Exciting times

It is a fascinating time to be involved in the fenestration industry. Technological advancements over the past two decades have elevated fenestration energy performance to unprecedented levels. And exciting technologies – from electrochromic windows with dynamic glazing to fenestration that incorporates solar cells to innovative glass displays – have moved from the realm of science fiction to reality. 

The growth of the green building movement is raising awareness of energy efficient fenestration, as are new or greater performance requirements in model energy codes. One example is the 2012 IECC’s fenestration area limits based on daylighting controls in commercial buildings under the prescriptive path, as discussed in the “2012 International Code Requirements for Windows and Doors” article in Glass Magazine.

It's also a time for growth at NFRC, and our board of directors recently approved new goals that will lead the group into the future. Among them is the aim to develop new energy related rating procedures and programs. One new area we are exploring, for example, is daylighting. NFRC formed the Bright Day Illuminance and Daylighting Potential Rating Procedure Task Groups to study the possibility of providing daylighting ratings that could one day offer a measurement of fenestration’s role in a building’s energy load.

Developing new and credible ratings programs, along with pursuing our other new goals, will not be possible without the continued help of NFRC’s dedicated volunteer members. We strive to bring together a variety of stakeholders who work together to develop and refine our procedures and programs through a consensus process. For more information on the group, its new membership dues structure, and how you can get involved, visit www.nfrc.org.

The author is CEO of the National Fenestration Rating Council. He has been involved in developing product and performance standards for the window and glass industry for more than 25 years. Write him at jbenney@nfrc.org.