It’s all about glass when it comes to residential windows and doors in 2026.
Homeowners are looking for beautiful, unobstructed views that seamlessly blend home and nature. Larger window openings with attention to energy efficiency and thermal ratings have caught the eyes of consumers, while big, bold exterior doors remain popular, with contemporary styling to complement the home’s envelope.
Here, we connect with manufacturers for expert insights into the latest trends in residential windows and doors.
Alliance Door Products Canada
“Modern architecture calls for exterior doors that are as refined and intentional as the spaces they define,” offered Vera Clark, Marketing Communication Senior Manager for Alliance Door Products Canada.
She feels finish and colour selections often influence other design elements throughout the home, including interior doors. “Kitchens remain the heart of the home—a central gathering place that sets the tone for surrounding interior design choices,” she said. “By looking at current trends, homeowners and designers can translate inspiration into distinctive, cohesive interiors.”
Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products Canada
When choosing door options, keep in mind that contrasting colour palettes create luxurious, timeless and easy-care environments, Clark pointed out. Crisp white and deep black paint options paired with warm woodgrains offer striking balance and enduring appeal. Switching to cabinet doors, she noted “light to medium wood species introduce warmth and character, creating a cozier atmosphere than all-white kitchens, with warm wood tones experiencing a strong resurgence.”
Flush and panel cabinet doors often coexist within the same space, which create layered design opportunities that can extend into other areas of the home.
“The use of authentic wood alternatives for doors, backsplash, and feature walls provides budget-friendly solutions with expansive design flexibility, noted Clark. Sophisticated aesthetics with practical performance benefits can be achieved with innovative wall panel textures and finishes that closely replicate natural materials, she continued.
These trends are also reflected in door designs and emerging textured hardware. Clark said this transcends to both smooth and tactile lever-style hardware, as well as flooring and countertop surfaces. “Look to create spaces that feel intentional, elevated and uniquely yours,” she continued.
She offered the Lynden Door line as an example. “Lynden Doors delivers custom, luxury door solutions that elevate both form and function—crafted to meet the most sophisticated project needs.”
Photo courtesy of Alliance Door Products Canada
Metrie
Celebrating a century of craftsmanship, Metrie continues to evolve alongside shifting design preferences and performance expectations in the residential door category. Founded in 1926, the company has grown from a small, family-owned millwork business in Vancouver, B.C., into one of North America’s leading millwork manufacturers and suppliers, with seven manufacturing facilities and 32 distribution centres across Canada and the United States. Its capabilities in solid wood and MDF, along with moulding and door pre-finishing expertise, position Metrie as a trusted partner focused on helping customers grow and strengthen their businesses.
In the exterior door category, Metrie is seeing a clear shift toward contemporary design. Modern door styles, expanded glass options and coordinated components are gaining momentum, reflecting homeowners’ desire for clean, cohesive aesthetics. Pre-finished doors are also on the rise, with black continuing to lead as the most in-demand colour. Increasingly, exterior door styles are being selected to align with interior door designs, creating a more unified look throughout the home.
Photos courtesy of Metrie
Looking ahead, consumer expectations continue to evolve beyond aesthetics alone. Buyers are placing greater importance on being able to visualize products prior to purchase, whether through in-store displays or digital configurators. Performance remains a key consideration, with growing interest in multipoint locking systems, improved energy efficiency and certified products that may qualify for government incentive programs. At the same time, glass preferences are shifting toward solutions that balance natural light with privacy, moving away from more ornate, decorative styles.
Material preferences continue to vary regionally, but there is a consistent demand for fully pre-hung systems that arrive on site complete and ready for installation. While steel doors remain more common in Eastern Canada, fiberglass options are gaining traction in other regions due to their durability and resistance to dents. For homeowners seeking the warmth and appearance of wood, fiberglass doors with realistic oak, mahogany or fir finishes are becoming an increasingly popular alternative.
Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems
Katie Wilson, Product Manager at Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems, feels that this year, “windows and doors aren’t just functional parts of a home, they’re becoming part of the personality.”
Exteriors are taking on a more confident, modern feel with the use of rich, darker finishes like black, charcoal, deep green and bronze, she noted.
“Homeowners are also opting for larger panes of glass and slimmer frames, letting in more natural light and making everyday spaces feel brighter and more connected to the outdoors,” she continued.
The larger window openings are supported by the strong performance of triple-pane glass, upgraded Low-E coatings and improved air tightness, explained Wilson. These features may have once been considered an upgrade, but are now becoming increasingly standard. “Dark tinted glass is also gaining popularity for its subtle privacy, glare control and clean look,” she observed.
Wilson feels the stronger focus on durability and recyclable materials, coupled with aesthetics and performance, lends a clear view of the overall trend for 2026.
“People want windows and doors that look good, feel comfortable year-round and make sense for the long term,” she concluded.
Photos courtesy of Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems
Gentek Building Products Co.
Morgan Waller, Senior Marketing Manager Canada for Gentek Building Products Co., said the residential window and door market continues to be defined by three core priorities in 2026: “Energy performance, contemporary design and operational efficiency for contractors.”
Homeowners have become more educated on thermal ratings, condensation resistance, and long-term energy savings, he noted. “Demand for triple-pane configurations remains strong in colder climates, alongside regionally optimized Low-E coatings and improved spacer systems. At the same time, advances in vinyl extrusion and frame reinforcement are allowing manufacturers to expand glass area, while maintaining strong structural performance and air infiltration ratings.”
Photos courtesy of Gentek Building Products Co.
Black continues to perform well from a design perspective, Waller stated. “We are also seeing a gradual shift toward more integrated exterior tones, such as charcoals, bronzes and layered neutrals. Heavier farmhouse detailing is being edged out by transitional style in some markets, with clean sightlines and slimmer profiles gaining momentum.” He added that homeowners are prioritizing natural light and a contemporary aesthetic.
Waller expects a continued demand for “value-engineered performance” in 2026. Products that deliver premium efficiency and durability while remaining accessible fit the category. “This year, we introduced our new 4000 Series window platform, designed specifically around that balance of performance, durability and streamlined configuration.”
Tools that reduce administrative friction are becoming just as important as the product itself, Waller declared. Due to labour and jobsite timelines tightening, Gentek launched a digital quoting and ordering platform named WindowExpress. “It enables contractors to price, configure and submit orders more easily, while improving accuracy and turnaround time,” he stated.
Photo courtesy of Gentek Building Products Co.
Waller feels well-designed mid-tier platforms, particularly in renovation-driven markets, are positioned to outperform highly customized solutions. “In 2026, the manufacturers and suppliers gaining momentum will be those who combine strong performance, modern aesthetics, and simplified processes into one cohesive solution for both homeowners and contractors.”
Photos courtesy of Gentek Building Products Co.
Cornerstone Building Brands
“Energy efficiency will remain a major factor influencing buyers’ decisions throughout 2026,” according to Alain Dupere, Director of Sales Operations at Ply Gem Canada. Products with triple-pane glass, specialized Low E coatings, inert gases, and frame designs engineered to perform better in the Canadian climate and its wide temperature extremes are options that are attracting consumers.
As a secondary benefit, these advancements produce quieter windows, continued Dupere. “These technologies help reduce the transmission of outside noise into the home, which can be further enhanced through the use of laminated glass.”
Modern aesthetics, larger window configurations, thinner mulled posts, and expansive unobstructed glass are continuing to trend, agreed Dupere. “We are increasingly receiving requests for thinner frames to create even larger viewing areas. It’s all about maximizing the million dollar view—the larger the clear glass area, the better.”
Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Building Brands
In terms of colour, he said black continues to dominate, and he does not expect it to lose its leading position alongside classic white. “However, we are seeing more interest in earth tones, particularly in the custom market, where designers and architects are seeking differentiation through colour.”
A continuing and growing trend toward products with higher-end materials, driven by a greater sense of aesthetics and performance in custom builds, has triggered a new product for Ply Gem Canada, Dupere announced. “We are excited to be launching our new metal clad slider this spring, completing our offering of modern, energy efficient window solutions.”
Photos courtesy of Cornerstone Building Brands
All Weather at Home
Tracy Nadiger, Vice President of Marketing at All Weather at Home, affirmed that higher thermal performance continues to drive the residential window market in 2026. She said 366 Low-E coating is being specified more often.
“All Weather at Home is the first in Canada to introduce a high-performance glazing system called Advanced IGU powered by Corning® Enlighten™ Glass. It enables higher performance glazing without the significant weight increases typically associated with quad-pane builds,” said Nadiger. “The next iteration on the product road map is a third Low-E coating on the .5 mm glass that will then allow for up to R12 insulating value in a window.”
Dark exterior finishes are often paired with bright white or natural wood tones on the interior, with black remaining the leading exterior window colour, agreed Nadiger. “Wider sliding, folding and multi-panel systems are increasingly specified to maximize glazing area and strengthen the connection between indoor and outdoor spaces.”
Larger patio door configurations continue to gain market share, with 36-inch entry doors trending. Nadiger said demand has increased, particularly during spring and summer renovation cycles.
Photo courtesy of All Weather at Home
Advanced glazing technologies provide builders and dealers with greater flexibility when balancing energy performance requirements across the building envelope. “Adoption of high-performance glazing systems will continue to expand across residential construction,” predicted Nadiger.
She has seen more stringent water performance and on-site testing requirements in Western Canada due to the continued growth of multi-family construction.
“All Weather at Home recognized the need to support builders and contractors navigating these evolving requirements, leading to the development of the AquaGuard System, an outswing entry door solution designed specifically for multi-family applications and engineered to help projects consistently pass on-site water testing, even with installation variables.”
Improving thermal performance without adding unnecessary weight or complexity will remain a priority as standards evolve, Nadiger concluded.
Photos courtesy of All Weather at Home
Extreme Window and Entrance Systems
Darren Bannister, President of Extreme Window and Entrance Systems, expects 2026 to bring continued strong interest in larger glazing options. Additionally, there is a growing demand for premium glazing solutions, which are driven by the need for enhanced energy efficiency and superior sound attenuation.
Laminate finishes on windows and patio doors offer exceptional visual appeal and provide greater resilience during shipping and construction, Bannister declared. “At Extreme, we recognize the increasing advantages of laminate finishes on windows and patio doors, and we are committed to further investment in this area.”
Photo courtesy of Extreme Window and Entrance Systems
As for colour finishes, Bannister feels black will continue to be the dominant colour preference.
In certain markets, he has noticed a substantial demand among apartment residents, who aspire to homeownership and are seeking affordable solutions.
“We see tremendous potential in townhouses, semi-detached homes, and similar housing models within our more urban markets,” said Bannister, adding that this shift translates directly into opportunities to provide more custom doors and specialized colour options, in order to meet the evolving needs of the housing market.
Photos courtesy of Extreme Window and Entrance Systems
Bannister has also seen door hardware trending larger to match the trends in door design.
“Furthermore, we are seeing a heightened interest in larger hinge door options, as well as more advanced exterior door hardware, such as multipoint locking systems integrated with automation.”
JELD-WEN of Canada Ltd.
Susan Albizre, Marketing Manager for JELD-WEN Of Canada Ltd., said “the leading window and door trend for 2026 is a strong move toward personalization, sustainability and high performance efficiency.”
How Canadians choose windows and doors is being shaped by larger glass areas, cleaner lines and eco focused innovations, she stated. “This trend is making beauty, durability and energy performance the defining priorities for the year.”
With that in mind, Albizre said JELD-WEN has launched a new window product. “JELD-WEN’s newest innovation is the JWC7500 slider, hung with patent-pending track diverter for ease of operation. These surpass the functionality, energy efficiency and performance of other conventional slider and hung windows.”
Albizre anticipates monotone colours and 2030 energy efficiency ratings will be top of mind in 2026. She also feels consumers are going to remain attracted to not only larger glass openings, but less framework.
“Homeowners are seeking products that reflect their individual style while delivering exceptional comfort and energy savings, with increased demand for custom colours, modern designs and advanced materials that perform in every Canadian climate.”
Consumers will continue to look for window and door solutions that are seamless, noted Albizre. For the remainder of 2026, she predicts “windows and doors that create a more seamless look and feel at home,” will prevail.
Conclusion
Those who have already started their renovations or planned their projects based on 2025 trends can rest easy, as bigger remains better. More glass, more light and unobstructed views continue to drive demand. Larger entrance doors are complementing larger windows. The desire for energy efficiency has manufacturers investing in new offerings to satisfy consumer needs.
The options are plenty in 2026, with an eye on energy efficiency, durability, design and budget.
Photo courtesy of JELD-WEN of Canada Ltd.