Design and Field Testing of Windows/Doors in Hurricane Zones

Abstract

This paper will present effective window, door and flashing design guidelines, installation case studies and corresponding results from field testing of several installed windows and doors. Openings create the discontinuities in the building facade that often allow water and air infiltration into the building. Over the last 20 years, window and door design has garnered much attention, which has led to more stringent Building Codes. The revised Building Codes have, purportedly, led to improved design and manufacturing of windows and doors. However, recent field testing of installed windows and doors indicates, that on the majority of projects, inadequate quality control leads to installed products that leak unacceptable levels of air, water or both. Quality control issues at the manufacturing plant can be simple mistakes, such as factory workers installing the wrong material around the perimeter of a sash or frame, which can significantly reduce the performance level of a highly-rated product. Improperly drawn or misinterpreted Shop Drawings often result in the omission of field-applied sealants, again significantly reducing the performance of a highly-rated product. Installation errors reduce the effectiveness of sealants which also significantly reduces the performance of highly-rated window and door products. Fortunately, field testing helps identify the modifications necessary to bring the windows and doors in compliance with Contract and Building Code requirements. Field testing also verifies that modifications have effectively restored the windows and doors to their intended performance levels. Field testing has proven to be an invaluable tool to ensure installed window and door products are functioning as intended, so we recommend field-testing windows, doors and associated flashings for both renovation and new construction projects.