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Modern Windows craft vinyl windows in our state-of-the-art factory, based in Powell River, BC. Our vinyl windows feature a lifetime finish, extreme wind load strength, and special features to reduce and eliminate condensation. Vinyl windows are a cost-effective option for new home construction and home renovations, offering durability and an extremely high energy efficiency rating.
Renovating? Ask about our vinyl window installation services. Update the look of your home and save on your energy bill! We provide window installation services in Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast, Powell River, and on Vancouver Island.
Modern offers a wide range of window styles and hardware options including Roto hardware, multipoint locks, and cam locks. Choose from small vinyl awning window styles to large horizontal slider vinyl windows. Standard window colours are white and tan (beige), however you can choose a custom vinyl paint when purchasing any of our vinyl windows. So no matter which window style you prefer, they’ll look and operate just the way you want.
Modern windows are locally manufactured in our state of the art factory in Powell River, BC
Let the light shine down and turn that dark space into a positive space with newfound energy. Columbia’s Skylights come in a variety of sizes, opening and non-opening models. Have a small space but looking for some big light? Suntubes are a fantastic space-saving product that offers exponential increases in daylight.
Frequently asked questions about renovation aluminum windows and the differences between vinyl windows and aluminum windows.
A nail-on window utilizes a nailing fin (trim that runs around the perimeter of the window) to attach the window to the framing of the home. The new window is situated into the rough opening and nailed into place through the fin.
A renovation window typically uses a “flange” vs a “fin” to bridge the gap between the home and the new window that is typically inserted overtop of the old aluminum window. An adhesive caulking is added to the backside of this flange in order to create an air and water tight seal.
North American Fenestration System (NAFS) In layman’s terms NAFS is the standard and performance grading system used with windows and doors. NAFS not only takes the actual window or door into consideration but is also specific to the geographical area. In other words, the NAFS standards for windows in Courtenay, BC is different than that of Powell River, BC.
A more thorough description follows. As these standards are specific to your geographical area, please contact Modern for further clarification.Modern’s windows are NAFS certified for all of Vancouver Island, Powell River, the Sunshine Coast and the Lower Mainland.
Effective January 1, 2014 for buildings constructed under Part 9 of the 2012 BC Building Code, any windows, doors and skylights must be selected and installed in accordance with NAFS (North American Fenestration Standard) as well as A440S1-09 Canadian Supplement to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights.
As per subsection 9.7.4.3.(1), of BCBC 2012, the performance grade of a window, door, or skylight must meet or exceed the minimum performance grade for the geographical area as determined utilizing the Canadian Supplement. It is required that the designer, architect, contractor, or homeowner indicate on the permit drawings the selected performance grade, as well as the water penetration resistance test pressure for the window, door, or skylight.
To ensure compliance, installed windows, doors, and skylights must have a temporary label and permanent label from the manufacturer, affixed to the product to confirm the standard. Canadian labeling requirements are identified in the Canadian Supplement section 6.4 which require a permanent label. Please see below for a sample labeling from a certification agency.
Modern’s windows are NAFS certified for all of Vancouver Island, Powell River, the Sunshine Coast and the Lower Mainland. Please contact Modern for specific ratings and details, as these are specific to windows and opening styles.
Argon is a gas that is heavier than air and assists with the slowing down of heat transfer. Its placed between the layers of glass. Argon helps lower U-Value.
Low-emittance (lowE) coatings are virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers added to glass assist with lowering the U-Value. In general terms LowE keeps your home cooler in summer and warmer in the winter. Modern currently uses Solarban 60 (Soft Coat) and Sungate 500 (Hard Coat – Northern Series) as its two options for LowE.
LowE – Soft Coat vs. Hard Coat: There are many types of Soft and Hard Coat options on the market – each with its own unique ratings and pros and cons. Soft Coat lets less heat in but less heat out (typical in the West) as it acts as a thermal mirror reflecting heat back into the home. Conversely, in the summer Soft Coat allows for less heat to enter the home then Hard Coat, therefore keeping it cooler.
Hard Coat let’s more heat in but also let’s more heat out. Typical in Manitoba and Alberta, Northern Ontario Hard Coat looks to maximize solar heat gain. In the summer, homes with Hard Coat may require additional air conditioning as it will let more heat in.
As a general theory, HVAC units or heat pumps are typically used in combination with Soft Coat as Soft Coat keeps the overall temperature of the home/commercial building more balanced and stabilized compared to the HVAC unit having to compensate for larger hot/cold swings if Hard Coat was used. A good approach is to apply Hard Coat to windows on the sun-facing side of the home and Soft Coat on the shady sides of the home. This maximizes heat coming into the home and slows down its escape.
Windows with Soft Coat Low E (79% reduction) provide a greater reduction in UV than Hard Coat Low E (51% reduction).
Modern Windows are made with Super Spacer Technology. We call it TrueWarm because Super Spacer is the world’s only 100% polymer foam. Super Spacer’s NO-Metal formula blocks the heat escape path and provides one of the best thermal performances in the industry. That means it keeps the heat in during the winter months and keeps the cool in during the summer months. Super Spacer assures comfortable winter humidity levels with hardly any worries about condensation and mould.
Our Soft Coat windows have a better UValue and a lower ER than our Hard Coat (Northern Series) windows as Soft Coat is better at keeping the heat in the home but lets less heat in the home than Hard Coat. Conversely, our Hard Coat windows have a higher ER as they are better at letting more heat in the home but a weaker UValue as they let more heat out than Soft Coat.
Short answer, yes. Suntubes are a very effective way of providing natural light. The reflective lining of the tube itself amplifies light into a room and its amazing that a small diameter can provide so much light.
Modern offers a 20 year warranty on the window frame, 10 years on glass and 2 years on parts and labour. Click here for more details.
Just like anything else, there are pros and cons. The use of gaskets in combination with hinges and clasps allows for a tighter seal. However, because there is more engineering involved and more moving parts in a casement window, they do tend to cost slightly more than a vinyl sliding window.
Vinyl Sliding windows (Horizontal or Vertical Sliding Windows) are a very cost-effective window and very popular here on Vancouver Island, Powell River, and the Sunshine Coast due to our temperate climate. In addition, the opening of the window takes up no space and they make cleaning extremely easy. Consider vinyl sliders for those windows that face your deck as they avoid frames protruding into your deck area that people may bump into.
Here’s a list of other things to look out for:
1. Seeing an actual window or corner sample: Corner samples will show the inner structure of the window including the number of chambers, the thickness of the vinyl, and the cross-section of the infrastructure. Many thinner profiled windows offer a sleeker profile however lack strength, durability, and insulating properties as they are not as robust as they should be. Modern’s Exterior Experts always have corner samples for you to inspect and will always walk you through some of the key features of our windows.
2. Parts: The mechanical parts and aspects of a window are some of the corners of the first place are cut. Plastic wheels on slider windows are a prime example of this. It’s not long before plastic wheels become more square than round resulting in windows sticking and not gliding as they should. Modern use dual brass rollers in all its windows to ensure smooth gliding action and rust-free operation.
3. Glass: There is a great deal to know about the glass or glazing options in windows. Modern manufactures its own sealed units (double panes of glass with foam spacer that is inserted into the frame) and uses a desiccant-filled foam spacer that reduces condensation and insulates.
4. Frame: Not all vinyl window frames (extrusions) are created equal. As discussed above, there are many lighter-weight, thinner profiled frames on the market that were most likely built for southern climates. Modern combines high-quality virgin vinyl with up to 15% recycled vinyl in its window frames. All frames are fully welded using a 4-point welder that simultaneously welds all 4 corners together. Besides adding strength and water tightness to the window, it also ensures the window is perfectly square, making installation easier. Triple Fin weather stripping adds extra insulation and air tightness to all Modern’s Windows.
5. Installation: All the engineering and quality manufacturing in the world will not help your home become more energy efficient if a window is not installed properly. Modern employs our own installers or uses reputable experienced contractors to ensure that your windows are properly installed. Modern made, Modern installed, and with a Modern warranty. If there is an issue with a window there’s only one number to call.
Whether you’re a building contractor or building your own home, Modern offers specialty pricing for supply only projects requiring NAFS approved vinyl windows or aluminum windows. New construction windows can be delivered directly from our factory in Powell River, BC to your building site on Vancouver Island, Powell River, or the Sunshine Coast.
In addition, Modern also supplies and delivers aluminum railings, Duradek vinyl decking, siding, soffits, gutters, patio covers, garage doors, patio doors, and entry doors for your building project. We supply smartly designed windows with custom sizing to offer you the flexibility required for any new build. Whether you’re building a single residential home or a large property development; contact the professionals at Modern for a quote.
Up to 35% of your home’s heat loss can be attributed to old wood or old aluminum windows. New Modern vinyl windows are the perfect replacement window for your home. Modern Windows can quickly and easily convert and renovate old wood or aluminum windows into brand new vinyl windows
With literally thousands of vinyl window renovation projects under our belt, our experienced sales team can answer any questions you have about window styles, pricing, and energy efficiency. Our professional window installers go out of their way to ensure your upgrade to energy efficient windows is worry free with as little disruption to you and your family as possible.
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In addition to providing a cost effective solution for your window renovations, we also offer a multitude of opening styles (casement, awnings and sliders) and 2 installation methods to best suit your needs.