The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) is an organization that sets some of the highest standards in the window and door industry. An AAMA certification provides peace of mind by ensuring a window or door has been tested to meet strict performance benchmarks for energy efficiency, durability, and weather resistance. For homeowners and builders, this matters whether you’re evaluating residential and commercial windows or specialty door systems.
Today, AAMA certification is managed by the Fenestration & Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA). While the program is now overseen by FGIA, most homeowners and contractors still refer to it as the AAMA certification program, and the testing process and label standards remain the same. The AAMA works closely with the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), an independent, nonprofit organization that develops standardized energy performance ratings for windows and doors. While FGIA manages AAMA certification, the NFRC’s role is to ensure consistent labeling for energy efficiency, helping homeowners compare products using trusted, nationally recognized standards.
In this guide, we’ll explain what AAMA certification is, how the testing process works, and what the different labels mean. Whether you’re comparing replacement windows or researching patio doors, understanding AAMA certification can help you make a more informed decision about the products that best fit your home and budget.
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How Windows and Doors Earn AAMA Certification
To earn an AAMA certification, window and door manufacturers must submit their products to independent, third-party laboratories for testing. These tests simulate real-world conditions to measure how well a product resists air and water leaks, handles structural pressure, and maintains energy efficiency. Only products that meet or exceed strict performance standards receive certification, ensuring homeowners can rely on them for consistent durability and efficiency.
Certification isn’t a one-time approval. A manufacturer’s production line must follow strict quality control procedures to confirm that every product matches the sample product tested. The process is reinforced by unannounced plant inspections, which help maintain ongoing compliance with AAMA requirements.
Once a product passes, it becomes AAMA certified, and the manufacturer is authorized to place an official AAMA Label on it. The label is the visible proof of certification that homeowners and contractors can use when comparing products. Here’s how each major test category contributes:
Air, Water & Structural Performance
Air, water, and structural performance tests measure how well a window or patio door can handle air leaks, water exposure, and structural stress.
The results give homeowners confidence that certified windows are built to last, and are better at preventing drafts, keeping water out during heavy rain, withstanding high winds, and maintaining energy efficiency over time. Testing includes:
- Air leakage test: A controlled pressure is applied to the window assembly to measure how much air passes through. Products must meet a defined air leakage standard and stay within prescribed maximum levels, ensuring certified windows reduce drafts and improve efficiency.
- Water penetration test: The window is sprayed with water while subjected to high-pressure wind speeds. Inspectors check for leaks to confirm the window’s ability to keep rain out during storms. This verifies compliance with air leakage and water penetration performance requirements.
- Structural integrity test: Positive and negative air pressures are applied to simulate high wind pressure and other dynamic pressures. This test ensures the window frame, glass, and seals can withstand extreme weather without bending, breaking, or failing.
- Durability testing: Windows are opened, closed, and locked through repeated cycles to simulate years of use. This step confirms that certified products can maintain performance over time and meet life cycle durability requirements set by AAMA.
Thermal Performance
While air, water, and structural testing focus on durability, thermal performance testing measures how well a window or patio door helps maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and energy efficiency. These tests are optional but especially valuable for homeowners who want products that perform well in extreme weather and help reduce heating and cooling costs.
Windows that perform well in thermal testing can make your home more comfortable, energy-efficient, and resilient while protecting against condensation and maintaining reliable performance over time. The testing process is as follows:
- Temperature simulation: The window is placed between two controlled chambers that simulate outdoor and indoor conditions. One side is kept cold, and the other warm, while airflow replicates real-world weather exposure based on AAMA specifications.
- Measuring insulation (U-Factor): Sensors measure how much heat transfers through the window assembly. Products with a lower U-factor provide better insulation, helping your home stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer. This step confirms the window’s overall energy performance.
- Checking condensation resistance: The test measures the Condensation Resistance Factor (CRF) by monitoring the interior surface temperature of the glass. A higher CRF means the window is less likely to collect moisture, which helps prevent mold, rot, and water damage.
- Evaluating solar heat gain: For products that undergo more advanced testing, the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) is measured to determine how much solar heat passes through the glass. Lower SHGC values help reduce indoor heat buildup, especially during warmer months, and represent an optional certification path for enhanced thermal efficiency.
Component Quality & Process Control
The AAMA not only verifies the finished window or patio door through rigorous testing but also ensures that every component, from the frame and glass to the hardware and weatherstripping, is independently validated and consistently manufactured.
When a window carries an AAMA label, it means the entire product is built with verified, high-quality components under strict process controls, ensuring greater reliability, durability, and long-term performance for your home. These requirements follow guidelines set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), which develops nationally recognized performance and safety standards. For windows and doors, ANSI standards ensure consistency in areas like structural strength, air and water resistance, thermal performance, and material quality.
- Verified Components List (VCL): Component suppliers submit product samples, like weatherstripping, sealants, hardware, and coating applicators, to independent, AAMA-accredited labs for testing. Approved suppliers are listed on the Verified Components List, meaning only these parts are allowed in certified products.
- Regular component retesting: To stay on the VCL, suppliers must have their products retested at least every 36 months, ensuring continued compliance with applicable standards and the following criteria for certification.
- Certified profiles for frames & extrusions: Vinyl, fiberglass, and other non-aluminum framing profiles must pass separate third-party testing, covering aspects like dimensional stability and color fastness, and are subject to unannounced inspections to maintain certification. This step ensures that product production maintains the same specifications as the original tested samples.
- Quality management system (QMS): Manufacturers must maintain and follow a documented QMS, outlining procedures and controls to ensure consistent assembly and production of certified products.
- Ongoing audits & verification: To protect certification integrity, the FGIA conducts two unannounced plant inspections each year to confirm that production matches the originally tested sample and uses only verified components.
Understanding AAMA Certification Levels
After a window or door passes the required testing, the results are reviewed and verified by the FGIA. Each certified window or door receives an official AAMA/FGIA label showing its verified performance ratings, including resistance to air and water infiltration, structural strength, and thermal efficiency (if tested). These labels are typically located on the inside of the window frame, along the edge of the glass, or on the side of patio and sliding doors. The levels of structural resistance are based on the type of testing completed and whether the product met all required benchmarks. There are three main certification levels:
| Label | What It Means | Best For | Homeowner Benefit |
| Gold Label | Meets the highest standards for air, water, structural, and thermal performance. This is also known as Gold Label Certification, representing the most trusted option for homeowners. | Residential windows, patio doors, and new construction products. | Gold Label windows offer the best protection, energy efficiency, and durability. |
| Silver Label | Meets core requirements for structural strength and air/water resistance, but doesn’t include full thermal performance testing. Often referenced as the AAMA Silver Certification Label. | Certain storm windows and niche designs. | Reliable durability but less focus on energy efficiency. |
| Bronze Label | Passes basic structural testing but does not meet higher standards for water or thermal performance. These represent the lowest prescribed levels of structural performance that still qualify. | Rare for modern residential homes; often used in budget-focused products. | Lower upfront cost but reduced long-term performance. |
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Which Manufacturers Have AAMA Certifications?
AMA certification is only given to manufacturers who meet the highest standards in terms of product quality, environmental impact, and energy efficiency. You can find a list of AAMA-certified products on the AAMA/FGIA website, as well as information on how to apply for the certification programs. Manufacturers who have been awarded this certification include:
- Milgard
- Anlin
- Alside
- Andersen
- American Craftsman
- Certainteed
- Gorell
- John Wieland
- Masco
- Ply Gem
- ProVia
- Simonton
- Soft
- Lite
Replacement window manufacturers and production lines in the window industry are required to submit quality control records before being added to the list above or considered for the certification program. All window options and individual components will be subject to the same component inventory and performance tests to confirm compliance with AAMA specifications.
AAMA Certified Windows Versus Uncertified Windows
| Feature | AAMA-Certified Windows | Uncertified Windows |
| Performance Testing | Independently tested for air, water, structural, and thermal performance | Not required to meet any standardized testing benchmarks |
| Energy Efficiency | Built to reduce drafts, improve insulation, and lower energy costs | Varies widely depending on the manufacturer |
| Durability | Designed and verified to withstand real-world weather conditions | May be more vulnerable to damage and wear over time |
| Quality Standards | Uses verified components and undergoes ongoing factory inspections | No third-party verification or regular quality audits |
| Peace of Mind | Backed by independent certification and trusted warranties | Performance and reliability are harder to predict |
When you’re choosing replacement windows or doors, you have a lot of options, but not all windows perform the same. An AAMA-certified window or door has been tested against strict industry standards to ensure it provides better efficiency, durability, and long-term reliability.
If your window or door doesn’t carry the AAMA/FGIA label, it’s worth asking why. Some manufacturers are working toward certification, while others may not prioritize meeting these higher performance standards. Understanding the difference helps you make an informed decision about which products are best for your home.
Are AAMA Certified Windows More Expensive?
AAMA-certified replacement windows are not necessarily more expensive than uncertified models. Because each manufacturer sets its own pricing, certified products are available at a wide range of price points, making it possible to find high-quality options that fit your budget.
Choosing certified windows can also provide better long-term value. Since these products are designed for improved energy efficiency, they can help lower heating and cooling costs over time. They are also tested for durability and reliability, which can reduce the need for repairs and replacements while providing stronger warranties to protect your investment.
Get AAMA-Certified Windows Installed by Local Experts You Can Trust
Choosing AAMA-certified windows gives you confidence that your products have been tested to meet some of the highest standards in the industry for performance, durability, and energy efficiency. At Lake Washington Windows & Doors, we install AAMA-certified products from trusted brands like Anlin and Milgard, giving homeowners reliable solutions built to handle the Pacific Northwest’s unique climate.
If you’re ready to upgrade your windows or patio doors, our team can help you choose the right certified products for your home and budget. Schedule your free consultation today and find out how AAMA-certified windows can improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term value.
