Thermal Performance Evaluation

We offer thermal performance evaluation — including physical testing and advanced simulation — of fenestration products and building envelope assemblies intended for the North American market.
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Document thermal performance for certification and R&D

Thermal performance data can support product comparisons, energy code compliance considerations, certification programs and design decisions. UL Solutions in Canada combines physical testing and computer simulation capabilities to help document how windows, doors, curtain walls, skylights, garage doors, opaque assemblies and material components perform according to recognized North American standards and procedures. 

Support for labeling, compliance and product qualification

Our laboratory supports certification, recertification, addenda, design updates and R&D studies. Reports may be used for submissions to recognized inspection agencies as part of certification programs, subject to applicable program and agency requirements, and to document compliance with applicable rating and performance requirements. 

Thermal metrics for different products and markets

Depending on the product type and pathway, testing and simulation may be used to determine: 

  • Thermal transmittance (U-factor) 
  • Overall thermal resistance (R-value) 
  • Thermal conductivity (k) 
  • Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) 
  • Visible transmittance (VT) 
  • Condensation resistance factor (CRF) 
  • Temperature index (I) 
  • Condensation resistance (CR) 
  • Condensation index (CI)  
  • Energy rating (ER) 
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Physical thermal performance testing

Our Varennes laboratory is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 as a test laboratory by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) to provide physical thermal performance testing for fenestration products, garage doors, material samples and opaque building envelope assemblies in accordance with applicable standards within its scope of accreditation.  

Testing is conducted under controlled steady-state conditions using calibrated guarded hot-box systems and other equipment conforming to applicable standards and test methods. 

Guarded hot-box testing for U-factor, R-value and condensation resistance

Guarded hot-box testing measures heat flow through a product or assembly under controlled warm-side and cold-side conditions. The method can support U-factor, R-value and condensation-related evaluations for products such as: 

  • Windows 
  • Doors 
  • Curtain walls 
  • Skylights 
  • Garage doors 
  • Wall assemblies  
  • Insulated panels 

Medium thermal chamber for samples up to 8 feet by 8 feet

The medium thermal chamber accommodates samples up to 8 feet by 8 feet and is used for windows, doors and fenestration systems within standard NFRC dimensions. NFRC 102 validation testing may be performed in this chamber, depending on the product and project requirements. 

Large thermal chamber for samples up to 12 feet by 12 feet

The large thermal chamber accommodates samples up to 12 feet by 12 feet and supports large assemblies, oversized samples and garage door testing under applicable procedures. 

Testing capacity for building envelope components

Our guarded hot-box capacity supports a range of fenestration and building envelope sample sizes, from standard window and door configurations to larger assemblies and garage doors. 

NFRC 102 and ASTM C1199 testing for fenestration systems

NFRC 102 and ASTM C1199 testing determine steady-state thermal transmittance for fenestration systems using hot-box methods. NFRC 102 validation testing may be used to support National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) certification and to validate NFRC 100 simulation results. Our laboratory in Varennes is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory by IAS and an NFRC-approved testing laboratory in Canada. 

ASTM C1363 testing for opaque assemblies and panels

ASTM C1363 testing determines the thermal performance of opaque assemblies and building envelope components by means of a hot-box apparatus. It can be used to determine overall thermal resistance (R-value) and thermal transmittance (U-factor) for exterior walls, insulated panels and other assemblies. 

ANSI/DASMA 105 testing for garage doors

ANSI/DASMA 105 testing evaluates thermal transmittance for sectional and rolling garage doors and may also include air infiltration testing. Our laboratory can provide testing data that garage door manufacturers may use for thermal performance verification, and product qualification processes, as applicable. 

AAMA 1503 testing for U-factor and condensation resistance factor

AAMA 1503 testing determines U-factor and condensation resistance factor (CRF) for windows, doors and glazed wall sections. The procedure uses controlled environmental exposure and surface temperature measurements to help evaluate thermal transmittance and condensation potential. 

CSA A440.2-Annex A for condensation resistance testing

CSA A440.2-Annex A physical testing evaluates condensation resistance by determining temperature index for windows, doors and curtain walls. Thermocouples are placed at defined locations so measured surface temperatures can be used to help assess condensation risk under specified conditions. 

Material testing capabilities

ASTM C518 and NFRC 101 material thermal conductivity testing

ASTM C518 measures steady-state thermal transmission properties using a heat flow meter apparatus. NFRC 101 supports the determination of thermophysical properties of materials for use in NFRC-approved software, including proprietary materials and spacer systems for Appendix C consideration. 

ASTM C1371

Where applicable, ASTM C1371 enables evaluation of surface emittance for materials used in building envelope and fenestration applications when project requirements call for material-level thermal property data. 

Thermal simulations

Thermal simulation can help establish standardized energy performance ratings for fenestration products. UL Laboratory Canada Inc. prepares thermal simulation reports that may support certification, recertification, addenda, glazing changes, design updates and R&D studies, subject to applicable program requirements. 

NFRC 100 simulations for U-factor

NFRC 100 simulations determine U-factor for windows, doors, curtain walls, skylights and other fenestration systems using NFRC-approved software and manufacturer-provided product documentation. 

NFRC 200 simulations for solar heat gain coefficient and visible transmittance

NFRC 200 simulations determine solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and visible transmittance (VT) at normal incidence. These ratings help characterize how much solar heat and visible light a fenestration product admits. 

NFRC 500 simulations for condensation resistance (CR) and condensation index (CI)

NFRC 500 simulations evaluate condensation performance. Earlier procedures determined CR while current procedures are moving toward CI ratings that help assess interior surface condensation risk. 

CSA A440.2 simulations for Canadian energy performance

CSA A440.2 simulations support Canadian fenestration energy performance evaluation, including: 

  • U-factor 
  • Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) 
  • Visible transmittance (VT) 
  • Condensation index (CI) and energy rating (ER), where applicable 

These reports may support Canadian certification and market access needs, subject to applicable program requirements. 

Phius simulation support

UL Solutions in Canada supports Passive House Institute US (Phius) simulation pathways for fenestration products used in high-performance building envelopes, helping manufacturers prepare documentation for passive building applications. 

Phius Blue Path for NFRC-certified products

The Phius Blue Path is generally intended for products that already have NFRC certification and active listings in the NFRC Certified Product Directory. This pathway uses existing NFRC data to support Phius-compliant inputs and documentation, subject to applicable Phius requirements. 

Phius Orange Path for products without NFRC certification

The Phius Orange Path is generally intended for products that are not NFRC certified or listed in the NFRC Certified Product Directory. This pathway may support new or innovative fenestration systems entering the passive and high-performance building market. 

Reporting for project submission

UL Solutions in Canada provides formal reports that document test or simulation methods, conditions, product documentation and final performance values. These reports may support certification, code-related review and product qualification processes, subject to applicable requirements. 

 Reports are prepared using manufacturer-provided drawings, glazing specifications and configuration details and may be used as part of applicable submission processes. 

Support for recognized inspection agency submissions

Reports may be submitted to recognized inspection agencies for certification purposes, including agencies such as Keystone, National Accreditation and Management Institute (NAMI), Quality Auditing Institute (QAI) Laboratories, and CSA Group, depending on the applicable program and project requirements. 

Certification, recertification, addenda and R&D projects

Whether a manufacturer is launching a new product, revising a design, changing glazing options or exploring product improvements, UL Solutions in Canada can support thermal performance documentation across certification and development stages, where applicable. 

Frequently asked questions

To begin a thermal simulation report, manufacturers typically provide assembly and parts drawings, complete glazing specifications, spacer details, grid or muntin information, and the product configurations to be evaluated. 

Yes, depending on sample type and project requirements. UL Solutions in Canada can test proprietary materials and spacer systems for thermophysical properties used in NFRC-approved software, including testing that may support NFRC 101 Appendix C consideration. 

The LEAFF method became mandatory for recertified product lines on Jan. 1, 2026, and is scheduled to become mandatory for new product lines on Oct. 1, 2026. 

Physical testing may be required for simulation validation, project requirements, product qualification, performance verification or compliance with standards that require measured results. For NFRC certification, NFRC 102 physical validation testing is used to validate NFRC 100 simulation results. 

Condensation resistance (CR) and condensation index (CI) are both metrics used to evaluate a product’s ability to resist interior surface condensation. Condensation resistance is associated with earlier NFRC 500 procedures, while condensation index is used in newer procedures. 

The condensation index (CI) is determined through computer simulation, whereas the temperature index (I) is determined through physical testing. When determining the condensation index through 2D modeling, corner temperatures on the frame and edge of glazing cannot be evaluated. When determining the temperature index through laboratory testing, corner temperatures can be evaluated at predetermined locations specified by Annex A of CSA A440.2.  

Yes, where applicable. ANSI/DASMA 105 addresses thermal transmittance and air infiltration for sectional and rolling garage doors, and UL Solutions can support both evaluations depending on project requirements. 

Yes, where applicable. ASTM C1363 uses a hot-box apparatus to evaluate thermal performance for opaque assemblies, including exterior walls and insulated panels. UL Solutions has the capacity to test vertically installed building envelope components.