NAFS-26 Explained: What North American Window and Door Buyers Should Check Before Ordering
The publication of NAFS-26 in June 2026 brings a new development to the North American window and door industry. For aluminum window and door buyers, the key question is not simply what has changed in the standard, but how to verify that a proposed product meets the requirements of a specific construction project.
On June 1, 2026, the Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA), CSA Group and the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) announced the publication of the 2026 edition of the North American Fenestration Standard (NAFS-26).
The new edition replaces NAFS-22, the previous 2022 edition. Although the update does not represent a major overhaul of the standard, it clarifies an important aspect of fenestration product ratings: the secondary designator used on product labels and test reports.
For distributors, architects, contractors and developers sourcing aluminum windows and doors for projects in the United States and Canada, this update highlights an important procurement principle: a supplier's product claims should be supported by documentation that matches the project's actual performance requirements.
What Is NAFS-26 and Why Does It Matter?
NAFS is the North American Fenestration Standard for windows, doors and skylights. Its formal designation is AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440.
The standard establishes performance requirements and testing procedures for covered fenestration products. It provides a common technical framework that manufacturers, specifiers, testing organizations and building professionals can use to evaluate product performance.
NAFS is material-neutral. In other words, its performance framework is not limited to aluminum products. It can apply to covered products made from different frame materials, provided the products fall within the standard's scope.
For aluminum window and door buyers, this distinction matters. Choosing an aluminum frame does not, by itself, establish whether a product is suitable for a particular building.
The relevant questions include:
What performance class and design pressure does the project require?
What water penetration resistance criteria apply?
Does the available test documentation correspond to the proposed product configuration?
Which standard edition and building code govern the project?
These questions are particularly important when purchasing windows and doors for commercial buildings, multi-unit residential developments and projects in areas exposed to strong winds or wind-driven rain.
What Actually Changed in the 2026 Edition?
According to FGIA's official announcement, the principal change in NAFS-26 concerns clarification of the secondary designator used in fenestration product ratings.
Previously optional, the secondary designator is now mandatory and must appear on product test reports and labels. The clarified requirement calls for performance values covering three areas:
Positive design pressure: The specified positive pressure performance value associated with the tested product.
Negative design pressure: The specified negative pressure performance value associated with the tested product.
Water penetration resistance test pressure: The pressure used during the applicable water penetration resistance test.
The change followed concerns raised by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about how product performance information is presented, particularly in relation to water intrusion in coastal and hurricane-prone areas.
The practical significance is greater clarity in product documentation. A product's primary performance grade may not, by itself, communicate every pressure value that a project team wants to review. The secondary designator provides additional information for evaluating the product against specified requirements.
However, a label or test report should not be interpreted in isolation. Buyers must still verify the product's scope, configuration, applicable ratings and acceptance requirements for the intended project.
For the official technical announcement, refer to FGIA's NAFS-26 publication notice.
Does NAFS-26 Apply to Every Project in the United States and Canada?
No. Publication of a new standard and its adoption into applicable building codes are separate steps.
This distinction is important for international buyers because the governing requirements can differ by state, province, territory, municipality and project.
United States: Check the Governing Code Edition
FGIA reports that the 2024 editions of the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) reference NAFS-22. The association also states that NAFS-26 will be included in the 2027 editions of these model codes.
However, model codes do not automatically become mandatory in every jurisdiction on publication. States and local authorities adopt codes according to their own processes and may introduce amendments.
For a project in the United States, buyers should confirm:
The building code edition adopted by the relevant jurisdiction.
The applicable fenestration standard and edition.
The required product performance ratings.
Any additional local approvals or project-specific testing requirements.
For example, a project in a coastal location may have requirements that go beyond the general product specifications used for a different building in another state. The actual requirements must be established by the project's design professionals and relevant code authorities.
Canada: Verify Provincial and Territorial Requirements
FGIA states that the 2025 edition of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) references NAFS-22. The association has indicated that NAFS-26 will be proposed for inclusion in the NBC's mid-cycle update.
This proposal should not be interpreted as nationwide adoption of NAFS-26.
Canada's model-code development process and the adoption of codes by provinces and territories involve separate steps. The applicable requirements must therefore be checked for the project location.
Buyers should also confirm whether the project requires additional Canadian provisions, product evaluations or supporting documentation.
The safest approach in both markets is to establish the governing requirements before selecting a product or approving a supplier's submittal.
Four Checks Buyers Should Make Before Ordering Aluminum Windows and Doors
The NAFS-26 update provides a useful opportunity to improve the way window and door products are evaluated during procurement.
Rather than comparing quotations on price and appearance alone, project teams can use the following checks to identify potential technical gaps before an order is placed.
1. Match the Product Ratings to the Project Requirements
Start with the project's drawings, specifications and applicable code requirements.
Confirm the required performance class, design pressures and water penetration criteria. Where relevant, review other requirements relating to air leakage, energy performance, impact resistance or product approvals.
Not every project needs the same ratings. A product suitable for one building should not automatically be assumed suitable for another.
The product's dimensions, opening type, glazing, hardware and overall configuration may also affect its documented performance.
2. Review the Actual Test Reports and Product Labels
A supplier's general statement that its products meet North American requirements is not a substitute for product-specific evidence.
Depending on the project, request the relevant test reports, product labels, performance ratings and certification records.
Check whether the documents identify the correct product series, configuration and applicable standard edition. If the proposed product differs from the tested configuration, ask the supplier and the responsible technical professional to clarify whether the documentation is acceptable.
Where the project specifies NAFS-26 but a product was tested under NAFS-22, do not automatically assume either acceptance or rejection. The applicable rules, available equivalency guidance and project approval requirements must be reviewed.
3. Evaluate the Complete Window or Door System
An aluminum window is more than an aluminum frame.
Its performance depends on the complete system, including the frame design, glazing, seals, hardware, fabrication and installation details. The surrounding wall assembly and interfaces can also influence the building's resistance to water intrusion.
This is why buyers should review the product as a complete system rather than relying on individual component specifications.
For projects exposed to challenging weather conditions, confirm that the proposed product ratings match the required design conditions and that the installation details have been appropriately coordinated.
A performance rating should not be treated as a guarantee against every form of leakage or damage under every possible condition.
4. Confirm Documentation Before Production
Technical issues are generally easier to address before manufacturing than after products have been delivered to a construction site.
Before approving the order, establish which documents are required for the project's submittal process. Confirm responsibilities for product selection, technical review, approvals and installation coordination.
For overseas procurement, this step is especially important because differences in terminology, product configurations and documentation expectations can create delays.
A clear approval process helps the buyer and supplier work from the same specifications before production begins.
Why Supplier Evaluation Matters More Than a Low Quotation
The publication of NAFS-26 does not mean that buyers should replace every existing product or automatically prefer a supplier claiming to use the latest standard.
Instead, it reinforces the importance of comparing products using verifiable information.
When evaluating an aluminum window and door supplier, buyers should consider the following:
Evaluation area
What to verify
Product suitability
Does the proposed system match the required opening type, dimensions and project specifications?
Performance evidence
Are relevant ratings and supporting documents available?
Configuration control
Do the drawings, glazing, hardware and tested configuration align?
Technical coordination
Can the supplier clarify specifications and respond to document-review questions?
Production and quality
Are inspection procedures and order-specific quality checks documented?
Project delivery
Are packaging, shipping schedules and installation coordination clearly defined?
A lower quotation may still be the right choice when the product and service meet the project's requirements. The important point is to compare equivalent specifications rather than assuming that two visually similar products offer equivalent performance.
For developers, contractors and distributors, this approach can reduce uncertainty during procurement and help identify documentation gaps before they affect project schedules.
How to Prepare an Aluminum Window and Door Specification for North American Projects
Before requesting quotations, buyers can prepare a concise project information package.
Include the project location, building type, window and door schedule, approximate dimensions, glazing requirements, expected exposure conditions and any specified performance ratings.
If the project documentation names a particular NAFS edition or certification requirement, include that information explicitly.
The supplier can then review the proposed product configuration and identify the supporting documentation available for technical evaluation.
Where requirements are unclear, the project architect, engineer or other responsible professional should determine the applicable criteria before the product is approved.
For manufacturers and overseas suppliers, this process also provides a clearer basis for assessing whether a proposed product can meet the project's requirements without unsupported assumptions.
How APRO Supports Aluminum Window and Door Project Discussions
At APRO, selecting an aluminum window or door system for a construction project should begin with the project's intended application, dimensions and technical specifications.
For distributors, contractors, architects and developers, the goal is to establish a suitable product configuration and clarify the technical information needed before an order is finalized.
Buyers preparing a project in the United States or Canada can share their drawings, opening schedule, location and stated performance requirements for an initial product discussion.
The relevant product specifications and supporting documentation should then be reviewed against the project's requirements. Any claim relating to NAFS testing, certification or code compliance must be supported by applicable product-specific evidence.
Planning an aluminum window or door project in North America? Contact APRO to discuss your project requirements and available product documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between NAFS-22 and NAFS-26?
NAFS-26 is the 2026 edition of the North American Fenestration Standard and supersedes NAFS-22. FGIA identifies the clarification of the secondary designator as the principal change in the new edition.
Is NAFS-26 mandatory for all aluminum windows in the United States?
No. Whether a particular edition is required depends on the applicable building code, jurisdictional adoption, project specifications and relevant approval requirements.
Does Canada require all window suppliers to use NAFS-26?
The publication of NAFS-26 does not establish a uniform nationwide requirement. Buyers should check the applicable provincial or territorial code and project documentation.
What is a secondary designator in NAFS-26?
It is an additional designation in fenestration product ratings. Under the clarified NAFS-26 requirement, the designation must be included on product test reports and labels, with specified values for positive design pressure, negative design pressure and water penetration resistance test pressure.
Does an aluminum window comply with NAFS-26 simply because it has a strong frame?
No. Material and appearance alone do not establish compliance. Buyers need to evaluate the relevant product configuration, documented performance and applicable project requirements.
What should I request from an aluminum window manufacturer?
Depending on the project, request product specifications, applicable test reports, performance ratings, labels, certification records and installation documentation. The final document list should be based on the governing code and project specifications.
Should buyers replace products tested under NAFS-22?
Not automatically. Acceptance depends on the applicable requirements and whether the existing documentation is acceptable for the project. Buyers should obtain clarification from the relevant technical professional or approval authority.
Final Thoughts
NAFS-26 is a relevant development for the North American fenestration industry, but its most useful lesson for buyers is practical: product selection should be based on documented performance and the requirements that apply to the actual project.
For aluminum window and door procurement, checking the governing code, reviewing the relevant product documentation and confirming the proposed configuration before production can help reduce uncertainty and improve coordination.
As NAFS-26 moves through the model-code and jurisdictional adoption process, buyers should continue to follow official updates rather than assume that one publication date establishes a universal compliance deadline.
Official references
FGIA — 2026 North American Fenestration Standard Published
ANSI Webstore — AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440-2026
National Research Council Canada — National Model Codes Development System
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