Upgrade Your Home’s Integrity with Full-Frame Door and Window Services
Full frame window and door replacement — removing everything down to the rough opening so your new windows perform the way Alberta winters demand.
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What Is Full Frame Replacement?
Not All Window Replacements Are the Same
There are two ways to replace a window: insert replacement and full frame replacement.
Insert replacement (also called retrofit or pocket replacement) keeps your existing frame in place. New sashes and glass are installed inside the old frame. It’s faster and cheaper — but only works if your current frame is structurally sound, square, and free of moisture damage.
Full frame replacement removes everything — the glass, the sash, the frame, the trim, and the brickmould — right back to the rough opening in the wall. A completely new window unit is then installed, insulated, and sealed from scratch.
This is the more thorough option. It costs more upfront, but it’s the only approach that lets us inspect for hidden damage, correct old insulation problems, and guarantee a truly airtight, long-lasting result.
In Edmonton’s climate — where temperatures swing from +30°C in summer to -40°C in winter — a compromised frame is not a small problem. It is a direct path to rising heating bills, moisture damage, and eventual structural issues.
Full Frame vs. Insert: Which Is Right for You?
| ✅ Choose Full Frame If… | 🔄 Insert/Retrofit May Work If… |
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⚠️ NOTE In Edmonton and across Alberta, older homes — especially those built before 1990 — commonly have wood frames that have absorbed moisture over decades of freeze-thaw cycling. Even frames that look intact from the inside can have hidden rot or damage behind the sill. Our assessment will tell you which situation you're in before any work begins.
Window Frame Materials: What’s Best for Your Home?
| Frame Material | Key Strengths | Best For | Alberta Suitability |
| uPVC / Vinyl | Low maintenance, excellent insulation, affordable, moisture-resistant | Most residential homes, budget-conscious replacements | ★★★★★ Ideal — resists freeze-thaw cycling |
| Aluminium | Slim profile, strong, modern aesthetic | Commercial storefronts, contemporary homes | ★★★ Good for commercial; thermal bridging in residential |
uPVC / Vinyl Window Frame
Aluminium Window Frame
How Our Full Frame Replacement Works
Here’s exactly what happens from your first call to the day your new windows are sealed and finished.
| Step | What Happens | What It Means for You |
| 1. Free Assessment | We visit your home, inspect the frames inside and out, check for moisture damage, measure the opening precisely, and give you a clear written quote. | No guesswork. You know exactly what’s needed and what it costs before you commit. |
| 2. We Build Your Unit | We manufacture your IGU (insulated glass unit) in-house to your exact opening dimensions. No waiting on a supplier — we build it ourselves. | Faster turnaround. Precise fit. Better quality control. Moreover, every IGU unit we build is covered by our warranty. |
| 3. Full Frame Removal | We remove the old window or door entirely — glass, sash, frame, trim, and brickmould — back to the rough opening. | Any hidden rot, moisture, or damage is exposed and addressed at this stage. |
| 4. Rough Opening Prep | We inspect the rough opening and install proper insulation and a moisture barrier. | Your new window is installed into a clean, sealed, properly insulated cavity — not an old, compromised one. |
| 5. Installation & Sealing | The new frame and glass unit are installed, shimmed, anchored, and sealed inside and out. New trim and brickmould are fitted. | A clean, professional finish inside and outside your home. |
| 6. Cleanup & Walkthrough | We remove all old materials and debris. You walk through the completed installation with us before we leave. | Nothing left behind. You see the finished result and can ask any questions before we’re done. |
Double Hung Window
Bay Window
Bow Window
Slider Window
Awning Window
Fixed Picture Window
Folding / Bi-Fold Window
Let the Light In — While You Still Have the Opening
Full frame replacement is the only window installation method that allows you to change the size of your opening. If you’ve always felt a room was too dark, or a window felt too small for its wall — this is your chance to fix it permanently.
Natural light is not just an aesthetic preference. Research consistently links regular exposure to natural daylight to improved mood, better sleep patterns, higher productivity, and reduced eyestrain. In Edmonton, where daylight hours are short from October through March, maximizing natural light inside your home has real quality-of-life benefits.
Consider replacing a small double-hung window with a larger casement or picture window. Or open up a kitchen wall with a sliding or folding window that connects inside to outside in summer. The same installation visit that fixes a failing frame can also be the moment you redesign how a room feels.
Tell us what you’ve always wished your windows could do — and we’ll tell you if it’s possible within your existing opening or with a modest structural adjustment.
Choosing Your Glass
Your new frame is only half the decision. The glass you choose determines how your window performs for the next 20+ years. Here’s a plain-language guide to the options we offer:
| Glass Option | What It Does | Best For |
| Double Pane (Standard IGU) | Two panes of glass that can be filled with argon gas for improved insulation. Not all double pane units include argon — this is an optional upgrade available with Low-E glass. Provides solid thermal insulation and noise reduction at an accessible price point. | Most residential replacements in Edmonton |
| Triple Pane (Premium IGU) | Three panes with two insulating cavities. Significantly better thermal performance — reduces heat loss and condensation in extreme cold. Also reduces noise more than double pane. | Homes in exposed locations, north-facing windows, or anyone prioritizing maximum energy efficiency and noise reduction |
| Low-E (Low-Emissivity) Glass | A near-invisible metallic coating that reflects heat. Keeps warmth inside in winter and reflects solar heat in summer. | Edmonton’s climate — standard recommendation for almost all residential windows |
| Argon Gas Fill | Argon gas between panes conducts heat less than air, improving the window’s U-value by up to 16%. Note: argon gas fill is an optional add-on — not all double or triple pane units are filled. It is only available in combination with Low-E coated glass. | Recommended wherever Low-E glass is chosen — a cost-effective performance upgrade |
| Noise Reduction Glass | Thicker or laminated panes (also available in double and triple pane configurations) that reduce sound transmission from outside. | Homes near busy roads, schools, or multi-family buildings |
| Laminated / Safety Glass | Holds together when broken. Adds security and impact resistance. | Ground-floor windows, doors, or areas at higher risk of impact |
| Laminated Art Glass | A custom interlayer — such as a family photo, decorative pattern, fabric, or artistic film — is permanently bonded between two panes of glass. Safety glass properties are retained. The result is a one-of-a-kind glass panel unique to your home. | Feature windows, entryway sidelites, interior glass partitions, custom residential projects |
| Privacy / Pattern Glass | Allows light in while limiting visibility. Adds aesthetic character. Various textures available including frosted, reeded, glue chip, pinhead, mirror, and more. | Bathrooms, entryway sidelites, glass partitions, basement windows near grade |
Energy Efficiency Glass | Keeps heat inside during winter and outside during summer. Reduces energy bills and improves year-round comfort. The most common choice for Edmonton homes. | Most residential homes in Edmonton looking to reduce heat loss and energy bills year-round |
| Heat & Sun Control (Reflective Glass) | Reflects sunlight away from the home to keep rooms cooler in summer. Reduces glare from direct sunlight. Exterior may appear slightly mirrored or tinted. | South- and west-facing rooms, homes with excessive sunlight, glare, or summer overheating |
| Design & Decorative Glass | Adds visual interest and a custom look. Available in various textures and patterns to match home aesthetics or modern styles. | Entryways, feature windows, interior glass partitions, and custom residential projects |
Frosted Pattern Glass
Reeded Pattern Glass
Glue Chip Pattern Glass
Mirror Glass
Pinhead Pattern Glass
How Different Glass Types Break
Not all glass breaks the same way — and the difference matters.The type of glass in your window determines what happens when it breaks — which directly affects safety, cleanup, and how quickly the opening needs to be secured.
| Glass Type | How It Breaks | What It Means for You |
| Annealed (Standard Float) | Breaks into large, sharp shards with jagged edges. The crack radiates outward from the point of impact, producing long splinters that stay near the frame. | Standard glass used in most IGUs. Higher laceration risk on breakage. The opening is immediately exposed and requires prompt boarding or replacement. |
| Tempered (Safety Glass) | Shatters completely into thousands of small, blunt-edged pieces (often called “dice”) rather than sharp shards. The entire pane disintegrates at once when the break threshold is reached. | Significantly safer than annealed glass on breakage. Required by code in doors, large openings, and areas near floor level. The opening is exposed immediately. |
| Laminated (Safety Glass) | May crack under pressure but stays intact. The PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayer holds the broken pieces bonded together — the pane cracks but does not fall out of the frame or scatter. | The safest break behaviour. The opening remains covered even after impact — reducing injury risk and maintaining a barrier against entry. Best choice where security or fall protection is a priority. |
✨ Something Unique? We Also Do Laminated Art Glass.
Laminated art glass is a niche area of the glass industry — not every glass shop can do it. We can. If you want something truly one-of-a-kind in your home, we can laminate a custom image, pattern, or design permanently between two panes of glass.
What we can do: family photos, custom patterns, decorative films, artistic designs — permanently bonded inside the glass unit. The result is a structural glass panel that also functions as a piece of art. Suitable for feature windows, entryway sidelites, interior partitions, and anywhere you want glass to make a statement.
Call or email us to discuss your project — art glass is always a custom conversation.
Our Warranty
Every full frame replacement we complete is backed by a clear warranty — no fine print, no runaround.
| What’s Covered | Coverage Period | Details |
| IGU Seal Integrity | 5 Years | If the hermetic seal between panes fails, causing fogging or moisture between the glass, we replace the unit. |
| Insulating Performance | 5 Years | For argon-filled units, we guarantee insulating performance won’t degrade significantly over this period. |
| Low-E Coating Integrity | 5 Years | If coatings degrade and obstruct visibility or performance, we address it. |
| Hardware & Moving Parts | 1 Year (Limited) | Operable window hardware, locks, and balance systems covered against defects or failure. |
| Workmanship | 1 Year | Improper installation issues — misalignment, poor sealing — are covered if they affect performance or safety. |
⚠️ NOTE Supply Only: If windows were purchased as supply-only (no installation by our team), we do not cover installation or labour for warranty replacement. Warranty also excludes: accidental breakage, storm/vandalism damage, and modifications such as tinting or thermal films applied after installation.
Ready to Replace Your Windows the Right Way?
Get a free, no-obligation assessment. We’ll inspect your frames, measure the opening, and give you a clear written quote — in person, not over the phone.
📍 Serving Edmonton and surrounding areas · 📞 780-717-6115 · Responding within 1 business day
