Fixed Windows Ottawa
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Maximum glass, minimum cost. Fixed windows don’t open, which means more light, bigger views, and lower prices than operable windows. Pair them with casement or awning windows for ventilation and you get the best of both — huge windows where you want them, airflow where you need it.
Why Would You Want a Window That Doesn’t Open?
Here’s the point: moving parts add complexity, reduce glass area, and cost more. If you don’t need ventilation in a specific spot, a fixed window gives you more glass for less money while performing better thermally because there are no seals that can eventually fail from repeated opening and closing.
Fixed Casement Window
Think about your living room. You probably want a huge window facing the backyard for views and natural light. But do you actually need that specific window to open? Probably not — you need some windows in that room to open for airflow, but not necessarily the big showcase window. That’s where fixed windows make sense.
You install a large fixed window (also called a picture window) in the center for maximum glass area and views, then flank it with operable casement windows on each side for ventilation. You get the view, the light, and the airflow — just from different windows working together.
Fixed Picture Windows
Where Fixed Windows Actually Work in Ottawa Homes
Living rooms with backyard views. Large fixed window facing your yard, operable windows on the sides. Maximizes light and views while maintaining ventilation. Common in Ottawa split-levels and bungalows, where the living room faces the rear yard.
Dining rooms. You don’t typically need ventilation during dinner. A fixed window provides natural light and views without taking up wall space with window cranks or interfering with furniture placement. Pair with kitchen windows for whole-room airflow.
Basements needing natural light. Basements are often dark. Large fixed windows bring in light without the security concerns of operable windows at ground level. You still get ventilation from smaller operable windows positioned strategically.
Stairwell landings. That awkward wall on your stairs where you want light but don’t need ventilation and can’t reach the window easily anyway. Fixed window solves this perfectly.
Above operable windows. Transom-style fixed windows above doors or regular windows add light and architectural interest without needing to operate. Common in heritage homes and modern renovations.
Spaces with great views. If your house faces the Ottawa River, backs onto greenbelt, or has Gatineau Hills views, fixed windows showcase those views without window frames and hardware blocking sightlines.
How to Pair Fixed and Operable Windows
The trick is planning which windows provide ventilation and which provide light/views.
Classic combination: one large fixed center, operable sides. Install a big fixed window in the middle for the view, flank it with smaller casement windows on each side for cross-ventilation. The fixed window becomes the focal point, the casements provide function. Works in living rooms, dining rooms, master bedrooms.
Stack configuration: fixed below, operable above. Large fixed window at eye level for views, awning windows above for ventilation. The awning windows don’t block the view and can stay open during rain. Common in kitchens and bathrooms.
Corner wraps: mostly fixed, one operable. Multiple fixed windows wrapping a corner to maximize light, one operable window for ventilation. Creates bright corner spaces without excessive cost of making every panel operable.
Bay and bow window combinations. Center panel is typically fixed for the main view, side panels are operable casements for ventilation. This is a standard bay window configuration.
The general rule: figure out where you need airflow, install operable windows there. Everywhere else can be fixed windows for less cost and more glass area.
Energy Performance in Ottawa Winters
Fixed windows can be more energy efficient than operable windows because there are no moving parts that can eventually develop air leakage.
Triple-pane glass with low-E coatings and argon fill provides the same insulation in fixed windows as operable windows — roughly R-5 for triple-pane versus R-3.3 for double-pane. The difference is the seal stays permanent in fixed windows rather than depending on weatherstripping and latches that wear over time.
This matters in Ottawa where winters hit -30°C and windows take a beating from temperature extremes. Fixed windows eliminate the weak points that develop in operable windows after years of opening and closing in harsh weather.
For maximum energy performance in large window installations, consider making the center panels fixed triple-pane and the operable side panels triple-pane as well. You get the view, the insulation, and the ventilation all working together.
The Cost Advantage Nobody Mentions
Fixed windows cost less than operable windows of the same size. Sometimes significantly less.
Why? No moving parts. No cranks, no hinges, no locking mechanisms, no weatherstripping that needs to seal against repeated opening and closing. Just glass, frame, and permanent sealing. Fewer parts mean lower manufacturing costs and lower prices.
This matters when you’re replacing multiple windows. If you have a room with five windows but only need two of them to open, installing three fixed windows and two operable windows costs noticeably less than installing five operable windows — and you still get all the ventilation you actually need.
We’re not suggesting you cheap out on windows. We’re suggesting you spend money on operation where you need it and save money on fixed glass where you don’t.
Sizes and Shapes Available
Fixed windows can be manufactured in virtually any size or shape because they don’t need to support moving mechanisms.
Standard sizes: Anything from small transom windows above doors to large picture windows spanning 6-8 feet wide. We custom-make everything to your exact opening.
Oversized: Want a 10-foot-wide window? Fixed windows can do this more easily than operable windows because there’s no sash weight limit for operation. The frame just needs to support the glass, not move it.
Shaped windows: Circles, arches, triangles, trapezoids — shaped windows are typically fixed because making them operable would be complex and expensive.
Floor-to-ceiling: Large vertical spans work as fixed windows where operable versions would be impractical. Think modern living rooms with 9-foot or 10-foot ceiling heights.
Everything’s custom-made to your specific opening dimensions. Manufacturing takes 6-8 weeks, installation takes 1-2 days depending on project size.
Colours and Frame Options
Vinyl frames work for most fixed window installations. They insulate well, require no maintenance, cost less than wood or aluminum, and come in 12+ colours.
Fixed PVC Window Colours
Fixed PVC Window ColoursWhite is standard. We also offer beige, brown, forest green, slate, and custom colour matching if you need something specific.
Interior and exterior can be different colours if that works better for your home — white interior to match your trim, brown exterior to match your brick or siding.
Frames are fusion-welded at corners for permanent sealing. No mechanical fasteners that can eventually loosen.
What This Costs and How Rebates Work
Fixed windows cost less than operable windows of the same size — usually 20-30% less, depending on size and configuration.
All Buildmart fixed windows are ENERGY STAR® certified and qualify for Ontario’s Home Renovation Savings Program.
Buildmart’s Rebate Match Program adds $100 per window to government rebates.
Example: Project with 3 large fixed windows and 2 operable casements.
- Government rebate: $500 (5 windows × $100)
- Buildmart Rebate Match: $500
- Total savings: $1,000
Financing available for qualified homeowners.
See Fixed Window Examples
Ottawa East Showroom: 2900 Sheffield Rd Unit 6, Ottawa, ON K1B 1A4
Kanata Showroom: 150 Katimavik Rd Unit 121, Kanata, ON K2L 2N2 (by appointment)
Hours: Mon–Thu 8am–4pm · Fri 8am–3pm · Sat by appointment
See examples of fixed windows paired with operable windows. We can discuss which configuration makes sense for your specific rooms.