DIY Fail? Let Pros Handle Your Windows and Door Installation!

Thinking about windows and doors installation? Perhaps you’re coveting that beautiful front entry door or that stylish set of sliding patio doors to let in a little more sunshine. From style to material to energy-efficient options, there are many directions you can take. But before you break out the toolbox and try to install them yourself, let’s talk about why going DIY isn’t quite as easy or cheap as it might seem.

Living in Canada, where temperatures can range from sweltering summers to below-twenty winters, a correctly installed door or window may spell the difference. It is more than aesthetic appeal, it is about comfort for your home, safety, and energy efficiency. If you skip the experts, it may result in more headaches than you bargained for! Let’s dive in to see why calling the pros for installing windows and doors will be worth the investment.

The Temptation of Doing It Yourself: Why It Seems Like a Good Idea Yet Isn’t

It is rather easy to comprehend why a lot of homeowners take on a DIY installation for their exterior doors or replacement windows. YouTube might make it look like a piece of cake. The hardware store is just around the corner, and who doesn’t love pocketing a few bucks in savings, right? Think about saying, “If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Here’s the thing: installing windows and doors isn’t like putting together that IKEA bookshelf. There are a lot of details that go into making an installation go off without a hitch. You might get the job, but the cost of doing it wrong can be way higher than you think.

The Risks of DIY Installations

1. Poor Fit and Alignment

Without the right tools or experience, getting a proper alignment for your new front door can be tricky. Installing sliding patio doors could be even more challenging. The smallest misalignment can cause a host of problems that include, but are not limited to:

• Malfunctioning operational doors, either opening or closing: Can you imagine how irritating this could be if your brand-new French patio doors catch with every use?
• Gaps and drafts: You don’t want extra drafts sneaking around your windows or doors in those freezing Canadian winters. Poor alignment will mean air leaks, driving up energy bills and making the home uncomfortable.

Pro Tip: The moment a door starts sticking and you think it would be a brilliant idea to just shave off a bit of the wood to get it right, that’s when you know something went wrong at installation. A perfectly installed door won’t require that quick fix.

2. Air and Water Leakage

If the doors or your replacement windows are not sealed well, this means you will have air leakage and severely reduce energy efficiency. One of the most common problems with DIY installation of windows is poor sealing. Water leaks are just as dreadful, leading to:

• Mold and rot: If water damages the frames over time and runs into the walls, the damage is costly. 
• Increased heating costs: Canadian winters are harsh enough without your heater having to work overtime, making up for badly sealed windows and doors.

3. Improper Insulation

Even if you get the fit right, insulating your windows and exterior doors properly is the most important component. It helps to keep your home pleasant throughout the year. Most amateur DIY enthusiast could make an error in the proper insulation of either their windows or exterior doors. It may result in inefficiency and higher utility bills.

Benefits of Professional Installation of Windows and Doors

What’s the remedy, then? All it takes is to bring in a professional installer. Why, you ask, is this a good call? Let’s take a look.

1. Accurate Precision and Guaranteed Expertise

Professional installers aren’t flying by the seat of their pants. With the right tools and experience, they can fit your new front entry door or patio doors perfectly in. They will make sure the frame is level, the door or window is flush, and the whole setup is sealed tight to avoid air or water leaks.

• No more sticky doors: One thing with professional installation is that you will not be fighting against the doors, as many people are with misaligned doors. Every opening and closing would feel smooth as butter, even on those harsh Canadian winters.
• Energy savings: Proper installation means better insulation, which means lower heating and cooling costs—something we can only appreciate, especially when that first cold snap hits in January!

2. Improved Energy Efficiency

If you want to get the most out of the energy efficiency of your new windows and doors, then a proper installation is necessary. Professional installers know how to handle all the modern materials, including Low-E glass with double and triple glazing, ensuring that your home will be warm and cool during winter.

Of course, they will also ensure that your patio doors and windows meet the minimum amount of energy efficiency required for rebates and incentives available in many different regions across Canada.

3. Fully Inclusive Warranties

While this DIY route may save a couple of bucks now, what if something goes wrong? Most manufacturers may not honor warranties of the product unless there is a professional installation. You’ll have added peace of mind with professional installation, knowing your new windows and doors are covered under warranty.

• Long-term protection: Professional installation provides long-term protection, covering you in case a faulty frame or door mechanism causes problems.
• No surprise repair costs: Without a warranty, repairs or replacements down the road can get pricey. The professional installation covers those costs.

When to Call in the Pros: Knowing Your Limits

Even the most ardent do-it-yourselfers know when to throw up their hands and turn the job over to someone else. And, often, considering window installations and exterior doors, playing it safe is better than being sorry. A professional installer handles obstacles like framing a wall that’s not perfectly square. Proper insulation will ensure your doors are insulated to keep your home warm during frigid Canadian winters.

4 Signs You Should Call a Pro:

1. Unsquare frames or walls: If your home’s structure isn’t exactly square, a pro will handle the needed adjustments to achieve that perfect fit.
2. High-end products: If you invest in high-end steel doors or custom fiberglass doors, you surely want to make sure they’re installed right.
3. Multiple installations involved: While the installation of one door might appear manageable, the replacement of a number of windows or patio doors could add up expeditiously in time and effort.
4. Energy Efficiency Concerns: If one of your primary upgrade reasons is to save on energy bills, then it’s worth making sure the installation is done right to get full value.

Let’s install your doors and windows perfectly!

Alright, let’s get real-skipping the pros to replace your windows and doors is just one of those DIY projects that seems plausible. But with everything we’ve talked about so far, some things are just better left to the pros. Do you want to be stuck with a door that doesn’t close properly in the dead of a Canadian winter? Nope. Not worth it, eh?

Here is the bottom line: at Luma Doors + Windows, we don’t just sell you doors or windows; we make sure they’re installed perfectly so you can enjoy the benefits of lower energy bills, no drafts, and a smooth finish. We’ve got factory-direct products that you can fully customize to suit your style, colour choices, and glass inserts!-and our licensed pros will get everything done right the first time. Plus, there is no need to be concerned about any warranty issues; ours has got you covered.

So, avoid the headache of a ‘do it yourself’ job and let us do the heavy lifting. You will thank yourself at the end when your patio doors slide with ease, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. Ready to begin? Give us a call today and let’s get that upgrade going in a smooth, no-worries fashion!