As the effects of climate change intensify, the homebuilding industry is stepping up to meet new challenges with innovative solutions. Take windows. These critical elements of home design are not only gateways to the world outside but also pivotal in maintaining energy efficiency and structural integrity under increasingly extreme weather conditions.
In this article, experts in window and door technology and building code compliance discuss how modern advancements are helping builders create houses that are resilient, stylish, and energy efficient.
Resilience Against Extreme Weather
One of the primary concerns for today’s builders is creating structures that can withstand harsh weather, including high winds and heavy rains, especially in areas prone to hurricanes and other severe conditions. Thankfully, building materials manufacturers are just as concerned. That’s why products such as windows, entry doors, and patio doors undergo rigorous testing to ensure high standards of durability.
“Our impact testing for the high velocity hurricane zone involves launching a 9-foot-long 2-by-4 at 34 miles per hour at a window to simulate storm conditions,” says Josh Goossen, North America Window Certification Manager at JELD-WEN.
In addition, windows are subjected to repeated cycles of pressure to simulate the effects of wind forces during storms. This type of testing assesses the window’s ability to withstand and maintain its integrity under fluctuating pressure conditions, mimicking the push-and-pull effects experienced during high winds. Manufacturers also test a window’s resistance to water penetration through what’s commonly called a “jet engine test,” which simulates wind-driven rain.
These tests are crucial to meet the performance criteria set by organizations such as the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS), National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC®), and the American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association (AAMA®). Together, these organizations ensure that fenestration products meet strict safety, durability, and environmental standards, especially in hurricane-prone regions like Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida.
While manufacturers and industry councils determine how to make more durable products, builders need to do their part to follow local codes that help make stronger and safer homes.
Enhancing Building Resilience Through Better Codes and Practices
The importance of building codes in enhancing safety and resilience cannot be overstated. Even in regions that lack code enforcement, builders should take it upon themselves to build to the highest standards feasible. Anne Cope, Chief Engineer at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), highlights a significant issue: the inconsistent adoption and enforcement of building codes. “Code adoption and enforcement in the United States is very patchy,” says Cope.
Unlike uniform safety standards for products like seatbelts and cribs, building codes vary widely across jurisdictions. This inconsistency can lead to gaps in safety and resilience, particularly concerning the structures that house families.
This patchwork adoption of codes is an issue that IBHS is challenging jurisdictions nationwide to address. The IBHS’s Rating the States report evaluates building code adoption, enforcement, and contractor licensing in the 18 states along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The report’s latest edition, published in April 2024, shows that many jurisdictions remain lax when it comes to building standards, with either lapsed or outdated codes, leaving many communities vulnerable to wind-driven destruction.
The good news is that more states are rising to the challenge. Virginia, Florida, and South Carolina ranked among the report’s top three states demonstrating a commitment to resilient construction through code adoption and enforcement. These states serve as benchmarks for what can be achieved with rigorous building codes. Conversely, codes in states such as Alabama and Texas, where adoption has been uneven, have led to varying levels of resilience in the face of natural disasters like hurricanes.
Code enforcement goes beyond protecting homes and their inhabitants; it can also help maintain stronger real estate markets. A study conducted by IBHS and CoreLogic reveals that modern building codes significantly reduce mortgage delinquency rates following hurricanes. Specifically, the research indicates that areas with modern, stringent building codes saw post-hurricane mortgage delinquency rates cut in half compared to areas without such codes. This underscores the financial stability that effective building regulations can provide to homeowners in hurricane-prone regions.
The Builder’s Role in Safety Standards
There is a common misconception that insurers and builders are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to safety standards. However, Cope argues that builders who are committed to quality are inherently aligned with the goals of enhanced safety and resilience through better building codes, and are integral in helping shape regulations. “Builders who are building high-quality homes should be part of the conversation about minimum safety standards for codes,” she says.
Achieving this balance does not necessarily mean overregulation, but rather smart regulation that enhances building quality without imposing undue financial burdens. “As an engineer, I know that there is a place where codes, cost-effectiveness, long-term affordability, and resilience overlap,” Cope says.
As the conversation around building practices continues to evolve, it’s evident that the path forward involves a collaborative effort among builders, policymakers, insurers, and communities. By embracing higher standards and advocating for consistent building codes, the building industry can ensure that homes are not only places of refuge but also bastions of safety and resilience.
Energy Efficiency and Climate Control
Any discussion around resilience should also include energy efficiency. If greenhouse gas emissions are the source of climate change, it holds that our buildings should be designed or retrofitted to be energy efficient. This is where windows and doors can have a big impact on homeowners’ heating and cooling costs — and the planet.
Fossil-fuel combustion attributed to residential and commercial buildings in the United States accounts for approximately 29 percent of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This substantial contribution is largely due to the energy used for heating and cooling, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
Improvements in window and door technologies play a crucial role in reducing overall energy usage, thereby reducing emissions. Goossen highlighted the importance of selecting window glazing appropriate to the region to enhance a home’s energy performance. Low-E, or low emissivity, is a type of coating applied to window glazing to improve its thermal performance. Emissivity refers to the ability of a material to emit radiant energy. In the context of windows, Low-E coatings are designed to reflect heat back to its source, whether it’s the interior of a building in cold climates or the exterior in hot climates.
Choosing appropriate windows depends on various factors including climate, building orientation, and specific regional conditions. Here’s a general guideline for selecting windows based on different regions (code considerations may apply):
Cold Climates
- Double or triple-pane windows with Low-E coatings: These provide better insulation and help retain heat indoors during cold winters.
- Argon or krypton gas-filled glazing: Enhances insulation and reduces heat transfer.
- Warm edge spacers: Minimize heat loss at the edges of the glass panes.
- Low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC): Prevents excessive heat gain from sunlight during summer months.
Hot and Humid Climates
- Low-E coatings with a higher SHGC: Blocks infrared heat while allowing visible light to enter, reducing cooling costs while maintaining natural light.
- Reflective or spectrally selective coatings: Minimize solar heat gain without compromising visibility.
- Insulating glazing units with low conductivity frames: Reduce heat transfer and condensation.
Moderate Climates
- Double-pane windows with Low-E coatings: Balance heat retention in winters and heat reflection in summers.
- Tinted or reflective glazing: Helps mitigate solar heat gain during hotter months while preserving incoming daylight.
- Insulating frames: Improve overall energy efficiency by reducing thermal bridging.
Mixed Climates
- Triple-pane windows with Low-E coatings: Offer enhanced insulation for both cold winters and hot summers.
- Gas-filled glazing (argon or krypton): Further improves insulation performance.
But there’s nothing to say you can’t mix and match windows for optimal efficiency. That’s precisely what Goossen did when building his house. “I have a nice south-facing view with large windows, but I didn’t want to run up my A/C bill all summer. So, on that side of the house, I have triple Low-E windows, while on the north side of the house I use single Low-E windows with less tinting, so it doesn’t impede the view,” he says.
This is the kind of attention to detail that builders can apply to not only enhance comfort but also significantly reduce the energy required for heating and cooling, which is a win for both the homeowner’s wallet and the environment.
A Sense of Place
The evolution of window and door design also caters to modern aesthetic preferences, which favor cleaner lines and large glass areas to maximize natural light and views. However, these design trends pose additional challenges in maintaining energy efficiency and structural integrity. Goossen notes the balance required in design choices. “Windows and doors with larger glass panes need to be carefully engineered to maintain performance standards, balancing aesthetics with functionality,” he says.
Thankfully, JELD-WEN has risen to the challenge with an array of window and door designs that complement architectural style needs without compromising on performance.
Take JELD-WEN’s Coastal style collection. These doors cater to the unique architectural styles found along the coast. The products are available in a variety of color finishes and materials that reflect coastal homes, which often emphasize light colors and open, airy designs to seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living spaces. The use of AuraLast® pine in their wood windows and patio doors provides long-lasting protection against water damage and rot, crucial for homes exposed to high humidity and salt air.
Moreover, JELD-WEN’s commitment to innovation is evident in their approach to addressing the specific requirements of coastal building. From the choice of materials to the style of construction, their products are designed to enhance the energy efficiency of homes while ensuring they withstand the environmental demands of coastal climates. For example, JELD-WEN windows and patio doors with ImpactGard® glass are designed to resist severe damage from impacts: even if the glass cracks, the fragments will remain within the frame or fall to the outside. Windows and patio doors with ImpactGard glass can meet some of the nation’s toughest building codes.
For builders in coastal areas, opting for JELD-WEN products means investing in solutions that offer durability, energy efficiency, and design that complements the coastal aesthetic. Whether it’s a new build or a renovation, these windows and doors can significantly enhance the aesthetics and functionality of a seaside home, making it ready to face the elements with confidence.
Looking Ahead
As the industry continues to innovate, builders and architects are equipped with more options to meet both regulatory requirements and consumer demands for style and performance. Technologies that offer improved thermal performance, enhanced durability, and lower environmental impact are setting new standards in the building industry.
As our climate continues to change, the building industry’s response is becoming more sophisticated and targeted. Windows and doors are at the forefront of this evolution, offering solutions that not only respond to environmental challenges but also enhance the livability and sustainability of homes. The integration of advanced materials, rigorous testing protocols, and aesthetic considerations ensures that homes are not only safe and efficient but also beautiful and harmonious with their environments.
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NFRC is a registered trademark of the National Fenestration Rating Council. AAMA is a registered trademark of the Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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