JELD-WEN is redefining building performance through research that blends sustainability and real-world impact.
JELD-WEN is partnering with the University of Florida’s Rinker School of Construction Management and the College of Design, Construction and Planning to launch a state-of-the-art Fenestration Research Lab, a strategic step towards understanding how windows and doors impact real-world building performance.
At the heart of this initiative are five modular, instrumented structures designed to test and compare wall assemblies and fenestration systems, including JELD-WEN windows and doors, under controlled, yet realistic conditions. These buildings can be rotated in 45-degree increments to assess different solar orientations on the built environment, allowing researchers to measure true thermal performance and not just modeled assumptions.
University of Florida's fenestration research labs.
This project is more than just a lab; it’s a strategic investment in the future of energy efficiency and carbon reduction. In addition to the new facility in Florida, JELD-WEN has an existing similar structure at its Klamath Falls, Oregon facility, creating a bi-regional data set that will challenge current assumptions driving energy codes and product design trends, such as dual low-e, triple/quad-pane glass, vacuum glass, thermos/electrochromic glass and exotic gas fills.
There is a need for in-depth research on impacts of fenestration on whole home performance,” Jason Kantola, Director of Sustainability and Certifications at JELD-WEN, said “The majority of the assessment comes from simulations of whole buildings, and the values for the individual components come from a single test or simulation with a given temperature differential. We are looking to better understand how multiple dual, triple pane, and other glazing options benefit the consumer in terms of energy cost reduction throughout an entire calendar year in both northern and southern climates.”
By collaborating with the University of Florida to conduct research around these testing centers, JELD-WEN is positioning itself at the forefront of the conversation around energy usage and efficiency in homes. This research will not only inform smarter product development but also support JELD-WEN's leadership in shaping future building codes and sustainability standards.
