+---
+title: Windows
+category: Architectural / Openings
+toc_depth: 3
+description: >
+ When to use: Complete factory-assembled, single-manufacturer window units in any frame
+ material (aluminum, vinyl, wood, clad-wood, fiberglass, composite) and any operating type
+ (fixed, double-hung, single-hung, casement, awning, hopper, sliding, projected, tilt-turn)
+ for new construction and replacement work in low-rise residential, mid-rise multifamily,
+ and commercial buildings. Covers NAFS performance classification, thermal and structural
+ ratings, glazing and frame selection, finish, hardware, egress, impact resistance, and
+ installation per ASTM E2112.
+ Not intended for: stick-built storefront framing ([[sync/aluminum-entrances-and-storefronts]]);
+ curtain wall ([[sync/glazed-curtain-walls]]); loose glass, interlayers, and glazing materials
+ specified independently of a unit ([[sync/glazing]]); doors and door hardware
+ ([[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]]); skylights and roof windows ([[sync/skylights]]);
+ roof hatches and smoke vents ([[sync/roof-hatches-and-smoke-vents]]).
+---
+
+# Scope {toc}
+
+## This standard covers complete, factory-assembled window units procured from a single manufacturer as a finished assembly. {note}
+
+## A window unit under this standard arrives with its frame, sash, glazing, weatherstripping, and operating hardware already assembled and rated as one product. The contractor sets and flashes it into a prepared rough opening; the contractor does not field-fabricate the frame or grid. This is the distinction that separates a window from a storefront or curtain wall, where the framing is assembled stick by stick in the opening and the glazing is infilled on site. {note}
+
+## Window units shall be furnished as complete factory-assembled assemblies, glazed and weatherstripped by the manufacturer, from a single manufacturer per frame material.
+
+## Each window type shall carry a North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) product designation and a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) energy label.
+
+## Boundaries with adjacent fenestration systems are drawn so that each assembly type is specified once, under the standard that governs its method of assembly. {note}
+
+## The dividing line is how the assembly is built and where it sits relative to the weather line. Field-assembled aluminum grid with infill glazing is storefront or curtain wall. Glazing that sits above the weather line on a slope is a skylight. Glass and interlayers specified on their own, apart from any unit, are glazing materials. Each is named below so the reader retargets rather than duplicating requirements here. {note}
+
+## The following adjacent systems are excluded from this standard and are each specified once under the standard that governs their method of assembly: {note}
+- Stick-built storefront framing — [[sync/aluminum-entrances-and-storefronts]].
+- Unitized and stick-built curtain wall — [[sync/glazed-curtain-walls]].
+- Loose glass, insulating glass unit makeup, interlayers, and glazing materials specified independently of a window unit — [[sync/glazing]].
+- Door assemblies, frames, and door hardware — [[sync/doors-frames-and-hardware]].
+- Skylights and roof windows installed on a slope above the weather line — [[sync/skylights]].
+- Roof hatches and smoke vents — [[sync/roof-hatches-and-smoke-vents]].
+
+# Referenced Standards {toc}
+
+## Window units, glazing, finishes, and installation shall comply with the latest adopted edition of each of the following unless a specific edition is cited or required by the authority having jurisdiction.
+
+## Where referenced standards conflict, the more stringent requirement shall govern unless the Engineer of Record directs otherwise in writing.
+
+## The AAMA-numbered standards below are maintained by the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA), which absorbed AAMA and IGMA in 2020; the AAMA designations remain current under the FGIA umbrella. {note}
+
+| Standard | Title |
+|----------|-------|
+| AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 (NAFS) | North American Fenestration Standard / Specification for Windows, Doors, and Skylights |
+| NFRC 100 | Procedure for Determining Fenestration Product U-Factors |
+| NFRC 200 | Procedure for Determining Fenestration Product Solar Heat Gain Coefficients and Visible Transmittance at Normal Incidence |
+| NFRC 400 | Procedure for Determining Fenestration Product Air Leakage |
+| NFRC 500 | Procedure for Determining Fenestration Product Condensation Resistance |
+| ASTM E2112 | Standard Practice for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights |
+| ASTM E283 | Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, and Doors |
+| ASTM E331 | Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference |
+| ASTM E547 | Standard Test Method for Water Penetration of Exterior Windows, Skylights, Doors, and Curtain Walls by Cyclic Static Air Pressure Difference |
+| ASTM E330 | Standard Test Method for Structural Performance of Exterior Windows, Doors, Skylights and Curtain Walls by Uniform Static Air Pressure Difference |
+| ASTM E1996 | Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Curtain Walls, Doors, and Impact Protective Systems Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes |
+| AAMA 501.2 | Quality Assurance and Diagnostic Water Leakage Field Check of Installed Storefronts, Curtain Walls, and Sloped Glazing Systems |
+| AAMA 611 | Voluntary Specification for Anodized Architectural Aluminum |
+| AAMA 2603 | Voluntary Specification for Pigmented Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels |
+| AAMA 2604 | Voluntary Specification, High Performance Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels |
+| AAMA 2605 | Voluntary Specification, Superior Performing Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels |
+| IECC | International Energy Conservation Code (fenestration U-factor and SHGC by climate zone) |
+| ASHRAE 90.1 | Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings |
+| IBC | International Building Code (Section 2406 safety glazing; Section 1030 emergency escape and rescue openings) |
+| IRC | International Residential Code (Section R308 glazing; Section R310 emergency escape and rescue openings) |
+| ASCE 7 | Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures |
+
+# Submittals {toc}
+
+## The Contractor shall submit the following Action Submittals for review before fabrication:
+- Product data for each window type, including frame material, operating type, NAFS product designation, and Performance Grade.
+- Shop drawings showing elevations, unit sizes, rough opening dimensions, frame profiles and depths, mullion and combination details, and the installation/flashing sequence at head, jamb, and sill.
+- NFRC label data or certified ratings sheet listing whole-window U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage for each glazing configuration.
+- Glazing schedule identifying insulating glass unit makeup, low-e coating type and surface position, gas fill, and spacer type for each window type.
+- Finish samples for each frame color and finish class, on the actual frame substrate.
+- Hardware schedule listing operators, locks, limit devices, and egress/fall-prevention hardware by window type.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Action Submittals
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - Product data with NAFS designation and PG
+ - Shop drawings with flashing sequence
+ - NFRC ratings (U-factor, SHGC, VT, air leakage)
+ - Glazing schedule (IGU makeup, low-e, gas, spacer)
+ - Frame finish samples on actual substrate
+ - Hardware schedule by window type
+default: [Product data with NAFS designation and PG, Shop drawings with flashing sequence, NFRC ratings (U-factor, SHGC, VT, air leakage), Glazing schedule (IGU makeup, low-e, gas, spacer), Frame finish samples on actual substrate, Hardware schedule by window type]
+```
+
+## The Contractor shall submit the following Informational Submittals:
+- Independent test reports demonstrating the specified Performance Grade per NAFS (structural, air, and water).
+- Impact-resistance test report per ASTM E1996 where impact rating is required.
+- Manufacturer installation instructions and the manufacturer's written approval of the project flashing details.
+- Field water test reports per AAMA 501.2 for the installed units.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Informational Submittals
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - NAFS test reports (structural, air, water)
+ - ASTM E1996 impact test report
+ - Manufacturer installation instructions
+ - Manufacturer approval of flashing details
+ - AAMA 501.2 field water test reports
+default: [NAFS test reports (structural, air, water), Manufacturer installation instructions, Manufacturer approval of flashing details]
+```
+
+## The Contractor shall submit the following Closeout Submittals:
+- Executed manufacturer warranties for units, glazing, and finish.
+- Operation and maintenance data, including hardware adjustment and weatherstripping replacement.
+- Cleaning instructions identifying products that will void the finish or glazing warranty.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Closeout Submittals
+type: checkbox
+options:
+ - Executed warranties (unit, glazing, finish)
+ - Operation and maintenance data
+ - Finish and glazing cleaning instructions
+default: [Executed warranties (unit, glazing, finish), Operation and maintenance data, Finish and glazing cleaning instructions]
+```
+
+# Quality Assurance {toc}
+
+## The manufacturer shall have a minimum of five years of documented production of window units of the specified type and Performance Grade.
+
+## Each window unit shall bear a permanent label certifying its NAFS product designation and Performance Grade.
+
+## Each glazed unit shall bear a permanent NFRC label, or be furnished with a certified ratings sheet, identifying U-factor, SHGC, VT, and air leakage.
+
+## Energy code compliance shall be demonstrated by NFRC-labeled ratings; generic or uncertified manufacturer performance claims are not acceptable to the energy inspector. {note}
+
+## Energy inspectors verify fenestration against the NFRC label on the unit. A manufacturer datasheet that states a U-factor without an NFRC certification number will be rejected, forcing a substitution or a re-rate late in construction. Specify NFRC-labeled product and require the label to remain on the unit until inspection. {note}
+
+## The Contractor shall install one window unit of each major type as a mock-up, including the full flashing and sealant sequence, for review and approval before production installation.
+
+## Approved mock-ups may remain as part of the permanent work if undamaged and indistinguishable from production units. {note}
+
+## A field water test per AAMA 501.2 shall be performed on installed units at the rate indicated; passing the test is a condition of acceptance.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Field water test frequency (AAMA 501.2)
+type: select
+options:
+ - One unit per type per floor
+ - One unit per ten installed, per type
+ - First three units of each type, then one per twenty
+ - All units at high-exposure elevations
+default: One unit per ten installed, per type
+```
+
+# Performance Classification {toc}
+
+## NAFS sorts window units into four performance classes that set the minimum structural, air, and water test requirements; the class is chosen from the building's exposure and occupancy, not from price. {note}
+
+## The four NAFS product classes are Residential (R), Light Commercial (LC), Architectural (AW), and Commercial (CW). R and LC are tested to higher air and water limits relative to their grade and suit houses and low-rise multifamily. AW is the most demanding class, intended for high-rise and heavy commercial exposure, with the tightest air leakage and the most stringent water and life-cycle testing. CW sits between LC and AW for mid-rise commercial. The class is a floor; the Performance Grade then fixes the design pressure within that class. {note}
+
+## The window class shall be as scheduled for each window type and shall not be reduced by substitution.
+
+```datasheet
+label: NAFS performance class
+type: radio
+options:
+ - R (Residential)
+ - LC (Light Commercial)
+ - CW (Commercial)
+ - AW (Architectural)
+default: R (Residential)
+```
+
+## The Performance Grade (PG) sets the design pressure the unit must resist and shall be derived from a project-specific wind analysis, not assumed. {note}
+
+## Performance Grade is the design pressure in pounds per square foot (psf) that the unit is tested to resist per ASTM E330, with the water test conducted at 15% of that pressure as a minimum. PG 15 is the residential default; PG 30 is a common light-commercial value; PG 40 and above suit architectural and coastal exposures. The grade must come from an ASCE 7 wind analysis that gives design pressures zone by zone across the elevation, because corner and parapet zones see higher pressures than the field of the wall. {note}
+
+## The design pressure for each window type shall be determined by the Engineer of Record from an ASCE 7 wind analysis and shown on the drawings by wind zone. [[drawing: window wind-zone pressure schedule]]
+
+## Specifying a residential-default Performance Grade on a commercial or high-exposure building leaves the units undersized for the actual wind load and is a frequent source of structural and water failures. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Performance Grade (design pressure)
+type: select
+unit: psf
+options:
+ - PG 15
+ - PG 30
+ - PG 40
+ - PG 50
+ - PG 65
+ - PG 80
+ - PG 100
+default: PG 30
+```
+
+## The water penetration resistance test pressure shall be not less than 15% of the design pressure, and shall be increased for coastal, high-rise, or wind-driven-rain-exposed elevations.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Water test pressure (minimum)
+type: range
+unit: psf
+min: 2.86
+max: 15
+step: 0.01
+```
+
+# Frame Material and Operating Type {toc}
+
+## Frame material is the first selection and governs thermal performance, maximum unit size, maintenance, and cost; no single material is correct for every application. {note}
+
+## Aluminum frames are strong and dimensionally stable but conduct heat, so commercial aluminum windows must be thermally broken to meet energy code. Vinyl (PVC) is inexpensive and thermally efficient but creeps under thermal cycling and is limited in size and grade. Wood is warm and traditional but needs maintenance unless clad with aluminum or vinyl on the exterior. Fiberglass and composite frames offer low thermal conductivity and good dimensional stability across temperature swings, and suit cold climates and large openings. {note}
+
+## The frame material for each window type shall be as scheduled and shall not be substituted without the Architect's written approval.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Frame material
+type: radio
+options:
+ - Thermally broken aluminum
+ - Non-thermally broken aluminum
+ - Vinyl (PVC)
+ - Wood
+ - Aluminum-clad wood
+ - Vinyl-clad wood
+ - Fiberglass
+ - Composite
+default: Thermally broken aluminum
+```
+
+## Vinyl-framed units shall not be specified above approximately 1.5 m (5 ft) in width or above Performance Grade 40 without the manufacturer's documented test evidence at the required size and grade. {note}
+
+## Vinyl creeps and bows under thermal cycling, and large vinyl frames lose stiffness as they heat. Pushing vinyl beyond roughly 5 ft wide or beyond PG 40 invites sash binding, air and water infiltration, and warranty disputes. Large or high-grade commercial openings should use aluminum, fiberglass, or composite frames. {note}
+
+## Operating type is selected from the ventilation need, the reach to the operator, the elevation pattern, and egress requirements. {note}
+
+## Fixed (picture) units do not ventilate and give the largest glass area. Double-hung and single-hung sashes slide vertically and wash easily on the interior. Casements crank outward and seal tightly against their frame, giving good air performance, while awnings hinge at the top to shed rain while open. Hoppers hinge at the bottom and suit below-grade and high-wall locations. Sliders glide horizontally for wide low openings. Projected and tilt-turn units serve commercial elevations and dual cleaning/ventilation modes. The choice drives hardware, egress capability, and rough opening size. {note}
+
+## The operating type for each window shall be as scheduled and shall match the elevation drawings.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Operating type
+type: select
+options:
+ - Fixed / picture
+ - Double-hung
+ - Single-hung
+ - Casement
+ - Awning
+ - Hopper
+ - Sliding / gliding
+ - Projected
+ - Tilt-turn
+default: Double-hung
+```
+
+## The frame depth shall be coordinated with the wall section so that the frame, nailing flange or pocket, and interior/exterior trim resolve without modification. {note}
+
+## Thermally broken commercial aluminum frames are commonly 83-114 mm (3.25-4.5 in) deep. The frame depth must match the wall assembly thickness, the WRB plane, and the trim conditions shown in the wall section, or the units will not align with the cladding and interior finish. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Frame depth
+type: range
+unit: in
+min: 2.5
+max: 6
+step: 0.25
+```
+
+# Thermal and Energy Performance {toc}
+
+## Whole-window thermal performance is rated by NFRC procedures and must meet the prescriptive maximums for the project's climate zone or the values set by the energy model. {note}
+
+## The whole-window U-factor (NFRC 100) measures heat flow through the frame, edge, and center of glass together; a center-of-glass figure alone overstates performance. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (NFRC 200) controls solar gain and is tuned by the low-e coating. Visible Transmittance (NFRC 200) governs daylight. Energy code compliance is shown either against the prescriptive U-factor and SHGC table for the climate zone (IECC for residential and low-rise, ASHRAE 90.1 for commercial) or through a whole-building energy model trade-off. {note}
+
+## The whole-window U-factor shall be NFRC 100 rated and shall not exceed the scheduled maximum for the project climate zone.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum whole-window U-factor (NFRC 100)
+type: range
+unit: Btu/hr·ft²·°F
+min: 0.20
+max: 0.60
+step: 0.01
+```
+
+## The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient shall be NFRC 200 rated and shall not exceed the scheduled maximum for the project climate zone.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum SHGC (NFRC 200)
+type: range
+unit: dimensionless
+min: 0.20
+max: 0.70
+step: 0.01
+```
+
+## The Visible Transmittance shall be NFRC 200 rated and shall meet the scheduled minimum where daylighting is required.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Visible Transmittance (NFRC 200)
+type: range
+unit: dimensionless
+min: 0.30
+max: 0.70
+step: 0.01
+```
+
+## The air leakage rate shall be NFRC 400 / ASTM E283 rated and shall not exceed the scheduled limit at the test pressure. {note}
+
+## The NAFS standard limit for R and LC classes is 0.30 cfm/ft² at 1.57 psf; AW and CW units, and energy-sensitive projects, are commonly specified at 0.10 cfm/ft². Air leakage is the difference between a window that meets a blower-door target and one that does not, so it should be specified explicitly rather than left to the class minimum. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Maximum air leakage (ASTM E283 at 1.57 psf)
+type: select
+unit: cfm/ft²
+options:
+ - 0.30 (NAFS R / LC limit)
+ - 0.20
+ - 0.10 (AW / CW)
+default: 0.30 (NAFS R / LC limit)
+```
+
+## Condensation resistance shall be specified for cold-climate and high-humidity-interior projects, because a low U-factor alone does not guarantee a warm interior glass and frame surface. {note}
+
+## The Condensation Resistance rating (NFRC 500, range 1-100, higher is better) predicts how well the warmest interior surfaces resist condensation. A U-factor-only specification can still allow cold frame edges that sweat or frost in Climate Zone 5 and above, or in natatoriums, pools, and hospitals where interior humidity is high. Specify a minimum CR for those conditions. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum Condensation Resistance (NFRC 500)
+type: range
+unit: CR
+min: 35
+max: 80
+step: 5
+```
+
+# Glazing {toc}
+
+## Glazing makeup is selected with the thermal targets, because the insulating glass unit and its low-e coating do most of the work of meeting U-factor and SHGC. {note}
+
+## A single insulating glass unit (IGU) with a low-e coating and an argon fill is the residential and light-commercial baseline. Triple glazing adds a third lite and a second cavity for Climate Zones 6 through 8 and for acoustic or comfort-critical interiors. The low-e coating type and its surface position tune SHGC against VT, and the warm-edge spacer reduces edge heat loss and condensation. Detailed glass and interlayer specification is the province of [[sync/glazing]]; here the unit-level makeup is selected. {note}
+
+## The insulating glass unit makeup, low-e coating, gas fill, and spacer for each window type shall be as scheduled and shall achieve the specified thermal ratings.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Glazing makeup
+type: radio
+options:
+ - Double IGU, low-e, argon fill
+ - Double IGU, low-e, air fill
+ - Triple IGU, low-e, argon fill
+ - Triple IGU, low-e, krypton fill
+ - Double IGU, laminated (impact / acoustic)
+default: Double IGU, low-e, argon fill
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Warm-edge spacer
+type: radio
+options:
+ - Stainless steel warm-edge spacer
+ - Foam (TPS) warm-edge spacer
+ - Conventional aluminum spacer
+default: Stainless steel warm-edge spacer
+```
+
+## Safety glazing shall be provided in every hazardous location defined by IBC Section 2406 or IRC Section R308, including glazing in or adjacent to doors, glazing at walking surfaces, and glazing in wet areas.
+
+## Glazing in a hazardous location shall be tempered or laminated and shall bear a permanent safety-glazing designation visible after installation.
+
+# Egress and Safety {toc}
+
+## Windows serving as the required emergency escape and rescue opening in a sleeping room shall meet the net clear opening dimensions of IRC Section R310 or IBC Section 1030.
+
+## The egress opening requirement shall be shown on the plans, not left to field measurement.
+
+## For residential sleeping rooms, IRC R310 requires a net clear opening area of at least 5.7 ft² (4.5 ft² at grade-floor openings), a minimum clear height of 24 in, a minimum clear width of 20 in, and a sill no higher than 44 in above the finished floor. These are clear-of-hardware dimensions after the sash is opened, so the rough unit size must be selected to satisfy them. Omitting egress from the plans forces a sash change order late in construction. {note}
+
+## Egress windows shall be selected so that the operable sash provides the required net clear opening area, height, and width with the sash in the fully open position.
+
+## The egress sill height above finished floor shall not exceed the code maximum for the occupancy.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Egress compliance basis
+type: radio
+options:
+ - IRC R310 (residential sleeping rooms)
+ - IBC 1030 (other occupancies)
+ - Not an egress opening
+default: IRC R310 (residential sleeping rooms)
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Minimum net clear opening area (egress)
+type: range
+unit: ft²
+min: 4.5
+max: 6.5
+step: 0.1
+```
+
+## Fall-prevention or sash-limiting devices shall be provided on operable windows where required by code for the sill height and floor level above grade. {note}
+
+## Operable windows with low sills on upper floors can present a fall hazard, and many codes require window opening control devices or limited initial openings on floors above the ground level. The limiting device must still allow the window to reach its full egress opening when released, so the hardware must be selected to satisfy both the fall-prevention limit and the egress opening. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Fall-prevention / opening control device
+type: radio
+options:
+ - Window opening control device (releasable to full egress)
+ - Fixed sash limiter
+ - None required
+default: None required
+```
+
+# Impact Resistance {toc}
+
+## In hurricane-prone and high-wind regions, impact resistance shall be specified by citing the ASTM E1996 product type and missile level, or the governing local code, so that manufacturers submit equivalent products. {note}
+
+## "Impact-rated" with no further definition lets each manufacturer submit a product to whatever level it chooses. ASTM E1996 defines missile levels (large-missile levels such as D and E, and small-missile levels) tied to wind speed and the height of the glazing above grade. Hurricane jurisdictions add their own approval and labeling rules. The Florida Building Code and the Texas Department of Insurance impose product-approval and labeling requirements beyond base IBC that affect which products may be installed, so the design pressure, the missile level, and the local approval basis must all be stated. {note}
+
+## Where impact resistance is required, window units shall be tested and labeled to ASTM E1996 at the missile level and design pressure scheduled for the wind zone and glazing height.
+
+## Impact-rated units shall carry the product approval or labeling required by the authority having jurisdiction. [[drawing: impact-zone window schedule]]
+
+```datasheet
+label: Impact resistance requirement
+type: radio
+options:
+ - None (no windborne-debris requirement)
+ - Small-missile rated (ASTM E1996)
+ - Large-missile level D (ASTM E1996)
+ - Large-missile level E (ASTM E1996)
+default: None (no windborne-debris requirement)
+```
+
+# Frame Finish {toc}
+
+## The aluminum frame finish shall be specified by AAMA finish class and shall match the finish class of any storefront or curtain wall on the same elevation. {note}
+
+## Aluminum frame finishes are graded by durability. AAMA 2603 is a standard organic coating; AAMA 2604 is a high-performance coating with roughly 50% PVDF resin; AAMA 2605 is a superior coating with at least 70% PVDF resin and a long chalk-and-fade warranty, and is the default for exposed commercial work. Anodized finishes follow AAMA 611. The critical coordination rule is that all aluminum on one elevation must share a finish class, because a lower-durability coating fades and chalks at a different rate and the color will visibly diverge within a few years. {note}
+
+## Aluminum frame organic coatings shall comply with the scheduled AAMA finish class, and anodized finishes shall comply with AAMA 611.
+
+## The frame finish color and class shall be consistent across all aluminum fenestration systems on the same elevation.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Aluminum frame finish
+type: radio
+options:
+ - AAMA 2605 organic coating (≥70% PVDF, superior)
+ - AAMA 2604 organic coating (high performance)
+ - AAMA 2603 organic coating (standard)
+ - AAMA 611 Class I anodized
+ - AAMA 611 Class II anodized
+ - Mill finish
+default: AAMA 2605 organic coating (≥70% PVDF, superior)
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Frame finish color
+type: text
+drawing_ref: "color schedule"
+default: deferred
+```
+
+# Hardware {toc}
+
+## Operating hardware shall be the manufacturer's standard for the operating type, finished to match the window, and rated for the unit's cycle life and Performance Grade.
+
+## Casement and awning units shall be furnished with corrosion-resistant operators and multi-point locking that draws the sash tight against the weatherstrip across its full height.
+
+## Sliding and hung units shall be furnished with cam locks or sweep locks that compress the meeting-rail weatherstrip, and with balance or roller systems rated for the sash weight.
+
+## Sill drainage (weep) paths shall be provided and shall remain clear so that water reaching the sill track drains to the exterior. {note}
+
+## Operable units collect water in the sill track. Concealed weep slots must drain that water out the face of the unit; if they are blocked by sealant during installation, water backs up and enters the wall. The drainage path is part of the unit and must be protected during glazing and setting. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Hardware finish
+type: select
+options:
+ - Matte black
+ - Satin nickel
+ - White
+ - Bronze
+ - Clear anodized
+ - To match frame
+default: To match frame
+```
+
+# Installation {toc}
+
+## Window units shall be installed in accordance with ASTM E2112 and the manufacturer's written instructions, integrated with the wall's water-resistive barrier so that water is directed to the exterior at every interface. {note}
+
+## ASTM E2112 governs the order of operations that makes a window watertight: the sill pan goes in first and drains outward, the unit is set and shimmed, jamb flashing laps over the sill pan, and head flashing laps over the jamb flashing and behind the WRB above. Every overlap sheds water downward and outward. Get the sequence wrong and the window leaks regardless of how well the unit itself performs. {note}
+
+## A sloped sill pan flashing that drains to the exterior shall be installed under every window unit, and the sill pan detail shall be shown on the drawings rather than left to installer judgment. [[drawing: window sill pan flashing detail]]
+
+## The flashing shall be lapped so that head flashing laps over jamb flashing and jamb flashing laps over the sill pan, with each layer shedding water to the exterior.
+
+## Reverse-lapping of the head flashing shall be prohibited.
+
+## The window-to-wall interface shall be sealed and insulated so that the rough opening framing and subsill do not become a thermal bridge that defeats the thermally broken frame. {note}
+
+## A thermally broken frame loses much of its value if the surrounding rough opening is uninsulated. The shim space must be insulated (low-expansion foam or mineral wool, not a rigid pack that distorts the frame), and the subsill should include a thermal break. The interior air seal and exterior weather seal are separate planes and both must be continuous. {note}
+
+## The shim space between the unit and the rough opening shall be insulated with low-expansion foam or mineral wool that does not bow the frame.
+
+## The rough opening shall be sized to the unit dimension plus the manufacturer's shim allowance, and the rough opening for each window type shall be confirmed on the drawings. {note}
+
+## Rough opening size varies by operating type and manufacturer. A common allowance is the unit size plus about 1/2 in total each direction, giving roughly 1/4 in of shim space per side. A single generic rough-opening note across a project with mixed window types generates RFIs and field rework, so each type's rough opening must be scheduled. {note}
+
+## Each window unit shall be set plumb, level, and square within the manufacturer's tolerance, and shall operate freely through its full travel after installation.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Shim space per side (rough opening)
+type: range
+unit: in
+min: 0.125
+max: 0.5
+step: 0.0625
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Installation method
+type: radio
+options:
+ - New construction, nailing flange
+ - New construction, block frame in masonry/brick mold
+ - Replacement / retrofit in existing frame
+default: New construction, nailing flange
+```
+
+## Factory-glazed and field-glazed units shall not be intermixed within a single submittal without a clear designation of which units ship glazed and which are glazed on site. {note}
+
+## Large fixed lites are sometimes shipped with the glass separate and glazed in the opening to manage weight and breakage. A factory-glazed unit and a field-glazed unit warranty and behave differently, so the submittal must state which units are which to avoid schedule and warranty confusion. {note}
+
+# Delivery, Storage, and Handling {toc}
+
+## Window units shall be delivered in the manufacturer's protective packaging with NAFS and NFRC labels intact and legible.
+
+## Units shall be stored upright, off the ground, under cover, and protected from construction traffic, welding spatter, and runoff from adjacent masonry or concrete.
+
+## Protective films and labels shall remain in place until directed for removal, and labels required for energy inspection shall not be removed before inspection. {note}
+
+# Warranty {toc}
+
+## The manufacturer shall warrant the window units against defects in materials and workmanship for the scheduled period.
+
+## The insulating glass units shall be warranted against seal failure, including fogging and gas loss, for the scheduled period.
+
+## The exterior frame finish shall be warranted against chalk, fade, and adhesion loss for the period associated with its AAMA finish class. {note}
+
+## AAMA 2605 finishes carry a long exterior warranty, commonly on the order of ten to twenty years against fade and chalk, while AAMA 2604 and 2603 carry shorter periods. The finish warranty period should match the finish class specified and the exposure of the elevation. {note}
+
+```datasheet
+label: Window unit warranty period
+type: select
+unit: years
+options:
+ - 1
+ - 2
+ - 5
+ - 10
+default: 10
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Insulating glass seal warranty period
+type: select
+unit: years
+options:
+ - 5
+ - 10
+ - 20
+default: 10
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Exterior finish warranty period
+type: select
+unit: years
+options:
+ - 5
+ - 10
+ - 20
+default: 20
+```
+
+# Spare Parts {toc}
+
+## The Contractor shall furnish spare operating hardware and weatherstripping of each type for the Owner's maintenance stock.
+
+## The Contractor shall furnish touch-up finish material matching each frame finish color and class.
+
+```datasheet
+label: Spare hardware sets per window type
+type: range
+unit: sets
+min: 0
+max: 5
+step: 1
+```
+
+```datasheet
+label: Spare glazing units (large fixed lites)
+type: range
+unit: units
+min: 0
+max: 4
+step: 1
+```