Structural integrity number not available

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aacharliep
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Jul 03, 2013 7:59 pm

Structural integrity number not available

#1 Post by aacharliep »

I asked a sales person what the structural rating and air infiltration rating was for his double hungs and he said they didn't have those numbers available. He said he didn't think they paid for those particular ratings. Is there any way of getting those ratings elsewhere?

masterext
Posts: 1404
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:14 am
Location: Window Pro-Serves All of Northern New Jersey. Bergen, Morris, Union, Essex, Passaic, Sussex Counties

Re: Structural integrity number not available

#2 Post by masterext »

There is only one reason why a company refuses to divulge their air infiltration number; it isnt good. Its that simple.
Do not fall for the " pass or fail " nonsense. Some companies state they " passed all air infiltration tests". Maybe it passed but they ALWAYS get a number that denotes their actual air infiltration number. Dont let them fool you, they know the number but are afraid to advertise it.
Always make certain the air infiltration rate given is for a Double Hung window and NOT a casement or fixed window. Casements and fixed are always low and not a true measurement of structural integrity; everyone goes by Double hung rates.
Air infiltration is one of the most important numbers when evaluating performance and window companies know this. Keeping quiet about such an important number speaks volumes.
Last edited by masterext on Tue Apr 29, 2014 9:18 am, edited 2 times in total.

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Windows on Washington
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Location: DC Metropolitan Area-Maryland/Virginia/DC

Re: Structural integrity number not available

#3 Post by Windows on Washington »

masterext wrote:There is only one reason why a company refuses to divulge their air infiltration number; it isnt good. Its that simple.
Air infiltration is one of the most important numbers when evaluating performance and window companies know this. Keeping quiet about a number speaks volumes.
+1

That is usually what I see.

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Randy
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Joined: Fri Oct 08, 2004 7:26 am
Location: Houston, TX

Re: Structural integrity number not available

#4 Post by Randy »

Masterext is exactly right. Marvin windows are AAMA certified and in order to receive certification they had to be tested for air leakage. Marvin makes some really nice windows, but their strong suit is not efficiency, it's beauty. As has been said already, companies with really good ratings advertise them, and those with poor ratings play dumb.

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HomeSealed
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Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2010 3:46 pm
Location: Milwaukee, Madison, SE Wisconsin

Re: Structural integrity number not available

#5 Post by HomeSealed »

+1 to all comments above. The only time that a company legitimately does not have those test numbers is if it was not tested, but you would have to be dealing with a "hole in the wall" type of manufacturer for that to be the case. Any reputable manufacturer will have their windows tested... Prying the results out of them if they do not reflect positively however, is another issue entirely.

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TheWindowNerd
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Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2009 3:05 pm
Location: SE PA & NJ; DFW/Metroplex

Re: Structural integrity number not available

#6 Post by TheWindowNerd »

If you are looking at a DH, I suggest that it be .09 or less on AI, my preference is actually much more stringent, .05 or less AI. Then you will feel no breezes.
theWindowNerd...

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