Category: Blog

On June 29th 2015, REACH Community Development, along with their team, WALSH Construction, Ankrom Moisan Associated Architects, William Wilson Architects, Housing Development Center, and Green Hammer, officially celebrated the Grand Opening of Orchards at Orenco.

The team had plenty to celebrate — not only does the multi-family project offer low-income families and individuals affordable living units, but the development is built to Passive House standards, so the tenants’ utility costs will be dramatically reduced, and the building is located in a transit-oriented neighborhood, which will lessen dependency on automobile use.

On June 17th, the 57-unit development was awarded the Portland Journal’s Better Bricks, Most Sustainable Project of the Year award for 2015. This award came on the heels of Orchards at Orenco receiving Passive House certification from the Passive House Institute US, making it the largest passive house certified, multi-family building in North America.

Some of the measures used in building the Orchards, that enabled it to attain the strict Passive House standards, include: extra insulation in the roof (approximately four times the amount required by code); a heat recovery system that uses the heat from the stale outgoing air to warm the fresh incoming air, thereby reducing the energy needed for heating; larger wall stud cavities allowing for increased insulation in the walls; and a four inch foam barrier under the ground floor slab.

Since windows and doors are a major source of heat loss, the choice of IGUs (insulated glass units) within a high-performance frame system is integral to attaining Passive House standards. We are excited that our 4700-series ThermoPlus tilt and turn windows with triple-glazing, two coatings of LoE-180 and argon fill were used throughout the Orchards at Orenco project.

All of us at EuroLine congratulate REACH Community Development and its entire team for their outstanding achievement in realizing their goal of building a quality, affordable, and energy efficient multi-family building — the largest Passive House apartment building in North America to date. We are proud to be a part of this impressive project and we hope to continue our relationship into the future.

More information about Orchards at Orenco

Take a photo tour of the Orchards during construction and read an article in the Portland Business Journal

See more photos on our Pinterest board

Find out more about our ThermoPlus window system.

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You breathe a sigh of contentment. The last workman has left your property and your furniture and belongings will arrive soon. You stand outside admiring your newly built home. It’s beautiful — just as you imagined your dream house would be!

But wait! You notice the tape on your window and door frames. Did the installers leave it on for a reason? Should you take it off now, or leave it for a bit, at least until the dust settles?

At EuroLine, we ship our window and door products with a protective film (tape) that reduces damage to your new windows and doors from shipping and handling, and protects them from construction debris, paint, and dust.

Don’t forget the film! If the plastic film is left on the product for an extended period of time and is exposed to the heat of the sun, the film will essentially “bake” on to your window and door profiles. It then will be very difficult and painstaking to remove and there is a high risk of damage to the window and door finish. We strongly recommend that you remove this protective film immediately upon completion of installation.

Oops! Left the film on too long?

Follow the instructions* below to try and remove the film with a minimum of damage:

Tools and materials needed:

• Hot air gun or hair blower
• Scraping knife
• Warm soapy water
• Clean, non-abrasive cloths
• S20 cleaning solution (available from EuroLine Windows Inc.)

 

 

Procedure:

1. Use a hot air gun or hair blower to heat up the film and soften it, taking care to avoid overheating the film or the frame. Carefully use a scraping knife to lift the edges of the film and peel it off. A residue of the film adhesive may remain on the frame after the film is removed.
   Caution: Do not apply excessive heat to the film or to the frame as this can result in permanent damage to the frame. Do not use excessive force when attempting to scrape the film or permanent damage to the frame may occur.
2. Use a soft cloth and warm, soapy water to remove any residue remaining on the frame.
3. If the warm water fails to remove the residue from the frame, you may apply S20 cleaner (available from EuroLine) to a soft cloth and use it to remove the remaining residue from the frame.

Click here to download/print the instructions above.

Visit our Resources section for product manuals, maintenance, cleaning and other information,

*These instructions are for extruded frames only. Do not attempt on foiled profiles! EuroLine Windows Inc. does not guarantee the effectiveness of the above method. EuroLine Windows Inc. does not recommend using any other method, chemical or solvent to remove the plastic film. Other methods, chemicals or solvents may permanently damage the frame finish or destroy its UV-resistant properties.

 

Making the decision to build a new home or renovate your existing one is easy. The hard part comes when you have to decide on all the elements that will make your dream a reality.

Will you hire an architect or building designer, a builder/contractor, or will you do it all yourself? Then, there are all the other decisions that must be made, when drawing up your plans and budget. Things like:

• Building envelope
• Roofing
• Flooring
• Heating system
• Plumbing fixtures
• Lighting
• Appliances

and what about your windows and doors?

Whether building or renovating, your choice of windows and doors will be one of the most important decisions you make. Windows and doors are one of the most important architectural features of your home. They are the biggest source of heat loss and gain, and they are the first target for intruders.

So, why should you choose EuroLine windows and doors?

We are the largest manufacturer of tilt & turn windows and doors in North America. Our tilt & turn systems are designed for secure ventilation, safe cleaning, and fast emergency egress.    

Our windows and doors are custom-made to your specifications and the possibilities are virtually endless when you combine our wide range of products with a vast choice of colours, finishes, glass types and other accessories.

All of our systems come standard with robust, multi-point locking hardware for a better seal against the elements and the ultimate in security. The sturdy high-impact uPVC, steel-reinforced frame resists intruder attempts for your peace of mind. Also, our systems feature double or triple pane insulated glass units with LoE and argon fill for superior thermal comfort.

If you are looking for the best high-performance, energy efficient windows and doors for your project, consider our 4700-series ThermoPlus™ system, made from a high-tech vinyl fibreglass hybrid. ThermoPlus meets or exceeds the latest standards for building codes making it ideal for use in Passive House, LEED, and Net Zero building projects.

 

Check out some of our recent Passive House and other energy-efficient projects below.

Bernhardt Passive House

North Park PassiveHouse

Mueller House Project

Orchards at Orenco

VISION House at Mariposa Meadows

Visit our Project Gallery for featured projects using our products.

Ask your builder about our products, or come to our showroom and speak with one of our knowledgeable sales representatives. We want to show you a better way to see your world!

3,300 U.S. children under the age of 5 are injured annually in falls from windows, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. This alarming statistic is part of a Safe Kids report on unintentional falls — the number one cause of non-fatal injuries for children across the globe. In 2011, there were 2,876,929 children requiring emergency room treatment for a fall-related injury and, in 2010, 127 U.S. children died in a fall-related accident.

To help keep your family safe and secure, consider our Top Ten List of Window Safety Tips:

10. Consider planting shrubs or other soft edging beneath windows to lessen the impact if a fall does occur.

9. Teach your children not to jump on the bed or furniture as this may lead to a fall.

8. Keep furniture, etc. away from windows to ensure that children cannot climb up to the windows. Never allow children to play on or near window ledges.

7. Keep windows and doors locked when young children are around. Set rules about playing away from windows and patio doors. Falling through glass can cause serious or even fatal injury.

6. Window screens are designed to keep insects out. Screens cannot support the weight of a person, even that of a small child, and will not prevent a fall.

5. When windows are opened for ventilation, only open windows that young children cannot reach or open fully. Our tilt and turn windows are ideal in this situation. Windows can tilt in for ventilation and the multi-point locking hardware makes it difficult for young children to operate.

4. If you use window guards or restrictors on the interior of your windows (some municipalities require the use of these kinds of safety mechanisms), make sure they are operable and can be easily removed. Practice detaching the guards with your children in case they need to exit through a window in an emergency. Also keep in mind that some windows – like bedroom windows – need to meet egress requirements and should not be restricted in a way that prevents emergency exit.

3. Choose safety glass for your windows and doors. Doors come standard with tempered glass, which has higher impact resistance and – if broken – shatters into many small, dull pieces. Laminated glass will shatter, but usually remain intact within the frame, preventing falls, as well as enhancing security and frustrating intruders. EuroLine windows and doors come standard with multi-point locking hardware which provides additional protection against intruders.

2.  Adult supervision is the easiest and best method for preventing a child from falling from a window. Watch small children carefully and ensure that their play is kept well away from windows.

1. Establish a family emergency escape plan and practice it regularly. Teach your children how to safely use the windows as way out during a fire. Make sure that you have at least one window in each bedroom that meets escape and rescue requirements.

For more safety tips, security options and information about EuroLine windows and doors:

Egress Windows

Windows

Doors

Rollshutters

Glass Options

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Do you have a stack of old windows and doors gathering dust in your garage or workshop? Maybe you’ve saved some from a recent renovation or collected a few from yard sales or thrift stores. Are you looking for inspiration on how to repurpose or display them? We’ve found these 6 clever ideas to get your creative juices flowing.

Coat Rack

For rustic appeal in your entrance hallway, create a charming coat rack from an old window. Add old farmhouse hooks to hang hats/jackets then secure the window to the wall. Place a country style hall table or bench underneath the rack to create a vintage look. Check out the links below for two different styles you can make yourself.

Follow these instructions to make this DIY Vintage Window Coat Rack from Simply Family Magazine or try this project: Before and After: An Old Window Turns Into Something  Cute from Cozy. Country. Cute 

Headboard

Old doors make fabulous headboards. They are easy to transform or update with a little paint or stain to complement your decor. Using your imagination and DIY skills, you can upcycle that old door into a striking centrepiece for your bedroom.

Want a jumpstart? Click the following links for easy step-by-step instructions.

Make a DIY Headboard From a Repurposed Door — a tutorial from Country Living magazine

Take a look at this article: Knock, Knock, Who’s There? A DIY Headboard Tutorial from The Dizzy House.

Cabinets

One of the most versatile pieces of furniture that can be made from old windows or doors is a cabinet. From a small bathroom cabinet to a gorgeous “antique” cupboard, you can create a lovely piece that enhances the look and feel of any room. Use old hardware to decorate your “new” piece. Links below for instructions and photos.

 

 

Make a Cabinet Out of an Old Door by following the directions from Old-House Online

Coffee Table

Another way to repurpose an old window is to make a coffee table. Choose a shadow box type of table that combines style with storage/display capacity by hinging the window on top of a box frame. You can also make a simpler coffee table with an antique window, a bit of wood and some paint.

Watch Hallmark Channel’s Home and Family video for details on building a display coffee table.

For a different look, check out this clever coffee table project, DIY Cheap Coffee Table Idea – Re-purposing an Old Window Into a Table, from Thrifty NW Mom.

Dining Table

Tables can be expensive, but you can build your own using an old door to make a chic statement that showcases your personality. Your “new” dining table can have a sleek modern look or a classic vintage appeal depending on the type of door you use.

Check out these posts for more details and ideas:
How to Build a Dining Table From an Old Door and Posts from HGTV

How to Make a Dining Table out of a old Door: from DIY and Crafts

Greenhouse

Have you ever wanted a greenhouse for your back garden? With a few old windows and a little scrap lumber, you can have a planthouse that is inexpensive and unique. Check out the links below for tutorials, detailed instructions and ideas.

Greenhouse From Old Window — a step-by-step tutorial with photos from Instructables

How I Built the Baby Greenhouse by blogger and DIY enthusiast, Anne at Design Dreams by Anne

 

These 6 clever ideas are just a few of the many projects you can do with salvaged items. So, don’t throw out your old doors, or pass up that shabby looking window in the thrift store, instead unleash your creativity! You may just discover a hidden passion while building something new to you!

 

 

We’d love to hear about your window/door upcycling projects. Tell us about them in the comments section.

If you are looking for new windows and doors, take a look at our products page for a better way to see your world.

Like most people, when you think about windows, you think about the parts you can see — the glass, the frame and the hardware. But there is much more to a window than that.

Most windows today are made up of a double- or triple-pane IG (insulated glass) unit. The glass panes are kept apart by a spacer that maintains a uniform separation between the glass. The gap between the panes is usually filled with a gas — most commonly argon — for greater thermal performance.

So, what is the big deal about spacers? Used in the IG unit, spacers play an integral role in window performance and, depending on what kind of spacer is used, they can significantly boost the energy efficiency of your windows.

3 Key Functions of Spacers

For maximum energy efficiency, and superior glass performance, the spacers in your windows should:

• Be flexible in order to absorb the stress caused by thermal expansion and contraction
• Increase the temperature of the edges of the insulated glass – to reduce condensation, prohibit mold growth and increase the overall energy efficiency of the window
• Create a tight seal to prevent leakage of gas fills and keep moisture out

Types of Window Spacers

Metal Spacers:
Usually made from aluminum or other alloys, these types of spacers are not recommended as the metal readily conducts heat or cold from the glass surface resulting in condensation and mold growth. Spacers made from rigid materials do not accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of the glass within the frame, which can cause stress cracks that eventually lead to sealant failure, gas fill loss, and condensation between the panes.

Less Metal Spacers:
These types of spacers are made from stainless steel or a metal alloy with a foam separator secured to the top. This type of “warm edge” technology outperforms all-metal spacers, reducing heat transfer and condensation.

No Metal Spacers:
All-foam spacers have no metal in their construction and are highly energy efficient, dramatically reducing heat/cold transfer. Because these types of spacers are flexible, they can expand and contract along with the natural expansion/contraction of the IG unit, making them less prone to sealant movement, which significantly improves gas retention.

The NO-Metal Advantage
Because the edge of a sealed IG unit is the most vulnerable to heating and cooling losses, an all-foam spacer with no metal, such as the Super Spacer, offers the best in thermal efficiency. The low thermal conductivity results in less variation in glass surface temperature, improves condensation resistance, and promotes sound absorption.

Take a look inside our windows. EuroLine uses IG units manufactured by PFG Glass, sealed with Super Spacer® TriSeal™ — a flexible silicone spacer designed to satisfy the toughest commercial glazing demands — both for our commercial and residential projects. Combine this with high quality uPVC and multi-point locking hardware, and you have high-end window and door systems that offer an excellent choice for your home. Our products meet or exceed the latest standards for building codes. Our windows and doors have earned the ENERGY STAR and are used in Passive House, LEED and Net Zero projects across Canada and the US.

Click the links below for more information:
EuroLine Windows
EuroLine Doors
PFG Glass Industries
Quanex Super Spacer

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
Sign up for our e-newsletter for updates on products, news and events

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!