Replaced all 14 windows in our 1975 North York home last spring. Process took 3 months from first quote to final installation. Sharing the details.
Why We Replaced
The original aluminum single-glazed windows were the last original windows in the house (previous owners had done everything except the smaller bedroom and bathroom windows). Clear condensation between panes on the original thermal aluminum windows in the bedrooms, one with visible seal failure.
Quotes
Quote 1 (large national company with TV ads): $34,200 for 14 windows. Slick salesperson, high-pressure tactics, asked for a decision that night.
Quote 2 (local GTA manufacturer/installer): $18,900 for 14 windows.
Quote 3 (local installer using North Star windows): $19,400 for 14 windows.
Quote 4 (another local): $21,100.
What We Chose
Quote 2 at $18,900. Inline Fiberglass windows, fibreglass frames (not vinyl - won’t warp with temperature), triple glazing on all north and east exposures, double Low-E on south and west. ER 40 average across all units.
Installation Day
2 installers, 1 day for all 14 windows. Started 7:30 AM, done by 5 PM. Old windows out, new in, fully trimmed and caulked inside and out.
Energy Impact
Hard to isolate exactly but first winter heating bills down 12% vs prior year - with a similar winter degree day count. That’s approximately $340/year savings at current gas rates.
Lesson Learned
The large companies with heavy advertising spend significantly more on marketing than on windows. The local installer was using a better product at nearly half the price. Always get 3+ quotes on windows.
Current Price Summary (North York 2026)
Double-hung vinyl double-pane: $700-$900 installed per window
Casement triple-pane: $1,000-$1,400 installed per window
Fibreglass frame premium: add $150-$300 per window