Codes & Compliance
Energy Codes & Compliance
Plain-English breakdowns of shifting energy efficiency standards, regional building codes, and performance ratings — NFRC, U-values, SHGC, and Passive House.
2026 Fenestration Codes: More Delays Across North America
In 2026, the codes drafted over the last several cycles are no longer just policy documents — they are active enforcement mandates. Manufacturers, dealers, specifiers, and installers across North America and Europe are now required to build, test, and install to these new realities.
February 3, 2026
Read the BreakdownNFRC Officially Releases 2026 Technical Document Series for U-Factor and SHGC Ratings
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has published the final 2026 versions of its core technical standards, marking the formal adoption of new simulation procedures and thermophysical properties for the upcoming cycle.
Read More →NFRC Releases Revised ANSI/NFRC 100-2026 Standard for U-Factor Procedures
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) has officially published Technical Bulletin 2026-15, announcing a mid-cycle revision to the foundational ANSI/NFRC 100-2026 standard for determining product U-factors.
Read More →DOE and ICC Clash Over $9.2 Billion Cost Impact of 2024 IECC Adoption
A new Department of Energy analysis claiming the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) would add $14,000 to the cost of a single-family home has sparked a public dispute with the International Code Council.
Read More →IBC Formally Adopts Minimum Daylight Mandates for Residential and Educational Occupancies
The International Building Code (IBC) has been updated to include mandatory minimum daylighting levels, a move led by industry coalitions to ensure natural light access and curb the trend of windowless building designs.
Read More →DOE and ICC Clash Over Economic Impact of 2024 IECC Adoption
A public dispute has emerged between the U.S. Department of Energy and the International Code Council regarding the construction costs associated with the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Read More →ANSI Releases Updated Z97.1-2026 Safety Glazing Standard
The American National Standards Institute has published the 2026 edition of the Z97.1 standard, officially incorporating vacuum insulating glazing (VIG) into safety protocols and consolidating environmental weathering requirements.
Read More →DOE Announces Further Stay of Compliance for Federal Building Clean Energy Standards Through September 2026
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a notification extending the compliance stay for the Clean Energy Rule for federal buildings, delaying mandatory transitions away from fossil-fuel energy.
Read More →ICC Processes Mid-Year Ballots for 2027 IECC with Focus on Net-Zero Glazing Credits
The International Code Council (ICC) released mid-July results for the 2027 IECC consensus ballots, indicating significant progress toward finalizing next-generation energy efficiency standards for residential and commercial construction.
Read More →California Implements Climate-Zone-Specific Fenestration Mandates
California's updated Title 24 energy code has shifted from a statewide fenestration benchmark to climate-zone-specific performance requirements for windows and doors.
Read More →Understanding the 2024 IECC: What Changed for Fenestration
The 2024 International Energy Conservation Code tightens fenestration U-factor requirements and expands envelope backstop provisions. Here is what changed and what it means for specifiers.
Read More →Philadelphia Enforces U-0.30 Threshold as Pennsylvania Shifts to 2021 IECC Standard
As of July 2026, all permit applications in Philadelphia must document compliance with the 2021 Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, setting a strict U-0.30 maximum for residential fenestration.
Read More →NFRC Certification Explained: U-Factor, SHGC, and Visible Transmittance
Every certified window carries an NFRC label with three key numbers. Here is how to read them and why they matter for code compliance.
Read More →Washington State SBCC Opens Final Public Comment Window for 2024 Residential Energy Code Updates
The Washington State Building Code Council is soliciting industry feedback on the proposed 2024 energy code, featuring a new Energy Rating Index (ERI) compliance pathway.
Read More →Passive House Windows: The Triple-Glazing Standard
Passive House sets the most demanding fenestration performance standard in the world. Here is what it requires and why it matters beyond certified projects.
Read More →Florida Building Code: Hurricane-Impact Glazing Requirements
Florida's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) and windborne-debris regions set the most stringent impact-glazing rules in the United States. Here is what specifiers must know.
Read More →California Title 24: The 2025 Update and What It Means for Windows
California's 2025 Title 24 update raises the bar on fenestration efficiency and adds new requirements for dynamic glazing and thermal breaks.
Read More →U-Value vs SHGC: Reading a Window Performance Label
Two numbers, two jobs. A clear guide to understanding the difference between U-factor and SHGC and how to balance them for any climate.
Read More →Florida Releases 9th Edition (2026) Energy Conservation Code Analysis
Florida has published a comprehensive analysis comparing the 8th Edition (2023) and the new 9th Edition (2026) of the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation.
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