Industry Insights

Low E Coatings

Rating Systems

Types of
Rating Systems
NFRC––The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) operates a voluntary program that tests, certifies, and labels windows, doors, and skylights based on their energy performance ratings. The NFRC label provides a reliable way to determine a window's energy properties and to compare products. NFRC’s ratings programs play a vital role in achieving greener, more sustainable buildings.

AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS0–the North American Fenestration Standard
AAMA––The American Architectural Manufacturers Association AAMA provides third party technical standards and performance ratings to insure consistent Quality, Energy Efficiency and Total Performance for windows, doors, skylights, curtain wall and storefront products in the Construction Industry. AAMA ensures that products installed match the quality of sample products when tested. AAMA also drives construction building code development.

AAMA Performance Ratings

AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440–the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS)–defines basic performance requirements for a wide variety of styles of window, door and skylight products (double-hung, casement, horizontal sliding, etc.) made of aluminum, vinyl (PVC), ABS plastics, fiberglass, cellulosic composites and wood, as well as those with aluminumor vinyl cladding. It relies on Performance Class and Performance Grade designations to guide this evaluation and selection process.

AAMA Performance Class and GradePerformance Class –– roughly describes the likely target application in four steps with increasing exposure severity ranging from single-family residential to high-rise commercial buildings.
Performance Grade — is a numeric designator that defines a specific set of NAFS-specified product performance requirements for a specific Design Pressure (DP) range as required by conditions at the intended location of the building. A product achieves a Performance Grade rating only upon successful completion of all applicable tests–primarily those for structural performance under wind loading and for resistance to water penetration and air leakage.