What Makes Up an ENERGY STAR®-Certified Door?

When it comes to energy efficiency, few products are as trusted as those that are ENERGY STAR®-certified. In case you’re unfamiliar with ENERGY STAR, it is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s voluntary program created to promote energy efficiency in various products, as well as help individuals and businesses save money while protecting the climate.

ENERGY STAR-Certified Products

Many products can be ENERGY STAR-certified, such as computers, light fixtures, dishwashers, and even patio doors in Marietta, GA. To be certified, the product must:

1. Be manufactured by an ENERGY STAR partner company;
2. Be independently verified, certified, and tested by the NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council); and
3. Have NFRC ratings that meet or exceed strict energy efficiency guidelines as set forth by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Anatomy of an Energy-Efficient Patio Door

1. Frame Materials. In addition to durability and low maintenance properties, the frame should primarily be able to significantly reduce heat transfer through improved insulation and weathertightness. Traditional materials like wood offer good insulation, but are susceptible to warping due to exposure to extreme temperatures; vinyl, on the other hand, is low maintenance but requires reinforcement. Our own patio door frames are designed with unique weatherstrip/interlock systems that ensure weathertightness, plus a selection of composite materials that add insulation properties for your sliding patio doors in Atlanta.
2. Multiple Glazing. That second glazing on your patio door glass makes all the difference, as it creates an airspace that physically separates the inside pane from the outside, reducing thermal transfer — much like how your Thermos keeps your drinks hot. Specially-designed nonconductive spacers help ensure correct spacing consistently.
3. Gas Fills. The airspaces between glass panels are further enhanced with optional gas fills, such as our own non-toxic, odorless, colorless Argon gas blend.
4. Low emissivity (Low-E) Coatings. Sunlight is divided into three spectra: visible light, ultraviolet (UV) rays (fades your furnishings and causes skin problems), and infrared rays (carries heat and causes sunburns). Our French doors in Atlanta are all available with High-Performance™ Low-E4® SmartSun™ glass that lets as much daylight through as clear glass does while filtering out UV and infrared rays.
5. Tight Fit. The importance of a tight fit is underplayed by the competition, but even a well-constructed patio door wouldn’t perform as well if it doesn’t fit the opening on the wall. Our patio doors and replacement windows at Renewal by Andersen are all custom-made to your wall openings, creating a perfect seal with every installation.

If you’d like to experience the benefits of ENERGY STAR-certified patio doors, call Renewal by Andersen® of Atlanta today at (866) 609-5033 or fill out our contact form. We look forward to hearing from you.