We don’t often install windows—at least not yet. But every once in a while, a project comes along that makes you reconsider what your company is capable of doing. This job, completed in early January 2022 in Old Toronto for our friends at Dark Horse Management, was one of those moments.
The project itself included a smooth fiberglass double door with full glass inserts and a multipoint lock, paired with a fairly large casement window installation. While door installations are our bread and butter at Lusso Design, windows had always been something we approached cautiously. Not because we couldn’t do them, but because we wanted to make sure we could execute them at the same level of quality and precision that we apply to our doors.
Learning the Right Way to Install Windows
Before this job, I had installed a couple of windows here and there, but this was the first time I approached the process with a full understanding of the theory behind proper window installation techniques. Over the years, I’ve had countless conversations with colleagues in the industry and spent plenty of time studying installation methods, waterproofing systems, and building envelope best practices.
This project was the first real opportunity to apply all of that knowledge in a practical setting.
The installation followed a very by-the-book approach:
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A properly prepared sloped sill to direct water away from the structure
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A complete waterproofing wrap inside the opening cavity
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Correct placement of fasteners and structural shims
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Two layers of spray foam insulation to ensure proper air sealing
We paid careful attention to every step to make sure the window would perform well long-term, especially given the challenges of installing new windows in older Toronto homes.
Taking the Time to Do It Right
The truth is, the job took longer than it probably should have. When you’re trying something slightly outside your usual routine, it’s natural to move slower. Every measurement is double-checked. Every step is deliberate.
But that extra time also gave us confidence. By the time we finished the project, it became clear that window installation wasn’t as foreign to our skill set as we originally thought.
In fact, the experience showed us that with a bit more practice, we could become quite efficient at it.
Building Confidence for Future Projects
That prediction ended up proving true. About a year and a half later, during the summer of 2023, we completed another window installation for our friends at Intrinsic Design + Build. By then, the process felt much more natural, and we were able to execute the work far more efficiently while maintaining the same attention to detail.
Sometimes it just takes that first project to break through a mental barrier.
Looking Ahead
Trying new things is one of the best ways to grow as a company. This project reminded me that expanding our skill set doesn’t always require a massive leap—sometimes it starts with a single job that pushes you slightly outside your comfort zone.
Who knows? Maybe 2024 will be the year Lusso Design starts taking on more window installations alongside our custom door projects.
Anything is possible.