Regulations and standards for window openings

The European standard NF EN 13659, published in November 2004, has replaced all French normative texts relating to closures for openings fitted with windows. The term covers all residential closure products such as roller shutters, shutters, blinds, etc., as opposed to closures for open openings (industrial doors, garage doors, etc.).

This European document is a "product" standard, and is therefore the reference text for this equipment in terms of its "intrinsic" performance, i.e. the performance required for all types of closure. The NF EN 13659 standard is accompanied by a series of other texts specifying terminology, test methods, requirements or classifications for "specific" performances, such as acoustic performance, thermal or visual comfort properties, burglary resistance, and so on.

The changes brought about by this European standard are, on the one hand, an evolution or broadening of the requirements already included in French texts, but also the implementation of the European directive on "construction products" leading to the obligation of CE marking.

Last but not least, French regulations are increasingly taking account of window closures. Although there is no specific regulatory text on these products, related regulations, particularly those concerning thermal comfort and energy savings, are giving these products an increasingly technical role in the building industry.