A Practical Approach to Selecting Windows for Residential Buildings in Canada - REGULAR

A Practical Approach to Selecting Windows for Residential Buildings in Canada

This webinar is part of the RAIC 2022 Virtual Conference on Architecture, now available to stream!

Topics: Sustainability / Climate

Length: 1.5 hours | What's Included: Video, Quiz, and Certificate of Completion 

Climate change, the economics of heating and cooling buildings, the desire for greater functionality, and more aesthetic options have led to increasingly sophisticated product designs. New frame coating technologies have expanded the range of surface finishes and colours for all frame materials. There are new options for hardware operation and functionality. New glass coatings and spacer systems continue to be introduced. The growing interest in European window designs has led many North American manufacturers to introduce domestically manufactured versions that comply with Canadian codes and are supported by local supply chains. And a welcome change to the 2020 NBC removes existing restrictions on combustible window frames, adding to the range of products available for large buildings. We have more product options than ever before and choosing among them has never been more complicated. This presentation provides architects with the practical working knowledge required to make more informed decisions and to mitigate risk related to determining the operating type, frame design and finish glazing infill, and overall product performance criteria related to windows. 

Learning Objectives:

By the completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Select windows with the operating types, glazing characteristics, and durability characteristics that are appropriate for a project’s design brief and budget, using rational and objective criteria.
• Recognize the intended uses and limitations of the available window operating types, including ventilation effectiveness and—in the case of ground-oriented windows—forced entry resistance.
• Identify the taxonomy of modern window frame designs and materials, and will be able to make informed decisions when comparing the available product options.
• Apply their knowledge to select and specify the most important glazing system characteristics to ensure insulating glass durability.

Subject Matter Expert:

Al Jaugelis is the Director, Regulatory Affairs at Fenestration Canada, a national window and door manufacturers association. Al has a comprehensive understanding of the performance, building code and regulatory issues applicable to residential and commercial glazing in North America. He is a recognized authority on the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS) and in his previous role at RDH Building Science helped manufacturer clients to develop test programs, resolve regulatory and code compliance challenges, and for other clients, to investigate performance   concerns with installed fenestration products. Al shares his knowledge by actively participating in industry associations and committees: current chair of the Windows Experts Team for the Natural Resources Canada “Market Transformation Roadmap” initiative, active voting member of CSA Committee A119 on Performance Standards for Windows, and active member of the Fenestration Canada Technical Services Committee. Al is a recognized conference speaker on technical and regulatory matters relevant to the Canadian fenestration industry. He was the author of the “NAFS in Canada blog” on RDH.com and has written or contributed significantly to the following publications: “Reference Methodology for Computing Window Performance Values for Use in the Passive House Planning Package” (FENBC Report funded by the BC Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) Fund, 2019); “An Architect’s Guide to NAFS: Using the North American Fenestration Standard in Canada” (RDH, 2018); “Reference Procedure for Simulating Spandrel U-Factors” (Online resource, Fenestration Association of BC (FENBC), 2017); “Review of Window Energy Rating Procedure in Canada” (BC Housing, 2013); “Best Practices for Window and Door Replacement in Wood-Frame Buildings” (BC Housing, 2013); Glazing Systems Specifications Manual (Glazing Contractors Association of B.C., 1998 and 2003).