A whole-house window job in Ontario runs $8,000 to $20,000 and a front door $2,000 to $5,000, so most people finance at least part of it. The options range from nearly free to genuinely expensive, and the cheapest one depends on how much you’re borrowing and for how long. Here’s how each works, with 2026 numbers, and how we handle financing at WideView.
The Options at a Glance
| Option | Typical 2026 rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| HELOC | Prime + 0.5% to 1.5% (variable) | Larger projects, homeowners with equity |
| Contractor financing, promo period | 0% for 6 to 24 months, then 12% to 24% | Smaller jobs you can clear inside the promo |
| Contractor financing, term loan | 8% to 15% fixed | Fast approval, no home equity needed |
| Unsecured personal loan / LOC | 7% to 12% | Mid-size projects without touching the mortgage |
| Credit card | 20%+ | Only for the deposit, paid off in full |
| Cash | 0% | Everything, if you have it |
Home Equity Line of Credit
If you own your home with equity, a HELOC is almost always the cheapest borrowed money for a renovation. Rates in 2026 sit around prime plus half a point to a point and a half, roughly 5 to 7 percent depending on your lender and the Bank of Canada. Interest is only charged on what you draw, you can pay it down any time, and the line stays open for the next project. The catch is setup: if you don’t already have one, expect an appraisal, legal fees of a few hundred to a thousand dollars, and a couple of weeks. That’s worth it for a $15,000 window job; it’s not worth it for a $2,500 door.
Contractor (Point-of-Sale) Financing
Most window and door companies in Ontario, including us, offer financing through a third-party lender such as Financeit or a similar provider. You apply online, approval takes minutes to a day, and the lender pays the contractor. Two flavours:
- Promotional plans. “No interest for 12 months” or “no payments for 6 months.” Genuinely 0 percent if the balance is cleared inside the promo period. If not, interest at 12 to 24 percent applies, sometimes back-dated to day one. Read which kind it is.
- Term loans. A fixed rate, typically 8 to 15 percent, over 3 to 15 years, usually open (prepay without penalty). Simple and predictable, but not cheap.
The convenience is real: no equity needed, no lawyer, and it can be done from your kitchen table. Just know that the contractor pays the lender a fee for promotional plans, and that fee is inside the price. Ask for a cash price too and compare.
Personal Loan or Line of Credit
An unsecured line from your bank at 7 to 12 percent sits between the two. No home appraisal, fast if you already bank there, and cheaper than contractor term loans for most borrowers with good credit. It’s the practical choice for a $5,000 to $10,000 project when you don’t have or don’t want a HELOC.
Government Programs
The Canada Greener Homes Loan, which offered up to $40,000 interest-free, closed to new applications in October 2025 and its funding is fully committed. Don’t let anyone sell you a job on the promise of it. What’s available in 2026 is the Ontario Home Renovation Savings Program rebate ($100 per window or door opening when bundled with an energy assessment and a second upgrade) and the income-tested Canada Greener Homes Affordability Program, which funds retrofits at no cost for qualifying households. Details in our rebate guide.
A Worked Example
A $14,000 window project, HST included, paid over 5 years:
| Method | Approx. monthly payment | Approx. total interest |
|---|---|---|
| HELOC at 6%, paid over 5 years | $270 | $2,200 |
| Unsecured line at 9% | $290 | $3,400 |
| Contractor term loan at 12.9% | $318 | $5,100 |
| 12-month 0% promo, then 19.9% on the remainder | Varies | $0 if cleared in 12 months; several thousand if not |
Figures are rounded illustrations, not offers. The point: the difference between the cheapest and dearest option on a mid-size job is a few thousand dollars, which is a couple of extra windows.
What to Watch For
- Deferred interest. If the promo says “no interest if paid in full,” missing the deadline by a day can trigger all the interest from day one.
- Admin or setup fees on contractor plans.
- Prepayment penalties. Most Canadian point-of-sale loans are open; confirm yours is.
- The price being higher on financing than on cash. Ask for both.
- Signing a loan agreement before the installation date is set. The loan should fund on completion, not on signing.
How We Do It
We offer financing through a third-party lender for customers who want it, with both promotional and term options, and we’ll show you the cash price alongside so there’s nothing hidden. We don’t pay sales commission, so nobody at WideView earns more if you finance rather than pay outright. If a HELOC or your own bank is cheaper for you, we’ll say so.
Want to Talk Through the Numbers?
We'll quote your project, show you the financing options and the cash price, and let you decide. No commission, no pressure.
A family-owned business that supplies and installs high-quality windows and doors throughout Mississauga, Oakville, London, and surrounding areas in Ontario. Over 20 years of experience and a reputation built entirely on customer referrals.