No, our doors are not Energy Star certified, but they are evaluated by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) to provide detailed energy performance data, allowing customers to make informed decisions about their energy efficiency needs. Unlike Energy Star, which primarily favors fiberglass and steel doors due to their ability to hold additional insulation and expand, NFRC evaluates all door types, including wood doors, based on real performance metrics rather than material bias.
Who is the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)?
The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States that sponsors an energy efficiency certification and labeling program for windows, doors, and skylights.
NFRC’s Mission:
NFRC’s mission is to provide fair, accurate, and reliable energy performance ratings to help consumers compare products based on objective data. Their independent testing process ensures that consumers and industry professionals have access to standardized performance metrics rather than relying solely on manufacturer claims.
How Are Your Doors Evaluated for Energy Efficiency?
Our doors undergo rigorous evaluation by NFRC to measure key energy performance factors, including:
- U-Factor: This measures how well a door insulates against heat loss. A lower U-Factor means better insulation.
- Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC): This measures how much solar heat the door allows into a home. A lower SHGC is better for warm climates, while a higher SHGC is preferable for cold climates.
- Visible Transmittance (VT): This indicates how much natural light passes through the door’s glass.
- Air Leakage (AL): This measures the amount of air that can pass through the door’s construction, affecting overall energy efficiency.
These NFRC ratings allow customers to compare energy performance across different products, ensuring they can choose a door that meets their insulation and efficiency needs.
How Does NFRC Compare to Energy Star?
Both NFRC and Energy Star provide valuable information about energy-efficient doors, windows, and skylights. However, they serve different roles in the industry:
| Feature | NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) | Energy Star |
|---|---|---|
| Type of Organization | Non-Profit (501c3) | Government-backed program (EPA & DOE) |
| Purpose | Provides independent energy performance ratings | Establishes minimum energy efficiency standards |
| Evaluation Process | Measures U-Factor, SHGC, VT, AL for transparency | Requires products to meet specific thresholds for certification |
| Participation Costs | No licensing fees for manufacturers | Requires manufacturers to pay fees and licensing costs to use the Energy Star label |
| Product Eligibility | Any door, window, or skylight can be tested | Primarily favors fiberglass and steel doors due to their ability to hold additional insulation |
| Customer Benefit | Consumers get detailed energy performance data to make informed decisions | Provides a recognizable label to indicate energy-efficient products |
Why Aren’t Your Doors Energy Star Certified?
In most cases, natural wood doors with glass do not meet Energy Star certification requirements because Energy Star standards primarily favor fiberglass and steel doors due to their ability to incorporate foam insulation and other materials that improve thermal performance. However, achieving Energy Star compliance for a solid wood door with glass is technically possible under very specific conditions—though it is highly uncommon.
- Energy Star certification requires licensing and participation fees, which increase product costs. Instead of passing those costs to customers, we focus on providing high-quality, energy-efficient doors with transparent NFRC ratings.
- Energy Star’s criteria favor fiberglass and steel doors over solid wood doors, which naturally have different insulation properties. Our doors are crafted from premium wood materials that provide long-lasting beauty, durability, and insulation when installed correctly.
- NFRC ratings give customers the real performance data they need to make the best choice for their climate and energy efficiency goals—without unnecessary fees or government-mandated standards that may not apply to all homes.
How Can You Ensure Maximum Energy Efficiency?
Even without Energy Star certification, our doors are engineered for energy efficiency with features like:
✅ Double-pane, insulated Low-E tempered tempered glass to reduce heat loss and improve comfort year-round.
✅ Expert craftsmanship to minimize air leakage and improve durability.
✅ Proper installation, weatherstripping, and maintenance to enhance insulation and energy savings.
Does Only Being Evaluated by NFRC Make Your Doors Inferior to an Energy Star Certified Door?
Absolutely not. NFRC evaluation provides real, measurable energy performance data.
Here’s why our doors are not inferior to Energy Star certified doors:
- NFRC Ratings Provide More Transparency
- Our doors are evaluated based on industry-standard energy performance factors, including U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visible Transmittance (VT), and Air Leakage (AL).
- Energy Star does not provide individual performance data—it only certifies products that meet certain thresholds.
- Solid Wood Doors Offer Unique Benefits
- Energy Star certification is biased toward fiberglass and steel doors, which can contain foam insulation layers to meet efficiency thresholds.
- Wood doors, like ours, provide natural insulation, durability, and aesthetic beauty that cannot be matched by fiberglass or steel.
- Energy Efficiency Depends on Installation & Maintenance
- A properly installed and sealed wood door with double-pane Low-E glass can perform just as well—or even better—than an Energy Star certified fiberglass or steel door.
- Many factors beyond Energy Star certification impact real-world performance, including weatherstripping, overhang protection, and climate-appropriate installation.
- Energy Star Certification Comes with Added Costs
- Manufacturers must pay licensing fees to use the Energy Star label, which can increase costs without improving actual performance.
- Instead of passing these fees to customers, we focus on providing high-quality craftsmanship and NFRC-rated energy efficiency at the best value.
NFRC’s Ongoing Testing & Compliance Ensures High Standards
Tthe National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) requires continuous testing and compliance to maintain the accuracy of energy performance ratings for doors, windows, and skylights.
How NFRC Ensures High Standards for Our Doors
The NFRC’s energy performance certification is not a one-time process—it involves ongoing testing, quality assurance, and compliance requirements to ensure that the products evaluated continue to meet the published performance ratings.
- Regular Testing & Verification
- NFRC-certified laboratories perform independent testing to measure U-Factor, Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), Visible Transmittance (VT), and Air Leakage (AL).
- These tests must be repeated periodically to confirm that the product continues to meet its listed energy performance values.
- Manufacturing Audits
- NFRC conducts regular audits of manufacturing processes to ensure that production remains consistent with the tested models.
- This prevents manufacturers from reducing quality after obtaining an initial rating.
- Continued Compliance with Industry Standards
- NFRC continually updates its testing methodologies and performance standards based on advancements in building science and energy efficiency requirements.
- Manufacturers must adapt and maintain compliance to keep their NFRC ratings valid.
Why This Matters for Our Customers
By adhering to NFRC’s ongoing testing and compliance requirements, we ensure that our doors consistently meet high standards for energy performance. Unlike Energy Star, which primarily functions as a label requiring manufacturers to pay fees for participation, NFRC’s system directly verifies performance through transparent testing—providing real, measurable data rather than just a government-issued stamp of approval.
✅ NFRC ratings ensure long-term energy efficiency and performance.
✅ Ongoing testing guarantees our doors meet published energy performance standards.
✅ Customers can trust that they are getting a door that performs as advertised—without paying for unnecessary government bureaucracy.
This commitment to transparency and compliance means that when you choose one of our NFRC-evaluated doors, you are getting a proven, high-performance product that meets rigorous, ongoing energy efficiency standards.
Our Stance on Compliance & Energy Efficiency
We wholeheartedly support energy efficiency and compliance with industry standards that genuinely benefit consumers.
By relying on NFRC ratings, we ensure that our doors meet high energy performance standards **without the added costs of government bureaucracy. This allows us to:
✅ Provide high-quality, energy-efficient doors without unnecessary price increases.
✅ Offer full transparency through NFRC ratings, so customers can make informed decisions based on real performance data.
Bottom Line:
By using NFRC ratings, we provide customers with detailed energy performance information—without adding unnecessary costs. If you have any questions about choosing the best door for your home, our team is happy to help!