Certify your Windows and Doors

No. Phius only certifies complete products. Component-only performance data is not useful for energy modeling, as the performance of any one part of a fenestration product is heavily influenced by the others. Significant changes in frame U-value, for example, emerge when it is paired with an insulated glass unit. Phius certification provides the product-specific frame, glass, and spacer performance values for modeling a window or door's performance at actual size; this is not possible using frame-only or glass-only performance values.

Currently, Phius is only able to certify products that use glass panes listed in the LBNL International Glazing Database (IGDB).

The IGDB is extremely large, and it's rare that a requested IGU pane is not listed. New glass panes are able to be submitted to the IGDB, and manufacturers may work with their glass supplier to have panes of interest submitted to LBNL for evaluation and listing in the IGDB.

Phius Blue Path simulation costs are set and charged by our partner labs. While we cannot accurately quote their fees, the general consensus among Blue Path participants is that the costs are very reasonable, especially for larger jobs.

Phius Orange Path simulation costs are driven primarily by the number of unique frame profiles. On average, most Orange Path certification jobs cost between $2,000 and $3,000 for about 4 to 8 product combinations. There may be opportunities for discounts when frame profiles share a significant amount of their geometry. The Phius Product Certification team will work with you to optimize your scope of certification.

Phius Blue Path certificates last for the life of the NFRC CPD listing. Upon expiration of the product's CPD number, the Phius listing will be retired. Products can be easily recertified under their new NFRC CPD number by going through the Blue Path process again.

Phius Orange Path certificates are reverified every two (2) calendar years. If the product has not undergone any changes, the certificate is renewed for another two year period. Products that have received performance-altering changes must be certified as new products.

Phius Blue Path – Submit requests via your Blue Path Simulator

• NFRC CPD Numbers for each product you wish to certify
• Expiration dates for all CPD numbers
• Authorization for your NFRC-accredited lab to release your simulations to a Blue Path Simulator at a partner NFRC-accredited lab

Phius Orange Path – Submit requests via the Phius team

• Dimensioned drawings of your frame profiles
• Spacer model/manufacturer
• IGU panes, gap sizes, and gas fills (Note: all glass panes must be listed in the LBNL IGDB).
• Simulation order sheet with combinations of frame profile and IGU that you wish to have modeled

Yes. There are no restrictions on who can use the Orange Path other than the IGDB requirement for glass panes. Manufacturers with Blue Path eligible products are encouraged to use the Blue Path, but may also benefit from certifying their products non-CPD-listed products via the Orange Path. Some manufacturers do have listings in both paths, and that is allowed.