Passive House Windows in Canada, Certified for Cold Winters
InterHaus supplies Passive House Institute certified window systems from Internorm, Schüco and Reynaers, with technical support for architects and builders and installation guidance on site. Send your drawings and get a quote within 72h.
What makes a window a Passive House window
Passive House windows are engineered to meet the energy-efficiency requirements set by the Passive House Institute (PHI) in Germany. They cut heat transfer so sharply that the building can hold a stable indoor temperature with very little mechanical heating or cooling.
No single feature gets them there. It takes a multi-chamber insulated frame, triple or quadruple glazing, warm-edge spacers between the panes and continuous airtight seals, all working as one assembly. A triple-pane window can still fall short if its frame, spacer or seals leak heat, which is why not every triple-pane window qualifies.
The result is measurable. Passive House windows typically reach U-values between 0.64 and 0.80 W/m²K, against 0.9 to 1.4 for a standard triple-pane window and 1.2 to 2.0 for many standard North American windows. For a Passive House, Net-Zero or high-performance home in Canada, that difference is the line between a building that works on paper and one that is comfortable in February.
Certified by the Passive House Institute
A Passive House certificate is not a marketing label. PHI tests the window as a component and certifies it for a defined climate, which is why the certified-component mark names a climate zone; the mark shown here reads cool, temperate climate. The Internorm KF 410 is certified by PHI, and Schüco and Reynaers offer PHI-certified configurations of the AWS 90.SI+ and MasterLine 10.
Canada spans more than one of PHI’s climate zones, from the mild coast to the far north. So for each project we check that the system, glazing and installation detail chosen suit your location and your energy model, rather than assuming a certificate covers every case.
Architects and energy consultants get data sheets, technical support and a product specialist with an architectural background, so window questions are answered by someone who reads drawings. For teams who want the background first, we run a PHI Lunch & Learn.
Why Passive House windows earn their place in Canada
In Ontario, winter temperatures frequently drop below –20°C. That is where the difference between good and certified shows up.
Warm glass, no cold radiation
The inner pane stays close to room temperature, so you can sit beside a large window in January without feeling a chill.
Condensation control
A warm interior surface stays above the point where moisture condenses, protecting sills, frames and indoor air quality.
Smaller heating loads
Lower heat loss lets furnaces and heat pumps run less and more efficiently, which can mean smaller equipment in a new build.
Airtight by design
Triple continuous compression gaskets stop drafts and uncontrolled air leakage, the hidden enemy of an airtight envelope.
More glass, same heat bill
Internorm notes that choosing triple insulating glass over double lets you add 40% more glass area without increasing heating costs.
Quiet interiors
The same mass and seals that hold heat also block noise, with the KF 410 reaching 34 to 47 dB of sound reduction.
Passive House systems available at InterHaus
Independently tested European systems, from uPVC/aluminum to fully thermally broken aluminum. Values as published on our product pages.
| Internorm KF 410 | Internorm HF 410 | Schüco AWS 90.SI+ | Reynaers MasterLine 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frame | uPVC/aluminum | Timber/aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Passive House status | PHI certified | PH suitable | PHI-certified configurations | PHI-certified configurations |
| Uw, as low as (W/m²K) | 0.62 | 0.64 | 0.71 | 0.8 |
| Sound reduction | 34–47 dB | 33–46 dB | up to 45 dB | up to 44 dB |
| Construction depth | 90 / 93 mm | 85 mm | 100 mm | 97–107 mm |
Certification applies to specific configurations. We confirm the certified build-up for your project during quoting.
Choosing between Internorm, Schüco and Reynaers
Internorm KF 410 is the workhorse of Passive House construction in Canada: one of the most proven PH systems available here, widely used in Passivhaus and Net-Zero homes. A thermally insulated, multi-chamber uPVC core with I-tec Insulation in the frame sits behind durable aluminum cladding, with triple-pane glazing filled with argon or krypton. It is the natural choice for most custom homes, and the KF 410 uPVC/aluminum page has the full detail.
Schüco AWS 90.SI+ brings aluminum into Passive House territory with advanced thermal breaks and insulated profile chambers. Its structural strength suits large architectural openings, making it a fit for high-end residential and commercial projects that want slim aluminum frames without giving up performance.
Reynaers MasterLine 10 was designed for Passive House performance from the start. It combines high structural stability for large glazed areas with slim profiles, giving contemporary architecture the look of aluminum and the thermal performance a Passivhaus needs. Brands can be combined in one project, for example Internorm windows with a Schüco aluminum sliding door.
Dry glass, tight joints, and why the install matters
Condensation forms when warm, humid indoor air meets a surface below its dew point. A certified window keeps the interior glass and frame warm, so cooking, showers and breathing no longer leave water on the sills. Balanced ventilation still matters: Passive House homes rely on controlled fresh air rather than leaks. Our article on condensation-resistant windows goes deeper.
You may occasionally see the opposite on the outside of the glass after a clear, cold night. Internorm explains this as a sign of quality: so little heat escapes that the outer pane stays cold, and morning dew forms on it until the temperature rises.
Airtightness is earned twice, once in the factory and once on site. The window’s triple gaskets do the first part; the connection between window and wall does the second. Internorm’s installation sequence treats that airtight joint as its own step, and InterHaus provides installation guidance and supervision so your blower-door test reflects the windows you paid for.
Where certified windows make the biggest difference
Passive House certified windows are recommended for certified Passive House homes, Net-Zero homes, high-performance custom homes, multi-unit residential buildings, luxury residential construction and any cold or cool-climate project in Canada. They are particularly valuable in Ontario, where heating and cooling costs are high.
They work for renovations as well as new builds: the KF 410 is an ideal choice for both Passivhaus and EnerPHit projects. Our own work includes the Etobicoke Passive House residence, a Passive House residence in Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Alcove PH Cottage in Québec; see them on our projects page.
- Passive House Institute certified window systems
- Local warehousing in Ontario
- Technical support for architects and builders
- Installation guidance and supervision
From drawings to a quote in 72 hours
Building a Passive House? This is how a project moves with InterHaus.
- 01
Send your drawings
Share plans, elevations or a window schedule, plus your energy targets if you have them.
- 02
Quote within 72h
We return a priced proposal for Passive House projects within 72 hours, with the recommended system for each opening.
- 03
Technical review
Our specialists work through glazing, sizes, colours and wall connections with your architect or consultant.
- 04
Made to measure
Each unit is built to order; Internorm windows come from its own Austrian facilities in Traun, Sarleinsbach and Lannach.
- 05
Install and verify
Windows arrive through our Ontario warehouse, and we guide and supervise installation for an airtight result.
“My preferred window supplier for any of our projects with ambitious sustainability or indoor comfort goals. They have been easy to work with, and responsive when I need a problem solved. Internorm products have served me well, and these are the best, most reliable suppliers I have found in eastern Canada.”
Passive House window questions
A window that meets the strict thermal insulation and airtightness requirements defined by the Passive House Institute. Certification covers the whole assembly: frame, glazing, spacer and seals.
In a cold climate like Ontario’s, yes. They cut heating demand, remove cold drafts and cold glass, and reduce condensation risk, so the comfort benefit is felt every winter day, not only on the energy bill.
Passive House windows typically reach 0.64 to 0.80 W/m²K. The Internorm KF 410 goes as low as 0.62 W/m²K depending on configuration. Your energy model sets the target; we match the system and glazing to it.
Yes. The KF 410 is suited to both new Passivhaus builds and EnerPHit retrofits. In a renovation, the wall connection deserves as much attention as the window, so we review existing openings and detailing with your builder.
On cold, clear mornings a highly insulated window lets so little heat out that the outer pane stays cold and collects dew. It clears as the day warms, and Internorm treats it as a sign the window is doing its job.
For Passive House projects we provide a quote within 72 hours of receiving your drawings. Send plans, a window schedule or even a sketch to get started.
Certified systems and training
KF 410 uPVC/aluminum
PHI certified, Uw as low as 0.62 W/m²K, triple gaskets and I-tec Insulation.
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Schüco aluminum windows
AWS 90.SI+ with PHI-certified configurations for large, slim openings.
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Reynaers aluminum windows
MasterLine 10, designed for Passive House performance with slim profiles.
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PHI Lunch & Learn
A 60-minute PHI accredited session at our showroom, your office or online.
ExploreBuilding a Passive House? Get a quote within 72h
Send your drawings and energy targets. We will recommend the right certified system for each opening and price supply and installation.