Gold AAMA Certification: An Overview
Wondering What Separates Gold AAMA Certified Windows from the Rest?
Learn about what Gold AAMA Certification is and what it means for your replacement windows and doors.
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What Does the Gold AAMA Certification Label Mean?
A Gold AAMA label is an indication that a window has passed testing procedures that confirm its quality, reliability, and durability. AAMA stands for “American Architectural Manufacturers Association,” which is an independent industry organization.
The certification retains the AAMA name, though the organization merged with the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) to become the Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) back in 2020.
Gold Label Window Energy Savings Calculator
See How Much AAMA-Certified Windows Could Save You!
Adjust the slider below to match what your current monthly electricity bill is to see an estimate of your potential annual savings*:
Based on figures determined by ENERGY STAR when upgrading from a single-pane ‘clear’ window to an ENERGY STAR-compliant window at an average 12% energy consumption reduction.
How Does AAMA Certification Work?
Be Made on a CERTIFIED Production Line
A window or door with an AAMA Gold label must be made on a production line that has been certified by the AAMA.
Undergo Surprise Inspections
Production lines for windows are subjected to two surprise inspections every year to verify they meet quality standards.
Pass Repeated Use Stress Tests
Doors and windows undergoing Gold Label Certification are tested to verify they’ll work reliably without getting stuck or jammed.
Pass Air Leakage Tests
The AAMA tests windows to verify that they meet air leakage standards of 0.30 cubic feet or less per minute against 25 mph winds.
Pass Water Leak Tests
Gold AAMA Certified windows and doors are tested to verify they can hold back water at a rate of five gallons per hour per square foot.
Pass Energy Efficiency Tests
Window and door glass is put through checks that their energy efficiency meets specific minimum requirements.
Get a Quote for AAMA-Certified Windows and Doors
Get Top Gold Label AAMA-Certified Window Brands!
When you want windows with top-class energy efficiency, durability, and reliability, you need to know that the manufacturer is reliable. That’s why Karoly Windows partners with top-tier brands to source windows with AAMA certification!
Simonton and PGT are two of the most reliable and consistent window manufacturers in the business in Florida. They produce top-quality windows with excellent energy efficiency, impact resistance, and reliability even after decades of use.
After installing literally tens of thousands of these windows, the Karoly team can attest to their quality and reliability.
AAMA-Certified WIndow Options
Impact Windows
Double Hung Windows
Sliding Windows
Picture Windows
Casement Windows
Awning Windows
Bay Windows
Custom Windows
Secure Financing to Get the Best Replacement Windows!
Want windows with the Gold Label AAMA certification now, but are finding it difficult to find the room for a whole home window replacement service in your budget? Karoly Windows has a solution for you: Window financing that lets you spread out your new window installation costs over time.
We work with financial institutions like GreenSky and Synchrony Financial to offer flexible financing options to qualifying customers! Between these two companies, you can get a wide range of financing plans, including plans that have no money down and up to 24 months of no interest accrued (if paid off within that 24 months).
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Two great plans — see which one fits your budget best.
GreenSky 12-Month Plan
- No payments required for 12 months
- Pay it off within 12 months = 0% interest
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- If paying after 12 months → fixed payments over 84 months
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AAMA Certification and Doors
Windows aren’t the only things on your home to keep as energy-efficient and durable as possible. The doors leading into your house can also have a huge impact on your energy efficiency and home security.
Getting AAMA-certified doors can help you maximize your home’s safety, energy efficiency, and curb appeal!
AAMA-Certified Replacement Door Options
Sliding Glass Doors
Standard Sliding Patio Doors
Pocket Sliding Doors
Bi-Parting Doors
Exterior Doors
Entry Doors
Double Entry Doors
French Doors
What Makes a Door Gold Label Certified?
Adding Gold Label certified doors to your home can be a great way to maximize the energy efficiency and security of your home. But, what makes a door Gold Label certified? The way AAMA certification works for doors is very similar to the way it works for windows.
The door (and the production line it’s made on) is subjected to a series of tests by an accredited laboratory that’s been certified by Associated Laboratories, Inc. (ALI). ALI is the sole vendor for permanent certification labels for Gold and Silver Label AAMA certification and validator for laboratory accreditation.
The door is tested for its impact resistance and thermal performance in a laboratory setting, and the production plant is put through an inspection before the Gold Label is awarded. Even after the award, the manufacturing plant is subjected to two surprise inspections each year for the door to maintain its AAMA certification.
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FAQs about AAMA-Certified Windows & Doors
What Is a Gold Certified Window?
A “Gold-Certified” window is a window that has passed required performance tests at an AAMA-certified laboratory to verify its resistance to air leakage, water penetration, and wind pressure.
In addition to the resistance tests, a window needs to meet certain energy efficiency standards and be manufactured on a production line that has been certified by the FGIA (and passed its biannual surprise inspections).
To put it in other words, a Gold-Certified Window is a tried and tested window that meets strict industry standards. It’s the perfect fit for most Florida homes.
What Does the FGIA Have to Do with the AAMA Certification?
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) combined with the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Alliance (IGMA) to become the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) back in 2020. So, the FGIA is the AAMA and manages the same tests and standards as they did when they were called the AAMA.
The FGIA is now the organization that updates product requirements and specifications for the AAMA certification process. For example, they recently updated the Standard Specification for Classification of Rigid Thermoplastic/Cellulosic Composite Materials.(AAMA 309-2S).
As the requirements for AAMA Gold Label certification continue to evolve, the FGIA will remain the go-to organization for window and door manufacturers to work with to get certifications that help consumers identify the safest, most reliable fenestration (i.e., window and door) products on the market.
Are AAMA Certified Windows Hurricane Proof?
The AAMA is an approved validator for new windows and doors in the state of Florida. As the Florida Building Code (FBC) requires windows and doors to meet certain hurricane resistance standards, a window that is passed through the AAMA’s Florida Product Approval Program will necessarily meet our state’s requirements for hurricane impact resistance.
However, it’s important to verify that the windows or doors being installed have gone through the AAMA’s Florida Product Approval Program to ensure they’re hurricane-proof. So, you should check if the fenestration (window or door) has passed the Large and Small Missile Impact D testing standard.
It can also help to, in addition to checking the Certified Products Directory on the FGIA website, check the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation Product Approval tool to see that the window or door you’re purchasing is listed as approved for use in HVHZ or outside HVHZ zones.
What Is the Difference Between AAMA Gold and Silver Labels?
Aside from the Gold Label certification, AAMA offers a Silver Label certification. The difference between Silver and Gold Label certification is that a Silver Label-certified window or door only needs to meet the AAMA’s thermal performance standards.
A Silver Label-certified window or door may not have been tested for basic structural integrity, air leakage, reliability, or water resistance.
If your only goal was to achieve greater energy efficiency, then a Silver Label certification would be fine. However, because the Florida Building Code requires impact resistance, you also need your doors and windows to be tough enough to withstand hurricane conditions.
So, be sure to look for the Gold Label! The Gold Label AAMA certification serves as positive proof of a window or door’s resilience against hurricane conditions as well as being energy-efficient and reliable. Because, in Florida, AAMA Gold Label windows and doors have to pass a special certification process just for Florida.
What Are AAMA Certification Standards?
The AAMA’s Gold Label certification standards cover several different performance categories for windows and doors:
- Durability. Doors and windows must meet certain basic impact standards to earn the Gold Label certification.
- Reliability. The operating force needed to open or close a door/window must remain consistent after repeated operating tests. In other words, the window/door shouldn’t get stuck after being opened and closed repeatedly.
- Safety/Security. The door or window should be resistant to forced entry or impacts from flying debris and prevent water leakage to protect the interior of the home.
- Energy Efficiency. Air leakage and heat transference should be kept to a minimum to meet AAMA energy efficiency standards.
To earn a Gold Label certification, windows and doors must meet all of these criteria. The exact criteria for windows and doors are laid out in AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-22.
Is AAMA Certification Something I Can Check?
Yes! The FGIA maintains a Certified Products Directory that consumers can search to verify that the windows they’re ordering truly are Gold AAMA Certified windows. You can search by window manufacturer, window performance class, framing material, and more!
According to the FGIA, the five performance classes for windows are:
- R: Residential
- LC: Light Commercial
- C: Commercial
- HC: Heavy Commercial
- AW: Architectural
Windows for your personal residence would most likely be classed as R, for Residential.
On a side note, in the 2005 edition of the AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 and beyond, the C and HC performance classes were consolidated into a new performance class called CW, or “Commercial Window.”
Each “performance class” of window is tested to a different standard, which is why it’s important to ensure that the windows you install for your home are rated for the Residential performance class.
For example, as noted by the FGIA on their Performance Class Overview page, “The water penetration resistance test pressure is based on 15% of the design pressure (DP) for LC, CW, and HC performance classes and 20% of the design pressure (DP) for AW performance classes. The minimum water resistance test pressure for R-class products is 140 Pa (2.90 psf) – higher than 15% of the DP).”
Are All Windows AAMA-Certified?
No. Not all windows have passed AAMA certification, let alone Gold AAMA certification. The Gold Label is reserved for top-tier products that meet several key performance criteria. Even the silver label products must meet at least the thermal transference requirements.
It is a mark of distinction in the industry and is not applied lightly.
Gold Label certification is an optional process for any window or door manufacturer, but it’s one that virtually any reputable and reliable company will want their windows and doors to undergo. This is why the Gold Label is such a mark of distinction for any window or door that you see.
However, some less scrupulous window sellers and manufacturers may try to pass off non-certified windows as being AAMA certified. The easiest way to verify that a window or door is AAMA certified is to check the Certified Products Directory on the FGIA website and look up the CPD number or manufacturer code and check that the window matches the information on the directory listing matches up.
Do AAMA Windows Help Save Money on My Electricity Bill?
AAMA-certified windows can help you save money on your monthly electricity bills. The question really is: How much can you save on your electricity bill by making the switch to AAMA windows?
The answer is: It depends. The energy efficiency of your current windows will have a large impact on how much energy you’ll save by switching to AAMA-certified windows. If you’re going from relatively inefficient single-paned windows to highly efficient Gold Label certified windows that meet ENERGY STAR standards, you could see an annual savings of $563 (Source: ENERGY STAR).
However, there are also other issues to consider, such as the general quality of the insulation throughout your home, how well the new window was installed, and the amount of money you’re already spending on your air conditioning. The bigger your home, the more money you stand to save by adding energy efficiency enhancements like Gold Label AAMA-certified windows.
Reasons to Buy AAMA Certified Windows from Karoly
So, why should you partner with Karoly Windows & Doors to get your new Gold Label certified windows and doors? Here are a few reasons to order your top-tier windows through us and have our experts handle the installation for you:
Excellent Service and Quality. For over two decades, Karoly Windows & Doors has earned top marks and “Best of the Best” awards for our best-in-class customer service and post-installation support.
Top-Quality Brands. We partner with top window manufacturers like Simonton to provide Gold Label-certified AAMA windows for homeowners in Florida.
Satisfaction Guarantee. On every project, we tailor each detail until it meets the highest standards and expectations so you’re 100% satisfied.
Best Price Guarantee. We’re confident that you won’t find a better deal elsewhere. We provide the best quality and will price match comparable products.
Our Platinum Standard Lifetime Guarantee. Our work is covered by a 25 year installation warranty and a 50-year material warranty so you can have peace of mind knowing that your new windows are not only high-quality, but are covered against material and installation defects.
We’re confident that we’ll provide the best windows, at the best price, and with the best installation quality. Reach out to Karoly today to schedule an in-person window consultation.
Areas We Serve
Looking for Gold Label AAMA-Certified windows and doors? Karoly can install them for you! We handle AAMA window and door installations in:
Expert Gold Label Window Installation Videos!
Want to learn more about the Gold Label window installation work that Karoly Windows does? Check out our YouTube channel for more information and updates! Here’s one of the videos you can find there:
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