Most people know what type of window looks great to them but they don’t often understand what makes one type of glass better than another. That’s where the NFRC rating comes in. When you’re considering which new windows to have installed, ask to see the NFRC label. It can give you a lot of helpful information but be sure to reach out to Progressive Insulation & Windows at (800) 500-6200 with additional questions.
What exactly is an NFRC rating?
NFRC is short for the National Fenestration Rating Council, which is a non-profit that established standardized ways to test the performance of windows and doors. The ratings they offer give consumers detailed info about how energy performance, which gives them more information to make the most informed decision.
The four factors NFRC ratings take into account
There are four different factors that the NFRC rating takes into account. They are:
- U-factor. This measures how well the window can keep indoor heat from getting outside.
- Air leakage. This measures how much air flow enters the home through the windows. The more loosely a window is sealed, the more likely it is to have drafts.
- Solar heat gain coefficient. This measures how well a product and resist solar heat from getting into the home.
- Visible transmittance. This measures how well the window can let natural light into the home. The higher the visible transmittance, the better the natural lighting inside, which can reduce the need for artificial lights.
With most windows rated on these factors, it’s easier to compare one window to another.
How to read a NFRC label
The easiest way to ensure you’re reading and understanding an NFRC label correctly is to work with a window and door company that can provide detailed information your options. Contact Progressive Insulation & Windows at (800) 500-6200 or stop by our showroom to get more information.
In order to fully understand the label, you must understand how the NFRC measures these scores. With U-Factor, lower is better. A good window generally falls between 0.20 and 1.20. The lower the score of a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient the better as well. That good number for that is between zero and one. Likewise, windows with better air leakage will have a lower score. The ideal score here is between 0.1 and 0.3. The only outlier is the visible transmittance, in which you want a higher number because it means more natural light is coming into your home.
Stop by for more details on how to select the best windows
Of course, when you work with Progressive Insulation & Windows we can explain the ratings to you in detail. In some cases, a better rating is worth a higher price, but depending on where the window will be installed and other factors, in some cases it’s not worth it to pay more for a higher rating. Stop by or give us a call at (800) 500-6200 to get started on your window search.
