A modern multifamily building in black and white panels against a blue sky

Sheet 07 / Testing

Test Results and Code Compliance

Our patented installation products and method have been tested at an AAMA certified lab, as well as field tested with many different cladding systems, and have surpassed all testing guidelines in their ability to resist water and air penetration.

A field test is run on the building itself

Test schedule

Tested in the lab and in the field.

Standard Test Result

ASTM E1105 Field water penetration Field water penetration resistance testing, as outlined in Washington State RCW 64.55.050.

AAMA 502-11 Field test method The field test standard the system is tested against, alongside ASTM E1105.

3.5 PSF Field water test A Cascade window with an AAMA grade rating of LC30, tested in the field at 3.5 PSF, equal to 0.673 inches of water column, by QED Labs, an AAMA certified testing facility.

120 MPH Lab pressure test Passes AAMA pressure tests equal to 120 MPH wind pushing 8 inches of rain per hour.

4.5 PSF Installed performance When installed properly the system withstands AAMA window pressure tests greater than 4.5 PSF.

IRC R703.8 Code compliance Accepted as a recommended method to meet IRC R703.8 flashing for windows and doors.

Field Test Report, QEDLAB ASTM E1105 and AAMA 502 water testing of window installations at the Madison on Eighteenth condominiums in Seattle, June 2011. Result: a 100% pass rate for the installations. 6 pages. PDF, 870 KB

Lab test / Video

The lab test, on video.

Lab pressure test AAMA certified lab

Play the lab test Plays from YouTube

The system goes into a lap siding test wall, and the wall is pressure tested in the lab: the test software, the water column gauge, then the interior sill inspected.

Test record

Tested at: AAMA certified lab
Specimen: Replacement window in a lap siding test wall
Published: February 2010
Length: 3 min 21 s

Field test / Video

The field test, on video.

Field water test 3.5 PSF

Play the field test Plays from YouTube

Field testing of a Cascade window with an AAMA grade rating of LC30, tested at 3.5 PSF, equal to 0.673 inches of water column. Tested by QED Labs, an AAMA certified testing facility.

Test record

Tested by: QED Labs
Facility: AAMA certified testing facility
Specimen: Cascade window, AAMA grade rating LC30
Test pressure: 3.5 PSF
Water column: 0.673 inches

Rows of windows set flush in a white tower, seen from below — **Fig. 8** Row after row of windows

Code compliance

What each code asks for.

International Residential Code, 2012

IRC R703.8

The code: Requires pan flashings, jamb flashings and head flashings. Enforcement began July 2013 in most jurisdictions.
Rain Jacket: Accepted as a recommended method to meet IRC R703.8 flashing for windows and doors.

Read R703.8 in full

Washington State

RCW 64.55.050

The code: Outlines field water penetration resistance testing to ASTM E1105 and AAMA 502-11.
Rain Jacket: Passes ASTM E1105 and AAMA 502-11 field water penetration resistance testing, as outlined in RCW 64.55.050.

Free estimate and advice on your specific project

Specify a system that passes.

Send us the cladding type, the number of windows and your location, and we will give you a price. We have been in the window trade since 1992.

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