Faulty, leaking, windows can be frustrating, both financially and lack energy efficiency. Windows that let drafts in, cause cold spots, collect condensation, dampness, and mould, usually don’t offer enough defence against noise pollution either. Due to these problematic results, windows now go through a testing process to make sure they have been designed correctly and offer sufficient protection and energy efficiency against the elements.
Window testing is extremely important and efficient ways to make sure that the windows and doors installed in your home function as intended and required. Knowing your windows have been rigorously tested to uphold the latest standards, offers more time to enjoy your windows then worrying about having to replace them.
Window Testing:
A large amount of the typical home’s exterior is made up of windows and doors. Larger buildings may have windows, doors, and curtain wall systems making up between 50 and 100 percent of the facade and envelope. Because of this, they contribute significantly to the entire building expenditures and constitute a significant part of the architecture. Rigorous testing is required to guarantee that doors and windows are strong enough to endure large wind loads, are watertight, airtight and guard against sound attenuation.
In short, window performance testing is just what it sounds like: evaluating a window’s effectiveness and efficiency through a variety of testing techniques. To ensure that the home can maintain the highest possible degree of comfort, window testing is done. The performance of a window can be tested using a variety of techniques, each of which is covered in more depth below.
Thermal Efficiency Testing
To assess the windows’ thermal efficiency, a thermal chamber is utilized. Calculating thermal efficiency involves figuring out its U-Value. Thermal testing is a crucial process that helps guarantee that the windows will give the residents the best possible comfort.
Drafts and Water Testing
Among the most crucial areas of testing are air and water tightness. Strong jets of water and air are used to test the outside of the windows for the presence of infiltration. To determine whether any air or water enters the inside, negative pressure is applied. If the windows do not pass the testing, it may result in indoor wetness, mould, or ice in certain cases. This gives the technical elvaluator the opportunity to rebuild and retest prior to marketing the window and door products. The testing also depends on other factors, such as the area’s climate.
Cycle Testing
Using machines to repeatedly open and close the windows for a predetermined amount of time is known as cycle testing. The goal of cycle testing is to guarantee that Windows operates just as well as it did before the testing.
Acoustics Testing
Sound insulation testing or an Acoustic survey is a test carried out to ensure your installation demonstrates acceptable levels of airborne sound insulation performance. An accoustic test measures the resistance to the passage of airborne sound through a separating window or door. It uses a loudspeaker placed on the outside of the property which produces a steady level of “pink noise”(Pink noise uses a consistent frequency, or pitch, to create a more even, flat sound, like a steady rain, wind rustling through trees, or waves on a beach. Its added depth and lower waves filter out higher sounds. As a result, you hear more relaxing, lower-frequency sounds.)
This type of testing provides an indication of the performance of the partition for a variety of different sounds; this is because pink noise consists of an even level of sound in all frequencies. The level of noise produced by the loudspeaker is measured on both sides of the window or door being tested. The difference between the levels measured on each side shows the amount of sound stopped by the window or door. This provides the airborne sound insulation result.
Contact Us Today
If you’d like to learn more about our windows, contact us Toll-free (US/Canada): 1-877-606-1166 or email us at sales@westeckwindows.com for a consultation with one of our Project Consultants.
About Westeck Windows and Doors
Westeck is a premier manufacturer of windows and doors. All major North American and European windows and doors are locally manufactured and proudly displayed in seven well-appointed showrooms including Kelowna, Victoria, Vancouver, Chilliwack, Nanaimo, Kirkland and Bellingham in Washington State. As each window and door is built to order, our customer have the freedom to design and create a product that is unique and personal. Enjoy our latest line of energy efficient windows and doors designed to enhance modern and contemporary architecture.
