Category: Mandatory
Applies to: newly constructed, addition, alteration
Last reviewed: 2026-05-27

# §150.0(g): Door U-factor

What it requires

Every exterior door on a California residence must meet:

  • Solid (≤ 25% glazing) doors: U-factor 0.20 maximum (NFRC-labelled assembly value).
  • Glazed doors (> 25% glazing): fall under §110.6 fenestration rules instead, and the U-factor / SHGC values from §150.1(c)3 apply.

The line between "door" and "fenestration" is set at exactly 25% glazing area, measured against the rough opening. A French door, a sliding glass door, or any door with a full-light panel always counts as fenestration. A panel door with a single small light usually counts as a door.

§150.0(g) is one of the simpler mandatory measures — there's no climate-zone variation, and U-factor 0.20 is the floor everywhere in California.

When it applies

Every exterior door on every California residential project. New construction, additions on the addition's new doors, and alterations whenever a door is replaced.

How we use it

The Confirm step pulls door types from your plan's door schedule. For each exterior door, we check the glazing percentage:

The CF1R lists every exterior door with its NFRC-rated U-factor on the construction summary. The AHJ field inspector verifies the manufacturer label at final.

Common gotchas

  • "Mostly solid" doors with a small light panel that look like they're under 25% by eye but actually clear the threshold — measure against the rough opening, not the door slab.
  • Garage-to-house doors — they're interior under the house's air barrier (the garage is unconditioned) and §150.0(g) doesn't apply, but a separate fire-rating requirement does.
  • Patio sliders priced as "doors" on the door schedule but submitted to §110.6 fenestration by the AHJ inspector at rough-in.
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