The brutal winters of Northern Ontario demand more from homes than most regions. Temperatures that plummet to -40°C and snow that piles roof-high create unique challenges for local dwellings. Since their establishment in 1986, Kidd's Home Hardware has been the go-to shop for locals needing quality home improvement supplies that actually work in the north. What started as a small family shop with just three employees in a converted garage has grown into a regional fixture where neighbours help neighbours tackle the unique challenges of northern living. Their team now includes several certified building specialists with decades of hands-on experience in the region.The store stocks an impressive array of windows and doors built specifically for Northern Ontario's wild temperature swings. Unlike big box offerings, these aren't just standard products - they feature extra weatherstripping, beefed-up insulation values, and proper thermal breaks. Customers frequently mention how these specially-designed products have stopped those maddening drafts that waste heating dollars and leave rooms too cold to use during January deep freezes. The difference is particularly noticeable in older homes, where proper fitting and sealing techniques make all the difference.
"Most window and door manufacturers design for Toronto weather, not Timmins weather," noted the company spokesperson. "We've seen too many families stuck with products that crack during cold snaps or warp during summer humidity. Our Northern Ontario customers deserve options that work at -40°C and hold up through decades of seasonal punishment. When we match a family with the right products for their specific situation, we're really selling peace of mind through another harsh winter."
Northern Ontario windows and doors require different installation approaches too. The staff at Kidd's Home Hardware take extra steps to educate customers about proper vapour barriers and critical flashing details that prevent moisture problems down the road. The store hosts weekend workshops where homeowners can learn hands-on techniques for draft-proofing and maintenance - practical knowledge that saves money and prevents future headaches. These workshops typically fill up weeks in advance, especially as autumn approaches and residents scramble to weatherproof before the first snow.
The relationship between Kidd's and Ontario Beaver Homes has strengthened over decades of challenging northern builds. The construction firm relies on Kidd's expertise when specifying windows and doors for new homes throughout the region. Ontario Beaver Homes projects showcase how proper materials selection from day one prevents costly retrofits later. The two companies frequently collaborate on custom solutions for particularly exposed sites where standard products would quickly fail. This partnership ensures northern residents benefit from collective wisdom about what truly works in conditions that southern manufacturers rarely consider during product development.