Sealing performance: basic requirements combinable with our security performance.
The sealing of joinery (doors, windows, glazed partitions) plays a key role in the durability of buildings, the comfort of occupants, and energy performance.
Poor sealing can lead to:
- Water infiltration causing structural damage
- Thermal losses increasing energy consumption
- Drafts reducing indoor comfort
Insufficient resistance to strong winds, compromising the safety of the installations
Sealing performance is assessed through various European standards:
- EN 1027 & EN 12208: testing and classification of water tightness
- EN 1026 & EN 12207: testing and classification of air permeability
- EN 12210 & EN 12211: testing and classification of wind resistance
EN 1026 & EN 12207: air permeability of joinery
EN 1026 standard: air permeability test
- The joinery is installed in a test chamber
- A pressure difference is applied between the inside and outside
- The amount of air passing through the door or window is measured
EN 12207 standard: classification of air permeability
The test results are classified according to the EN 12207 standard, in classes from 1 to 4, based on the measured air flow rate.
| Class EN 12207 | Performance | Sample applications |
|---|---|---|
|
L1 |
Low sealing |
Old buildings, low exposure |
|
L2 |
Moderate sealing |
Standard housing |
|
L3 |
Good sealing |
Low-energy buildings |
|
L4 |
Optimal sealing |
Passive buildings, extreme climate zones |
Well-sealed joinery is essential to prevent thermal losses and ensure optimal energy efficiency. The goal achieved is to reduce heating consumption and improve thermal comfort.
EN 1027 & EN 12208: water tightness of joinery
EN 1027 standard: water tightness tests
This standard defines the laboratory test method to measure a joinery’s ability to resist water under pressure.
- A door or window is exposed to simulated water spray using two different spraying methods with varying inclinations
- The intensity of the rain is gradually increased
- Increasing air pressure is applied to simulate storm conditions
- The appearance of water infiltration is monitored
EN 12208 standard: classification of water tightness.
The test results are grouped into 9 resistance classes (from 1A to 9A, and Exxx for extreme performance), simulating different types of weather conditions: light rain with low wind, showers and moderate winds, storms and strong winds, extreme conditions (coastal areas, high altitude).
| Class | Test pressure (Pa) | Duration of the test | Simulated conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1A/1B |
0 |
15 min |
Light rain, light wind |
|
2A/2B |
50 |
20 min |
Moderate showers |
|
3A/3B |
100 |
25 min |
Heavy rain with wind |
|
4A/4B |
150 |
30 min |
Driving rain, sustained wind |
|
5A/5B |
200 |
35 min |
Thunderstormy conditions |
|
6A/6B |
250 |
40 min |
Torrential rain with gusts |
|
7A/7B |
300 |
45 min |
Storm, violent winds |
|
8A/- |
450 |
50 min |
Extreme conditions (coastal, typhoon) |
|
9A/- |
600 |
55 min |
Maximum resistance for areas exposed to extraordinary situations |
|
Exxx |
>600 |
* + 5 min |
Maximum resistance for areas exposed to extraordinary situations |
The water tightness of joinery is crucial to prevent infiltration and ensure the durability of the installations.
EN 12210 & EN 12211: wind resistance of joinery
EN 12211 standard: wind resistance tests
The door, window, or partition is subjected to increasing air pressure simulating strong winds.
The standard provides 5 classes (from 1 to 5, and Exxxx for extreme performances) with 3 test pressures for each class:
- P1: pressure used to measure deformation.
- P2: pressure repeated 50 times to simulate cyclic loads.
- P3: safety pressure applied to check ultimate resistance.
The following is observed:
- The deformation of the structure.
- Air tightness under high pressure.
- The absence of breakage or failure.
The tests include three distinct pressures, with the relationships between these pressures defined as follows:
- P1 = (x)
- P2 = 0,5 × P1
- P3 = 1,5 × P1
EN 12210 standard: classification of wind resistance.
The classification according to EN 12210 is divided into five main classes, with an additional Exxxx class for extreme pressures, where “xxxx” represents the actual test pressure applied.
| Class | P1 (Pa) | P2 (Pa) | P3 (Pa) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
400 |
200 |
600 |
|
2 |
800 |
400 |
1200 |
|
3 |
1200 |
600 |
1800 |
|
4 |
1600 |
800 |
2400 |
|
5 |
2000 |
1000 |
3000 |
|
Exxxx* |
>2000 |
>1000 |
>3000 |
The relative frontal deflection of the most deformable frame element of the tested sample, measured under the test pressure P1, must be classified in accordance with the table below.
Wind loads and relative frontal deflection must be combined into an overall classification, resulting in a combined rating such as C4, for example, corresponding to a pressure of 1600 Pa at P1 and a maximum relative frontal deflection of 1/300.
| Class | Relative frontal deflection |
|---|---|
|
A |
≤ 1/150 |
|
B |
≤ 1/200 |
|
C |
≤ 1/300 |
Wind resistance is a key criterion to ensure the safety and durability of joinery installed in exposed environments (high-rise buildings, coastal areas, mountains).
