Window Replacement in Laval: Neighbourhoods and Planning

Window replacement in Laval often looks different from one neighbourhood to the next. The island grew in waves, from the older streets of Pont-Viau and Laval-des-Rapides to the bungalows of Duvernay and Vimont and the newer developments of Sainte-Dorothée and Fabreville. Each wave brought its own windows, doors and construction details. This guide walks you through the main housing styles you will find in Laval, the questions to ask for each one and how to plan the replacement of your windows and doors as a single, well-organized project.

Laval Housing Styles and Their Windows

Many Laval homes are single-family houses built in the second half of the twentieth century. Bungalows, split-levels and two-storey cottages dominate many streets, often with a brick or stone front and siding on the sides and back. Their original windows were typically aluminum sliders or early vinyl units, with a large living room window on the front and smaller openings in the bedrooms and the basement.

Duplexes, triplexes and low-rise condo buildings are common too, especially in the more central areas and near main roads and metro stations. Here, coordinating with co-owners or a syndicate is part of the project. More recent neighbourhoods have larger houses with bigger openings, patio doors leading to a deck and sometimes tall windows in a double-height living room.

Knowing what you have helps you anticipate the work. An original aluminum slider in a brick wall, a vinyl window from a previous renovation and a large window in a newer home do not raise the same questions about the frame, the finishing or the installation method.

• Bungalows: a large front window, bedroom sliders and basement windows at grade.
• Split-levels: windows on several levels, sometimes a bay or bow window at the front.
• Cottages: two storeys of openings, often with dormers or a front entry door with sidelights.
• Plexes and condos: shared walls, balconies and the rules of the syndicate.
• Newer homes: large openings, patio doors and tall living room windows.

Neighbourhood by Neighbourhood: What to Expect

Older areas close to the Rivière des Prairies, such as Pont-Viau, Laval-des-Rapides and parts of Chomedey, have many homes from the post-war decades. Original windows may still be in place, and the openings sometimes show signs of settling or past water infiltration that should be checked before choosing an installation method.

Neighbourhoods like Duvernay, Vimont, Auteuil and Fabreville are full of bungalows and split-levels that may already have had one round of window replacement. In these homes, the question is usually whether the previous frames are sound enough to keep or whether a full replacement of the opening is needed.

Along the Rivière des Mille Îles, in Sainte-Rose and Sainte-Dorothée, homes can be more exposed to wind off the water, and the older village cores have houses with more character to respect. Some streets may have specific rules for exterior changes, so it is always worth checking with the city before you choose a style or colour.

Window Replacement in Laval: What to Replace First

If you cannot or do not want to replace everything at once, start with the openings that cause the most discomfort or risk. Windows with failed sealed units, rotten frames or water stains around them should come first, because the damage around them can spread into the wall. Basement windows at grade are often in poor condition and are exposed to snow and meltwater.

Next come the windows that affect comfort the most: a large living room window that feels cold, bedroom windows that let in drafts or street noise, and windows on the sides of the house that take the brunt of the winter wind, often the north and west. Grouping windows by facade can also make sense, since it keeps the exterior look consistent.

Whatever the order, have every opening inspected at the start. A full picture of the house lets you plan phases logically and choose products that can be matched when the next phase is done.

• Openings with water damage, rot or failed sealed units
• Basement windows exposed to snow and meltwater
• Large living room windows and cold bedrooms
• North and west facades exposed to winter wind
• Windows on the front facade, grouped for a consistent look

Planning Doors Along With Your Windows

Doors are often forgotten in a window project, yet an old door can be one of the weakest points of the envelope. An old entry door that lets light through around the edges, or a patio door that frosts up along the bottom track, can undo much of the comfort gained with new windows. Looking at doors at the same time lets you match colours, hardware finishes and glass options across the whole house.

In many Laval bungalows and split-levels, the patio door leads to a backyard deck and gets heavy daily use. Our page on patio doors covers the main styles. For the front of the house, an exterior door with matching sidelights can change the look of the facade, especially when it is chosen together with the front windows.

Even if the doors are replaced later, measuring and discussing them during the first visit helps you keep the whole project coherent.

Permits, Condos and Approvals in Laval

Depending on the work and the address, replacing windows and doors may require a permit or other authorization from the City of Laval, especially when the size of an opening changes or when the work is in a sector with specific rules for exterior appearance. The requirements can change and depend on the address, so check with the city before signing a contract, and keep a copy of any permit or confirmation with your project documents.

In a condo building, the declaration of co-ownership defines who is responsible for the windows and who decides on the model, colour and contractor. Contact the syndicate early, since approvals can take time and some syndicates prefer to replace windows for the whole building in one project. When in doubt, ask a professional to help you prepare the request.

Choosing Windows and Doors That Suit Your Home

For most Laval homes, PVC windows with double glazing, a Low-E coating and argon gas are a solid base. Triple glazing can be worth considering for bedrooms facing a busy road, for walls exposed to wind off the river or simply for more comfort close to the glass. Casement and awning windows usually seal tightly, while sliders remain practical where a sash cannot open outward.

A front window can also be an opportunity. Many split-levels and cottages are a good fit for a bay or bow window, which adds light and a little interior space. Colours, grilles and trim details should suit the brick or siding of the house and, for plexes and townhouses, the neighbouring units.

• Glass: double or triple glazing, Low-E coating, argon and a warm-edge spacer.
• Opening type: casement, awning, slider or fixed, room by room.
• Look: exterior colour, grilles and trim matched to the facade.
• Doors: entry and patio doors chosen with the same colour and hardware finish.

Planning Your Laval Project With a Free Estimate

Once you have walked around the house with the list above, you will usually know which openings worry you most: a window with water stains, a basement window that lets in cold air, a patio door that frosts up. That is a good moment to call a professional, before the damage spreads and while you still have time to plan phases and approvals calmly. The cost of replacing windows and doors in Laval depends on the number and size of the openings, the products you choose, the installation method and the condition of the walls, so the simplest way to see clearly is to have each opening measured and inspected at home.

Unisson Groupe manufactures and installs windows and doors and serves homeowners in Laval and across Greater Montreal from its base in Saint-Laurent. Visit our page on windows and doors in Laval, then request a free in-home estimate to start planning.

Frequently Asked Questions