Where does windows & doors fit your project?
Pick the closest match. Each one shows how we handle that kind of job, then you can go deeper or book a visit.
For homeowners: Windows & Doors
Planned for the home you live in, with the work done in order and the site kept clean.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For custom homes: Windows & Doors
Included in the full new-build plan, with the trades coordinated under one lead.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For commercial spaces: Windows & Doors
Scheduled around occupancy, built to the commercial code and the building use.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For high-rise buildings: Windows & Doors
Planned for vertical access, fire separation, sound and the building schedule.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
For renovations: Windows & Doors
Scoped with the rest of the renovation so the trades work in the right order.
- Scope agreed in writing before any work starts
- One lead on site from start to handover
- Clear records at handover
Windows & Doors
New windows and doors installed with proper flashing and sealing, so they keep the heat in and the water out.
How this guide works
Windows and doors leak where they are installed, not where they are made. The install and the flashing matter more than the brand. Work through the decisions in order.
Decision 1: Where windows and doors are used
Windows and doors go into houses, additions and commercial buildings. The use decides the performance and the security needed.
| Use | Typical need | What matters most |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | Energy performance, looks, security | Glazing, frame, install |
| Additions | Matched to the existing house | Tie-ins, flashing |
| Commercial | Durability, security, access, fire rating | Frames, hardware, code |
Our pick: Choose the performance for the use. Commercial openings often need fire and security ratings.
Decision 2: Replace or repair
A window can often be repaired when the frame is sound. Replacement is right when the frame, seal or glass has failed.
| Problem | Usually |
|---|---|
| Fogged glass only | Replace the sealed unit |
| Rotten frame or sill | Replace the unit and the sill |
| Drafts from a sound unit | Re-seal and check flashing |
Our pick: Check the frame and the sill before you replace the glass. A leak in the sill will return.
Decision 3: Frame and glazing
The frame and glazing set the energy performance, the look and the maintenance. Choose them for the climate and the house.
| Frame | Life | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | Long life | Low |
| Aluminium | Long life, slim profile | Low |
| Wood or clad wood | Good with care | Medium |
Our pick: Vinyl or clad wood for most houses. Aluminium for slim commercial frames.
Decision 4: Flashing and install
Water gets in through the flashing and the sealant around the frame. The install is where most window leaks come from.
| Detail | Check |
|---|---|
| Sill and pan flashing | Lapped, sloped out |
| Head flashing | Lapped over the house wrap |
| Sealant and insulation | Foam and sealant, not just caulk |
Our pick: Flash every window and door. The install is worth more than the brand.
Decision 5: Doors and security
Doors are checked for the frame, the hardware and the threshold. Security and weather seal depend on all three.
| Item | Check |
|---|---|
| Frame and jamb | Square, sound, fixed to the rough opening |
| Threshold | Sealed and sloped |
| Hardware and lock | Matched to the security needed |
Our pick: Check the threshold. Most door drafts come from there.
Decision 6: Warning signs and timing
Failing windows and doors show signs at the glass, the seal and the sill. Some of these also mean water is getting in.
| Sign | Act by |
|---|---|
| Condensation between the panes | Replacing the sealed unit |
| Draft or whistling at the frame | Re-sealing and checking the flashing |
| Stain or soft wood below the sill | Opening the wall to check for water |
Our pick: Check the sill when there is a stain. A leak in the sill returns after any glass replacement.
Decision 7: Permits and inspection
Like-for-like replacement usually needs no permit. Changing the size of an opening or the header can.
| Scope | Check |
|---|---|
| Same size, same opening | Usually no permit |
| Larger opening or new header | Engineering and permit likely |
| Commercial or fire-rated opening | Check the rating and the code |
Our pick: Confirm before the wall is opened. A change to the header is structural.
Decision 8: Coordination with the other trades
Windows and doors need the framing, the cladding and the trim to be right around them. The sequence protects the install.
| Trade | What it needs |
|---|---|
| Framing | Rough opening square, plumb and level |
| Siding and cladding | Flashing in place before the cladding |
| Drywall and trim | Final trim after the install is checked |
| Painting | Cured sealant before the finish |
Our pick: Flash before cladding, and trim after. The order decides whether the install stays dry.
Decision 9: Warranty and maintenance
The product and the install carry warranties. Keeping the record and checking the seals keeps them in force.
| Item | What to do |
|---|---|
| Product warranty | Keep the product and install record |
| Workmanship warranty | Keep the contract and the photos |
| Yearly check | Seals, tracks and drainage looked at |
Our pick: Keep the install record and check the seals once a year.
Questions
Do you remove the old windows?
Yes. We remove the old units, check the opening and fix any damage before the new ones go in.
Will the new windows match the house?
We help you choose styles that suit the house and the street.
Do I need a permit?
Usually not for a like-for-like replacement, but it depends on the work. We confirm.
Talk to the Plug
Tell us the openings, the problems you see and how the house is used. We check the frame and the flashing, then recommend the units.
Related: Exterior RenovationsWater Damage RestorationAll contracting
Haven’t called the Plug yet?
Call, text, DM us, or submit your project and an expert will call you.
Build your scope
Pick the products you want for Windows & Doors, set a quantity, and name the area. Add as many areas as the job needs, and add products from other services too. We review your full scope and come back with a free estimate. Nothing is charged here.
Your scope (0 items)
Nothing added yet.