The recent National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) 2017 Green Practices Survey suggests that single-family home builders may lack some basic knowledge about the energy-efficiency properties of windows, doors and skylights.

While the survey shows that 25 percent of typical homes scored high enough to meet some level of NGBS certification, the NAHB says those percentages could be much higher if more builders understood many of the mandatory features required to achieve certification, particularly when it comes to fenestration.

The report listed one of the most misunderstood areas of certification are the solar heat gain coefficient and the U-factor.

We’re glad that more and more homes are achieving energy efficiency. But when builders are missing out on certifications, they’re missing out on benefits for themselves, and for their customers.

Energy efficiency certifications help builders remain competitive. And they help their customers use less energy and leave a smaller carbon foot print.

This is our issue – and it’s a communications issue.

As proponents of energy efficiency – and as manufacturers and fabricators of windows that consistently score high in this area – we need to tap into our resources to make sure our builders understand just how valuable our products are to them and to our customers.

When we talk about our commitment to innovation, design and sustainability, this should absolutely be a part of it.

To read more about the survey, click here.

Energy efficiency is king in our industry.Homeowners continually report it as an important factor in building a home, and its longevity in the market has shown it’s much more than a buzzword. It’s the new standard for building.

Door & Window Market Magazine recently reported on a survey that each one of us in the industry should veer our attention to.

Let’s Talk Green