Tech Talks: Translating across the Transatlantic: Do North American and European windows speak the same language?
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
July 22, 2026
1:00pm - 2:00pm Eastern
In this Fenestration Canada Tech Talks, Helen Sanders will discuss how European and North American calculated fenestration U-factors are calculated differently. There is significant risk of inadvertently confusing the two, since the same window typically has a different EU-calculated U-factor (often lower) than the U-factor calculated using North America’s standard, NFRC 100. These cross-Atlantic differences can easily result in inappropriate product comparisons and performance misinterpretations, especially for projects with international supply chains.
How the center-of-glass U-factor varies with cavity dimension, the factors that impact this trend, and how the optimum cavity dimension is different in Europe compared to North America will be reviewed. How fenestration assembly U-factors are calculated across the Atlantic and why differences exist will be discussed. Finally, to reduce risk in design and procurement, a list of the key questions to ask when presented with any U-factor, will be provided.
Helen has over 30 years’ experience in the glass industry with an M.A. in Natural Sciences and Ph.D. in Surface Science from the University of Cambridge, England. She is a leader within Technoform, the forerunner leader in polyamide thermal barriers for fenestration and insulating glass edge bond solutions, with experience spanning product and process development, technical service, operations, organizational development, sales and marketing. She is an active leader in the fenestration and architectural community, serving on the boards of the Façade Tectonics Institute, NFRC, IGCC and FGIA. She is an advocate for high-performance fenestration and was named one of USGlass Magazine’s Top 100 Influencers as one of the individuals “who are leading their peers in new directions” and “changing the whole equation of how we look at the industry.” She was recognized by US Glass Magazine as one of the top women leaders in the glass industry in 2017 and was the recipient of their individual Green Award in 2019.