When selecting new windows and doors for your home, choosing the right company is just as important as the windows and doors themselves. We spoke with Steve Mercer of Fortress Windows and Doors, a company which was awarded the best window and door company in Toronto in 2014, about how to choose the right company to replace your windows and doors.
Consider reputation
When selecting a company, consider how long they have been in business. Read reviews online and check to see if they’re registered with eieihome.com or the Better Business Bureau, a non-profit organization that registers consumer complaints against a company to help build trust between companies and consumers.
Fortress Windows and Doors has been in business for over 28 years, providing quality window installation to homeowners across the GTA.
Here are some window and door projects completed by Fortress!
Ask if windows are CSA certified
Asking whether the company supplies CSA certified windows and doors will help ensure you’re getting a quality product. The CSA Group provides testing, certification and standards for windows and doors.
“As much as a sales agent may guarantee you that their windows are fabulous, if there’s no third party random auditing, then there’s no guarantee,” says Mercer, adding that there are numerous companies that do not provide CSA certified windows.
About the CSA
The CSA Group ensures products are met to the highest of safety and performance standards from around the world. Find out more about the group here:
Ask about installer’s certifications
You want a window that meets high standards when it comes to performance, safety and energy efficiency. But what about the company you’re hiring to do the installation in the first place? Is the company using summer students to install windows, or are they professional installers who are Window Wise certified? “Having a Window Wise certified installer will help to guarantee that your windows and doors are being installed properly,” says Mercer.
About Window Wise
Window Wise is a program that identifies a contractor or window installer is reputable and will provide only the highest quality when it comes to installation, and that their workmanship and customer service will be beneficial to future homeowners hiring the window expert in the first place.
Source: Window Wise.
Take warranties with a grain of salt
Although we all like to get a warranty on products and service, Mercer warns a warranty is only as good as the company that is issuing it. Make sure you choose a company that has longevity, one that won’t be gone tomorrow when you have a problem.
When a window company has been in business for over 28 years, you know you can trust their expertise.
Assess the company’s customer service
Does the company return your call quickly? This is a tell-tale sign that they will be easy to deal with. Fortress Windows and Doors has a 24-hour response time policy. “If you call with a service inquiry and we don’t respond within 24 business hours, we’ll issue you a cheque for $100,” says Mercer. “This is so you know we’re serious about what we do.”
Does your home need new windows and doors? Trust the experts at Fortress. Visit Fortress Windows and Doors online for more information. Take a look at the company’s online portfolio and get inspired about your own window and door project!
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