Improving Your Home’s Insulation: 3 Essential Pillars
A well-insulated home isn’t just about the walls, which is why you need to think holistically when it comes to your home’s insulation.
There are three pillars that need to work together: high-performance windows, quality wall insulation, and proper ventilation. If one of these elements is lacking, the others can’t make up for it.
As we (very!) often say at GIT Portes et Fenêtres: Even the world’s best windows won’t function properly in a house that is poorly insulated or ventilated. Here’s why.
1. Properly Installed, High-Performance Windows
Windows play a key role in a home’s energy efficiency. When well-chosen and properly installed, they reduce heat loss, improve thermal comfort, and help lower heating costs.
Every detail matters, from the frame material to the type of glazing and the quality of installation. For example, while aluminium windows offer excellent durability, they should be well-designed and suited to the local climate to perform as desired.
At GIT, we manufacture aluminium windows engineered to meet these demands. Many of our models are ENERGY STAR® certified, making them a smart choice for homeowners looking to boost their home’s energy performance.
Beyond the window itself, proper installation is crucial. A precise, professional install ensures you get the full performance and energy-saving benefits the product is designed to deliver.
But let’s be clear: Good windows—even the world’s best!—can’t do the heavy lifting on their own. They must be part of a well-designed building envelope.
2. Continuous, Well-Planned Wall Insulation
Wall insulation is essential. While high-quality windows are a great starting point, their benefits are quickly lost if air escapes through a poorly insulated roof or walls. Walls, attics, floors… Every part of the home matters.
Proper insulation minimizes heat loss, retains the heat in during winter (and the cool in during summer), and helps keep the indoor temperature stable. The result? Less pressure on your heating system… and on your windows.
Watch for these telltale signs that your home’s insulation needs an upgrade:
- Drafts near windows
- Varying temperature from room to room
- Frequent window condensation
- Cold walls in the winter
- High heating bills
3. Adequate, Controlled Ventilation
And when humidity levels rise, the signs appear… on your windows. Even new ones, even high-end ones.
That’s why we always recommend an air exchanger. It changes the air, controls humidity, and ensures optimal comfort. Bonus: It helps protect your materials, your walls… and your windows.
Ventilation is the most neglected element, but it is essential. An airtight house with improper air circulation? Hello, humidity.
Unmitigated humidity can lead to mold, alter the air quality, and create invisible—but very real!—long-term problem. A suitable air exchange systems fixes all that.
If you’ve noticed condensation on your windows, here are some ways to reduce or eliminate the problem.
Windows Can’t Work Alone (Here’s the Proof!)
When a client sees condensation on their new windows, their first thought is to blame the windows.
Often, the culprit is elsewhere: Too much humidity, not enough air circulation, or failing insulation.
Take our client in Laval, for example. A few days after installation, they noticed condensation forming and assumed something was wrong with the windows. But after a thorough check, the windows proved flawless. The real issue? Poor ventilation. A simple tweak to the air exchange system solved the problem.
That’s why at GIT, we emphasize the three essential pillars—windows, insulation, and ventilation—from day one.
Financial Aid May Apply
There are government programs to help homeowners improve their home’s energy performance. Québec’s Rénoclimat program, for example, can offer financial assistance for improving insulation, depending on the type of work. Our team can help you figure out what could be covered and how take advantage of these incentives.
Choose GIT Portes et Fenêtres for a Personalized Approach
Whether you’re in the throes of a new build, doing renovations, or simply brainstorming, we’re here to help! Visit us online or at our Montreal showroom.
Because a well-insulated home starts with making the right choices—and following the right advice!