Here, WiWA® Certification distinguishes itself from standard window testing by providing a thorough and globally recognised evaluation of window quality.
Let’s explore how WiWA® Certification differs from conventional window testing and why this is important when choosing the right windows for your home.
Understanding Standard Window Testing
Many manufacturers of aluminium system windows in India conduct basic tests to verify their products' structural integrity and functionality. These tests typically involve:
- Load testing to assess structural soundness.
- Glass safety inspections to comply with regional standards.
- Basic water spray tests to evaluate leak resistance.
- Visual assessments for construction quality.
While these tests ensure windows meet minimum production criteria, they often fail to replicate the complex environmental conditions that windows encounter in real life. There is no consistent or universally accepted benchmark, making it challenging for consumers to compare window performance across different brands or materials.
What is WiWA® Certification?
WiWA® (Wind, Water, and Air Certification) is a stringent performance standard that evaluates the best windows for home against three critical environmental factors:
- Wind Pressure Resistance: Measures a window’s ability to endure strong wind forces, including those from storms and cyclones.
- Water Tightness: Tests a window's effectiveness in blocking rainwater infiltration, especially during severe monsoon conditions.
- Air Permeability: Assesses how much air can pass through the window frames or cavities, affecting insulation from dust, noise, and heat.
Each parameter receives a score on a scale of 1 to 10, where a higher score indicates better performance in that area. This clear scoring system allows homeowners looking for sliding doors or windows, casement windows or aluminium system windows in India, to choose windows suited to their local climate and lifestyle needs, whether they involve coastal rains, urban pollution, or high-altitude winds.
WiWA® vs. Standard Testing: Key Differences
Here are a few factors that differentiate WiWA® certification and standard testing.
- Benchmark: Testing standards differ by brand or location, but WiWA® adheres to rigorous international criteria.
- Testing Conditions: Basic tests are standard. WiWA® replicates real-life extremes, including storms, rain, and pollution. Evaluated for wind pressures up to 3 kPa and wind speeds of 250 km/h, they are suitable for storm resistance.
- Scope: Standard evaluations concentrate on the structure and glass. WiWA® ensures the best windows for home by assessing wind, water, and air resistance.
- Results: Standard tests do not provide comprehensive outcomes. WiWA® delivers ratings from 1 to 10 for each criterion, making evaluation results quantifiable and easier to understand.
- Clarity for Buyers: Standard tests offer minimal insight. WiWA® ratings assist you in selecting windows that fit your climate.
Why is WiWA® Important for Indian Homes
India’s varied geography means that the performance requirements for windows significantly differ:
- Coastal areas such as Mumbai or Chennai experience high humidity and heavy rainfall, necessitating maximum water resistance.
- Urban locations like Delhi and Bengaluru face air pollution and noise challenges, making air permeability ratings crucial, especially for aluminium system windows in India.
- Cyclone-prone regions like Odisha require remarkable wind pressure resilience.
WiWA® Certified aluminium system windows in India confront these challenges by providing scientifically verified performance. Aluminium, known for its natural corrosion resistance and structural strength, is already a preferred choice for modern homes. Combined with WiWA® Certification, it transforms into a robust solution for protection, style, and efficiency.
Conclusion
Standard window testing ensures basic quality, but WiWA® Certification guarantees excellence. It offers scientifically supported details to help you choose windows suited to your region's needs. Given urban challenges and unpredictable weather, settling for the bare minimum is inadequate.
Eternia by Hindalco, one of the best brands for aluminium system windows in India, offers WiWA® Certified aluminium system windows made from Duranium®, a patented alloy. These windows are appealing and provide superior dust and noise sealing, rainwater leak resistance, and reliable performance in cyclonic winds. Homeowners can trust Eternia’s WiWA® Certified options, combining international standards with quality and performance.