Best Sliding Doors for Indoor-Outdoor Living

If there’s one thing that Canada has plenty of, it’s natural beauty – from breathtaking views to sweet fresh air, inviting weather, and even birdsong, there’s a world of wonder just on the other side of your home. And if it’s simply a question of finding a set of sliding doors to create that perfect indoor-outdoor balance, there are several options available to help bring a little more of Canada’s splendor right into your living space.

In fact, one of the key benefits of owning a set of sliding doors (and there are actually several more benefits we’ll get into later…) can be found in their convenience and functionality. Essentially, they enable an easy indoor-to-outdoor transition meant to inspire just as much as they’re designed to perform.

Convenience also goes hand in hand with another noticeable advantage of having sliding doors: how they can truly – and effortlessly – open a space up. 

This is because they can quickly and significantly increase a perceived area. Instead of experiencing, for example, a living room or kitchen with standard doors and finite dimensions, sliding doors can change your sense of where one area ends and the next begins. The transition between your indoor space and the great outdoors becomes a seamless – and elegant – one.

Simply put, sliding doors aren’t meant to be a cumbersome barrier to the outdoors. Quite the opposite: they’re a convenient and easy-to-use point of access to nature – one that you control when you want to, based on your unique needs. 

And the end result of creating this barrier-less experience? Nature is then free to flow right on in (at your discretion, of course!). This could mean opening up your sliding doors to let in a rousing late spring morning, a gorgeous midday summer breeze, or even an unencumbered view of a golden autumn sunset.

Now, there are also a few slightly more practical things to consider when choosing the best sliding doors for your home.

What to Consider When Choosing the Right Sliding Door

When in the market for sliding doors, it’s important to keep in mind a few different factors: how well they perform, both in terms of ease of use when opened, and in terms of providing a high level of insulation when closed; how sustainable they are; the level of quietness they provide when closed; how much security they offer; and what kind of uninterrupted view you can expect to enjoy.

  1. Sliding Door Performance

As much as your sliding doors should be able to let nature in when you desire, they should also be optimized to keep it out when appropriate as well.

A high-quality sliding door, such as EuroLine’s Lift & Slide model, should provide you with a significant degree of energy efficiency in all different climates – especially when covering a large opening.

This can also involve enhanced thermal insulation (including the door’s threshold), and how well the sliding doors can maintain Passive House certification levels, prevent water penetration, and ensure air tightness.

And in terms of use and comfort, a sliding door’s hardware should allow you to move its large glass panels effortlessly – no huffing and puffing necessary when you’re opening things up.

Additionally, a sliding door should also prioritize accessibility by providing an obstacle-free transition from indoors to outdoors.

  1. Sliding Door Sustainability

Your sliding doors should also provide a sustainable, long-term solution for your home. To that end, EuroLine’s commitment to the environment ensures that we take sustainability seriously – the uPVC used in our doors and windows is free of heavy metals and toxic plasticizers, and can be fully recycled.

Likewise, our colour foils don’t require maintenance like painting or wood finishes; they also follow REACH regulation compliance to minimize or eliminate harmful vapors, gases, or particles.

  1. Sliding Door Quietness

Readily hearing the sound of Canada’s nature can be a true delight with sliding doors, however there may also be times when you seek the tranquility of a quiet indoor space as well.

In addition to providing weather protection, EuroLine sliding doors offer you a high degree of noise resistance by slowing the transfer of sound waves through air and material.

In fact, the STC ratings on EuroLine sliding doors are almost double that of a standard double pane. This means that our products are engineered to keep loud and obtrusive sounds out, so that your home remains a place of calm.

  1. Sliding Door Security

No matter how large your sliding doors are, they should still be able to provide you and your family with a high degree of security by preventing break-in attempts and burglary protection.

EuroLine’s sliding doors emphasize security through our tough, high-impact strength profiles, multi-point locking hardware, privacy, and shatter-resistant glass.

Choosing the Best Sliding Door Option for Your Home

Quality and performance are consistent across EuroLine’s collection of sliding doors, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still several available options when it comes to the style and functionality of our offerings.

Depending on your home’s needs, there are many different types of sliding doors from which to choose.

Lift & Slide Doors

EuroLine’s Lift & Slide doors match the highest level of energy efficiency with truly impressive size, as they’re designed for extremely large openings.

They offer significant thermal insulation properties as well as exceptional values for wind, water, tightness, security, and acoustic insulation – even at their maximum sizes.

These windows are also designed to be aesthetically pleasing too – their refined architectural profile and sleek track are both sophisticated and highly functional. Additionally, multiple retractable screen options are available to further compliment their design.

Lift & Slide doors are extremely versatile and ideal for:

  • Extreme climates
  • Oceanfront properties
  • Aggressive air, water, and energy requirements
  • Passive House and PHIUS builds
  • Single-family homes
  • High-rise and commercial buildings

Smart Slide Doors

EuroLine’s Smart Slide doors are easy and intuitive to operate, featuring a convenient self-closing mechanism with large formats of up to 6m x 2.5m.

The doors’ multi-chamber profile design delivers superior thermal performance when compared to traditional aluminum door systems. This is enhanced with its European hardware system with multi-point locking, which provides unmatched water and air tightness.

Design also remains front and centre: Smart Slide door frames are truly sleek, with a depth of 5 3/8 – suitable for both new construction and retrofits. Along with several available retractable screen options, these sliding doors will look as good as they perform.

Smart Slide doors are ideal for:

  • Large openings
  • Oceanfront properties
  • Extreme climates
  • Aggressive air, water, and energy requirements
  • Single-family homes
  • High-rise residential or commercial buildings

Bi-Fold Doors

EuoLine’s Bi-Fold doors effortlessly connect your interior living spaces with the outdoors thanks to wide space apertures.

They have also been designed to provide maximum carrying capacity – thanks to bespoke bottom-running hardware – and slim, visually pleasing sight lines made possible by narrow, sophisticated thermally broken aluminum profiles which create minimal viewing obstructions for sizes of up to a breathtaking 9” in height.

Large apertures on Bi-Fold doors are further enhanced with our heavy-duty hardware, which allows for the stacking of seven consecutive panels in a single direction.

Highly versatile, our doors also provide the option to open all panels at once, or to use a one-person door for a simple in-and-out transition.

Bi-Fold doors are ideal for:

  • Extra-large openings
  • Single family homes
  • Commercial buildings

Multi-Slide Doors

EuoLine’s Multi-Slide doors are designed to inspire – they maximize viewing aperture and provide a cost-effective sliding door system at the same time.

Large openings and flexible configurations are possible, as multiple functions are created through the ability to slide all panels into one – a convenient and simple way to open up your space to the great outdoors.

These sleek doors offer significant value as well – their simple hardware and slim profiles perform beautifully in a large sliding door system.

Additionally, performance is also central, since their double or triple glazing ensures achievable performance ratings in most environments.

Multi-Slide doors are ideal for:

  • Large openings
  • High air, water, and energy requirements
  • Single-family homes

Tilt & Glide Doors

Even in smaller spaces, you can still create a wonderful indoor-outdoor transition with EuroLine’s Tilt & Glide system including doors, windows, and French doors. 

These doors are designed for the most rigorous Passive House energy standards, while their innovative, sustainable system helps reduce CO2 and heating costs.

Customization is also easy to achieve – Tilt & Slide doors can be configured in size and virtually any finish, which can further help to elevate the interior design of your space.

Our Tilt & Glide doors are also constructed to perform – their hybrid uPVC and fiberglass materials deliver superior strength for openings, while the triple gasket system optimizes air and water resistance. 

Additionally, these doors provide security in the form of easy-to-operate multipoint locking hardware.

Tilt & Glide doors are ideal for:

  • Passive House
  • PHIUS certification
  • Large openings
  • Extreme climates
  • Oceanfront properties
  • Aggressive air, water, and energy requirements
  • Single-family homes
  • High-rises and commercial buildings

Summary

When you’re looking for sliding doors to create a seamless indoor-outdoor balance in your home, EuroLine provides several options that help you achieve this goal. 

Additionally, our sliding doors are optimized for a high level of insulation when closed, for sustainability, quietness, security, and to simply offer you a breathtaking view.

If you’re ready to open your home to the great outdoors with new sliding doors, we’re ready to help.

Contact EuroLine for a quote today >

How to Choose the Right Energy Efficient & Sustainable Windows

What makes a home energy efficient?

You may think it starts with sustainable building materials and installing low-energy HVAC systems. While those are critical, another important factor are windows.

According to the Department of Energy, 25% to 30% of a home’s heating and cooling energy is lost through windows. This means HVAC systems need to work harder and run longer which increases energy costs.

In this article, we discuss the importance of energy efficient and sustainable windows. Next, we look at what you should consider when choosing the right windows for your home.. Lastly, we dive into specific energy efficient windows EuroLine offers.

Why Energy Efficient and Sustainable Windows are Important

Cost Savings

The first and most obvious benefit of energy efficient windows is cost savings and affordability. With more heat and cool air retained in your home, the right windows help significantly reduce energy costs. While the installation cost may be higher than typical windows, you’ll see long-term cost benefits.

Comfort

Energy efficient windows help keep a consistent temperature within a home, minimally impacted by the outside climate. You’ll eliminate cold drafts typically experienced during winter and reduce the amount of heat that enters the home during warmer months.

Increased Light

Energy efficient windows are built with greater visual transmittance (VT). VT refers to the amount of light that passes through the window. This helps let sunlight shine through, while preventing heat retention. Furthermore, typical windows may easily fog, while energy efficient windows are often built with low-e glass and double or triple panes which prevent fog from developing.

Low Maintenance

Energy efficient windows provide low maintenance solutions and often last longer than traditional windows. For instance, energy efficient windows reduce mold build-up through condensation which requires constant cleaning. In addition to lower maintenance, a similar benefit is longevity. Energy efficient windows last longer and can go many years before being replaced.

Soundproofing

When in your home, you may often hear outside noise such as cars driving by, a neighbor’s home renovations or kids playing. Often, these sounds are coming through windows. Energy efficient windows are built with greater insulation that reduces sound transmission.

Reduce Damage to Furniture

Do you have a room in your home that lets in an abundance of sunlight? If so, pay close attention to the furniture that’s in direct contact with the sun. You’ll notice items like couches, tables and even artwork can get faded and aged when exposed to sunlight. Energy efficient windows will reduce this impact and keep your valuable furniture in good condition.  

Resale Value

Improving your home with energy efficient windows can add value to your house when it comes time to sell. It provides your house with a unique differentiator compared to similar houses, while attracting environmentally conscious buyers. More importantly, the promise of long-term savings is a key benefit to potential suitors.

Increase Curb Appeal

Energy efficient windows provide a sleek and modern look that adds to the curb appeal of your home. In addition to increased performance, energy efficient windows let you upgrade your home’s exterior style, refresh trim colors and select new grid options.

What to Consider When Choosing an Energy Efficient and Sustainable Window

For the typical homeowner, selecting energy efficient and sustainable windows can be a daunting task. However, there are a few critical elements to look out for. 

Low-e Glass

Make sure windows are built with low-e glass, which stands for low emissivity glass. It’s designed to prevent infrared and UV light from passing through, while still allowing regular light to pass through. Energy efficient windows will almost always use low-e glass.

Insulation

Glass has insulated and non-insulated options. Energy efficient windows will always be insulated which means it’s made up of two or three panes. In between each pane, it must be filled with krypton or argon gas which prevents heat transfer.

U-Factor

U-Factor is a measure of heat loss. The lower the number, the slower the heat loss from the glass, frame and sash materials. In Canada, it is recommended to have U-Factor measured at 1.4 W/m2K or lower.

Energy Rating

Energy rating (ER) is another important measurement that looks at the solar gain effect of a window. The higher the ER, the more energy efficient the window. Look for windows with an ER of 29 or higher.

ENERGY STAR®  Certified Window

This is a certification of windows you can find in the United States and Canada. It’s a quick indicator that the windows are energy efficient, saving you 20% on energy bills. These windows are built with low-e glass, double or triple paned, have a maximum U-factor of 1.22 W/m2K or a minimum ER of 34.

Top Energy Efficient and Sustainable Windows in Canada

EuroLine offers a wide range of energy efficient and sustainable windows and doors to meet any lifestyle, budget and climate. Founded on the principles of advanced European fenestration technologies, EuroLine has become a leading manufacturer in Canada. Here are some of EuroLine’s top-performing energy efficient windows and doors.

Tilt and Turn Windows

EuroLine’s Tilt and Turn Windows are energy efficient, use sustainable materials and reduce CO2 emissions. The window system has a 15% lower CO2 footprint compared to a conventional, steel-reinforced door. Furthermore, 30-38% is made from recycled uPVC.

Casement Windows

EuroLine’s Casement Windows have a multi-chamber design with a large glazing cavity and triple glazed IGUs. Windows are made using proprietary North American approved uPVC which is 100% recyclable.  4-chamber profiles with triple gaskets allow for effective thermal performance.

Awning Windows

EuroLine’s Awning Windows are another terrific energy efficient option which are great for large rooms. Windows are made of proprietary North American approved uPVC which is 100% recyclable. Built with 4-chamber profiles with triple gaskets which promises to eliminate air leakage.

Picture Windows

EuroLine’s Picture Windows are the perfect balance between aesthetic and performance. Often large windows are crafted to provide maximum views, while maintaining energy efficiency. They let an abundance of light in, while keeping interiors cool. Work with a EuroLine design consultant to build your customized picture window.

Swing Doors

EuroLine’s Swing Doors are a versatile and energy efficient solution. Available in both inswing and outswing options, they are available in single, double, French styles or fully customized for your space. EuroLine swing doors also use superior technology including a six-chamber profile, hybrid uPVC and fiberglass materials and triple gasket systems that keep air and water out.

Tilt and Glide Doors

EuroLine’s Tilt and Glide Doors are known to create superior ventilation in small spaces. It boasts an energy efficient system that reduces CO2 emissions and lower energy costs. From a technical perspective, doors are built using hybrid uPVC and fiberglass material (RAU-FIPRO) and deliver a six-chamber profile.

Lift and Slide Doors

EuroLine’s Lift and Slide Doors deliver an extremely energy efficient solution designed for large openings. Door frames are designed to look like a continuous floor, including a flat threshold for comfort and obstacle-free transitions from interior to exterior. Despite its size, lift and slide doors have superior thermal insulation, wind and water tightness and effective soundproofing.

If you’re interested in learning more about how EuroLine can assist in your windows and doors needs, contact us for a quote today.

Why Build a Passive House? A Comprehensive Guide

Maybe you’ve seen the term “Passive House” while flipping through your favorite design magazine or social media app, and you’re curious to learn more.

Or, maybe you’re familiar with Passive Homes, and you’re considering building one yourself.

Regardless of your experience, this comprehensive guide will explain:

  • What is a Passive House?
  • The five common elements of all Passive Houses
  • The two primary certifying bodies
  • Five reasons to build a Passive House
  • Ten steps to building a Passive House
  • Why build a Passive House?

What is a Passive House?

Passive House has grown in popularity and is often seen as a catalyst in the fight against the climate crisis. It also has an interesting history.

Physicist Wolfgan Feist and structural engineer Bo Adamson created a research cooperation in 1988 centered on building a “house without heating.” Together they built the world’s first Passive House in Darnstadt-Kranichstein, Germany in 1991. The goal was to build a home with no active heating, which could be kept warm “passively,” using internal heat sources, solar energy and fresh air. The trial was successful, and they encouraged others to apply their practices and methodology.

Today, the concept of a Passive House has evolved, yet at its core, its principles of energy-efficiency and sustainability remain. While the word “house” is in its name, a Passive House can refer to any building type including apartments, schools, hospital, restaurants, offices, commercial areas and more.

5 Common Elements of Passive Homes

Regardless of the building type, all Passive House construction projects share five common elements. Let’s dive into each one.

1) Continuous Insulation

A building envelope is what separates the interior from the exterior of a building, outside walls, roofs and floors. However, when a building is heated, some heat is lost as it moves through the envelope via conduction. This occurs when insulation is made of low-conductivity materials, seen in traditional construction.

In contrast, a Passive House improves the envelope by super insulating the building to minimize heat loss. Typically, a Passive House will use enough insulation to double or triple the heat resistance compared to standard building code requirements. In addition to significantly superior thermal performance, you can also expect better soundproofing, improved durability and the ability to keep structures warm during a power failure.

2) No Thermal Bridges

Thermal bridges are weak points in a building envelope which allow heat to easily pass. You’ll see thermal bridges in walls, roofs, windows and balconies. A Passive House minimizes thermal bridges. You can eliminate thermal bridges by reducing the number of corners to promote airflow or select the right building materials like self-supported decks and canopies.

Critically, fenestration – where you place windows and doors – affects thermal bridges. Installing a window to line up with the insulation layer, leveraging the right materials and choosing the right type of windows will also minimize thermal bridges.

3) Airtight Construction

Heat is often lost through the envelope through air leakage. Gaps in a building’s air barrier (membrane, tape, seals) allows air to move in and out of a building, often uncontrolled. A Passive House eliminates this problem with a tightened envelope and mechanical ventilation.

To achieve Passive House Certification, a building needs to have less than 0.6 air changes per hour (ACH50). To achieve this, you need effective planning, high-quality materials and professional installation.

4) High-Performance Windows and Doors

Windows and doors – often referred to as a building’s glazing system – play an integral part in Passive House construction. With the functionality to open and close, you must use high-quality windows and doors to reduce heat flow.

Some qualities of high-performing windows and doors include nonconductive framing, insulated framing, double or triple glazed units, multiple Low-E coatings and warm edge or nonconductive spacers. Examples include EuroLine’s 4700 ThermoPlus® Tilt & Turn Windows and EuroLine’s Energeto Tilt & Glide Doors.

5) Fresh Air Ventilation with Heat Recovery

Because a Passive House is airtight in nature, a ventilation system is required to promote fresh airflow and the ability to remove built-up pollutants. A Passive House ventilation system uses a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to continuously remove stale air and bring in fresh air.

The system extracts heat from exhaust air and places it in the incoming air without mixing the airstreams. This helps ensure heat in the exhaust is not eliminated and delivered outside, but instead, is reused to heat the space. A Passive House HRV requires at least 75% of heat to be recovered.

Who Sets Passive House Standards?

There are three main bodies that set Passive House Standards globally: The Passive House Institute, Phius and the International Passive House Association. Let’s take a closer look at each.

1) The Passive House Institute

The Passive House Institute is widely known as the central arbiter for Passive House Certification and has strict, quantifiable criteria that must be met. These include:

  • The Space heating Energy Demand not to exceed 15kWh per square meter of net living space.
  • The total energy to be used for all domestic applications (called the Renewable Primary Energy Demand) must not exceed 60 kWh per square meter of treated floor area per year.
  • For Airtightness, a maximum of 0.6 air changes per hour at 50 Pascals pressure (ACH60) as verified by an onsite pressure test.
  • Thermal comfort must be met for all living areas during winter and summer, with not more than 10% of the hours in a given year over 25°C.

While you can request certification for specific buildings, individuals can also become certified. For example, home designers, consultants and tradespeople can be certified through work on a Passive House or rigorous examination.

2) Phius

Another organization, Phius, also provides Passive House certification to projects, products and professionals. Like The Passive House Institute, you can:

  • Submit specific projects for certification
  • Get products like windows and doors certified
  • Become Phius Certified Consultant (CPHC®), Phius Certified Builder (CPHB), Phius Certified Rater, or Phius Certified Verifier

3) International Passive House Association

Lastly, if you’re interested in learning about the community, there’s the International Passive House Association (iPHA). The iPHA is a global network of Passive House stakeholders including architects, planners, scientists, suppliers, manufacturers, policymakers, contractors, developers and more. Together with multiple affiliate organizations, they encourage the exchange of Passive House knowledge in policy, the media and among the public.

Why Build a Passive House?

Now that you’re up to speed on its history, the five common elements, and its governing bodies, you might be wondering why build a Passive House?

While there seems to be complexity in the design and construction process, there are numerous long-term benefits to building a Passive House. Let’s go through some of them.

1) Sustainability

First and foremost, building a Passive House is incredibly sustainable and energy efficient. For comparison, a Passive House requires as little as 10% of energy used by a typical European building which means energy savings of 90%. They produce little to no greenhouse emissions (GHE) making them a helpful tool in fighting climate change.

Using sustainable products, thoughtful design and strategic construction, Passive Houses provide a forward-thinking approach to building that’s better for the environment in the long-term.

2) Cost Savings

The upfront costs of building a Passive House are roughly 8% higher than a conventional house but offer greater long-term cost savings.  Firstly, with energy costs rising, owners of Passive Houses will continue to only pay a fraction. Secondly, depending on where you live, there are various government incentives and rebate programs that further reduce building costs.

You’ll also spend less on home maintenance and upkeep. By leveraging sustainable products in the outset, and due to its robust construction, inactive components of the house will continue to perform at a high level for years to come.

3) Comfort & Air Quality

Residents of Passive Houses also mention comfort as a key benefit. A well-insulated envelope and superior glazing keeps the interior at a consistent temperature, all year round. High-quality windows and doors help to eliminate cold drafts, and little change in radiant temperature (the average temperature of surfaces).

Ventilation is also an advantage. The steady flow of fresh air will improve ventilation, eliminate odors and reduce humidity within the home.

4) Versatility

While you may think the rules to build a Passive house are quite stringent, it surprisingly offers a wealth of versatility. First, there is no specific construction method required, which means you can design your Passive House to your own preference. This includes having liberty to build using wood, composite or prefabricated materials.

To increase sustainability, you can apply Passive House principles to retrofits for various building types such as schools, hotels, office buildings and more. Depending on where in the world, the climate will also dictate what products and designs will be best suited.

5) Soundproofing

When compared to conventional homes, a Passive House provides superior soundproofing. A heavily insulated envelope and high-performance windows and doors significantly reduces outside noise.

Within the home’s interior, soundproofing between each room is also improved. In addition, advanced ventilation systems are much quieter than ones used in traditional homes.

How to Get Started in Building Your Passive House

If you’re sold on building a Passive House, there are a few crucial steps to get started. Let’s dig into each of the ten steps.

Step 1: Partner with a Passive House Consultant

Building a Passive House is very different from building a conventional home, and having a certified consultant by your side is key. The first step is finding a trusted Passive House consultant before you start planning your design.

Better yet, find a consultant who is from the area you want to build – either someone who lives there or has experience building in that location. They will have deeper knowledge into specific municipal or state regulations that you wouldn’t ordinarily know.

Step 2: Get in Touch with Governing Bodies

It’s best to involve the appropriate certifying body early in the process. Your certified consultant will help you determine which organization to reach out to. This will help to de-risk your project and inform you on what specific programs to enroll into (like WUFI or PHPP) and ultimately remove the guesswork.

Step 3: Find a Passive House Certified Tradesperson & Architect

The next step is adding the final members of your Passive House team. You’ll need to partner with a contractor or tradesperson who is also Passive House Certified.

They’ll be your go-to-person during the design and construction process. Depending on who you partner with, they may supply an architect on the project. If not, you’ll need to find an architect who is also familiar with Passive House standards.

Step 4: Document Your Strategies for Air Sealing and Ventilation

Within your construction documents, you’ll need detailed strategies for a few key areas to ensure you get Passive House Certified. First is air sealing which refers to how you plan to keep a tight building envelope through continuous insulation. This involves selecting the right products like tape, membranes and more.

Next, document your ventilation strategy which will likely include mechanical systems like a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) to continuously remove stale air and bring in fresh air. Other systems you’ll need to consider include heat pumps, ERVs, range hoods, dehumidifiers, water heaters and laundry machines.

All these need to be documented with clear diagrams and descriptions before breaking ground on a project.

Step 5: Drawing & Design

Work with your Passive House team to design your home.  Often, homeowners will have an initial vision based on how they want the house to function. Use this as the basis for your architect to design the home with Passive House standards in mind.

They will have suggestions on layout and design and helpful recommendations to ensure your home will pass the rigorous certification requirements.

Step 6: Select Your Window and Doors Partner

Once the house is designed, a key step is finding the right windows and doors company who have experience with Passive House construction. It’s essential to select high-performance products that effectively let light in while reducing heat flow.

EuroLine Windows and Doors is a North American leader in high-quality windows and doors trusted by hundreds of Passive House projects. Our windows and doors are meticulously crafted for sustainable design, energy efficiency and eco-friendliness while maintaining an elegant aesthetic.

Step 7: Start Building and Meet Regularly

Start by having a kickoff meeting with your consultant, contractor, architect and any other subcontractors involved. Once a start date is established and construction begins, hold regular weekly meetings to check on the progress of the project.

This will keep all parties involved accountable helping you stay on track and on budget. It also gives contractors the chance to update you on any roadblocks, and lets you make quick decisions that don’t hinder your timeline.

Step 8: Use the Blower Door Test Regularly

As construction progresses, regularly conduct blower door tests. A blower door test is a tool that determines how much air is entering and escaping from your home. With airflow being vital for Passive House Certification, this test is crucial.  Conduct multiple blower door tests during and after construction.

Blower door tests during construction helps you uncover air leaks and lets you fix it right away. Conduct the test again after windows and doors are installed, and again at the conclusion of construction.

Step 9: Commissioning 

Commissioning is the process of testing all building systems and ensuring it’s performing to its design intent. During this phase, you’ll need to test all the systems within the home. This includes learning simple day-to-day things like how to change filters, programing thermostats and how to operate certain appliances.

It’s often in the commissioning phase that you’ll find things will need to be slightly adjusted or fixed.

Step 10: Submit for Certification

The last step is submitting your property for certification. Work with your consultant to ensure all documents are in place before submitting to the governing body you selected in step 2. This includes floorplans, and the appropriate photos of both the interior and exterior of the home, along with detailed descriptions for each.

Final Thoughts

While seemingly rigorous and technical, you may ask yourself, why build a passive house? For most, it’s because they want to be part of a more sustainable future.  Beginning as a simple concept, the Passive House movement has grown into an internationally known approach to building. With the emergence of forward-thinking architects, developers and consumers, Passive House construction may soon become the norm. 

The Best Glass for Windows: A Guide for Your Home

Whether we notice them every day or not, windows play a vitally important role in making our homes more attractive, sustainable, efficient, and safe to be in. However, you might be surprised to learn that there isn’t just one type of window glass – choosing the best glass to use for windows actually depends on several different factors.

If you’re contemplating a window upgrade, chances are you’ve got plenty of questions (don’t worry – we’ve got the answers!). First and foremost, though, you may be wondering which type of glass to select for your new windows.

Before that step, it’s important to understand what your window glass options are. It’s also helpful – ahead of any changes you make – to figure out what you ultimately want to get out of your new windows. Essentially, how exactly do you want to enhance your living space?

By educating yourself about the various window and glass options that EuroLine offers, you can make an informed and confident decision – one that will continue to enrich your home for years and years to come.

Understanding Your Window Options

The first thing to consider is a simple but very important fact: not all windows are the same. Interestingly, there are several different kinds of window glass, which are optimized for different purposes.

Some windows are designed specifically to be the most sustainable, or to provide added security or energy efficiency. Others, however, also prioritize aesthetic elements such as colour tint, sound proofing, and elevated style.

Before you can choose the perfect windows for your home, let’s look at the best quality window glass options available to you:

1) Dual & Triple Pane Windows

Typically – and depending on the amount of light and heat you want to regulate – there are two main window options available to you: dual and triple pane windows. 

a) Dual Pane Windows: Best Standard Glass for Windows

A dual pane window is the standard for many homes, and comes with many benefits:

  • Constructed of two glass panels.
  • Much more energy-efficient than single pane glass.
  • Reduces energy costs by providing a low emissivity coating and a gas-filled insulating space between the layers.

b) Triple Pane Windows: Best Glass for Sustainable Windows

Just like its name suggests, triple pane windows differ from dual pane ones in that they have three glass panels. This extra pane also provides additional benefits:

2) Laminated Glass Windows: Best Glass for Security and Sound Insulation

Another option for your home is laminated glass. Made up of two or more layers, laminated glass is created by bonding together the different layers with polymer. After the layers and polymer are heated and pressurized, the end result is a very strong and insulated glass.

There are also other advantages to using laminated glass:

  • Significantly increased security in preventing forced entries.
  • Shatter-proof design, where the glass is manufactured to remain intact upon impact.
  • Very efficient soundproofing to significantly reduce external noise levels.  
  • Protection from a high degree of UV radiation.  

Understanding Your Window Objectives

Now that we’ve explored the various types of window glass, including their functions and benefits, it’s important to identify what your objectives are. Depending on your home and location, you may be looking for a type of window glass that’s sustainable. Or perhaps you’re also looking for glass that’s environmentally efficient, or even one that offers additional security for your home.

1) Best Glass for Sustainability

More and more homeowners are becoming interested in Passive House construction or renovation techniques, which incorporate sustainable window solutions for heating and cooling needs.

A passive house can significantly reduce – or even eliminate – the need for an active heating or cooling system, thereby providing long-term environmental and financial benefits.

EuroLine’s 4700 ThermoPlus® Tilt & Turn PHC are designed and fabricated with sustainability in mind.

As the most energy-efficient window in its class, the ThermoPlus system is also perfect for homeowners interested in glass which can easily scale in size depending on their needs, and that provides longevity, performance, and high quality:

  • Made from 100% recyclable material.
  • Awarded the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient designation.
  • Provides 15% lower CO2 footprint compared to a conventional, steel-reinforced door.
  • Made from 30-38% recycled uPVC.
  • Seals out harsh weather.
  • Offers superior thermal performance.
  • Reduces energy costs.

2) Best Glass for Security

Protecting your home – and your family – is an important factor when considering your window glass. Certain windows are designed to be much stronger than others. This added level of security can be a significant deterrent in an attempted forced entry scenario.

Likewise, window glass which has been coated to be obscure can prevent peering eyes from seeing into your home – a little more peace of mind from added security certainly can go a long way!

In addition to their many sustainable benefits, EuroLine’s 4700 ThermoPlus® Tilt & Turn Windows provide a high degree of security:

  • Resists break-in attempts with tough, high-impact strength profiles.
  • Offers burglary protection via advanced multi-point locking hardware. 
  • Incorporates high-tech RAU-FIPRO® – a hybrid of fiberglass and vinyl – to provide unparalleled strength.  
  • Creates an elegant level of privacy with obscure glass.
  • Provides optional adhesive technology bonding.

In fact, we showed how strong they are by taking a sledgehammer to them!

3) Best Glass for Creating a Quiet Space

Your home should be your oasis of calm – one where the often-disruptive noise of the outside world doesn’t interfere with your routine.

One way to accomplish this, by creating a quiet and calming space, is with EuroLine’s tilt & turn windows. Our manufacturing technology ensures that our windows are the most efficient for sound. They provide a greater level of comfort by limiting intrusive, external noise:

  • Multipoint locking system provides sound dampening of up to 45 STC.
  • Fiberglass composite corner welds form leak-free corners that outperform wood, aluminum, and traditional fiberglass in terms of limiting sound.
  • Steel reinforced frame options further help to maximize durability and enhance sound dampening.

4) Best Glass for Home Design and Aesthetics

Your windows should offer plenty of comfort, security, and sustainable solutions. But that doesn’t mean they can’t also be a sophisticated and central design feature of your home.

When looking for the best glass for aesthetics, our tilt & turn laminated glass windows provide inspiring and diverse design options that will enhance your home – and your view.

Our windows offer a wide range of stylistic choices including:

  • Elegant and sophisticated on-trend design options.
  • German-engineered operation.
  • Custom finishes in over 125 colours. 
  • Texture library including wood grains.
  • Custom screen options. 
  • Obscure glass options for naturally lit feature walls.
  • Easy access to both sides of the window for seamless cleaning.

Summary

Whether you’re looking for the best window glass for sustainability, security, creating a quiet space, or leveling up the interior design of your home, the windows you choose matter.

If you’re ready to enhance your home with new windows, we’re ready to help.

Learn more about EuroLine’s Tilt & Turn laminated glass windows now >

EuroLine Supports Affordable Housing: Bridging the Gap from West to East

Many Canadians are bearing the brunt of a two-pronged crisis. New home construction is struggling to keep up with a growing population. In addition, prices have risen too high for the average Canadian home owner or renter. A recent study from Abacus Data suggests 68% of Canadians anticipate home affordability and accessibility to worsen.

Forward-thinking developers are evolving their construction practices in response to this crisis with an influx of affordable housing projects. In addition to helping with the affordability crisis, newer projects keep sustainability at the forefront of their designs. Developers are ensuring new projects are safeguarded against the negative effects of climate change while leveraging sustainable building materials in the process.

EuroLine plays an integral part in contributing to affordable housing and has been chosen as a trusted fenestration partner on some of the country’s top construction projects. EuroLine’s windows and doors are built to a higher standard, and are specifically designed to improve climate resilience and result in better buildings.

2481 Welcher Ave, Vancouver

Metro Vancouver Regional District broke ground on a five-storey public housing building slated for the 2400 block of Welcher Avenue. 80% of the 63 units will cater to families and have two bedrooms or more. 

The building promises to have an accessible design while remaining energy efficient. Utilizing EuroLine’s composite fiberglass tilt and turn windows, the project was designed to meet Step 4 of the BC Step Code with further opportunities being explored in the area of Net zero construction. 

82 Wilson, Waterloo

The Region of Waterloo Housing Development is building a 6-floor affordable housing building to expand its social housing campus. Designed by LGA Architectural Partners, the project aims to reduce the wait list of people who need housing and will also provide expanded services for existing and new tenants. 

EuroLine is supplying high performance fenestration products to support the building, including tilt and turn windows, which improve airflow in living spaces while also providing superior noise abatement due to their tight seals, and multipoint hardware.  This project was constructed by Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc. 

Tomo Main, Vancouver

This 12-unit co-housing project addresses Vancouver’s “missing middle” housing gap between detached homes and condos. The project looks to pursue Passive House certification and tapped Smith + Anderson to provide mechanical and electrical consulting on the project. Three of these homes are intended to be affordable homeownership units, which could be sold for roughly 35% less than market value.

1620 Main St., Hamilton

EuroLine is supplying windows and doors for 1620 Main Street E, a multifamily home project in Hamilton designed by McCallumSather and constructed by Melloul-Blamey Construction Inc.  

The project supports two key initiatives: offering affordable housing while also using mass timber, a sustainably harvested wood. Typical concrete and steel construction causes a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions in their production. Mass timber eliminates greenhouse gas emissions from the production of the structure.  

Like most of the CityHousing Hamilton’s projects, this building will be certified under Passive House International Standards using EuroLine’s certified 4700 ThermoPlus windows and 4700 ThermoPlus doors.   

The Hawthorn, Vancouver

Brightside Community Homes is proposing a redevelopment project that would replace the existing 46 units with 100 new units of affordable, secured rental homes for independent-living seniors, families, and adults with disabilities. Their goal is to increase affordability for renters in South Vancouver. 

Backed by Integra Architecture Inc., and with sustainability at the forefront, the project is pursuing the Near Zero Emissions Building Pathway and was designed to achieve Passive House Certification.

To learn more about EuroLine Windows and Doors, feel free to reach out to us at info@euroline-windows.com.