In 1980, the Canadian Window and Door Manufacturers Association (CWDMA) realized there was a need for an all-encompassing standard for window performance, regardless of the materials used to manufacture the window. A Canadian Standards Association (CSA) committee was formed and it developed the CSA-A440 Window Standard. It was first published in 1984 and has been updated since then to reflect new technologies.
CSA-A440 sets minimum standards for air tightness, water tightness, wind resistance, condensation resistance, forced entry resistance and ease of operation. It also sets minimum requirements for all components and their materials from hardware, insect screens and weatherstripping to finishes and adhesives.
The National Building Code of Canada and most provincial building codes require that windows meet CSA-A440 specifications. Each window product line must be tested by an independent laboratory and meet minimum performance standards in three areas critical to performance: air tightness, water tightness and wind resistance. The results of the tests are then published. Consumers should ask for and be shown these test results.
