Standard Updates Redefine Resilience for Skylight, Window, and Door Design

by hanna_kowal | June 2, 2026 1:07 pm

[1]Protection against water intrusion and weather incidents is the driving force behind the 2026 edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights (NAFS).

The primary change in the standard, originally proposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), clarifies requirements for the secondary designator used in fenestration product ratings.

Previously optional, the secondary designator is now mandatory and must be included on product test reports and labels. The secondary designator now requires performance values for positive design pressure, negative design pressure, and water penetration resistance test pressure.

According to the “Coastal Flood Risks Across the U.S.”[2] report from Climate Central[3], flooding in coastal cities has tripled over the past three decades. Amid rising concerns in coastal and hurricane-prone regions such as Florida, it is essential to design windows, doors, and skylights that can keep buildings strong and occupants safe. FEMA’s proposal also aligned with recommendations previously raised by the Florida Building Commission.

Meeting standards with metal

When working with metal-framed daylighting or metal cladding material in tandem with windows, skylights, and doors, critical material considerations enable resilient, durable design.

[4]In section nine of the NAFS, the standard explores material and component requirements, including considerations of aluminum exterior cladding critical path method (CPM), thermal barrier construction, and thermal barrier extrusions. The section also explores steel sheet CPM and corrosion resistance.

Consolidating codes continent-wide

The updated 2026 standard supersedes the 2022 edition, continuing the standard’s evolution while improving harmonization across North America as NAFS is integrated into local and national codes across the continent. This revised resource is the result of a multi-year effort by The Joint Document Management Group (JDMG), comprised of representatives from CSA Group, Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA), and Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA).

An agreement among the three organizations requires NAFS to be reviewed every five years to keep current with changes in the fenestration industry.

The 2026 edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440 is available online at CSA Group[5], Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance,[6] or Window & Door Manufacturers Association[7].

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/news/skylight-window-and-door-design/

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