Replies

1. Expert Member
   Dana Dorsett | Jul 15, 2013 04:31pm | #1

   Without knowing the ratings of your prior windows, it's hard to know what (if any) benefits of the new windows had over the prior units. The basic meanings of all that alphabet-soup can be found here:

   http://www.csa-international.org/consumers/consumer_tips/default.asp?load=window_doors&language=english

   In order:

   I-55 indicates middle-of-the road insulated glazing with low wintertime condensation potential. It probably does not have a low-E coating on the interior-most surface nor multiple low-E coating,s but likely has at least 1 coated surface inside the sealed glass and possibly argon fill rather than air or dry-nitrogen. If the older windows were clear-glass with nitrogen/air fill it's going to be a heating/cooling energy-saver.

   A3 is the most air-tight of the CSA categories- you'd have to dig elsewhere to find what the test conditions are to meet that grade.

   B5 is the high-middle range for water tightness under CSA test conditions.

   S2 indicates it's a bit harder to open & close (often the case with tighter weatherstripping.)

   F10 indicates a middle-of-the road resistance to the ease of breaking in through a latched or locked window from the outside.

   C5 is the best CSA class for wind-load resistance.

   I've never reviewed the CSA window test specs, can't tell you much more detail than that, but it might be available surfing the CSA website. The ER ratings of the new windows would be of interest too, if available.

2. 
   homestead-windows | Jul 15, 2013 05:51pm | #2

   Thank you so much Dana. That's a wonderful detailed and helpful reply.