Founded in 1927, the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) is the premier trade association defining the standards of excellence in the residential and commercial window, door and skylight industry for both domestic and export markets. WDMA strives to advance a standard of excellence among product manufacturers and other industry members, with a focus on Total Product Performance™ products, all designed and built in accordance with performance-based standards.
Utilizing some of the most knowledgeable experts in the space, WDMA drives the development, creation, and implementation of key standards for the window, door and skylight industry.
WDMA’s Mission, Vision and Strategic Objectives
WDMA’s mission is to promote, protect and advance the use of high performance, high quality windows, doors and skylights through advocacy, education, standards and certification. Our vision is to be recognized as the preeminent voice and trusted source of information for the window, door and skylight industry. In alignment with this vision, WDMA is one of three organizations that produces the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) and is the sole author of the American National Standard Institute (ANSI)–approved Architectural Wood Door Standards. The NAFS performance requirements and test methods are referenced in residential and commercial building codes and form the basis for high-performing, relevant product ratings.
Photo Credit: Kolbe Windows and Doors
Over the next three years, WDMA is focused on three primary strategic objectives related to public policy advocacy, industry promotion and membership growth and value. In an effort to be the leading source of industry information and technical standards among architects, builders and remodelers, WDMA is committed to completing the following:
- Strengthening and magnifying the growing influence and effectiveness of WDMA as the recognized industry expert in those key policy-making arenas impacting the manufacture and use of windows, doors and skylights.
- Advancing and elevating the perceived value of high-performance and high-quality windows, doors and skylights among key target audiences.
- Continuing to enhance the WDMA’s value proposition to grow membership with increased member participation and engagement.
WDMA’s Hallmark Certification Program
WDMA understands that ensuring manufacturers and suppliers of windows, doors and skylights comply with appropriate performance, material and component standards is the key to any successful build. As a result, since the 1930s, WDMA’s ANSI-accredited Hallmark Certification Program has provided 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. Along with accreditation from ANSI, the program is recognized by many federal agencies and building code organizations across the country.
The WDMA Hallmark Certification Program provides certification to air, water, structural and impact performance standards, as well as the specified materials and components requirements. Architects, builders and remodelers can ensure their products are certified through WDMA’s online certified product search allowing them to compare product lines and indicate whether or not the product meets code and performance standards.
Photo credit: VELUX Skylights
WDMA’s Open Up to Performance™ Initiative
Whether designing a home, remodeling a home or laying foundational materials, only the finest quality products will be effective. In 2019, WDMA created and launched a platform for builders, architects and remodelers to have a new trusted resource when designing, specifying and selecting high-performance windows, doors and skylights. The resource, Open Up to Performance offers a wide variety of educational and informative content, created and curated by industry experts.
The Open Up to Performance page features informational content to help select the best products and find manufacturers for any project. Topics include current trends and news in high-performance windows and doors, innovations and pertinent research, performance and standard guides, and ways to use high-performance products to increase energy efficiency. The site also provides information on the Hallmark Certification Program, including educational resources and in-depth webinars on selecting and specifying architectural doors that meet ANSI/WDMA standards. The webinars provide a variety of industry and technical topics of relevance, such as a guide to door face veneers, understanding door sound transmission and the value proposition of ENERGY STAR. Many of the webinars offer continuing education (CE) credits from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Door and Hardware Institute (DHI) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).
In Conclusion
Providing valuable resources that educate WDMA’s members in areas of advocacy, business performance, education and product performance will continue to drive the development, creation and implementation of key standards for the window, door and skylight industry.
”Successfully designing an adaptable space has not only economic, environmental and emotional rewards, but it also contains generational rewards for years to come.
Michael O’Brien
President and CEO of the Window & Door Manufacturers Association
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.
