Building code requirements. They’re the bane of every homeowner’s renovation plans. They can apply to the smallest upgrades you want to make to your property, like windows and doors. But while they’re a pain to navigate, there’s a good reason for these regulations. You’re picking pieces of your home that have to stand up to Mother Nature. Let’s delve into this topic and explore how building codes impact your decisions on windows and door selection for your home.
The Impact of Building Codes on Windows and Doors Selection
They’re Not Just Rules—They’re Deal Breakers
You walk into a showroom and fall in love with a set of floor-to-ceiling sliders that open like a dream. They’re sleek, they’re modern—everything you’re looking for. Then, you look up the manufacturer online and find out that they don’t meet local codes.
Just like that, your dream doors are off the table. Building codes aren’t suggestions—they’re non-negotiable standards that set the requirements for windows and include:
- Wind resistance and structural integrity
- Insulation (Energy efficiency and Energy Star ratings)
- Emergency egress
- Impact resistance, depending on your location
Windows and Door Selection: Impact-Rated Doesn’t Mean Style-Free
You might think code-approved options are all clunky and uninspired. Nope—some of the most aesthetic designs are high-performance beasts underneath. You just have to know where to look and what questions to ask.
The market is filled with energy-efficient window choices that adhere to the rules. And, they still manage to resemble something out of an architecture magazine. Don’t assume you’re boxed in. What you might see as “code limitations” might just prompt you to discover a new material or design you wouldn’t have explored otherwise.
The Hidden Stuff Nobody Talks About
Here’s something salespeople rarely bring up in the showroom—noise. Some neighborhoods and towns have noise codes, especially in cities with nearby airports. That means your windows might need a specific sound transmission rating. You don’t just want silence for your sanity—the town might demand it as part of your home’s compliance requirements.
How about fire codes if you live near a wildfire-prone area? Your window frames and door materials may require flame-resistant or retardant properties to withstand excessive radiant heat. Now you’re not just shopping for something aesthetically pretty—you’re shopping for fire-tested products that meet local codes.
Energy Codes on Windows and Door Selections Are Sneakier Than You Think
You’re probably already aware that your windows help with keeping the house cool or warm, depending on the season. However, codes on energy performance are becoming increasingly stringent every year.
These codes utilize U-factor and SHGC. They represent the solar heat gain coefficient. It is a key performance metric that measures how effectively windows and doors resist heat transfer.
You might not be lucky enough to have the option of going with your first pick. That oversized glass window you had in mind? You may need to opt for high-performance level glazing with exceptional performance instead.
These choices don’t just affect how your home feels. They shape how it’s built from the ground up and the project costs.
Your Contractor Isn’t Psychic
Don’t assume your builder or contractor knows exactly what they’re doing. The good ones do, but there are plenty that just give it a shot without having the know-how to pull it off.
Code compliance varies wildly depending on the town, county, or even the neighborhood. You might live on a street where half the homes need hurricane impact-rated doors and the other half don’t.
You’ll need to roll up your sleeves and start reading specs, or work with someone who treats building codes like gospel. Because if your windows and doors don’t pass inspection, they’re not getting installed. Even worse, they must get ripped out.
In Closing – This Stuff Affects Resale—Big Time
Non-compliant windows and doors are resale disasters waiting to happen. You may not care about compliance now, but a buyer—or their appraiser—sure will.
Your dreamy pivot patio door might look amazing on Instagram, but if it doesn’t have the correct egress width or fire rating, it could hinder a sale or tank the entire deal.
Discount Window and Door of Omaha – Window Replacement Company
At Discount Window and Door of Omaha, we are committed to providing the best quality doors and replacement windows. We employ the most skilled installers to ensure the highest standard of quality service. Our Omaha door and window installers are highly trained, certified industry professionals with years of experience, including some second and third-generation employees.