The population of Canada’s North is increasing significantly, creating a need for new housing and other facilities. Rising land costs and energy prices have made housing less affordable. Further, climate action goals require increasingly energy efficient building design. Canada’s North presents unique design conditions due to its extreme winter temperatures, low winter insolation, low solar angles, and access or transportation challenges for remote communities. While recent provide guidance on window and door (called ‘fenestration’) selection for Southern Canadian housing, to date there has not been a comprehensive study of fenestration design parameters specific to the Northern context. The purpose of this guide is to provide designers, builders, and owners with guidance on energy efficient, comfortable, and cost-effective window design options in the North, collectively Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
Prepared by RDH for CMHC.