Hardware

While window latches are a small physical portion of the overall window system, they represent a key component for a number of reasons. The best latches will enhance safety, meet or exceed forced-entry codes (California's codes are the most stringent in the country), are reliable and durable and, increasingly, reflect the principles of universal design. According to the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina University, universal design is defined as "the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. The intent of universal design is to simplify life for everyone by making products more usable by as many people as possible at little or no extra cost, benefitting people of all ages and abilities."

Residents over the age of 50 are the fastest growing segment of the housing market. A major recent focus of manufacturers has been developing products for this segment of the population, designed to help them "age in place" by living independently in their own homes longer and more comfortably. In the window and door industry, a focus has been on designing locks to engage when the window is closed, providing simple, one-touch operation to close and lock the window; unlocking and opening the window is just as easy, again requiring just one touch to lift the latch and raise the sash.

Easy-to-operate locks benefit all users Photo: Milgard Windows & Doors

Although easy-to-use products are in great demand by the aging population, it is equally important to design products that are aesthetically pleasing and provide peace of mind for the general population. Unlike conventional cam-style locks mounted atop window sashes, one-touch locks can be integrated for a low-profile lock mechanism that is recessed into the window frame, providing a clean, sleek look that complements any type of architecture or interior design. When the window is closed and locked, the latch is down and out of sight. When the window is open, the latch stays open, indicating the window is unlocked-and can be seen from across the room.

Another hardware improvement is a tilt latch with a recessed release. Where traditional latches require the user to pinch both sides of the latch simultaneously together to open, tilt latches operate with the touch of a finger.

A good benchmark for a well-designed lock system is one that meets the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Program, which encourages manufacturers to design user-friendly products and packaging. Products are tested by an independent lab experienced in the design and evaluation of products that are accessible to people with functional limitations due to the effects of arthritis.

Coatings

Manufacturers of fiberglass windows are beginning to adopt the newest advances in coatings technologies. Producing a baked-on, sag-free, extremely durable exterior coating that resists scratches and gouges, powder-coated exterior finishes provide better color stability that withstands the stresses of the construction process and weathers well. The powder-coating process uses no solvents and, unlike other types of paint systems, it effectively recovers as much as 95 percent of any wasted powder-coating material for re-use. In order to ensure the powder coat performance expected for a given application, one of three AAMA specifications should be referenced: AAMA 623-07, 624-07 or 625-07. Each document describes test procedures and performance requirements for organic coatings applied to AAMA-certified fiber-reinforced thermoset profiles. Testing procedures cover color uniformity and reflective specular gloss readings; dry film, hardness and adhesion; abrasion and impact resistance; chalk resistance, weathering; and resistance to chemicals, acids and cleaning agents.

Applicable Standards

With the myriad of fenestration products on the market today, several organizations have developed standards to provide code officials, builders, architects, specifiers and consumers with an easily recognizable means of identifying structurally sound and energy efficient products.

Some consider the best windows to be those that have been certified by AAMA and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). AAMA certifies the quality of the window components and how they are assembled. The AAMA Gold Label Certification Program is a performance-based and ANSI-accredited method of verifying window performance, and Gold Certification is AAMA's highest level. Windows are tested for thermal performance as well as air and water infiltration and structural integrity. The standard AAMA silver label only requires thermal testing. AAMA testing is rigorous and transparent-manufacturers are subject to unannounced factory tests of their products.