Picture and fixed windows for light and view
A fixed window does not open, and everything follows from that. With no sash to move; there is no hardware to fail and no seal to compress, a fixed unit is permanently sealed, which makes it the tightest and least draughty window we build.
Limited lifetime warranty, transferable · Custom-built to your opening · Family owned and operated
Where picture windows suit a home
Fixed windows belong wherever the view matters more than the airflow, and wherever a neighbouring window already handles ventilation. The standard arrangement is a large fixed centre pane flanked by two operating casements: the middle gives you the uninterrupted view, the flankers give you the air.
They are also how you glaze the openings nobody can reach, the upper storey of a two-storey great room, the triangle above a stairwell, a transom over a garden door. There is no point paying for hardware on a window nobody will ever crank.
The two families differ in what they carry. Picture units are built on the slimmer slider profile for maximum glass; fixed casements use a structural frame that spans larger openings without needing a post.
Features
- Permanently sealed, no operating hardware and no compression seal to age
- Largest glass area per opening of any style we fit
- Slim-profile picture units maximise view; structural fixed casements span wider openings
- Combines directly with casement or awning flankers in a single mulled assembly
- Low-E and argon options across both families
Models we fit
| Model | Style | Description |
|---|---|---|
| F150 / FL150 | Picture window | Non-opening unit built for light; maximum glass area. |
| F125 | Ultra-slim picture window | Slimmest sightline in the collection, on a single-slider profile. |
| F175 / FL175 | Fixed casement | Structural frame that accommodates larger openings. |
How they compare
Against any operating window: a fixed unit costs less for the same glass area, seals better and lasts longer, but it will never ventilate. Building code also treats it differently, a fixed window cannot serve as bedroom egress, so at least one operating unit is required in a sleeping room.
Picture versus fixed casement: the picture unit shows more glass because the frame is slimmer; the fixed casement carries more load and suits a taller or wider opening. On a two-storey window wall we usually specify fixed casements below and picture units above.
Against architectural shapes: an arched or angled head is a fixed unit too, the shapes are simply fixed windows cut to a non-rectangular outline.
Are ENERGY STAR windows worth it in Ontario?
Yes, ENERGY STAR qualified windows are certified to perform in Canada's climate zones, and they make the biggest difference in older homes with single-pane or failed double-pane glass. Low-E coatings and argon fill cut radiant heat loss in winter and solar gain in summer. Comfort improves immediately, particularly the cold draft near seating placed against an exterior wall.
Why is there condensation on my new windows?
Condensation on the interior glass means the indoor humidity is higher than the glass surface temperature can support, not that the window has failed. New windows seal a house far more tightly than the ones they replace, so moisture that used to escape through leaks now stays inside. Running bathroom and kitchen fans and lowering the humidistat in cold weather resolves it. Moisture sealed between the panes is a different matter and is covered.
How long do vinyl windows last?
Quality vinyl windows last several decades in Ontario's climate. Vinyl does not rot, rust or need repainting, and the frames will not blister, peel or flake the way a painted finish does, so the practical limit is usually the sealed glass unit rather than the frame itself. Cleaning the frames and glass twice a year is all the upkeep they need.
Book your free in-home consultation
We measure every opening, talk through the options that suit your home, and give you a written quote. No pressure, no obligation.