July 2019 - Muskoka Window and Door Centre

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Featured Product: Bigfoot Fixed Windows

Posted on July 8, 2019July 8, 2019 by Muskoka Window and Door Staff

Named after the imposing creature of legend, Ontario-based Bigfoot Door specializes in the design and manufacturing of exceptional XL and XXL architectural windows and doors. These large windows and doors have allowed countless cottage owners to get the absolute most out of their scenic views, without accompanying worries about sacrificing performance, privacy, or comfort. Muskoka Window and Door Centre is proud to work with Bigfoot – we are an official dealer of Bigfoot architectural window and door products.

Some of the most consistently impressive Bigfoot products are their fixed window units. Fixed windows are the best way to unlock the beauty of your surroundings while still being able to maintain your cottage’s energy efficiency. These windows are designed to perform to the highest standards in any weather conditions, making them a perfect year-round solution for the Muskoka climate.

Bigfoot Door – exceptional Canadian window and door products

Based in Mississauga, Ontario, Bigfoot Door has over 30 years of experience in the window and door industry, carving out a reputation for consistently high performance products. Bigfoot Door is a leader in designing custom XL and XXL window and door designs, creating the perfect products for your home, cottage, commercial property, or architectural project.

Bigfoot is a family run business, and has worked to create and maintain healthy relationships with suppliers throughout North America and Europe. The company holds itself to its mission and core values, ensuring that their window and door products are of the highest quality, and that industry standards are met with every project and customer undertaken. Whether you’re looking at a new build, or want to replace the windows or doors in your home or cottage, Bigfoot has you covered.

Bigfoot fixed windows – architectural grandeur in every room of your cottage

Fixed windows are a great way to frame your picturesque Muskoka views, increase your home’s energy efficiency, and allow plenty of natural light into your cottage – their practicality has led to fixed windows being a staple in millions of homes. Bigfoot fixed windows feature unrivaled architectural grandeur, letting you get a complete unobstructed view of your surroundings without sacrificing thermal efficiency or safety. Bigfoot fixed windows are available with both double and triple glazing, with a thermally insulated facade system faceted both inwards or outwards.

Not only are these fixed window units thermally efficient, but they add a great deal of aesthetic value to your home or cottage – these XL and XXL windows look sleek, and ensure that every room in your cottage will be bright and beautiful. Bigfoot fixed windows are handmade by a world class team of engineers renowned for their attention to detail, and ability to customize units to meet your style and performance preferences. These fixed windows are available in a variety of anodized and painted finish options, letting you match the rest of your home or cottage. These coatings are resistant to peeling, fading, and chipping, and protect your windows against environmental stresses like UV rays and dirt.

Muskoka Window and Door Centre is an official dealer of Bigfoot window and door products, including their fixed window units. For more information about Bigfoot fixed windows, as well as the full line of Muskoka Window & Door Centre’s high quality line of window and door products, visit our website or contact us today.

Featured Product: Euro Vinyl Tilt-Turn Windows and Doors

Posted on July 18, 2019July 18, 2019 by Muskoka Window and Door Staff

The team at Muskoka Window & Door Centre is always on the lookout for innovative window and door products that aim to change your cottage experience by offering superior performance, aesthetic beauty, and allow you to enjoy every season in the Muskoka region. Euro Vinyl Windows and Doors offers a line of high performance tilt-turn windows and doors that do all of the above, completely changing the way that Muskoka cottage owners view and interact with their surroundings.

Euro Vinyl – A mission to build the best possible window and door products

Since 1986, Euro Vinyl Windows & Doors has made it their mission to design and build the highest quality window and door products. Euro Vinyl is based out of Woodbridge, Ontario, and have become renowned for their unique tilt-turn window and door units, as well as their sliding doors, and casement and awning windows among other high quality products. Since the company’s inception, Euro Vinyl has been able to refine their entire line of products and consistently innovate.

The company is dedicated to making their high performance products available to homeowners everywhere, working directly with supply partners to ensure that products are brought to market at competitive prices. One of the elements that makes Euro Vinyl stand apart from other companies is that President and co-founder Christopher Meiorin continues to maintain a sales capacity, interacting with customers on both a personal and business level.

European-style tilt-turn windows add a distinguished touch to your cottage

If you’re looking to make a statement with your cottage windows, look no further than Euro Vinyl tilt-turn windows. Tilt-turn windows can be tilted inward at the top of the unit for enhanced ventilation, or can swing open inward for easy cleaning and improved access. Tilt-turn windows are one of the premier styles in Europe, adding a distinguished, yet practical, touch to any home or cottage.

Euro Vinyl tilt-turn windows have been shown to be more energy efficient than many other aluminum and clad windows, boasting U-Values up to 1.14, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) values of 0.21, and air infil/exfil levels of 0.1/0.1. Cottage owners need not worry about whether these tilt-turn windows will hold up to the Muskoka climate, they feature steel reinforcement and weather tightness that can hold up to even the harshest weather conditions.

Enjoy enhanced versatility and ventilation with Euro Vinyl tilt-turn doors

Euro Vinyl tilt-turn doors are the best way to enhance your view and make an aesthetic statement. These European style doors offered unmatched versatility – they can be tilted inwards for maximum ventilation, or treated as a swinging wall containing multiple doors. Euro Vinyl tilt-turn doors feature a multi-point locking system that keeps your cottage safe and secure, even in areas that were prone to bad weather. These high performance door units feature superior energy efficiency, sound insulation, and steel reinforcement that can withstand the elements and stand the test of time.
Muskoka Window and Door Centre is an official dealer of Euro Vinyl tilt-turn window and door products. For more information about Euro Vinyl windows and doors, as well as the full line of Muskoka Window & Door Centre’s high quality window and door products, visit our website or contact us today.

Mold Detection & Prevention at Your Muskoka Cottage

Posted on July 22, 2019July 21, 2019 by Muskoka Window and Door Staff

Mold is present wherever there’s moisture. Mold exposure can cause serious health complications in people who are sensitive or allergic to mold, or those who have pre-existing lung illnesses. Mold can also wreak havoc on your property, growing rapidly wherever moisture is present, including on windows, roofs, pipes, ceiling tiles, drywall, and many other areas. When mold makes its way into your home, it reduces indoor air quality, causes stains that are persistent and difficult to remove, and creates unpleasant odours. In order to avoid mold problems in your Muskoka cottage, it’s important to understand how to identify that you have a mold problem, and know how you can prevent them from occurring.

How to tell if your cottage has a mold problem

Despite the potential health problems, staining and odor caused by mold problems, it can be difficult to detect mold in your cottage – especially because mold isn’t always immediately apparent. If you’re trying to detect mold around your cottage, you’ll want to begin with damp areas such as leaky windows, basements, carpeting, and drywall that has been exposed to moisture.

The most telling sign of mold is the staining that is often present with mold outbreaks. Mold will often contain dark blooms on or around windows, walls, and furniture, leaving a dark stain that few surfaces are immune to. Mold will often carry with it a distinct musty or earthy smell, helping you narrow down where the problem is coming from. If water damage has affected walls, window sills, or other areas where paint exists, it will cause cracking, blistering, or peeling, and cause drywall to “bulge” out or appear warped – mold will often be found underneath or around this water damage.

Remember that whenever you’re dealing with mold, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Take the proper precautions, even if you aren’t allergic or sensitive to mold. Wear gloves, masks, and gloves whenever working to protect yourself.

What to do to prevent mold in your Muskoka cottage

The most effective way to prevent mold from growing and spreading in your cottage is to take control of the indoor humidity and airflow in your property. This can be done by using dehumidifiers and fans, or simply by keeping your windows open – ventilation is especially important with bathrooms, laundry rooms, or any room with a source of running water or where laundry is hung to dry.

In addition to controlling humidity, it’s critical to prevent water from entering your home. You can do this by ensuring that your gutters are maintained and cleaned regularly, and that snow is shovelled away from your cottage, especially during the later winter months. Ensuring that the ground around your cottage slopes away from its foundation is also important, as it’ll keep rainfall and snowmelt from entering your property through its foundation. Eliminating leaks caused by old and damaged windows and doors is crucial, as is ensuring that the weather stripping around windows and doors is replaced when it begins to look worn.

It goes without saying that wet feet are almost always going to be a presence in a cottage, so removing any carpeting and replacing it with hardwood flooring is a good idea for long-term mold prevention; plus it makes your cottage easier to maintain. Who wants to vacuum at the cottage?

Mold can wreak havoc on window and door frames, causing them to break down and creating unsightly stains. The team at Muskoka Window & Door Centre has years of experience in dealing with windows and doors being affected by mold problems. If you think that your windows or doors have been damaged by mold, contact us today for an assessment and advice on the best course of action.

For more information about Muskoka Window & Door Centre’s high quality line of window and door products, visit our website.

The Enduring Popularity of Boathouses in Muskoka

Posted on July 30, 2019July 30, 2019 by Muskoka Window and Door Staff

Boathouses have become a major part of the Muskoka shoreline – these prominent structures often rival the size and style of the main cottage, housing boats and watercraft of all types. The popularity of boathouses in the region has endured since cottagers have been making their way to Muskoka, becoming more grandiose and iconic over time. If you own a cottage in Muskoka or are looking into buying one, you may be thinking about investing in a boathouse to perfectly complement your property and add another beautiful structure to the Muskoka shoreline.

An iconic part of the Muskoka landscape
Many of Muskoka’s beautiful cottages feature prominent boathouses on their shores, creating a striking image for anybody new to the region. These pervasive structures have truly stood the test of time, with cottage owners being proud to show off their boathouses. Some owners have even gone as far as converting their boathouse into something far more versatile, with many spanning two stories – space for boats and watercraft on the first floor, and second-floor apartments that feature bedrooms, kitchen space, bathrooms, and living space.

Often, these lavish boathouses act as guesthouses for visitors or renters, giving guests the opportunity to experience accommodations that are truly unique to the Muskoka region. As time has passed, bylaws and regulations have changed throughout the region, limiting what cottage owners can do with their boathouses when looking to build or renovate.

What you need to be aware of when building or renovating your boathouse
Bylaws regarding boathouses vary throughout the Muskoka region – this can get very confusing, as different municipalities situated on the same lake will feature different regulations. Some areas like Huntsville, Bracebridge, and Gravenhurst allow for one story boathouses. Areas like Muskoka Lakes Township allow for boathouses to be built with living quarters on the second floor, but Muskoka Lakes is currently the only municipality in the Muskoka region that allows sleeping quarters to be featured in boathouses. Cottagers living on Lake Muskoka, Lake Joseph, and Lake Rosseau are permitted to build boathouses up to two stories high.

In Bracebridge, boathouses are allowed up to 15 meters from the shoreline, with Gravenhurst requiring that three quarters of the shoreline remain in its natural state. If you have a boathouse that doesn’t fit the established bylaws in your area, you may be grandfathered in due to the previous regulations in your location. If in doubt, it’s never a bad idea to check with the bylaws in your town or municipality to ensure that you can build or renovate the boathouse of your dreams. Parks Canada also has a number of policies relating to the construction of boathouses.

Getting the right windows for your Muskoka boathouse
Cottagers who are lucky enough to have a beautiful boathouse on their property naturally want to frame the spectacular view from the boathouse. Large windows are the best way to accomplish this. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that your boathouse windows are in good shape in order to withstand the varying weather conditions of the Muskoka region.

Without the proper windows in your boathouse, you run the risk of letting moisture, pests, and the elements in, resulting in damages and creating an environment where mold will thrive. This can pose a safety hazard for anybody spending any significant amount of time in your boathouse, and will significantly reduce the lifespan of your boathouse. Remember to check for leaks and drafts in your windows, especially those situated in living spaces within your boathouse – this will allow you to tackle moisture and other problems proactively, and get the most out of your Muskoka property. For more information about Muskoka Window & Door Centre’s high-quality line of window and door products, visit our website or contact us today.

What to Do on a Rainy Day in Muskoka

Posted on July 11, 2019July 11, 2019 by Muskoka Window and Door Staff

Muskoka features hundreds of opportunities for you to spend quality time outdoors with your family and friends. Unfortunately, grey skies can appear from time to time, leaving plenty of cottage goers and locals unsure of how to spend their time; there are only so many board and card games you can play. Thankfully, Muskoka is home to a wide variety of fun, interesting, and informative indoor activities that will help you and your friends and family pass the time while you wait for sunny skies to return. Here are just a few of the things you can do in Muskoka when the weather turns sour.

Bring the kids out for a day full of fun
If you’re a parent, you might be wondering what you can do to get the kids out of the house before they get restless – there are plenty of child-friendly outings that are perfect for this exact situation. Parents of children 0-10 years old can take their little ones to The Play Pit in Bracebridge. The Play Pit, Muskoka’s Indoor Playground, is an unsupervised play facility that offers full day “play all day” packages for rainy days, as well as birthday party packages for special occasions. Kidzone at the Discovery Centre in Gravenhurst is another beloved Muskoka hotspot for the kids, offering up a hands-on, active, and multi-sensory experience for children of all ages. Your kids will be able to enjoy opportunities for interactive fun, learning, and a stimulating environment that encourages creativity and curiosity.

Brewery Tours
After you’ve found something fun for the kids to do, you’ll have time to take a load off and find a way to pass the time. Muskoka offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment in the form of brewery tours, playing host to three of Ontario’s most renowned breweries. Muskoka Brewery in Bracebridge offers free guided tours five times per week between the hours of 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM, where you’ll be able to take in the sights, sounds, and tastes of the brewery. Muskoka Brewery also regularly hosts live music throughout the afternoon and evening, giving you and your group a reason to stick around and have a beer or two.

Gravenhurst’s Sawdust City Brewing Co. also has tours available to the public every Saturday between 1:00 PM and 3:00, letting you get a glimpse behind the scenes to get the inside scoop on their beer-making process and how the brewery functions. Finally, Lake of Bays Brewing in Baysville offers tours of their impressive brewing facilities every Saturday between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM by appointment, and on Sunday’s by chance.

Bring your friends and family to an escape room
Escape rooms have become increasingly popular in recent years, taking you, your friends, and your family members to the limit as you attempt to solve puzzles, tackle problems and discover secrets in real time in order to escape from a themed room. Zig Zag Escape Rooms in Huntsville is the perfect way to spend a rainy day as a family or group of friends, creating fun memories that are sure to last and giving you an opportunity to finally find out what the craze is all about. Zig Zag currently offers two escape room scenarios titled “Sven’s Last Secret” and “The Artist is Missing”, each of which offers its own themes, secrets, codes, and of course, difficulty level.

Learn about the history of Muskoka
Muskoka has an extremely interesting history that goes underappreciated by far too many people. The Muskoka Lakes Museum in Port Carling is one of the best places to get in touch with the history of the region, offering up self-guided tours and group tours from May until October all week long – the museum is even open until 5:00 PM each day throughout July and August, making it the perfect rainy day destination. The museum features a full-size pioneer log cabin, the First Nations Gallery, a “Modern Inventions” room, a marine exhibit, and a resort room that resembles the lobby of a typical Muskoka resort from the early 20th century.

For more information about Muskoka Window & Door Centre’s high-quality line of window and door products, visit our website or contact us today.