| Product Testing | Thermal performance | Request the complete-window U-value, including frame, glass, spacer, and opening configuration. For energy-conscious projects, a whole-window U-value at or below approximately 1.6 W/m²·K is a useful starting benchmark; local energy codes should take priority. | Accredited laboratory report, calculation method, glass specification, spacer type, frame section drawings, and declared test size. | Require before approval |
| Product Testing | Air permeability | Performance should be reported against the destination-market standard. For high-performance projects, target a low air-leakage classification and confirm the result applies to the complete window rather than glass alone. | Air-permeability test report showing test pressure, window size, opening type, leakage result, and classification. | Require project target |
| Product Testing | Watertightness | Specify the minimum pressure class according to building height, exposure, and regional weather. Coastal, high-rise, and storm-prone projects normally require a higher water-tightness rating than sheltered low-rise buildings. | Static or dynamic water-tightness report, test pressure, spray duration, opening configuration, and failure observations. | Match local exposure |
| Product Testing | Wind-load resistance | The design pressure must be calculated from the project location, building height, façade zone, window size, and applicable structural code. Avoid approving a window based only on a generic maximum pressure. | Structural calculation, wind-load test report, mullion and transom details, anchor layout, and maximum tested dimensions. | Verify by project |
| Product Testing | Acoustic performance | State the required weighted sound reduction index or equivalent local rating. Laminated acoustic glass, wider cavities, and improved seals may increase sound insulation, but the complete window must be tested or properly calculated. | Laboratory acoustic report, glass build-up, frame type, seals, vents, and test configuration. | Use for noisy sites |
| Product Testing | Safety and security | Confirm impact safety, child-safety hardware where required, restrictor operation, laminated-glass requirements, emergency egress dimensions, and resistance-to-forced-entry requirements for the target market. | Safety-glazing certificates, hardware test reports, security classification, egress drawings, and installation instructions. | Check local code |
| Customization | Profile and glazing options | Confirm available thermal breaks, frame depths, glazing thickness range, double- or triple-glazed compatibility, concealed drainage, insect screens, blinds, and compatible hardware before approving shop drawings. | Section drawings, glazing tables, hardware schedule, color chart, drainage details, and approved sample corner. | Approve sample first |
| Customization | Surface finish and color consistency | For exterior aluminum, specify the required coating system, color reference, gloss level, pretreatment, and expected exposure category. Different production batches should be controlled against an approved physical sample. | Coating specification, finish certificate, color sample, thickness records, and batch inspection procedure. | Control by sample |
| Customization | Special sizes and shapes | Arched, oversized, corner, sliding, tilt-and-turn, and fixed units may require separate calculations and tooling. Confirm maximum tested dimensions and allowable glass weight before finalizing the schedule. | Unit-by-unit shop drawings, structural calculations, hardware load limits, and prototype test results. | Review non-standard units |
| Production | Typical lead time | A realistic planning range is approximately 2–4 weeks for technical confirmation and samples, 4–8 weeks for standard production after approved drawings and deposit, and additional time for special glass, tooling, or unusual finishes. | Milestone schedule covering drawing approval, material procurement, production, testing, packing, and dispatch. | Put dates in contract |
| Production | Sample and prototype timing | Allow approximately 1–3 weeks for a standard corner or operating sample and longer for a fully glazed prototype. The sample should represent the final profile, seals, hardware, glass, drainage, and finish. | Sample approval form, dimensional checklist, photographs, test records, and signed deviation list. | Approve before mass production |
| Quality Control | Pre-shipment inspection | Inspect dimensions, diagonals, operation, glass condition, drainage, seal continuity, hardware, labels, packaging, and quantity. A third-party inspection can be used for larger or higher-risk orders. | Inspection plan, inspection report, defect classification, corrective-action record, and packing list. | Use lot inspection |
| Logistics | Packaging and shipment protection | Packaging should prevent frame distortion, glass edge damage, finish abrasion, water exposure, and movement during container transport. Units should be traceable to room, elevation, or window schedule. | Packing method, loading photos, moisture protection details, crate labels, container loading plan, and replacement procedure. | Inspect loading evidence |
| Warranty | Warranty duration | Commercial terms commonly separate coverage for frames, finish, insulated-glass seal failure, and hardware. Request clearly stated periods rather than accepting a single general warranty sentence. | Signed warranty document identifying coverage period, start date, exclusions, remedy, and claim procedure. | Make terms specific |
| Warranty | Finish and corrosion coverage | Coverage should reflect the exposure environment. Coastal, industrial, and high-humidity locations require an appropriate pretreatment and coating specification, not only a longer warranty period. | Exposure classification, coating certificate, corrosion-resistance test, maintenance requirements, and excluded environments. | Match environment |
| Warranty | Claims and replacement process | The contract should define response time, evidence required, replacement-part availability, labor responsibility, freight responsibility, and the remedy for repeated or systemic defects. | Warranty workflow, service contact, spare-parts list, response-time commitment, and escalation procedure. | Define before purchase |
| Compliance | Destination-market documentation | Select the applicable national or regional requirements before testing. Common references may include EN 14351-1, ASTM or AAMA-based specifications, CSA requirements, or local building codes, depending on the destination. | Compliance matrix, applicable standards list, test reports, declarations, installation manuals, and product labeling details. | Confirm jurisdiction |
| Installation | Installation compatibility | Performance depends on the opening preparation, anchors, perimeter sealing, sill flashing, tolerances, drainage path, and installer skill. The installation method must be designed together with the window system. | Installation manual, approved details, anchor schedule, tolerance limits, sealant specification, and installer training record. | Approve site details |