What Do NAFS Performance Ratings Mean?

Sep 18, 2024Commercial Glass, glass-101, Windows

What Do NAFS Performance Ratings Mean
For My Commercial Glass Replacement
In My Cambridge, MD Building?

Make An Informed Decision For Your
Next Glass Door & Windows


If you’re looking for true experts to complete your next commercial glass replacement in Cambridge, MD, turn to GoGlass.

The quality of the glass installed in your building is just as important as the crew that installs it. At GoGlass, you get the best of both worlds – top-tier materials and a rigorously trained team of glass professionals to install it.

NAFS performance ratings are a great way to gauge the quality of the glass that a company offers. NAFS stands for the North American Fenestration Standard. It provides an all-encompassing framework for evaluating the performance and quality of glass throughout North America.

Glass doors, windows, and skylights are evaluated, and the fenestration standards are constantly evolving. This is due to changes in building codes, technology, and rating system performance requirements.

In this blog, we’ll cover what NAFS performance ratings evaluate in order to determine the durability and functionality of the glass replacement.


Structural Integrity Of Your Glass Door & Windows

The structural integrity of a glass door or window demonstrates how well it can withstand external forces. Some of these include wind pressures, inclement weather, and other structural burdens.

A glass door or window that has a higher NAFS rating indicates that it has greater strength and stability. This is essential for a commercial glass replacement on a building built high up or in a region with strong winds, hurricanes, or snowfall.


Water Penetration Resistance In Cambridge, MD

Inclement weather is inevitable no matter where you are located. Because of this, a glass door or window that is water-resistant is essential. Water penetration resistance evaluates how well the glass door and window resist water infiltration.

During heavy rainstorms, it’s important to protect your building and everything within it from water damage. A higher water penetration resistance ensures that water won’t enter your building and cause damage.


Forced-Entry Resistance For Your Glass Door

With a commercial glass replacement in an unpredictable world, safety is a top priority. Forced entry resistance evaluates how effectively your glass door or window can withstand attempts to break into the facility.

If the resistance rating is higher, this shows that the security features are strong. This would deter intruders from attempting to enter the property. It creates peace of mind for the owners of the building and anyone who enters the property.


Air-Leakage Resistance For Your
Commercial Glass Replacement

This refers to the amount of air that can pass through the glass door or window. If the rating for air leakage is lower, this shows that the glass system is more airtight. This is beneficial because it improves the energy efficiency of your commercial glass replacement.

With airtight glass doors and windows, the internal temperature is much more stable – leading to less energy expenditure. This is also environmentally friendly because it decreases the amount of carbon emissions that come with increased heating and cooling.


Why Are NAFS Ratings Relevant For My Commercial
Glass Replacement In The Delmarva Peninsula?

NAFS ratings are essential to consider because they offer many benefits for your next commercial glass replacement. One of the benefits is code compliance – most buildings require compliance with NAFS standards, so having NAFS-rated glass ensures that your building meets these expectations.

Higher NAFS ratings are also associated with improved performance through challenging weather conditions. This provides peace of mind for you and anyone who enters your building – it also leads to increased longevity, decreasing maintenance costs down the line.

As we discussed earlier, the energy efficiency of NAFS-rated glass leads to a decrease in utility bills. So overall, NAFS-rated glass is a cost-effective and protective solution for your next commercial glass replacement.

If you’re looking to get a commercial glass replacement in Cambridge, MD by seasoned experts with top-tier materials – check out GoGlass for a free quote.