Resources

The documentation, in one place.

Approvals, tested performance, warranty terms and details for all nine systems — issued by the manufacturer that ran the tests.

Approvals

Notice of Acceptance by system.

System	Series	NOA	Design pressure	Expires
Fixed Window — Standard	100	24-0226.03	±65 psf	Nov 2029
Fixed Window — Slim Frame	86	24-0205.02	±65 psf	Nov 2029
Casement	100	24-0226.02	±65 psf	Nov 2029
Awning	86	24-0205.04	±65 psf	Nov 2029
Project-Out	150	23-0731.03	±70 psf	Jul 2029
Horizontal Sliding	86	24-0205.03	±65 psf	Nov 2029
Sliding Glass Door	100	24-0104.12	±80 psf	Jun 2028
Outswing French Door	150	24-0321.03	±90 psf	Nov 2029
Storefront	150	23-0731.02	±70 psf	Jul 2029

Performance

Four technical notes.

(01)
Impact & HVHZ
Approvals, design pressure and what the tested assembly actually covers.
Read the note
(02)
Energy performance
U-factor, SHGC and the glazing choices that move them.
Read the note
(03)
Acoustic comfort
STC and OITC by glass make-up, and where it is worth paying for.
Read the note
(04)
Coastal durability
Finishes, hardware and the maintenance a salt-air site asks for.
Read the note

Warranty

Covered by the factory that built it.

Coverage periods by series for frame, finish, hardware and glass, with exclusions, transferability and the claim procedure. Published in full — no download required.

Read the limited warranty

Questions

Installation, care and the questions asked most.

Choosing a system

How do I know which series I need?: Start with the opening and the elevation. The 86 Series suits modest openings and renovation work, the 100 Series covers open-plan homes and large glass, and the 150 Series carries the design pressures required on high-rise and commercial elevations. If the design pressure is already on the drawings, match it to the system table on any product page.
Are all Fortwell systems impact rated?: Yes. Every system is tested to Large and Small Missile Impact and carries a current Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, so the same product line can be used inside and outside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone.
Can systems be mixed on one project?: They are designed to be. Sightlines, finishes and glass make-ups are shared across the collection, so a 150 Series storefront at grade and 100 Series sliding doors above read as one language.

Installation

Who installs Fortwell products?: Installation is carried out by the dealer or glazing contractor on the project. We issue the anchorage details, substrate conditions and installation instructions for the approval the job is built under.
What anchorage information do you provide?: Anchor type, spacing and edge distances for wood, concrete, block and metal substrates, drawn per the Notice of Acceptance and issued for the specific jurisdiction on request.
How are units shipped and stored?: Units ship crated and protected from our own plant. Store upright, off the ground, out of direct sun, and leave protective film in place until the surrounding work is finished.

Care and maintenance

How should frames be cleaned?: Wash with mild soap and clean water, then rinse. Do not use solvents, abrasives or pressure washers on the finish or the glazing seals.
What does coastal exposure require?: Within three miles of salt water, rinse frames and hardware with fresh water quarterly. Salt deposits left on an anodized or painted surface are the most common cause of premature finish wear.
How is hardware maintained?: Keep tracks and sills clear of grit, and lubricate rollers, hinges and locking points annually with a dry PTFE lubricant. Never use oil-based lubricants, which hold dust.

Ordering and warranty

Do you sell direct to homeowners?: No. Fortwell sells through dealers, glazing contractors and builders. Homeowners are matched with a dealer covering their area.
What lead times should I plan for?: Lead times are quoted per project at the time of order and depend on glass make-up, finish and quantity. Drawings are reviewed and quotes returned within two business days.
What does the warranty cover?: Limited lifetime coverage on the aluminum frame, ten years on finish and hardware, and defined terms for glass and installed components. Full tables are on the warranty page.

Glossary

The specification terms, in plain language.

Design Pressure: Design pressure (DP) is the wind load, in pounds per square foot, that a unit was tested to withstand without failing. A ± figure covers both wind pushing on the glass and wind pulling away from it. Higher numbers mean a system suited to taller, more exposed elevations.
HVHZ: The High Velocity Hurricane Zone covers Miami-Dade and Broward counties, where the Florida Building Code sets the strictest impact and pressure requirements in the country. Products approved for HVHZ carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance.
NOA: A Notice of Acceptance is the Miami-Dade County document that lists a product's tested sizes, glass make-ups, pressures and anchorage. It is what an inspector checks against, and every Fortwell system carries a current one.
Impact Rating: Impact testing fires a large missile (a timber section) and small missiles (steel balls) at the glazing, followed by thousands of pressure cycles. Laminated glass may crack, but it must stay in the frame and keep the building envelope closed.
U-Factor: U-factor measures how readily heat flows through the complete assembly of glass and frame, in Btu/h·ft²·°F. Lower numbers mean better insulation and lower cooling loads.
SHGC: Solar Heat Gain Coefficient is the share of the sun's heat admitted through the glazing, from 0 to 1. In Florida a low SHGC keeps interiors cooler; on shaded or north elevations a higher figure is often preferable for daylight.
STC: STC rates how well an assembly blocks airborne sound. Each 10 points is roughly a halving of perceived loudness; laminated impact glass already performs well, and acoustic interlayers add several points more.
Thermal Break: Aluminum conducts heat readily. A thermal break is a low-conductivity polyamide strut set inside the profile that separates the inside face from the outside, cutting heat transfer and condensation.
Air Infiltration: Measured in cubic feet per minute per square foot at a standard test pressure. Lower numbers mean a tighter seal, less dust, and less load on the air conditioning.
Water Resistance: Water penetration resistance is the test pressure, in psf, at which no water passes the unit while rain is sprayed against it under wind load. Higher figures suit exposed and coastal elevations.

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