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A Storm Tite storm door installed in a back utility doorway in Winnipeg. The storm door is white with a large window.

The Front Door vs. The Back Door: Do You Need a Storm Door?

January 23, 2026/in Doors /by os-hitech

When you order a beautiful, custom-painted entry door, the next question is often: “Do I cover it up with a storm door?”

In the past, with drafty wood doors, storm doors were a mandatory second layer of defence against the cold. But with modern high-performance fibreglass doors, they are no longer required for insulation.

So, do you need one? The answer depends on which door we are talking about. In most Winnipeg homes, the front door and the back (or side) door have very different jobs.

Learn More: Custom Entry Doors

The Front Door: The Showpiece

Your front door is all about curb appeal and first impressions. It’s where you greet guests, but for many families, it’s not the door used daily.

Why You Might SKIP the Storm Door Here:

Hide the Beauty: You just spent time selecting a stunning “Iron Ore” or “Commercial Brown” custom paint job and decorative glass. A storm door creates reflections and frames that hide that investment.
Convenience: Opening two doors to greet a guest can be a hassle.

The Back Door: The Workhorse

This is the family entrance. It’s the door you use for groceries, letting the dog out, accessing the BBQ, and running to the garage. It takes a beating.

Why You WANT a Storm Door Here:

Ventilation: This is the big one. A storm door with a retractable screen turns your back door into a giant window. In spring and summer, you can leave the main door open to catch a cross-breeze while keeping bugs out.
The “Pet Barrier”: If you have a dog that scratches at the door to go out, a storm door takes the abuse instead of your main door’s finish.
Extra Protection: Since this door often faces the backyard or driveway (where snow might drift or rain might drive harder), a storm door acts as a mudroom shield, keeping the main sill cleaner.

The Hi-Tech Recommendation

For the Front
Show it off. A new Hi-Tech fibreglass front door is designed to handle Winnipeg winters on its own, so most homeowners choose to skip a storm door here and let the decorative glass and custom colour be fully visible. However, suppose your front entrance is very exposed to wind, or you prefer to keep the main door open for light while keeping a barrier closed. In that case, a well-vented, high-visibility storm door can still be a good option, provided sun exposure and heat buildup are carefully considered.

For the Back
Add utility. A storm door at the back or side entrance provides ventilation, protection from pets, and an extra buffer against snow and rain, where your family actually comes and goes most often.

Looking for the perfect combo? We can help you decide where a storm door makes sense and match the storm door frame to your new entry door for a seamless look across your home’s entrances. Ask about our current program and see how you qualify for 50% off a Storm‑Tite storm door when you purchase a new Hi‑Tech entry system.

50% Off Storm-Tite Storm Door Program

A custom-painted fibreglass entry door, installed in Winnipeg by High-Tech Energy Windows & Doors. The door has an elliptical transom above it, a large decorative glass window, and matching decorative glass sidelights on either side of the door.

How to Choose the Right Entry Door for Winnipeg Winters

January 13, 2026/in Doors /by os-hitech

If you live in Winnipeg or anywhere across Manitoba, you know how punishing our winters can be. Your entry door is more than curb appeal; it’s your first defence against drafts, energy loss, and bitter wind chills. Older wood and steel doors often warp, rust, or shift over time, becoming weak points in your building envelope. When you’re ready to upgrade, it’s worth investing in a door system engineered specifically for our climate and custom-built to fit your home.

Beyond Steel: Why Hi-Tech’s Custom Fibreglass Doors Are in a Different League

While many steel-insulated entry doors offer affordability, they’re limited in performance and customization. Most include a metal skin that becomes cold to the touch in winter and can easily dent or rust with age. Their frames are typically primed, finger-jointed wood, and often require on-site modifications during installation due to fixed jamb widths.
Hi-Tech’s fibreglass door systems solve these problems with material advantages from the inside out:

Fibreglass Slabs with Composite Perimeter: Each panel includes composite stiles that wrap the door edges, where most warping starts. Unlike steel or wood, this perimeter won’t rot or swell.
Full-Length Solid Wood Core: While many doors only reinforce the lock area, Hi-Tech installs a continuous vertical wood block inside the fibreglass panel, providing solid backing for upgraded hardware and locksets.
Multi-Point Locking Compatibility: That solid core allows us to offer optional multi-point locking systems that seal the door evenly from top to bottom, beneficial during extreme freeze-thaw cycles.
Pre-Finished Panels: Unlike many big box fibreglass doors that arrive raw and require painting on site, Hi-Tech’s door panels arrive maintenance-free, ready to install.
Custom Paint Options Without Maintenance Worries: Want a custom colour? We can factory-paint the slab, frame, brickmould, and trim to match your home. Whether you choose a subtle shade or bold contrast, your door will stay vibrant and low-maintenance for years.

All-Composite Door Frame: Built to Fit, Built to Last

Our door frames are built entirely from solid composite, not primed wood. That includes the door jamb, brickmould, mullions, and threshold components.
Key benefits:

Custom Width Jambs and Brickmoulds: Every frame is measured and manufactured to fit your opening precisely, avoiding on-site patching or filler strips.
Composite Reinforced Aluminum Sill: The threshold is designed to resist rot, moisture, and shifting, which is key for Manitoba freeze-thaw cycles.
Dent-Resistant and Weather-Stable: The entire system resists physical damage and warping, even after years of snow, ice, and subzero exposure.

Compared to a steel door from a big-box store, often featuring a wood-core panel, a fixed-size jamb, and a primed wood frame, Hi-Tech’s fully integrated fibreglass system is a significant upgrade in every category.

Decorative Glass and Panel Options: Designed for Your Style

Hi-Tech offers a wide variety of panel styles and decorative glass inserts to suit your home’s character and your personal taste. Whether you’re going for a classic look or something sleek and modern, we help you find the right combination of glass, panel detailing, and finishing touches.

Panel Styles Available:

Traditional raised panel with window caming
Craftsman and shaker layouts
Modern flush panels with minimalist accents

Glass Lite Options:

Clear, frosted, or textured
Decorative privacy patterns
Internal blinds available on request

From bold to understated, Hi-Tech doors can be tailored to match any front or back entry. For homeowners searching for fibreglass doors or custom entry doors in Winnipeg, these flexible options make Hi-Tech a smart local choice.

Door Configurations: Entry Systems That Fit Your Home

Not every home needs a single door. We manufacture a range of custom entry door configurations designed to match your layout and enhance your curb appeal:

Single Entry Door: Clean and classic, ideal for most front entries
Door with Sidelight: Adds natural light while keeping privacy intact
Double Door: Grand entrances for wide openings or accessibility
Sidelight-Door-Sidelight: Balanced light and symmetry for character homes
Transom Windows: Installed above your door for added light and architectural detail
Rake head Windows: Perfect for peaked or angled frames, often found in custom homes or additions

Every configuration is custom-built at the factory to fit your opening, no in-field patchwork or retrofitting required. Whether you’re replacing a builder-grade door or upgrading to an energy-efficient front door, Hi-Tech offers solutions that work for Manitoba homes.

Dual-Stage Weather Stripping: Defend Against Drafts All Year

Most older doors rely on a single line of weather stripping. That may work until the seasons shift and your home’s structure moves slightly, creating small gaps.
Hi-Tech entry systems use dual-stage weather stripping to create two points of contact along the frame. This ensures:

Better draft protection in extreme cold
Reduced air leakage over time
Greater comfort and energy efficiency in high-wind conditions

It’s a significant step up from what’s offered in most pre-hung doors off the shelf.

Precision Installation: Because Fit Is Everything

Even the best door system will underperform if it’s not installed properly. Poorly placed shims, out-of-square frames, or loose thresholds can undermine insulation, reduce security, and lead to early wear.
Hi-Tech installation includes:

Proper shimming and squaring to prevent sagging
Full perimeter foam insulation between frame and wall
Sealed sill and threshold for moisture resistance
Integrated trim and brickmould for a seamless finish

Every Hi-Tech install is handled by skilled professionals who understand how to seal out Manitoba’s worst weather. It’s how we deliver consistent results for entry door replacement in Manitoba and the surrounding areas.

Lifetime Transferable Warranty: Built to Last Generations

When you choose a Hi-Tech entry door system, you’re investing in long-term performance. Every door is backed by a lifetime transferable warranty, protecting your purchase and increasing your home’s resale appeal.
You’ll never have to wonder if your new door is up to the challenge of another Prairie winter.

Upgrade Your Entry Door for Winnipeg Winters

Don’t just settle for a primed frame and a hollow steel slab from the box store. A Hi-Tech fibreglass entry system is engineered, customized, and installed to perform year-round in Manitoba’s demanding climate.

With factory-finished fibreglass panels, full composite frames, dual-stage weatherstripping, and optional multi-point locks, our doors offer more than energy savings; they deliver confidence.

Contact Hi-Tech today to schedule your free in-home consultation.

Get Your Quote

A replacement bay window custom-made and installed on a Winnipeg house by Hi-Tech.

How a Bay Window is Manufactured

October 6, 2025/in Windows /by os-hitech

A bay or bow window is more than just a style upgrade; it’s an architectural feature that changes the way a room feels, looks, and performs. Unlike a standard full-frame window, a bay projects outward from the wall, combining multiple window units into one seamless structure.

At Hi-Tech Energy Windows & Doors, we don’t piece together bay windows onsite. Every bay and bow window we install is designed, built, and assembled as a complete unit in our Winnipeg manufacturing facility. That means stronger performance, better insulation, and the confidence of our Lifetime Transferable Warranty , which provides protection that stays with the home, even if you sell it.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how bay windows are constructed in the factory, and why Hi-Tech’s process stands apart.

Step 1: Measuring and Designing the Bay Window

Every bay or bow window starts with an accurate measurement of the existing opening:

Overall width and height of the opening.
Projection depth, which determines how far the window will extend outward.
Angles of the unit, calculated from those dimensions.

These details drive the design, ensuring the final window fits seamlessly into the home.

From here, we determine the number of window faces: a classic three-panel bay (one fixed center, two angled sides) or a four-plus-panel bow with a graceful curve.

Step 2: What Bay Windows Are Made Of

Each face of the bay window is manufactured as an individual box unit. These can be:

Fixed units for a wide, unobstructed view.

Operable casement units for ventilation.

Hi-Tech manufactures two different window lines, both designed for Manitoba’s extreme climate. Units are built from maintenance-free PVC and composite materials, ensuring durability with no risk of rot or warping.

Once the box units are built, they’re ready to be joined into the larger frame.

Step 3: How Bay Windows Are Constructed in the Factory

This is where Hi-Tech’s process stands apart. Instead of shipping loose box units to the jobsite, we build a complete bay window system in the factory.

The box units are set into a custom frame designed for the opening.

At each corner joint, we apply minimal expansion spray foam insulation to seal the gaps.

Once the foam cures, corner caps are installed to secure and finish the joint.

The frame includes an integral brick mould that is sized to the exact opening, protecting against moisture and ensuring a clean exterior finish.

This ensures the bay window leaves the factory as one solid, insulated structure, not a collection of parts.

Step 4: Exterior and Interior Finishes

The finishing details are built into the unit itself:

Exterior brick mould is integral to the frame, not a site-made add-on. It’s sized to the exact opening and protects against water intrusion.

Interior jamb extensions are added when needed, trimmed to fit flush with the home’s interior wall.

Trim details are completed in the factory, giving the window a clean, finished look from the day it arrives.

Step 5: Insulation, Energy Efficiency, and Weatherproofing

Are bay windows energy efficient? Yes, when built properly. Hi-Tech bay windows are designed with Manitoba’s climate in mind:

Spray foam insulation between box units (sealed with corner caps).

Insulated head and seat boards, protecting the top and bottom of the projection.

Brickmould and frame seals, keeping air and moisture out.

Older bays can be drafty, but Hi-Tech’s factory-built units meet Energy Star® standards, helping reduce heat loss and lower energy bills.

Step 6: Quality Control and Assembly

Every Hi-Tech bay window undergoes a full quality inspection before leaving the factory:

Frames and joints are checked for strength and insulation.

Exterior finishes are inspected for precision.

Glass packages are reviewed for Energy Star® performance.

Once approved, the complete unit is packaged and shipped to the home for installation.

Step 7: Installation in the Home

Because the bay arrives as a factory-built product, installation is faster, cleaner, and more reliable:

The window is placed directly into the prepared opening.

Brickmould and jamb extensions fit seamlessly into the structure.

The installation team seals and insulates the perimeter, integrating the bay into the wall.

Unlike onsite assembly, this method avoids inconsistencies, reduces installation time, and ensures the performance of the factory-built system.

Our Lifetime Transferable Warranty: Coverage That Stands Apart

A bay window is a significant investment, and warranties matter. At Hi-Tech Energy Windows & Doors, we back every bay and bow window with our Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Complete coverage — the entire unit (frame, glass, brickmould, jamb extensions, finishes) is covered, not just individual parts.

Transferable protection — if you sell your home, the warranty passes to the next homeowner, adding resale value.

One point of accountability — because the window is manufactured as a complete product, coverage isn’t split between product and installation.

Homeowners need to understand the difference between factory-built, custom-fit full-frame windows and onsite-assembled bay windows. While some companies may assemble bays from individual box units on the jobsite, not all components may be covered the same way. Asking the right questions about what is covered under product warranty vs. install warranty is critical.

Learn more about our Lifetime Transferable Warranty

Why Hi-Tech’s Bay Windows Are Different

Built in Winnipeg — not shipped in or cobbled together onsite.

Factory-assembled as a complete, insulated unit.

Integral finishes like brickmould and jambs built into the design.

Maintenance-free PVC and composite materials for long-term durability.

Insulation at every joint with spray foam and capped corners.

Lifetime Transferable Warranty that covers the entire unit and follows the home.

Closing Thoughts

A bay or bow window is a major investment in your home’s comfort, efficiency, and curb appeal. When you choose Hi-Tech Energy Windows & Doors, you’re not just getting a window; you’re getting a complete system, manufactured and assembled locally to perform for decades in Manitoba’s climate.

Don’t settle for a window that’s pieced together onsite. Choose Hi-Tech, and get the confidence of a factory-built product backed by Manitoba’s only Lifetime Transferable Warranty.

Call Hi-Tech Energy Windows & Doors today to schedule your free consultation.

Exterior view of a custom bay window installed by Hi-Tech in Winnipeg's Charleswood neighbourhood. The window has one large pane of glass in the centre and two smaller angled panes on each side.

Bay vs. Bow Windows: Everything Winnipeg Homeowners Need to Know

September 10, 2025/in Windows /by os-hitech

A custom bay window installed on a home in Winnipeg’s Charleswood neighbourhood.

Replacing a bay or bow window isn’t your average upgrade; it’s a craft that requires precision, experience, and the ability to retrofit multiple frames into one seamless unit. At Hi-Tech Energy Windows & Doors, about 95% of the bay and bow windows we build are fully custom replacements, designed to fit your home’s existing opening perfectly.

These windows aren’t just about style; they’re about creating more light, comfort, and value in your home.

Why Bay and Bow Windows Are Special

Bay and bow windows are more than just a design choice; they’re architectural features that add beauty and character both inside and out.

Bay windows are typically built with three panels that extend outward in a more angular projection, perfect for cozy nooks or reading spaces.
Bow windows feature four or more panels in a gentle curve, offering panoramic views and a softer, more traditional look.

Both styles flood your home with natural light, create the illusion of more space, and boost curb appeal, making them a timeless upgrade.

Energy Efficiency in Manitoba’s Climate

Older bay and bow windows sometimes feel drafty, but today’s technology changes that. Hi-Tech custom windows are engineered to handle our province’s extreme cold, wind, and heat. Features include:

Triple-pane glass through our 3-for-2 Program (triple-pane comfort at dual-pane pricing).
Energy Star®–rated performance for year-round efficiency.
Durable frames and seals designed to prevent air leakage.

The result is a warmer, quieter, and more efficient home, even during Winnipeg’s harshest winters.

How Much Does a Bay or Bow Window Replacement Cost?

Because every replacement is custom-built, there’s no flat price. Instead, costs are shaped by:

The size and projection depth of your current opening.
Glass type: dual-pane vs. triple-pane.
Exterior finishes and interior trim that match your home.
The condition of your existing frame or wall (reinforcement may be needed).

Replacing a bay or bow window is more complex than swapping out a single unit, but the investment pays back with:

A precise, insulated fit for maximum comfort.
Modern energy performance that lowers bills.
Long-lasting curb appeal and resale value.

Hi-Tech offers free consultations at your home or in our showroom, so you’ll know exactly what your replacement will cost with no surprises.

Built in Winnipeg. Installed With Care.

When you choose Hi-Tech Energy Windows & Doors, you’re choosing:

Locally manufactured products made on Erin Street in Winnipeg.
Custom fit; not imported, one-size-fits-all sets.
Materials engineered specifically for Manitoba’s climate.
Expert installation by a trusted local team.

Your home deserves more than a boxed solution. We’ll create a custom bay or bow window that’s beautiful, durable, and built to perform for years to come.

Longevity and Warranty

A custom bay or bow window isn’t just a purchase; it’s a long-term investment. With Hi-Tech, you get:

Proven performance in Manitoba’s climate.
A lifetime warranty on every window we manufacture.
Peace of mind that your upgrade will last for decades.

Do Bay and Bow Windows Add Value to a Home?

Yes. Bay and bow windows don’t just enhance comfort; they elevate your home’s overall appeal. They:

Instantly boost curb appeal.
Add light-filled, spacious interiors.
Attract buyers who value both style and efficiency.

Many Hi-Tech customers tell us their new bay or bow window has become the focal point of their living spaces.

Ready to Transform Your Home?

If your current bay or bow window is drafty, outdated, or simply ready for a refresh, there’s never been a better time to explore a replacement. Your home deserves a window that fits perfectly, performs in Manitoba’s climate, and makes a statement inside and out. At Hi-Tech Energy Windows & Doors, we’ll make it happen.

Book a free consultation to explore your options.

Learn More About Custom Bay & Bow Windows