What makes the Window and Door Manufacturers Association’s Hallmark Certification Program so important, and how exactly does the program help architects, builders and remodelers? The answers to these five questions might help.
What is the purpose of the program?
The WDMA Hallmark Certification Program is designed to provide builders, architects and remodelers – as well as code officials and consumers – with an easily recognizable means of identifying products that have been manufactured in accordance with the appropriate performance standards and building code performance requirements.
What makes this WDMA Hallmark Certification Program the premier certification in the industry?
Dating back to the 1930s, the program was established through consensus of academia and industry. The WDMA Hallmark Certification Program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and recognized by many federal agencies and building code organizations across the country. The program also is approved by the State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations Product Approval System for Product Certification, Quality Assurance and Product Approval Validation, and by the Texas Department of Insurance.
Even more importantly, the certification provides architects, builders and remodelers with the promise of “Total Product Performance.”
Why is a “Total Product Performance” promise significant?
This promise ensures manufacturers and suppliers of windows, exterior doors and skylights comply with referenced air, water, structural and impact performance standards, as well as the specified materials and components requirements.
Many certification bodies ensure products comply with building code requirements, but not every certification entity goes beyond this. That means two different code-compliant products can vary widely in quality and performance.
The WDMA Hallmark Certification Program indicates both compliance and high performance. Architects, builders and remodelers can rest assured they are installing or specifying a product of the highest quality with certified performance – not just a product that conforms to the minimum building code requirements.
What are some of the protocols the WDMA Hallmark Certification Program references?
The program ensures material and components conform to the requirements and test protocols of the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS).
Additionally, WDMA combines inspections for the WDMA Hallmark Certification Program, National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), Insulating Glass Certification Council (IGCC) and Safety Glazing Certification Council.
Conformance is determined by in-plant inspection of the manufacturing facilities to ensure the product is produced the same way it was tested, and that a quality control system is in place – not just for the plant, but also for all materials and components used.
Products are sampled and tested for structural performance as well as material and component requirements – including the 256 primary standards and 175 material component standards referenced in NAFS.
How can architects, builders and remodelers ensure they get products that are certified?
Architects, builders and remodelers can use WDMA’s online certified product search to compare product lines and see the performance rating and standards met for each certified product line, all in one place. Additionally, all certified products bear a label indicating they meet code and performance standards.
By: John McFee
Vice President of the Window & Door Manufacturers Association Certification Programs
Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
Understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance your projects.
Webinar: Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification
The Understanding Window, Door & Skylight Certification webinar is designed to help architects and remodelers understand the benefits of window, door and skylight certification and how certified products can enhance their projects.
