In 1979, Canadian Thermo Windows began operations as a manufacturer and retailer of aluminum replacement windows. When vinyl started to become widely accepted in the marketplace we expanded to include vinyl windows in our product lineup. It was our first step toward embracing innovation in our industry, but certainly not our last. Rapid expansion made it necessary to move distribution towards a high quality dealer network.

Listening to our customers and dealers, we constantly strived to improve our products. We embraced standard industry innovations but one of the strongest needs was for a slider window that was easy to operate and clean, no matter the size. This led to a frustrating search for hardware that would allow slider windows to swing open easily and safely. Since we couldn’t find it, we decided to invent it. It took several years but in 1988 we introduced the TILT’N’SLIDE® vinyl window. This patented and award-winning hardware system is still in use today.

But we weren’t satisfied to rest on our achievement. An engineering division was established to continue work on the research and development of innovative new products. To help identify the direction this work should take, consumer focus groups we organized in 1992. They identified several undesirable window characteristics including poor security, water leakage, traditional hardware failure, and of course, the dreaded ugly screen. By 1995, the first prototype PARALLEX® casement, slider and double-hung windows were produced, followed by field testing in 1996 and 1997, and a full product launch in Canada and the US in 1998.

The many innovations within the PARALLEX® family includes: a single hand operation center lock system with hidden locks for sliders and double hungs for added security; a parallel track and pivot shaft system that ensures any type of window will always remain square and the sashes will never fall out when tilted open and never sag; a locking mechanism for casements that does away with faulty cranks forever; and a retractable screen system that is useful when you need it and out of sight when you don’t. The resulting series of windows for the high end replacement window market as well as high end new construction are beautiful to look at, user friendly, easy to clean, surpass all standards for water and air penetration; and provide for easy emergency egress. More patents, more awards. Everyone who saw them declared them “magic” because they resolved all the issues and the name stuck. Magic Window® as both a brand name our business operating name was born.

Still taking our cues from homeowners everywhere, we then turned our attention toward adapting this technology to further improve our products. By 2001, the introduction of the SLIDE’N’HIDE® self-storing screen cassette system allowed easy replacement of torn screens by simply replacing the cartridge. This led to the inclusion of SLIDE’N’HIDE® into patio doors in 2005. Still more patents, more awards. To respond to increased demand for even more energy efficient windows in 2006, we began to offer solar screens and blinds (shades) in SLIDE’N’HIDE® for their added thermal value and wound up adding a host of other benefits such as protecting furniture from sun fade and providing privacy.

The start of a new decade brings our newest innovation… the first dynamic windows that will be the most user-friendly and most energy-efficient windows in the industry.