In honor of the 50th anniversary of the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Certification Gold Label, the association hosted a contest to find the oldest in-service window, door or skylight bearing an AAMA air-water-structural certification label. The first place winner and runner-up were announced at AAMA’s Fall Conference in Baltimore on Oct. 28.

Walt Spillane, of Carlsbad, Calf., submitted a label from a patio door manufactured by Elco Manufacturing in 1978, making the product the oldest submission in the contest. “I’m very excited about receiving the first place prize and it means a lot that AAMA offered the contest,” says Spillane. “I will absolutely insist on AAMA-certified products during my upcoming remodel.”

Jim Snyder (Window Jim), of Memphis, Tenn., submitted a label from a label from a window manufactured by Dorco Manufacturing in 1985, making the product second oldest submission in the contest. “It was fun searching for an older AAMA label during the contest,” says Snyder. “Having just completed my FenestrationMasters™ studies, I’ve learned to appreciate even more the value of a product having an AAMA Gold Label. I now find myself examining Gold Labels whenever I can and interpreting the performance requirements listed. The Gold Label offers a lot of information about the integrity of that particular product.”

About the AAMA Certification Program
The AAMA Certification Program is a method of testing window, door and skylight performance that requires the following:
* A sample of the fenestration product passed required performance tests for resistance to air leakage, water penetration and wind pressure.
* Performance tests were conducted at an independent AAMA-accredited lab.
* Individual components used in the fenestration product have passed their own separate performance tests in order to be eligible for use in an AAMA-certified window, door or skylight.
* The manufacturer has certified that production line units are built to the same specifications as the sample unit that was tested.
* Manufacturing plant production lines, component inventory and quality control records are checked annually through two unannounced inspections by an independent third party.

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Filed under: AAMA, ASSOCIATION NEWS, Products