Breathe Easy: The Real Window Ratings That Matter (And Most People Miss)

Let’s face it—most homeowners pick windows the same way they pick wine: if the label looks good and someone says it’s high quality, that’s good enough.

But if you really want to cut your energy bills, improve comfort, and keep Florida's blazing heat out, you need to look past the pretty glass and focus on the ratings—especially one you’ve probably never heard of: air infiltration.

So buckle up, because we’re about to make energy ratings fun (yes, really). And we’re going to use soda cans and gallons to help make sense of it all.

🌬️ Air Infiltration: What It Is & Why It Matters

Air infiltration measures how much outside air sneaks through your closed window. It’s the invisible leak that causes your AC to scream for mercy and your wallet to cry every month.

It’s measured in cfm/ft² (cubic feet per minute per square foot). The lower the number, the less air leakage—and the more energy-efficient (and comfortable) your home will be.

🥤 Now Let’s Talk Soda Cans & Gallons

Here’s where it gets interesting. Imagine this:

A typical window size is 36" x 60" (15 sq. ft).

If that window has an air infiltration rating of 0.30 cfm/ft² (the legal maximum), it leaks 4.5 cubic feet of air per minute.

That’s equal to 33.7 gallons of air per hour —or about 270 12oz soda cans worth of air. Every. Single. Hour.

Now imagine you have 10 windows like that . That’s 2,700 soda cans of outside air entering your home per hour .

No wonder your AC can’t keep up.

🔒 Lower Ratings = Better Seals = Big Savings

Air infiltration matters, and it matters a lot more than the flashy U-Factor or that gold ENERGY STAR sticker.

🧠 Quick Window Rating Refresher (The Big 4)

U-Factor: How well a window keeps heat in. Lower = better.

SHGC: How much heat it lets in from the sun. Lower = better in Florida.

VT (Visible Transmittance): How much natural light it allows. Higher = brighter rooms.

Air Infiltration: How much your “sealed” window actually leaks. Lower = significantly better for Florida’s climate.

🏆 Our Favorite Window Brands with Elite Air Infiltration

We work with premium window manufacturers from across the U.S. that crush the competition in air infiltration. And yes—we can provide these to you.

1. Soft-Lite Windows

🔹 As low as 0.01 cfm/ft²

🔹 That’s just 1.1 gallons of air per hour. Barely a breeze.

🔹 Why we love them: Their Element and Imperial LS lines outperform ENERGY STAR by miles.

2. Sunrise (now part of MI Windows)

🔹 Around 0.02 cfm/ft²

🔹 ~2.2 gallons/hour—perfect for tight seals and energy-conscious homeowners.

🔹 Why we love them: Stunning finishes + exceptional air resistance.

3. OKNA Windows

🔹 0.01–0.02 cfm/ft²

🔹 Virtually airtight and beautifully designed.

🔹 Why we love them: Luxury feel with elite-level performance.

4. ProVia

🔹 ~0.05 cfm/ft²

🔹 5.6 gallons/hour—still among the best.

🔹 Why we love them: Perfect blend of aesthetics and performance.

5. PGT Custom Windows + Doors (Florida Favorite!)

🔹 Slightly higher air infiltration due to impact-resistant construction

🔹 Still a top performer in HVHZ zones

🔹 Why we love them: Built for hurricanes, trusted statewide.

🌴 Florida Needs Airtight Windows—Here’s Why

Hot air gets in, cold air gets out. You pay for both.

Humidity leaks in, increasing mold risk and discomfort.

Pollen, dust, and noise sneak in through those tiny gaps.

Energy bills spike for no obvious reason—except that 270 soda cans of air you’re cooling every hour.

🛠️ We Help You Choose the Right Windows—Not Just the Brand

At Windoor Retro Professionals , we don’t sell windows. We guide you to the right window for your climate, budget, and home type.

We serve:

• Single-family homes
• Manufactured homes
• New construction
• Coastal properties
• And everything in between

And we do it across Ocala, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach , and Miami .

Final Word from Joe

You wouldn’t install a front door that leaks an inch of rain every day. So why settle for windows that leak gallons of air every hour?

Let’s tighten things up—with premium, professionally installed windows that seal, protect, and save.

Contact Windoor Retro Professionals today , and we’ll help you find a window that doesn’t blow it.