door panels  or click here for traditional door panels.

 

2. Distinctive French Patio Doors:

Versatile, functional and beautiful, these doors will be a stylish addition to your home. French patio doors can provide a captivating view of the outdoors and can brighten the interior of any room. These doors are available in many options such as outswing, inswing or tilt and turn and are great for easy access as well as ventilation.

3. Beautiful Single Patio Doors:

Welcome the outdoors in with single patio doors that are not only gorgeous but easy to use. These doors are available with the same options as the French Patio doors. Think about colours, finishes and hardware to complement the overall look of your home or room.

4. Tilt and Glide Doors:

This style of door is the perfect solution for spaces where swing doors are not suitable. The tilt function allows for air circulation while keeping you safe. Available in various configurations, including a four-panel “French” design that allows for a larger opening, you can have an entryway that is both beautiful and secure.

5. Innovative Full-Size Folding Doors:

Choose this style of door, if you want a wide-open space that can dramatically open your entire room to the outdoors or provide a spectacular gateway between rooms. Full-size folding doors are an elegant, practical and versatile option. They can have as few as 2, or as many as 7 panels, spanning a width of up to 20 feet*, providing a breath-taking vista wherever you desire.

*in white profile

At EuroLine, we offer an incredibly wide range of custom-made door choices available in dozens of colors and finishes, with many glass options and other accessories — the possibilities are virtually endless. Call us or visit our showroom at 7620 MacDonald Road in Delta.

Explore our site for more information

Visit out our product page to see photos of our doors,windows and other products
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Your new high-performance EuroLine windows and doors are finally installed*. They look great and you know that they will increase your home’s energy efficiency — keeping you cool in summer and cozy in winter. And the view…!

With regular cleaning and a little TLC, you can keep your new windows and doors looking their best and operating at their peak performance. Here are some tips/techniques you should know to extend the life of your windows and doors:

Clean and Simple

Use an approved glass cleaning product to clean the panes. Make sure the products you use are not acidic or abrasive, as these types of cleaners could damage the surface of the glass, the frame or the hardware of your windows. Avoid washing the glass in direct sunlight and never use a power washer.

Simply using a soft cloth and a solution of mild dish soap and water will gently clean the uPVC frames of your EuroLine products. You may use a mild, non-abrasive household cleaner applied to a soft, damp cloth to gently remove light stains. Rinse the frame with clean water and wipe with a damp cloth. Never wipe the frame with a dry cloth as this builds up static which attracts dirt and dust. The use of sandpaper or steel wool or any similar abrasive will cause damage to the smooth surface – do not use them on your frames. Never use abrasive or caustic solvents as these will cause permanent damage to the frame finish. Consult your instruction manual for methods of cleaning heavily soiled areas or give us a call – we’re happy to help with any information or advice!

Keep the channel groove in the base of the frame and the drain holes free of dirt and debris.

TIP: Small scratches in the finish may be repaired with matching paint pens available at our office. Call our service department for details.

Smooth Operation

Keep your window/door hardware in top operating condition with regular inspection and cleaning. Examine and re-lubricate your hardware once a year, or as conditions mandate. Visually inspect hinges for tightness of fasteners or damage to hinges after installation and every six months after that.

All our window/door hardware is protected by special coatings and lubricants, which can be damaged or removed by common household cleaning products. You can use clean water to remove grit and grime. A mixture of mild dish soap and water may be used to loosen stubborn dirt. Always rinse the hardware with clean water and allow to dry completely before re-lubricating.

NOTE: If you live in a coastal area (salt-water), rinse the hardware with clean water and re-lubricate every three months (or as conditions dictate). In beach areas, rinse sand and grit from hardware as required.

Keeping your window and door hardware free from dirt and grit, and re-lubricating as needed, will maintain its factory-smooth operation and help to prevent wear and corrosion.

TIP: Complete details on cleaning and lubricating window and door hardware can be found in your maintenance manual. Or visit the Resources section of our website for detailed information.

Periodically, check the window gaskets for damage. Damaged gaskets will impair your window and door performance. If you have air or water leaks, examine the gaskets carefully and replace if required.

Your EuroLine windows and doors are a major investment and a beautiful addition to your home. With a little care and preventative maintenance, they will provide you with years of trouble-free operation and superior thermal comfort as well as adding character and beauty to your home.

*IMPORTANT: EuroLine window and door products are shipped with a protective plastic film that reduces damage from handling and installation. This protective film MUST be removed upon completion of installation. Failure to remove the protective plastic film upon completion of installation may cause film to bond to the frame and permanently damage the frame finish.

Film bonded to your windows? Read this document for helpful information.

For more information about our products, click on the following links:
EuroLine Windows Resources: Instruction and maintenance manuals, brochures, videos, FAQ, and more.
EuroLine Windows Products: Information and photos of all our products and accessory options.
EuroLine Windows Project Gallery: Photo slide shows of residential and commercial projects featuring our window and door products.

Getting new, updated machinery for any business is an exciting event, but fitting a new piece of  equipment onto a workshop floor requires more thought and planning than just finding a spot for it to “live”.

Many questions need to be answered when a redesign is first contemplated — how will the changes affect the various stakeholders?  Will the changes streamline the workflow and increase efficiency? For example, will the necessary supplies for the job be placed within easy reach or will workers need to backtrack to access tools and materials?  What about changes in lighting and noise levels that occur when machinery is relocated — who will be affected and how can these changes be managed? What about walkways — are they clear and easy for employees, customers and visitors to see and navigate? Does the redesign plan have built-in flexibility to accommodate future changes? These and other factors must be taken into account before the task is even begun. Whew, it’s a big job!

At EuroLine Windows, we recently introduced new equipment to our facility: a foiling machine, a state-of-the-art cutting and processing centre, and a new door assembly line. With this growth came the need to redesign the plant layout. The production team has been busy for the past few months reconfiguring the floor to enhance workflow, and optimize machine locations, as well as installing the new pieces. The addition of the door assembly line allowed the team to make further “tweaks” to create an ideal, natural flow from process to process.

Now, after a lot of sweat equity, our shop floor looks quite different — and with workstations and machinery repositioned, and new equipment installed and running, our manufacturing processes are even more streamlined, efficient and productive than before.

Kudos to the team!

Want to know more about EuroLine Windows? Read our latest Ezine.  Stay current on all our news and events, sign up here. We love to be social — check out our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter!

On Wednesday, April 8, EuroLine Windows was pleased to host a Lunch & Learn seminar for students from BCIT’s Building Science graduate program (Masters of Science and Master of Engineering). Sixteen students and two instructors  gathered at our facility for a workshop on building envelope and high performance windows. This seminar aimed to provide a direct illustration on how window and wall elements are joined and operate as a system.

The session started out with a plant tour, where the students had the opportunity to observe firsthand, the process of manufacturing windows and doors. They experienced the entire operation from start to finish, beginning at our state-of-the-art cutting and processing centre where the profile base is cut to size, through the welding process, gasket station, hardware installation and ending at the glazing area. Students were also shown the foil testing lab and the water testing station.

During lunch, two representatives from PFG Glass, gave an interesting presentation that explained the glass production in general, and focused on energy-saving options such as triple-paned glazing, and LoE coatings, in regards to the new BC and Vancouver building code bylaws.

We would like to thank: Hamid Heidarali and Maureen Connelly, from BCIT, for bringing us this opportunity; Caitlin Hunter and Amy Bell from PFG Glass, for taking the time to speak at our Lunch and Learn session and, of course, to the BCIT Masters students who came out to learn about windows!

 

To view more photos of this event, visit our Facebook page!

Spring is here — daffodils and tulips are poking their heads through the soil promising a burst of color to chase away the last thoughts of winter. The warmer weather has us thinking of renewal, rejuvenation, and yes, renovation!

Deciding on a home renovation is a huge undertaking, especially if you are also thinking of replacing your existing windows and doors. This important step should be done with serious consideration. To help with that, we have compiled a list of 6 essential points to explore when you are ready to plan your window replacement.

1. Do Your Windows and Doors Need Replacing?

There are many reasons to consider replacing your old windows and doors — it will be a significant portion of your budget — so this question is important to think about. One key reason for replacement is to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Windows and doors can be a major source of heat loss, so replacing them with modern, high performing products can significantly lower your energy costs. When choosing new windows and doors, look for those that are ENERGY STAR^® rated for your climate zone. Window/door frames are made from a variety of materials including: metal, wood, fiberglass, vinyl, composites or a combination thereof. Depending on the materials used, the profile may have a low thermal expansion rate, have more than one chamber — multiple chambers increase insulation value and structural strength — and may be fusion welded to provide a permanent, leak-free connection. Other features that increase energy efficiency is the glazing (double or triple pane), gas fills used between the panes, the use of insulating spacers, (metal or foam), the kind of glass coatings, if any. The overall energy efficiency of windows and doors can be increased by combining a thermal resistant frame with high performance glazing. Ask your sales consultant to explain how their windows are designed to be energy efficient.

2. Where are the windows and doors manufactured?

Choosing windows that are made locally is a sound decision. — buying locally manufactured products supports your local economy, and you can be sure that your windows and doors comply to government regulations and standards and are designed specifically for your climate.

3. What type of windows/doors should you choose?

There are several different types of windows and doors that you can opt for, depending on the purpose desired. Some features to keep in mind are: security, ventilation, ease of operation, and maintenance. Ask your sales consultant to fully explain and demonstrate the window and door operation to ensure that you understand the working parts of the various products. Ask about the locking mechanism, basement/bedroom egress requirements, glass options, finishing choices, and accessories. Inquire about the lead time. The more information you have about your choices, the better equipped you will be to make the best decision for your needs.

4. What is the cost of the products?

Your replacement windows and doors are a big investment. Discuss the pricing structure with your sales consultant. Inquire if there are any government rebates or grants available that your purchase would qualify for.

5. What does the warranty include?

Ask about the warranty – most window warranties are similar in what is warranted and for how long. Some are transferable to new owners. Make sure you understand the warranty before you buy your windows, to prevent any surprises down the road.

6. Who will install your new windows and doors?

Does the company have their own installation team? The advantage of using in-house installers is that they will be trained in the best method of installing their own products.

It is extremely important that your windows and doors be installed properly for optimum performance. Ask for references from previous customers. Even the best windows and doors will not perform as expected and will result in loss of energy savings, if improperly installed. You may risk voiding your warranty if you decide to install the windows yourself.

When making a major purchase such as new windows and doors, it is worthwhile to be as informed as possible. Asking questions will help ensure that you will be satisfied and happy with your decision for many years to come.

 

Additional Resources:
Energy Efficient Windows, Doors and Skylights – National Resources Canada

Climate Zones — Windows, Doors and Skylights – National Resources Canada website

Maintenance Matters – Home Owners’ Protection Office, Branch of BC Housing

Improving Window Energy Efficiency – Natural Resources Canada

Windows, Doors and Skylights Climate Zone Finder – USA

Buying and Installing the Right Product – Energy Star (USA) website

Until recently, the term “Passive House” was relatively unheard in North America, unlike in Europe, where the Passiv Haus standards are well known and used extensively in residential and commercial projects. According to Wikipedia: “As of August 2010, there were approximately 25,000 Passiv Haus certified buildings of all types in Europe, while in the United States there were only 13, with a few dozen more under construction.”*

Now it seems as if everyone in the Lower Mainland is talking about Passive House.

Awareness of and demand for sustainable and efficient building practices, such as Passive House, is growing due to many factors including: new political initiatives, like the City of Vancouver’s Greenest City 2020 — which adopts updated Bylaws mandating new buildings to meet increased energy efficiency requirements — and the efforts of passionate people who believe whole-heartedly that these stringent standards will benefit our families, our communities, and, our world.

Rob and Mark, of Bernhardt Contracting, are two such people. They believe in Passive House construction so much so, that they built and live in their own passive home which was officially certified by the Passive House Institut in Darmstadt, Germany. Currently, they are building a six-unit passive house structure in Victoria — North Park Passive House — which will be the first passive house multi-family strata building in Canada.

On March 7th and 8th, Bernhardt Contracting welcomed over 500 people for four days of tours and open houses at the North Park Passive House site. These events gave attendees a chance to learn more about passive house standards, high performance buildings and the mechanics of building them.

Along with members of the community, the event was attended by dignitaries, including the Mayor of Victoria, Lisa Helps, the BC Minister of Energy and Mines, Bill Bennett, and, the President of the Canadian Passive House Institute West, Rob Bernhardt. EuroLine was there as well, represented by our President & CEO, Isbrand Funk and, our Victoria Residential Sales Consultant, Gordon Kyle, to talk about our ThermoPlus system — how and why our system is an excellent choice for passive house projects.

The Honourable Bill Bennett announced, at the event, that the Province will be providing funding to CanPHI West’s education program. Exciting news for the Passive House movement and energy efficient building stakeholders.

We extend our congratulations to Bernhardt Contracting for their groundbreaking project. We, also, are committed to the Passive House movement and we are proud to be supplying the windows and doors for the North Park Passive House.

For more information on the North Park project, Passive House standards, and ThermoPlus windows, check out the links below.

North Park Passive House
Bernhardt Contracting
CanPHI West

EuroLine’s ThermoPlus Windows

Watch this video to see hear why ThermoPlus is ideal for Passive House construction. (Video courtesy of Bernhardt Contracting)

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_house (Zeller, Jr., Tom. Beyond Fossil Fuels: Can We Build in a Brighter Shade of Green?, New York Times, September 26, 2010, p.BU1.)

Times are challenging and our communities need support now, more than ever. In an effort to lend a helping hand, EuroLine Windows donated over 40 new windows and doors to the Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver ReStore.

ReStores sell new and gently used items for homes and gardens to the public, and there are several locations throughout the Lower Mainland. All merchandise comes from corporate and individual donors and all proceeds from the sales go back to Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver.

One dreary February day, the windows and doors were loaded into a EuroLine truck and transported to the newest ReStore in Burnaby, which will be opening later this month. There, we met Daryl and his team of volunteers who were ready and waiting to unload our donation.

With the help of Denis, one of our drivers, and Isbrand, our CEO, the Habitat crew soon had the truck emptied and the windows and doors stacked up along one wall of their huge warehouse. Denis made unloading huge, heavy windows look easy (just check out our Facebook photos!).

At the end of the day, the ReStore had some beautiful new windows and doors for their outlet, and the volunteers got a real workout from moving all those heavy items!

It was a pleasure to meet Daryl and his crew! We are happy to have had the opportunity to contribute to a great cause and we wish the Habitat for Humanity Greater Vancouver ReStore continued success, helping those in need to obtain affordable housing!

On Tuesday, February 3rd, EuroLine Windows was honoured with the Homestars award, Best of 2014 — Vancouver,  for our work in windows and doors. Michael Tostowaryk, the new sales manager and Catherine Johnston, marketing coordinator were at the Delta Inn – Burnaby, to represent EuroLine and accept the recognition . The 2014 award recipients and their guests were treated to drinks, appetizers and accolades. After the ceremony, everyone had a chance to mingle,  network , exchange success stories and applaud each other for a job well done.

EuroLine is proud to receive this distinction and congratulates all the Best of 2014 winners! Thank you, Homestars, for a wonderful evening!

It seems like the entire country is steeped in polar temperatures. Even here, in Greater Vancouver, we were hit with an icy blast of frigid air that lasted for days. Brrr!!

Now that winter has set in, and everyone has turned up the heat in their homes, more people are noticing condensation build up on their windows. Condensation seems to strike a chord of fear in people and we get a lot of calls from homeowners worried that this means that the glass in their windows has failed.

Condensation on glass is a common occurrence and can appear on either the interior or exterior window panes. This moisture formation, while annoying, does not usually mean that there is something wrong with your windows.

Modern energy efficient building designs, techniques and products mean that our homes are better sealed against air leakage. High performance windows and doors are doing their job: preventing the cold outside air from coming into your house, and stopping the heated indoor air from escaping outside, keeping you toasty warm and lowering your energy costs. But this reduction in natural air exchange, along with the water vapour from activities such as breathing, cooking, and showering, means that your home will have a high relative indoor humidity level which can result in condensation on the inside of your windows.

The easiest way to control indoor condensation is to lower the relative humidity inside your house. There are several things that you can do to accomplish this, including running your kitchen fan while cooking, and bathroom fans when bathing or showering. Also, opening a window to air out the house on a daily basis and keeping your blinds and drapes open as much as possible will help to lower the indoor humidity.

The same principles that produce indoor condensation also cause outdoor condensation. Certain climactic conditions — a clear night sky with no wind and a high relative humidity — cause the surface temperature of the exterior glass to fall below the dew point of the ambient air. When this happens, moisture from the air condenses on the outside of the window. This is not an indication that your windows are faulty; on the contrary, it is sign that your windows are performing well. The insulated inside pane is preventing the warm air from inside your home from reaching the exterior pane and warming up the glass.

Differences in window orientation and/or objects outside the window (e.g. shrubs, shutters, etc.) can affect the surface temperature of the glass, contributing to exterior condensation.

Exterior condensation is a natural and common occurrence and there is not much that you can do to control this phenomenon. Opening window coverings at night to warm up exterior glass or removing/trimming shrubbery near windows to promote air circulation may help in reducing exterior condensation. However, exterior condensation is not a cause for concern as usually this moisture evaporates quickly after the sun comes up and the temperature of the glass rises.

For more tips on dealing with condensation, please check out our Condensation FAQ on our Resources page.

Check out these links for additional information on condensation.

Moisture Problems – Natural Resources Canada
Exterior and Interior Condensation on Windows – Fenestration Association of BC
Avoiding Condensation Problems – Homeowners Protection Office – Branch of BC Housing
Questions About Windows & Condensation? – National Fenestration Rating Council

PLEASE NOTE:
If you have excess water on or around your window sills or notice ice forming on the inside, please call your installer, builder or dealer as this may indicate that your windows or doors have been installed incorrectly.

If you find condensation between the panes in an insulated glass unit, the airtight seal may have failed and require replacement.

EuroLine Windows 2014 Technology Forum — October 2nd

Have you ever wondered about the implications and economics of building a passive house? Or the regulatory standards required for windows and doors in Canada? What about energy performance and durability of windows? These questions and more were explored in our full-day technology forum held on October 2 at the Delta Town & Country Inn.

This year, we hosted six leading experts in the fenestration and construction industry, who shared their knowledge with an audience of architects, builders and developers. The speakers were engaging and interesting and their presentations offered insights and information that was relevant and timely. The sessions were:

1. Energy Performance and Durability of Windows — Al Jaugelis, RDH
2. Windows & Doors — Regulatory Compliance in Canada — Adam Mantei, Intertek
3. Passive House: Economics and Project Delivery — Rob Bernhardt, Bernhardt Contracting
4. Performance Through Envelope — Paul Warwick, Performance Construction; Troy Glasner, E3 Eco Group
5. Fenestration With Combustible Components in Buildings of Noncombustible Construction — Peter Senez, Sereca Fire Consulting

After the two morning sessions, we made our way to EuroLine’s showroom and manufacturing facility for a tour. At the showroom, our sales team was on hand to answer questions about our products. The group wandered from room to room, checking out all the displays — from casement and tilt & turn windows to tilt & glide and folding doors, and getting a taste for the many options we have available — styles, colours, glass types… The plant tour was a crowd-pleaser, giving the attendees a glimpse into our production team’s process of assembling windows and doors, making screens and cutting grids. The group saw the foiling machine; the CNC door machine; and our new state of the art cutting and processing centre, in action. They also were able to see a glazing and water test performed at our in-house testing station.

Back at the hotel, we had lunch before settling in for the last three presentations of the day. After the applause and a little networking —  Isbrand Funk, President and CEO of EuroLine Windows Inc., drew the name for the door prize which was generously donated by PFG. Sameh Guidni, from Ionic Architecture Inc., was the lucky winner of the iPad Air. Congratulations, Sameh!

A big thank you to all the presenters for taking the time out of their busy schedules to bring their presentations to us. We also extend our gratitude to our co-sponsors whose support and generosity helped make this seminar so successful — thank you: PFG Glass, Rehau, and Roto!  Last, but not least, we say thank you to everyone who attended the forum — we hope that you found it instructive and worthwhile. It was a pleasure to have had the opportunity to meet you all. Your presence helped to make this event a hit!

We will be back in 2016 with another technology forum specifically tailored to architects, builders and developers. In the meantime, check out all the photos from this year’s event on our Facebook page.  Oh, and while you’re there, please take a moment to “like” our page!