Resistance to Wind Load
The wind loading standard of a product is defined through a testing process outlined in BS EN 12211 standard. This test involves placing a product in a formal test rig and pressure testing it to 1200Pa and -1200Pa to understand the deflection of the product and the ability of it to withstand heavy wind loading. This testing delivers an overall performance class of between 1 and 3, where Class 1 is the poorest pass level and Class 3 is considered exceptional. There is a range of performance levels within these classes, but the test performance is not defined any further than the three class distinctions. The performance of products in the marketplace can be surprisingly different, so if resistance to wind loading performance is important to you, then ensure you get a testing certificate from your chosen suppliers to enable you to make an informed decision.
Water Tightness
The water tightness standard of a product is defined through a testing process outlined in BS EN 1027 standard. This test involves placing a product in a formal test rig and spraying water at the product while gradually increasing the pressure in incremental stages. At each stage, the pressure and water jets are continual for at least 5 minutes. This testing delivers an overall performance of Class 1 to Class 9, where Class 1 shows no passage of water through the product at zero pressure and Class 9 still allows no water through at 600Pa of pressure and is considered exceptional. The performance of products in the marketplace can be surprisingly different, so if water tightness performance is important to you, then ensure you get a testing certificate from your chosen suppliers to enable you to make an informed decision.
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Gowercroft windows pass rigorous weather performace tests
