Login 
Innotech Windows and Doors Achieve NAFS AW Class Certification
Innotech is proud to announce the successful testing and certification of its products to meet the stringent requirements of the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) AW Class – the highest performance class under NAFS.
This major milestone validates that select Innotech window and door systems have undergone rigorous third-party laboratory testing to meet and exceed the demanding criteria of the AW Class, also known as the Architectural Class, as defined by AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 (NAFS) consequently further verifying their suitability for high-performance multi-family and commercial buildings.
“This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to engineering and manufacturing high-performance fenestration solutions for the most demanding applications,” says Troy Imbery, president of Innotech Windows + Doors. “Our AW Class certified products offer developers and building professionals the confidence that our systems can withstand the harshest environmental conditions while delivering superior energy efficiency and long-term durability.”
What is the North American Fenestration Standard?
The North American Fenestration Standard/Specification (NAFS) is the standard for testing, rating and labelling of windows, doors and skylights for residential and commercial buildings in Canada and the United States. The standard’s official name is AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, “NAFS – North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for Windows, Doors and Skylights”. In Canada, there is also an additional Canadian Supplement (CSA A440S1-17).
What is the AW Class?
The AW Class is the highest of the four performance classes defined in the North American Fenestration Standard. It is specifically intended for mid to high-rise buildings, commercial applications, and other projects where durability and performance are paramount. To achieve this classification, products must undergo comprehensive testing, including the rigorous thermal life cycle testing which is a unique requirement of the AW Class.
What is the Thermal Life Cycle Test?
Thermal life cycle testing simulates the effects of repeated temperature changes on a window or door system to evaluate weatherability, durability, material stability and long-term performance. To confirm that the thermal life cycle test did not compromise the performance or operability of the product, the same product then undergoes a second round of air leakage, water penetration and operating force testing. This repeat testing ensures the window or door performs to AW Class levels both before and after the thermal life cycle testing.
In addition to thermal life cycle testing, AW Class products must also demonstrate exceptional performance on the following tests: air leakage (infiltration and exfiltration), water penetration resistance (cyclic and static), uniform load structural, operating force, forced entry resistance, cycle testing, hardware load testing, sash/leaf torsion and uniform load deflection.
What Innotech products have been tested to NAFS AW Class?
The following Innotech products now meet the requirements of AW Class: Defender 76TS Fixed Window, Defender 76TS Tilt + Turn Window, Defender 76TS Terrace Door, Defender 88PH+ Fixed Window, Defender 88PH+ Tilt + Turn Window, and Defender 88PH+ Terrace Door. The new third-party verified AW Class certification provides further evidence that Innotech products are engineered, tested and validated to meet the most demanding performance standards in the industry.