When you’re shopping for new windows and doingpre-purchase research, you’ll likely come across terms andorganizations you havent heard of before and wonder howthey should ft into your decisions about which replacementwindows are right for your home.
Published on: 15-04-2026
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a non-proft organization that establishesenergy performance ratings for windows, doors, and skylights. These ratings can then be usedby consumers to help them make informed decisions when investing in new windows.
When you look at an NFRC label, you’ll see the name of the manufacturer and the model number of the door or window along with four numbers:
U-Factor
This range shows how well a product will stop heat from leaking out of a home
through a window or door. The range is 0.20-1.20.
Solar Heat Gain Coefficient
This measurement shows how well a product prevents unwanted heat gain.
The range is 0-1.
Visible Transmittance
This measurement shows how much light a window will allow to enter. The
range is 0-1.
Air Leakage
This number shows how much air will enter through the door or window. The
range is less than 0.3.
For ratings on U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, and Air Leakage, low
numbers are better. For Visible Transmittance, a higher number is better.