Replacement Windows, Replacement Doors, and New Construction Windows and Doors are or Should be Energy Rated. The Label ENERGY STAR indicates that an Independent Lab tested the Window or Doors according to the Testing Procedures and rules established by the US Non-profit National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) int he US and the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) in Canada.
Since Replacement and New-Construction windows, doors, and skylights are all Labeled and Tested according to strict rules, consumers can be confident of the accuracy of the results printed on the Labels. NFRC and NAFS do not rate replacement Windows and Doors as good or bad and do not set any minimum performance levels; they ensure that the information results from Standardized Testing procedures by Approved Testing labs.
How to read the Energy Star Label?
Every NFRC Certified Window or Door carries an NFRC Label. The NFRC label provides performance ratings in five categories:
- U-Factor measures the heat transfer rate. This number tells the consumer about the Insulation Level a Window or Door offers. It is about keeping the cold out and the heat in cold climates. U-factors range from 0.25 (Best Insulation) to 1.25 (Worst Insulation).
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) rates how well a Window or Door blocks heating from Sunlight. NFRC Labels show SHGC values from 0 (Best at blocking solar heat) to 1 (Worst at blocking solar heat). Windows sold in North America have a typical SHGC of 0.20 to .80.
- Air Leakage (AL) is easy to understand. It measures how well a window or a door stops air from passing into or out of your home. Labs measure AL in cubic feet of air passing through one square foot of window each per minute. The lower the AL number, the better, with most building codes requiring AL 0.3 or less.
- Visible Transmittance (VT) is the amount of light a window lets into your home. The higher the value (ranging from 0 to 1), the brighter your house will be. Typical VT values range from 0.20 to 0.80.
- Condensation Resistance (CR) is how well a window or door prevents condensation. Condensation forms on the outside of a window (in warm, humid climates) or on the inside (in cold temperatures). NFRC rates CR from 1 to 100, with 100 being the best.
What are the Best Performing Window Types?
Ranked from Best to Worst (this is only a guide and actual performance results may vary between Manufacturers)
1. Picture or Fixed Windows: These are windows with no moving parts.
2. Casement Windows: These are Windows that typically Swing Out, but some variations Swing In. When they are shut, the Sash forms an excellent seal around the Frame.
3. Tilt and Turn Windows: These European Style Windows Open In. They are similar to casement Windows but use different hardware that allows them to Swing In like an Inswing Casement or Tilt In.
4. Single Hung Windows: The top half of these windows is like a Picture Window, and the Bottom half is a Sash that Slides Up aided by Balances or Springs that make it easier to Operate. Since half the Window is Fixed, they perform well.
5. Double Hung Windows: These look similar to Single Hung Windows. The top portion of the Window is a Sash that slides down, while the bottom part is a Sash that Slides up.
6. Sliding Windows: Sliding Windows are windows with 1 or 2 sashes that slide left or right. There are Single Sliders with 1 Sliding Sash and a Fixed portion, Double Sliders with two sliding sashes, or triple sliders with one sash at each end and a fixed center.
What are the Best Performing Door Types?
Ranked from Best to Worst (this is only a guide and actual performance results may vary between Manufacturers)
1. Tilt and Turn Door: These European Style Doors Open In. They are built with a complete Frame and Sash instead of a Slab. They are Heavily Reinforced with Steel, Aluminum, of Fiberglass Reinforcement. They are feature Excellent hardware that enables the sash to form a very tight seal around the frame.
2. Out-Swing Single Doors: These are doors swing out. They are built with a Frame and Door Slab (sometimes a glazed sash). When they are shut, the Slab Forms a tight Seal around the Frame and the Sill. New Hardware options improve he performance of these doors significantly. Fiberglas and Steel Slabs perform about the same. Water Leakage and Air filtration are the major concerns with doors.
3. Out-Swing Garden Doors: These doors are found in Canada more often that the US. They are Double Doors with one side operating like a Casement Window instead of a Door, and is not intended for egress. The other side is a normal Out-Swing Door.
4. Out-Swing double Doors: This is the classic Double Door. It is composed of 2 slabs that Swing Out connected by and Astragal in the middle. Read more here
2. In-Swing Single Doors: These are doors swing in. They are built with a Frame and Door Slab (sometimes a glazed sash). When they are shut, the Slab Forms a tight Seal around the Frame and the Sill. New Hardware options improve he performance of these doors significantly. Fiberglas and Steel Slabs perform about the same. Water Leakage and Air filtration are the major concerns with doors.
3. In-Swing Garden Doors: These doors are found in Canada more often that the US. They are Double Doors with one side operating like a Casement Window instead of a Door, and is not intended for egress. The other side is a normal In-Swing Door.
4. In-Swing double Doors: This is the classic Double Door. It is composed of 2 slabs that Swing In connected by and Astragal in the middle. Read more here
During Storms and Hurricanes, wind exerts pressure on the openings of your house called Wind Load. Manufacturers build Modern Windows and Modern Entrance Doors to Withstand this Wind Load.
This measurement, called Design Pressure, is tested and certified by State labs. In states like Florida, each Window, Door, or Skylight installed in New Construction or Renovation projects needs to meet or surpass the Florida Product Code requirements.
Manufacturers will label Windows and Doors with the DP Values they meet (Negative and Positive Pressures) and marked with a Florida product Code – commonly known as FL # #. www.FloridaBulding.org allows consumers to verify and check approved products based on where they live.
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