Monday, December 7, 2009

A Green Holiday Home

A Green Holiday Home


Sustainable Tulsa sets sights on making Tulsa a fully realized "Green Country"


BY MIKE EASTERLING

Follow the LEEder. One local consumer who has gotten the message, though, is Chad Burden, who recently bought an abandoned home at 3530 E. 21st Place, and is renovating it using sustainable practices. The home is believed to be the first dual green-certified remodeling project in Oklahoma and perhaps the nation, organizers of the press conference said.

 Corey Williams smiled when asked to consider the irony last week of her organization holding a press conference that would encourage residents to move toward sustainable lifestyles at a time of year when consumption is perhaps at its highest.

"It was coincidental," said Williams, executive director of Sustainable Tulsa, of the Nov. 24 event that served a variety of functions.

The first of those was an announcement that the Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa had become the latest local organization to rally behind the green movement with its formation of its Green Building Council, a group intended to provide leadership in sustainable home building, remodeling and land development through voluntary, market-driven green building standards and practices.

Brandon Perkins, president of the HBAGT and a Sustainable Tulsa board member, said that development would allow his organization to put significant funds behind the council, as well as hold green building education seminars for builders and buyers and members of the general public.

"This will allow us to push the green movement in a mature process," he said, adding that the change would lead to a partnership with Sustainable Tulsa and encourage all of the players in the local sustainable movement to work together instead of staking out their own territory.

"That's what Tulsa truly needs," Perkins said. "We want to be like Austin, only better. We're called Green Country for a reason, and we need to get back to our roots."

Williams said Sustainable Tulsa was looking to form a partnership to share in the challenges of promoting green building in the Tulsa area.

"This is an opportunity to have a dialog to discuss what it takes to have a more sustainable home," she said.

Those involved in the local sustainable movement are quick to acknowledge that Tulsa has a long way to go to meet that goal. For example, Perkins said sustainable building techniques are not as important to many local home buyers as they are in other parts of the country, he said.

"It continues to get more and more important in people's minds," he said. "However, it's not as strong as I'd like it to be. Given the chance to make a decision between a granite countertop and a green countertop, most of them are still choosing granite. And that's because we've done a poor job in educating people."

Perkins said the press conference was a good opportunity to alert local home buyers of the creation of the council.

"Why today around the holiday season?" he asked. "We felt like it was the perfect time. This is an opportunity in the midst of a time of celebration to be grateful for the world around us."


One local consumer who has gotten the message, though, is Chad Burden, who recently bought an abandoned home at 3530 E. 21st Place, the site of the press conference, and is renovating it using sustainable practices. The home is believed to be the first dual green-certified remodeling project in Oklahoma and perhaps the nation, organizers of the press conference said.

According to Burden, a graduate student at Oklahoma State University's Tulsa campus, standards for rating a building's "greenness" have been established by several organizations using point systems to rate energy consumption, water use, materials, design and more.

Burden's home will be certified by the National Association of Home Builders' Model Green Building Guidelines and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The two are the largest and most widely recognized green-building codes in the country.

The home will be enveloped in spray-foam insulation, a highly efficient form of insulation, and will boast double-pane windows, which are also highly efficient. Its wooden floors have been replaned and recycled, and the house will feature LED lighting, Energy Star appliances, low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures, and a recycled steel roof that reflects heat. Burden said there will also be a rainwater harvesting system, and the driveway will be torn up and repurposed to create a parking pad. Whenever possible, he said, the materials used in the house are being purchased from local vendors, including the cabinets, which are being built by the Jay Rambo Co. of Tulsa.

All of those features are verified by a third party, and a document certifying their sustainability will be issued to Burden upon completion of the structure, he said.

"So you don't have to take my word for it," he said. "It's all here."

Burden, who described himself as "an unlikely greenie," said the home had been abandoned for eight years before he and his wife bought it. Their original motivation for completing the deal had nothing to do with wanting to build a sustainable home, he said.

The Burdens own the home next door, he said, and the roots of a sycamore tree on the edge of the abandoned property were wreaking havoc on his driveway. Burden decided to buy the house next door largely out of self-defense, he said, realizing that if he let someone else buy it, they probably wouldn't be willing to pay to have the tree removed.


"So this started as a way to recoup the cost I had incurred for fixing my driveway," he said.

But when Burden, a Navy vet, decided to take advantage of the G.I. Bill and return to school, he enrolled in the environmental science graduate program at OSU-Tulsa with an emphasis in green building and sustainable construction practices. At that point, he said, it became clear he could use the renovation of the abandoned house as the focus of his master's thesis project.

But it hasn't been easy. Burden said work began on the project in February, and he hopes to have it done by January.

"These retrofits are much more labor intensive than new construction," he said.

And the documentation process for sustainability certification is cumbersome, he said.

"It takes some guts to dive into it," he said.

But Burden seems pleased with his decision to employ the sustainable features for the house, which he estimates to be $150,000 in by the time construction is finished.

"This will be more self-sufficient if it all hits the fan if oil goes up to $130 a barrel," he said. "You'll be glad to do what you did."

The extra costs associated with some green-building techniques can put some home buyers off. But both Burden and Perkins encouraged consumers to take a longer view of the issue and give more consideration to the advantages of sustainable construction practices.

For instance, Burden described green-building techniques as "the low-hanging fruit" when it comes to reducing American dependence on foreign energy sources.

While green building practices might be a little more expensive today, in the long run, they are more cost effective, they said.

"People in general have a hard time with the out-of-the-box (cost)," Perkins said. "We're so conditioned to look at the amortized return by these big, multi-national companies. But we need to bring it home. There's more to it than just the amortized cost. There's quality-of-life and other issues, not just personally, but as a nation. The actual price of oil is hugely more than you see on the market.

"It starts with me personally, and I realize I can't demand that my government make changes without me making changes," he said.

For Perkins, a longtime residential developer, that shift came eight years ago when he was dragged "kicking, fighting and screaming," he said, to his first green building meeting with his father, believing that such techniques didn't make sense from a financial standpoint. But the things he learned at that meeting led to a sea of change in his attitude.

"Once I went, I fully understood I could do a better job," he said. "I'm never going to be the most green individual out there but taking that first step is what really matters."


The press conference also served as an opportunity for Williams and Sustainable Tulsa--a local nonprofit organization that promotes responsible economic growth, environmental stewardship and quality of life for all--to introduce the group's 2010 Tulsa Area Green Directory, which offers listings of more than 700 businesses and agencies promoting sustainable living in the Tulsa area.

The directory is available at a number of area businesses, including Whole Foods Market, Ihloff Salon and Day Spa, Elote Café and Catering, Pohlenz Cucine Moderne, the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum Gift Shop, the Collaboratorium, the Cherry Street Coffee House, the Cosmo Café, the Green Building Resources Library, Café Topeca, Dwelling Spaces and Eco-baby.

Williams also was promoting a list of 12 ways consumers can go green this holiday season. She said it would be wonderful if Tulsans began mobilizing toward a more sustainable lifestyle more quickly, but "the key is to keep raising the bar for the community and for us individually."

http://www.urbantulsa.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A28657

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Homebuilders to launch green council

by Kirby Lee Davis


The Journal Record November 25, 2009

TULSA – The Home Builders Association of Greater Tulsa will launch its Green Building Council on Jan. 1, enabling both residential developers and homeowners to use more environmentally friendly products.

This effort dovetails with the National Association of Home Builders establishing its “green” building program, adopted by the American National Standards Institute for residential construction.

“I think it’s the coming thing,” said Phil Rhees of BMI Properties, who helped create the Tulsa council. He expects it to help advance construction of environmentally friendly homes in Oklahoma’s second-largest metro area. “I think we’re five years behind the national trends.”

Larry Cagle of Cagle Construction will preside over the 25-member Green Building Council, which will partner with the interest group Sustainable Tulsa to help educate people on recycled and environmentally friendly product and construction options, connecting them to contractors, suppliers and service companies.

Sustainable Tulsa unveiled its 2010 Tulsa Area Green Directory Tuesday to help fulfill that goal.

“There’s some things we can do that will be short term, and a lot of things we can do long term,” said Rhees. “We have to start somewhere.”


More here ::: http://www.journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=104729

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Thank You Sustainable Tulsa and Home Builders Association

http://www.newson6.com/Global/category.asp?C=121535&clipId=4329677&topVideoCatNo=120898&autoStart=true

M&M Lumber Receives FSC Chain of Custody Certification

This is huge!  Wanted all green building enthusiasts to be aware of a great resource in Tulsa.  Chad

****Press Release****

October 30, 2009


M&M Lumber Receives FSC Chain of Custody Certification

M&M Lumber is proud to announce they have been granted the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody (CoC) certification. M&M Lumber’s FSC certification number SCS-COC-002810. This certification allows M&M Lumber to provide its customers the option to purchase materials that have come from well-managed forests and comply with the strict tracking requirements of FSC.

ABOUT THE FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC)

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. It provides standard setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services for organizations interested in responsible forestry. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

ABOUT M&M LUMBER

M&M Lumber Co. is a full service lumberyard that is locally owned and operated since 1964. We have competitive pricing and professional salesmen to help with your orders. We are a stocking dealer of Trex, Evergrain and treated decking. We have a complete door shop to take care of your specific door, moulding, millworks, and any custom order needs and also have a nail gun repair specialist along with a full line of pneumatic nails in stock. Special ordering is available for items that we do not keep in stock.

M&M Lumber

4711 S Mingo Tulsa, OK 74146 918-627-1926 Fax 918-627-2726
http://www.mmlumberco.com/

Monday, November 23, 2009

jay rambo bamboo cabinets arrive!

This stuff is dense and hard as a rock.   Beautiful material.  FSC-certified.


trying on the new colors



Wednesday, November 18, 2009

GREEN GLASS DRYWALL: GOING UP, UP, UP AND AWAY!


Anchor Paint on the Exterior Trim...A...L...M...O...S...T There!!!!

All we need is one more weekend of warm weather and I think we can make it to the goal line as far as exterior painting goes...it's gonna be close!  PLEASE hold out a little longer!


Note the tan/cream trim.  The unpainted hardie-board will be a darker brown.

Daredevil Chad tests his nerves at about 17 feet.  Now I know why painters get a bad rap for being alcoholics.  Liquid courage sounds like a good idea first thing in the morning, especially when a hard wind blows!


 

Aunt Patsy, slaving away on the garage door.

I know, the old windows should be gone REALLY SOON, right Pam?  :)

Ozark InSEALators...in ACTION!


Thursday, November 12, 2009

THANKS MANDI AND OZARK INSEALATORS

Mandi,

Thank you so much for coming by today and speaking with the neighborhood/community about spray foam insulation.  You have a great crew.

Tulsa, please stop by and check us out any time!

Chad

For more information, contact Mandi at:
mandi@ozarkfoam.net or 918-223-5849

Friday, November 6, 2009

Watch Ozark InSEALators Apply Spray Foam to Walls

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUN61HXP9YY

For more information, come to our free workshop next Thursday:

Free Spray Foam Insulation Workshop



Learn more about spray foam insulation and energy efficiency inside an actual green residential retrofit in mid-town Tulsa!



Date: November 12, 2009

Time: 12:30pm to 2:00pm

Place: 3530 E. 21st Place Tulsa, OK (near 21st/Harvard)

Project website: www.obgreen.blogspot.com


Free and Open to the Public


Presented by :

Ozark Foam InSEALators, Inc.



Ozark Foam InSEALators, Inc. has been servicing the entire Ozarks region for over 10 years. With more than 3,500 foam insulation projects completed, Ozark Foam InSEALators, Inc. is recognized as the premier foam insulation provider in both Arkansas and Missouri and they have recently entered the Northeastern Oklahoma region.

Spray foam applied as a liquid expands within seconds to 120 times its volume to fill every nook and cranny providing superior energy efficiency and improved indoor air quality by eliminating air movement through walls. Demilec’s SEALECTION® 500 reduces airborne noise and dust making it the healthy choice for those who suffer from allergies, asthma or chemical sensitivity.



Sponsored by:

Ozark Foam InSEALators (www.ozarkfoam.net)

Demilec USA, SEALECTION® 500 Spray Foam Insulation (www.demilecusa.com)



Strategic Partners:

U.S. Green Building Council, Oklahoma Chapter

Sustainable Tulsa’s Green Building Strategy Team

Home Builder’s Association of Greater Tulsa



Registration is not required but as a courtesy for planning, please pre-register with Lorrie A. Hoefling, LEED® AP BD&C, GAc President USGBC Oklahoma Chapter: lhoefling@sbcglobal.net

fillin' in the holes

Above: Master Craftsman, Jim Belden handles his 1960s (ish) Massey Ferguson tractor with box blade like Mad Max handles his semis to level off the big trench we dug to bury the power line.  PSO is on the way to run power.  Almost ready for lift off, Tulsa!



Landscapes now get 'green' ratings

By Haya El Nasser, USA TODAY

"Green" seals of approval are slapped on dishwashers, heat pumps, light bulbs and entire buildings. So why not the outdoors?


As of Thursday, even open-air spaces — from parks and parking lots to corporate and college campuses — will have their own environmental rating system.

"The recognition of the need to address climate change and sustainability is going up and up," says Nancy Somerville, CEO of the American Society of Landscape Architects, who worked with the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington, D.C., and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at the University of Texas-Austin to create the first national rating system for sustainable landscapes.

Until now, the most comprehensive guidelines and sought-after environmental ratings were for buildings. A Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council can qualify builders and cities for tax credits. Now that the nation is embracing all things green to save money and natural resources, a LEED rating also brings marketing cachet to a project.

The spaces around buildings now can earn similar recognition from the Sustainable Sites Initiatives' new star rating scale (four stars is the highest).

"It can be the site and landscaping around a building," Somerville says.

The rating will measure several criteria. They may include planting trees in a parking lot or paving with permeable materials to minimize heat and storm-water runoff. Or landscaping with native plants to reduce maintenance, irrigation and use of pesticides.

When the trustees of Sidwell Friends School, a prestigious Quaker school, decided to build a middle school on its Washington, D.C., campus, they found that "green building was entirely consistent with Quaker values ... of stewardship of the environment," says Mike Saxenian, assistant head of school. The school hired landscape architect José Almiñana, a principal with Philadelphia-based Andropogon Associates, who finished his design last year.

The campus, which President Obama's daughter Malia attends, sits between two large parks. The school now acts as a bridge between the two, allowing species to move back and forth, Saxenian says. When a pond with native species overflows, water goes into a garden that filters and absorbs water, softening the impact of runoff. The new landscape rating will help people realize "that we are part of a larger natural system ... which we are fully dependent on to survive," Almiñana says.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/construction/2009-11-04-green-rating_N.htm

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

M&M Lumber -- first Lumber Dealer in NE OK to Get FSC Chain of Custody

M&M is very excited to let you know that they have gone through the FSC Audit and received their FSC Chain of Custody number.  This means they are capable of delivering FSC material to the job side without breaking the Chain of Custody. Nobody else in this area can provide this service. It will help those seeking LEED’s credit in the future.

Great job M&M!!!  This is a huge deal for Tulsa.  Spread the word!

Contact Sean with M&M Lumber for details:
sean@mmlumberco.com

or call or come by:

(918) 627-1926

4711 S Mingo Rd
Tulsa, OK

USGBC - Oklahoma Chapter Announcement - Build it Green!

BUILD-IT-GREEN LLC


First to Offer High Performance Sustainable Construction Resource Guide Serving Oklahomans and the Surrounding Region.

Build-it-Green is essential reading for architects, builders, consultants, and anyone in the commercial construction community in Oklahoma.

November 4, 2009 -- For the first time, green-building professionals serving Oklahomans will have a reliable resource guide for finding local product manufacturers and service providers. In addition, organizations selling sustainable building products and services will now be able to reach a wide range of decision-makers in search of local green businesses throughout the state of Oklahoma as well as states like Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.

Build-it-Green is a handy resource for the busy building professional that may not have the time or staff to research a variety of green building categories. Anyone interested in certifying their next project through the LEED Green Building Rating System, the National Association of Homebuilder's Green Building Standard or Green Globes will want to have this quick-reference on their bookshelf and in their briefcase. Build-it-Green is the brainchild of Lorrie A. Hoefling, President of Build-it-Green LLC and Chair of the U.S. Green Building Council's Oklahoma Chapter. "This definitive resource guide will cover everything under the sun to include categories such as roofing, windows, insulation, mechanical systems, flooring, paints and coatings, plumbing, lighting, electrical as well as construction and demolition waste options for Oklahomans," says Hoefling.

A portion of the profits from every ad placed in Build-it-Green will be donated to the U.S. Green Building Council, a non-profit 501(c)(3) to support their social and environmental service, and educational programs. This annual resource guide will be distributed throughout the region via green building conferences, educational workshops, seminars, and community organizations dedicated to fundamentally rethinking the role of the building delivery process. Individual listings, ¼, ½ and full page ads are available and start as low as $200.00 and include a presence on the web at Build-It-GreenCommercial.com

For more information, contact:

Shekoofah Khedhri
shekoofah.khedhri@gmail.com

Thursday, October 22, 2009

sewer and water line to garage - back in business

We should be able to fill in the dirt once it stops raining and roll up our sleaves on the landscaping before it gets too cold!

A Heatwave for All Seasons: 6529 E 14th St.



In case you're in the neighborhood, swing into the show room and ask for Glenda or call to make an appointment. Have her show you the shower that plays music and provides moodlighting. I can't believe there is a market for stuff like this! Lot's of quality products to choose from.
Heatwave Supply CO Incorporated
heatwavesupply.com
(918) 838-9841
6529 E 14th St.
Tulsa, OK

Colburn Electric: Still Towing the Line

We had Colburn Electric lay an additional line of PVC conduit so we could run our security system and garage door opener to/from the main home. We also pulled one extra line though in the even we ever wanted to pull a line of somethign through in the future. Maybe that will pay off one day.


An Anchor Partner

The best painters our money can buy...


We're loving the water-based (latex) products Anchor Paint recommended for the project. Anchor manufactures all their paint here in Tulsa for any size project -- residential, industrial, commercial.

Ask for latex products and products with low VOCs whenever possible. Anchor carries a nice line of products that lessen the impact on the environment.


Oh yeah, and their customer service has been excellent.

Racking Up More Frequent Recycle Miles




This load of cardboard weighed about 200 pounds (dry). Each container of metal (wire clippings, scrap metal) weighs about 100 pounds.


Friday, October 16, 2009

The Mudslinging Continues


We hoped to wait out the rain but decided we had to cowboy up and soldier through it. Above, Bill with Colburn Electric is having too much fun playing with his bobcat.

Thanks Bill, you, John and Darrin have been a great help.
Below, we accidentally hit the sewer line when we were digging the power line. No worries....easy repair once the hole was dug out. If you look carefully, you can see the effects of the enormous root system from the 80-foot sychamore tree that started all this madness. Incredible.


Permeable Pavers, Storm Water Savers

Our driveway was is baaaaad shape. Years of neglect, ice damage, root damage from unattended trees and plants had cracked pretty much the entire driveway. Being that we needed to either repair or replace it, we started looking for green solutions. Repairing it with a thinner top coat would be cheaper but it might not hold up and last a long time. Anyone who thinks green knows that durability is key when you start talking about the Life Cycle costs of products. So we decided on a new driveway.

That's when we hooked up with Tim and Sandy Shoemaker, owners of the Pave-Stone Company of Oklahoma. http://www.pave-stonestoreok.com/links.html. They recommended the Eco-Priora permeable paver system for our driveway.

The Eco-Priora™ joint profile allows surface water to infiltrate into the pavement and its sub-layers. With initial permeability average flow rates of over 100 inches per hour, the Eco-Priora™ product, even with a clogging factor, will still meet the majority of current storm water management plans (SWMP). The structural interlocking capability is achieved by having a vertical joint profile exhibiting protruding spacer bars that interlock when placed in pattern. These interlock throughout the depth of the block and nest adjacently with neighboring paving units. Eco-Priora™ assists in meeting current EPA storm water regulations.

Here's how it works:


We're looking at the Sandstone and Winter Blend colors....amazing how nice it looks, right?

Give Tim a call about your next outdoor paving application. This stuff is beautiful.

The Pave-Stone Store of Oklahoma
Tim & Sandy Shoemaker
7640 S. Old Hwy 51Broken Arrow, OK 74014
(918) 251-3111
pavestonestoreok@valornet.com

Above, this isn't the best picture but you can see where grass and dirt have accumulated inside the gulleys and cracks created after the driveway buckled and cracked. It looks like this more towards the garage and back yard vs. the first picture taken from the front yard above. We're going to use a concrete saw and cut out blocks to use throughout the landscaping so as to minimize as much waste as possible.

Light up Your Life, with Juno LEDs


We've been working closly with Charles Hight, President of National Accounts and
Senior Lighting Design Engineer with Triple C Lighting http://www.tripleccompanies.com/ and Chris Parke, Outside Sales with Broken Arrow Electric Supply Co. http://www.baes.com/ . These guys know their stuff and we want to thank them for recommending such beautiful energy saving, long-lasting LED can lights, manufactured by Juno http://www.junolightinggroup.com/.

Service life is extraordinary for Juno LED recessed lights. The Juno LED Downlight
provides 50,000 hours of operation, resulting in over 11 years of maintenance-free operation based on 12 hours of usage per day. That’s 25 times the life expectancy of incandescent; 5 times that of compact fluorescents. In residential applications and other lower usage applications, service life can outlast the ownership of the property, truly redefining “maintenance-free.”

For more information on Juno lighting, see link below or make is easy and reach out to Charles and Chris!


To contact Charles and Chris:



Below, a south shot of our kitchen with LEDs flannking both sides.

LEDs mounted in every bedroom will provide light for years and years and years and years to come!




Clean, GREEN, Sheetrock

Many of you may have read about defective drywall imported from China coming in by the boatload during the house boom a few years ago... Uh oh, I guess those cheap prices ended up not being such a good deal for builders or consumers. From the Associated Press:

"During the height of the U.S. housing boom, with building materials in short supply, American construction companies imported millions of pounds of Chinese-made drywall because it was abundant and cheap. An Associated Press analysis of shipping records found that more than 500 million pounds of Chinese gypsum board was imported between 2004 and 2008 — enough to have built tens of thousands of homes. They are heavily concentrated in the Southeast, especially Florida.
The defective materials have since been found by state and federal agencies to emit "volatile sulfur compounds," and contain traces of strontium sulfide, which can produce a rotten-egg odor, along with organic compounds not found in American-made drywall. Homeowners complain the fumes are corroding copper pipes, destroying TVs and air conditioners, and blackening jewelry and silverware. Some believe the wallboard is also making them ill."

More on this article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091015/ap_on_re_us/us_chinese_drywall

Never fear, GREENGLASS is here! GreenGlass is a fiberglass-faced gypsum sheathing that can make any project a little greener. Manufactured with with up to 90% recycled content gypsum sandwiched between naturally mold- and moisture-resistant fiberglass facers, GreenGlass meets the most demanding exterior design requirements and the greenest environmental construction standards.

GreenGlass delivers the mold and moisture resistance necessary to protect your next project and provides high levels of recycled content of at least 90% to contribute valuable credits in environmental rating systems like LEED and the NAHB's Green Building Standard.

You can find GreenGlass sheet rock right here in Tulsa (Broken Arrow) at Cherokee Building Matertials. Call 252-1666 and ask for John Nail. For more product infomration on GreenGlass:
http://www.templeinland.com/BuildingProducts/Gypsum/GreenGlass/Interior/

Friday, October 9, 2009

Changing the World One Room at a Time

From David Johnston and Kim Master's "Green Remodeling: Changing the World One Room at a Time"....

I went through a checklist in the aforementioned book and noticed we hit almost every one of the items on their "Small is Beautiful: 14 Ways to Optimize Space" list...so here is what we've done:

1) provided an open plan for the kitchen/dining and living areas. Families like to spend time in the kitchen, so integrating it into the great room is practical and efficient these days

2) we've avoided single-use hallways. The circulation of the house serves several functions, inlcuding bookshelves and laundry space.

3) we've converted the side porch into an extened room/library/office space off the master bedroom..also allows an additional access to the back-yard. my favorite space by far.

4) we've provided built-in furnishings and storage areas to better utilize space, including bench seats in windowsills, bookshelves and even some extra space in the now conditioned attic - a rare treat for homes in this era/neighborhood (built 1941).

5) we've kept the bedrooms reletively small to make use of living space. Bedrooms are primarliy used for dressing and sleeping.

6) closets and additional interior insulation will provide additional acoustic speration between rooms.

7) we've created direct access to the outdoors via new back door and floor plan. As mentioned, the master bedroom also gives additional access and a feeling of openess through the large glazed casement windows (operable).

8) we've provided for a significant amount of "daylighting" or natural light to enter the home via Solatubes. This will make the home feel larger.

9) varying the degrees of privacy to some of the bedrooms as well as the texturual contrasts that the bamboo kitchen cabinets offer will make the space feel larger than it really is.

10) we're using light colors on walls and ceilings throughout.

11) the flow of the home will naturally lead the eye through the house via the great room and the continuity of the wood floors throughout.

12) recycled glass counter tops and LED lighting will accentuate quality finishes, top-effciency appliances and detailed woodwork like book shelves.

For more information, check out the Tulsa Public Library for "Green Remodeling".....

Green Remodeling is a comprehensive guide. It first points out the advantages of remodeling. Buildings are responsible for 40% of worldwide energy flow and material use; so how you remodel can make a difference. Upgrading furnaces, cabinets and toilets means less fossil fuel pollution, reduced resource depletion and fewer health risks. Green remodeling is more energy-efficient, more resource-conserving, healthier for occupants and creates buildings that are more affordable to build, operate and maintain.

The book then discusses simple green renovation solutions for homeowners, focusing on key aspects of the building, including foundations, framing, plumbing, windows, heating and finishes. Room by room, it outlines the intricate connections that make the house work as a system. For example, how new windows may affect the structure and mechanical systems of the rooms below, the health of the family and the future of old-growth forests. Then, in an easy-to-read format complete with checklists, personal stories, expert insights and an extensive resource list, it covers easy ways to save energy, conserve natural resources and protect the health of loved ones. Addressing all climates, this is a perfect resource for conventional homeowners, as well as for architects and remodeling contractors.

David Johnston was named one of the top 50 remodelers in the U.S. in 1990. He developed the first green remodeling program in the U.S. and is creating a national green certification program for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Kim Master is a green building consultant. Both are from Boulder, Colorado.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The All Things Windows Glossary

I ran across this list of terms and though I would share with those in the market for new windows.

Glossary

A
AAMA. American Architectural Manufacturers Association. A national trade association that establishes voluntary standards for the window, door, storefront, curtain wall, and skylight industries.
Absorptance. The ratio of radiant energy absorbed to total incident radiant energy in a glazing system.
Acrylic. A thermoplastic with good weather resistance, shatter resistance, and optical clarity, used for glazing.
Aerogel. A microporous, transparent silicate foam used as a glazing cavity fill material, offering possible U-values below 0.10 BTU/(h-sq ft-°F) or 0.56 W/(sq m-°C).
Air infiltration. The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows and doors.
Air-leakage (air infiltration).The amount of air leaking in and out of a building through cracks in walls, windows, and doors.
Air-leakage rating. A measure of the rate of air-leakage around a window, door, or skylight in the presence of a specific pressure difference. It is expressed in units of cubic feet per minute per square foot of frame area (cfm/sq ft). Formerly expressed as cubic feet per minute per foot of window perimeter length (cfm/ft) but not now in use. The lower a window's air-leakage rating, the better its airtightness.
Annealed glass. Standard sheet of float glass which has not been heat-treated.
Annealing. Heating above the critical or recrystallization temperature, then controlled cooling of metal, glass, or other materials to eliminate the effects of cold-working, relieve internal stresses, or improve strength, ductility, or other properties.
ANSI. American National Standards Institute. Clearing house for all types of standards and specifications.
Argon. An inert, nontoxic gas used in insulating glass units to reduce heat transfer.
ASHRAE. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers.
ASTM. American Society for Testing and Materials. Organization that sets standards for testing of materials.
Awning. Window similar to a casement except the sash is hinged at the top and always swings out.

B
Balance. A mechanical device (normally spring-loaded) used in single- and double-hung windows as a means of counterbalancing the weight of the sash during opening and closing.
Bay window. An arrangement of three or more individual window units, attached so as to project from the building at various angles. In a three-unit bay, the center section is normally fixed, with the end panels operable as single-hung or casement windows.
Bead. A wood strip against which a swinging sash closes, as in a casement window. Also, a finishing trim at the sides and top of the frame to hold the sash, as in a fixed sash or a double-hung window. Also referred to as bead stop.
Blackbody. The ideal, perfect emitter and absorber of thermal radiation. It emits radiant energy at each wavelength at the maximum rate possible as a consequence of its temperature, and absorbs all incident radiance.
BOCA. Building Officials and Code Administrators.
Bottom rail. The bottom horizontal member of a window sash.
Bow window. A rounded bay window that projects from the wall in an arc shape, commonly consisting of five sashes.
Brick molding. A standard milled wood trim piece that covers the gap between the window frame and masonry.
Btu (B.T.U.). An abbreviation for British Thermal Unit, the heat required to increase the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.

C
Casement. A window sash that swings open on side hinges: in-swinging are French in origin; out-swinging are from England.
Casing. Exposed molding or framing around a window or door, on either the inside or outside, to cover the space between the window frame or jamb and the wall.
Caulking. A mastic compound for filling joints and sealing cracks to prevent leakage of water and air, commonly made of silicone, bituminous, acrylic, or rubber-based material.
CFM. Cubic Feet per Minute.
Check rail. The bottom horizontal member of the upper sash and the top horizontal member of the lower sash which meet at the middle of a double-hung window.
Clerestory. A window in the upper part of a lofty room that admits light to the center of the room.
Composite frame. A frame consisting of two or more materials for example, an interior wood element with an exterior fiberglass element.
Condensation. The deposit of water vapor from the air on any cold surface whose temperature is below the dew point, such as a cold window glass or frame that is exposed to humid indoor air.
Conduction. Heat transfer through a solid material by contact of one molecule to the next. Heat flows from a higher-temperature area to a lower-temperature one.
Convection. A heat transfer process involving motion in a fluid (such as air) caused by the difference in density of the fluid and the action of gravity. Convection affects heat transfer from the glass surface to room air, and between two panes of glass.
CRF. Condensation Resistance Factor. An indication of a window's ability to resist condensation. The higher the CRF, the less likely condensation is to occur. Based on AAMA standard.

D
Degree day. A unit that represents a one-degree Fahrenheit deviation from some fixed reference point (usually 65° F) in the mean, daily outdoor temperature. See also heating degree day.
Desiccant. An extremely porous crystalline substance used to absorb moisture from within the sealed air space of an insulating glass unit.
Dewpoint. The temperature at which water vapor in air will condense at a given state of humidity and pressure.
Divided light. A window with a number of smaller panes of glass separated and held in place by muntins.
DOE-2.1E. A building-simulation computer program used to calculate total annual energy use.
Double glazing. In general, two thicknesses of glass separated by an air space within an opening to improve insulation against heat transfer and/or sound transmission. In factory-made double glazing units, the air between the glass sheets is thoroughly dried and the space is sealed airtight, eliminating possible condensation and providing superior insulating properties.
Double-hung window. A window consisting of two sashes operating in a rectangular frame, in which both the upper and lower halves can be slid up and down. A counterbalance mechanism usually holds the sash in place.
Double-strength glass. Sheet glass between 0.115" and 0.133" (3­3.38 mm) thick.
Drip. A projecting fin or a groove at the outer edge of a sill, soffit, or other projecting member in a wall designed to interrupt the flow of water downward over the wall or inward across the soffit.

Edge effects. Two-dimensional heat transfer at the edge of a glazing unit due to the thermal properties of spacers and sealants.
Electrochromics. Glazing with optical properties that can be varied continuously from clear to dark with a low-voltage signal. Ions are reversibly injected or removed from an electrochromic material, causing the optical density to change.
Electromagnetic spectrum. Radiant energy over a broad range of wavelengths.
Emergency exit window. Fire escape window (egress window) large enough for a person to climb out. In U.S. building codes, each bedroom must be provided with an exit window. The exact width, area, and height from the floor are specified in the building codes.
Emittance. The ratio of the radiant flux emitted by a specimen to that emitted by a blackbody at the same temperature and under the same conditions.
Evacuated glazing. Insulating glazing composed of two glass layers, hermetically sealed at the edges, with a vacuum between to eliminate convection and conduction. A spacer system is needed to keep the panes from touching.
Exterior stop. The removable glazing bead that holds the glass or panel in place when it is on the exterior side of the light or panel, in contrast to an interior stop located on the interior side of the glass.
Extrusion. The process of producing vinyl or aluminum shapes by forcing heated material through an orifice in a die. Also, any item made by this process.
Eyebrow windows. Low, inward-opening windows with a bottom-hinged sash. These attic windows built into the top molding of the house are sometimes called "lie-on-your-stomach" or "slave" windows. Often found on Greek Revival and Italianate houses.

F
Fanlight. A half-circle window over a door or window, with radiating bars. Also called circle top transom.
Fenestration. The placement of window openings in a building wall, one of the important elements in controlling the exterior appearance of a building. Also, a window, door, or skylight and its associated interior or exterior elements, such as shades or blinds.
Fiberglass. A composite material made by embedding glass fibers in a polymer matrix. May be used as a diffusing material in sheet form, or as a standard sash and frame element.
Fixed light. A pane of glass installed directly into non-operating framing members; also, the opening or space for a pane of glass in a non-operating frame.
Fixed panel. An inoperable panel of a sliding glass door or slider window.
Fixed window. A window with no operating sashes.
Flashing. Sheet metal or other material applied to seal and protect the joints formed by different materials or surfaces.
Float glass. Glass formed by a process of floating the material on a bed of molten metal. It produces a high-optical-quality glass with parallel surfaces, without polishing and grinding.
Fogging. A deposit of contamination left on the inside surface of a sealed insulating glass unit due to extremes of temperatures or failed seals.
Frame. The fixed frame of a window which holds the sash or casement as well as hardware.

G
Gas fill. A gas other than air, usually argon or krypton, placed between window or skylight glazing panes to reduce the U-factor by suppressing conduction and convection.
Glass. An inorganic transparent material composed of silica (sand), soda (sodium carbonate), and lime (calcium carbonate) with small quantities of alumina, boric, or magnesia oxides.
Glazing. The glass or plastic panes in a window, door, or skylight.
Glazing bead. A molding or stop around the inside of a window frame to hold the glass in place.
Greenhouse window. A three-dimensional window that projects from the exterior wall and usually has glazing on all sides except the bottom, which serves as a shelf.

H
Head track. The track provided at the head of a sliding glass door. Also, the head member incorporating the track.
Header. The upper horizontal member of a window frame. Also called head.
Heat-absorbing glass. Window glass containing chemicals (with gray, bronze, or blue-green tint) which absorb light and heat radiation, and reduce glare and brightness. See also Tinted glass.
Heat gain. The transfer of heat from outside to inside by means of conduction, convection, and radiation through all surfaces of a house.
Heating degree day. Term used by heating and cooling engineers to relate the typical climate conditions of different areas to the amount of energy needed to heat and cool a building. The base temperature is 65 degrees Fahrenheit. A heating degree day is counted for each degree below 65 degrees reached by the average daily outside temperatures in the winter. For example, if on a given winter day, the daily average temperature outdoors is 30 degrees, then there are 35 degrees below the base temperature of 65 degrees. Thus, there are 35 heating degree days for that day.
Heat loss. The transfer of heat from inside to outside by means of conduction, convection, and radiation through all surfaces of a house.
Heat-strengthened glass. Glass that is reheated, after forming, to just below melting point, and then cooled, forming a compressed surface that increases its strength beyond that of typical annealed glass.
Hinged windows. Windows (casement, awning, and hopper) with an operating sash that has hinges on one side. See also Projected window.
Hopper. Window with sash hinged at the bottom.
Horizontal slider. A window with a movable panel that slides horizontally.

I
ICC. International Code Council. A national organization that publishes model codes for adoption by states and other agencies. Codes include the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
IECC. International Energy Conservation Code published by the ICC. The successor to the Model Energy Code, which is cited in the 1992 U.S. Energy Policy Act (EPAct) as the baseline for residential Energy Codes in the United States.
Infiltration. See air leakage.
Infrared radiation. Invisible, electromagnetic radiation beyond red light on the spectrum, with wavelengths greater than 0.7 microns.
Insulated shutters. Insulating panels that cover a window opening to reduce heat loss.
Insulating glass. Two or more pieces of glass spaced apart and hermetically sealed to form a single glazed unit with one or more air spaces in between. Also called double glazing.
Insulating value. See U-factor.
Insulation. Construction materials used for protection from noise, heat, cold or fire.
Interlocker. An upright frame member of a panel in a sliding glass door which engages with a corresponding member in an adjacent panel when the door is closed. Also called interlocking stile.

J
Jalousie. Window made up of horizontally-mounted louvered glass slats that abut each other tightly when closed and rotate outward when cranked open.
Jamb. A vertical member at the side of a window frame, or the horizontal member at the top of the window frame, as in head jamb.
K
Krypton. An inert, nontoxic gas used in insulating windows to reduce heat transfer.
KWH. KiloWatt Hour. Unit of energy or work equal to one thousand watt-hours.

L
Laminated glass. Two or more sheets of glass with an inner layer of transparent plastic to which the glass adheres if broken. Used for safety glazing and sound reduction.
Lift. Handle for raising the lower sash in a double-hung window. Also called sash lift.
Light. A window; a pane of glass within a window. Double-hung windows are designated by the number of lights in upper and lower sash, as in six-over-six. Also spelled informally lite.
Light-to-solar-gain ratio. A measure of the ability of a glazing to provide light without excessive solar heat gain. It is the ratio between the visible transmittance of a glazing and its solar heat gain coefficient. Abbreviated LSG.
Lintel. A horizontal member above a window or door opening that supports the structure above.
Liquid crystal glazing. Glass in which the optical properties of a thin layer of liquid crystals are controlled by an electrical current, changing from a clear to a diffusing state.
Long-wave infrared radiation. Invisible radiation, beyond red light on the electromagnetic spectrum (above 3.5 micro meters), emitted by warm surfaces such as a body at room temperature radiating to a cold window surface.
Low-conductance spacers. An assembly of materials designed to reduce heat transfer at the edge of an insulating window. Spacers are placed between the panes of glass in a double- or triple-glazed window.
Low-emittance (Low-E) coating. Microscopically thin, virtually invisible, metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight glazing surface primarily to reduce the U-factor by suppressing radiative heat flow. A typical type of low-E coating is transparent to the solar spectrum (visible light and short-wave infrared radiation) and reflective of long-wave infrared radiation.

M
Meeting rail. The part of a sliding glass door, a sliding window, or a hung window where two panels meet and create a weather barrier.
Metal-clad windows. Exterior wood parts covered with extruded aluminum or other metal, with a factory-applied finish to deter the elements.
Micron. One millionth (10-6) of a metric meter.
Mil. One thousandth of an inch, or 0.0254 millimeter.
Model Energy Code (MEC). The Model Energy Code is cited in the 1992 U.S. Energy Policy Act (EPAct) as the baseline for residential Energy Codes in the United States. It has been succeeded by the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) published by the International Code Council (ICC).
Mullion. A major structural vertical or horizontal member between window units or sliding glass doors.
Muntin. A secondary framing member (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) to hold the window panes in the sash. This term is often confused with mullion.
Muntin grilles. Wood, plastic, or metal grids designed for a single-light sash to give the appearance of muntins in a multilight sash, but removable for ease in cleaning the window.

N
Nailing fin. An integral extension of a window or patio door frame which generally laps over the conventional stud construction and through which nails are driven to secure the frame in place.
NFRC. National Fenestration Rating Council.
O
Obscure glass. Any textured glass (frosted, etched, fluted, ground, etc.) used for privacy, light diffusion, or decorative effects.
Operable window. Window that can be opened for ventilation.
Operator. Crank-operated device for opening and closing casement or jalousie windows.

P
Pane. One of the compartments of a door or window consisting of a single sheet of glass in a frame; also, a sheet of glass.
Panel. A major component of a sliding glass door, consisting of a light of glass in a frame installed within the main (or outer) frame of the door. A panel may be sliding or fixed.
Panning. In replacement window work, the outside aluminum trim that can extend around the perimeter of the window opening; used to cover up the old window material. Panning can be installed in the opening before the window, or can be attached directly to the window before installation.
Particle dispersed glazing. Glazing in which the orientation of small particles between two sheets of glass is controlled electrically, thus changing its optical properties.
Parting stop. A narrow strip, either integral or applied, that holds a sash or panel in position in a frame.
Peak load. The maximum thermal load to be provided by a heating or cooling system in a house.
Photochromics. Glazing with the optical properties that change in response to the amount of incident light.
Picture window. A large, fixed window framed so that it is usually, but not always, longer horizontally than vertically to provide a panoramic view.
Pivot window. A window with a sash that swings open or shut by revolving on pivots at either side of the sash or at top and bottom.
Plastic film. A thin plastic substrate, sometimes used as the inner layers in a triple- or quadruple-glazed window.
Plastics. Artificial substances made of organic polymers that can be extruded or molded into various shapes including window frames and sashes.
Plate glass. A rolled, ground, and polished product with true flat parallel plane surfaces affording excellent vision. It has been replaced by float glass.
Polyvinylchloride (PVC). An extruded or molded plastic material used for window framing and as a thermal barrier for aluminum windows.
Projected window. A window fitted with one or more sashes opening on pivoted arms or hinges. Refers to casements, awnings, and hoppers.

R
R-value. A measure of the resistance of a glazing material or fenestration assembly to heat flow. It is the inverse of the U-factor (R = 1/U) and is expressed in units of hr-sq ft-°F/Btu. A high-R-value window has a greater resistance to heat flow and a higher insulating value than one with a low R-value.
Radiation. The transfer of heat in the form of electromagnetic waves from one separate surface to another. Energy from the sun reaches the earth by radiation, and a person's body can lose heat to a cold window or skylight surface in a similar way.
Rail. Horizontal member of a window sash.
Reflectance. The ratio of reflected radiant energy to incident radiant energy.
Reflective glass. Window glass coated to reflect radiation striking the surface of the glass.
Refraction. The deflection of a light ray from a straight path when it passes at an oblique angle from one medium (such as air) to another (such as glass).
Relative humidity. The percentage of moisture in the air in relationship to the amount of moisture the air could hold at that given temperature. At 100 percent relative humidity, moisture condenses and falls as rain.
Retrofitting. Adding or replacing items on existing buildings. Typical retrofit products are replacement doors and windows, insulation, storm windows, caulking, weatherstripping, vents, landscaping.
RESFEN. A computer program used to calculate energy use based on window selection in residential buildings.
Roof window. A fixed or operable window similar to a skylight placed in the sloping surface of a roof.

S
Safety glass. A strengthened or reinforced glass that is less subject to breakage or splintering.
Sash. The portion of a window that includes the glass and the framing sections directly attached to the glass, not to be confused with the complete frame into which the sash sections are fitted.
Screen. Woven mesh of metal, plastic, or fiberglass stretched over a window opening to permit air to pass through, but not insects.
Sealant. A compressible plastic material used to seal any opening or junction of two parts, such as between the glass and a metal sash, commonly made of silicone, butyl tape, or polysulfide.
Shade screen. A specially fabricated screen of sheet material with small narrow louvers formed in place to intercept solar radiation striking a window; the louvers are so small that only extremely small insects can pass through. Also called sun screen. Also, an awning with fixed louvers of metal or wood.
Shading coefficient (SC). A measure of the ability of a window or skylight to transmit solar heat, relative to that ability for 1/8-inch clear, double- strength, single glass. It is being phased out in favor of the solar heat gain coefficient, and is approximately equal to the SHGC multiplied by 1.15. It is expressed as a number without units between 0 and 1. The lower a window's solar heat gain coefficient or shading coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits, and the greater is its shading ability.
Sheet glass. A transparent, flat glass found in older windows, now largely replaced by float glass.
Short-wave infrared radiation. Invisible radiation, just beyond red light on the electromagnetic spectrum (between 0.7 and 2.5 microns), emitted by hot surfaces and included in solar radiation.
Sill. The lowest horizontal member in a door, window, or sash frame.
Sill track. The track provided at the sill of a sliding glass door. Also, the sill member incorporating such a track.
Simulated divided lights. A window that has the appearance of a number of smaller panes of glass separated by muntins, but actually is a larger glazing unit with the muntins placed between or on the surfaces of the glass layers.
Single glazing. Single thickness of glass in a window or door.
Single-hung window. A window consisting of two sashes of glass, the top one stationary and the bottom movable.
Single-strength glass. Glass with thickness between 0.085" and 0.100" (2.16­2.57 mm).
Skylight (operable or pivot). A roof window that gives light and ventilation.
Sliding glass door. A door fitted with one or more panels that move horizontally on a track and/or in grooves. Moving action is usually of rolling type (rather than sliding type). Also called gliding door, rolling glass door, and patio sliding door.
Sliding window. A window fitted with one or more sashes opening by sliding horizontally or vertically in grooves provided by frame members. Vertical sliders may be single- or double-hung.
Smart window. Generic term for windows with switchable coatings to control solar gain.
Solar control coatings. Thin film coatings on glass or plastic that absorb or reflect solar energy, thereby reducing solar gain.
Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC). The fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window or skylight, both directly transmitted, and absorbed and subsequently released inward. The solar heat gain coefficient has replaced the shading coefficient as the standard indicator of a window's shading ability. It is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window's solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits, and the greater its shading ability. SHGC can be expressed in terms of the glass alone or can refer to the entire window assembly.
Solar radiation. The total radiant energy from the sun, including ultraviolet and infrared wave lengths as well as visible light.
Solar screen. A sun shading device, such as screens, panels, louvers, or blinds, installed to intercept solar radiation.
Solar spectrum. The intensity variation of sunlight across its spectral range.
Sound Transmission Class (STC). The sound transmission loss rating of a material over a selected range of sound frequencies. The higher the number, the less sound transmitted.
Spectrally selective coating. A coated or tinted glazing with optical properties that are transparent to some wavelengths of energy and reflective to others. Typical spectrally selective coatings are transparent to visible light and reflect short-wave and long-wave infrared radiation.
Stile. The upright or vertical edges of a door, window, or screen.
Stool. The shelf-like board of the interior part of the window sill, against which the bottom rail of the sash closes.
Stop. The molding on the inside of a window frame against which the window sash closes; in the case of a double-hung window, the sash slides against the stop. Also called bead, side stop, window stop, and parting stop.
Storm windows. A second set of windows installed on the outside or inside of the primary windows to provide additional insulation and wind protection.
Sun control film. A tinted or reflective film applied to the glazing surface to reduce visible, ultra-violet, or total transmission of solar radiation. Reduces solar heat gain in summer and glare. Some can be removed and reapplied with changing seasons.
Superwindow. A window with a very low U-factor, typically less than 0.15, achieved through the use of multiple glazings, low-E coatings, and gas fills.
Switchable glazings. Glazings with optical properties that can be reversibly switched from clear to dark or reflective.

T
Tempered glass. Treated glass that is strengthened by reheating it to just below the melting point and then suddenly cooling it. When shattered, it breaks into small pieces. Approximately five times stronger than standard annealed glass; is required as safety glazing in patio doors, entrance doors, side lights, and other hazardous locations. It cannot be recut after tempering.
Thermal break. An element of low conductance placed between elements of higher conductance to reduce the flow of heat. Often used in aluminum windows.
Thermal expansion. Change in dimension of a material as a result of temperature change.
Thermal mass. Mass in a building (furnishings or structure) that is used to absorb solar gain during the day and release the heat as the space cools in the evening.
Thermochromics. Glazing with optical properties that can change in response to temperature changes.
Thermogram. An image of an object taken with an infrared camera that shows surface temperature variations.
Threshold. The member that lies at the bottom of a sliding glass door or swinging door; the sill of a doorway.
Tilt window. A single- or double-hung window whose operable sash can be tilted into the room for interior washability.
Tinted glass. Glass colored by incorporation of a mineral admixture. Any tinting reduces both visual and radiant transmittance.
Transmittance. The percentage of radiation that can pass through glazing. Transmittance can be defined for different types of light or energy, e.g., visible light transmittance, UV transmittance, or total solar energy transmittance.
Transom. A horizontal transverse beam or bar in a frame; a crosspiece separating a door or the like from a window or fanlight above it. Also, a window above a door or other window, built on and commonly hinged to a transom.
Transom window. The window sash located above a door. Also called transom light.
Triple glazing. Three panes of glass or plastic with two air spaces between.

U
U-factor (U-value). A measure of the rate of non-solar heat loss or gain through a material or assembly. It is expressed in units of Btu/hr-sq ft-°F (W/sq m-°C). Values are normally given for NFRC/ASHRAE winter conditions of 0° F (18° C) outdoor temperature, 70° F (21° C) indoor temperature, 15 mph wind, and no solar load. The U-factor may be expressed for the glass alone or the entire window, which includes the effect of the frame and the spacer materials. The lower the U-factor, the greater a window's resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.
UBC. Uniform Building Code.
Ultraviolet light (UV). The invisible rays of the spectrum that are outside of the visible spectrum at its short-wavelength violet end. Ultraviolet rays are found in everyday sunlight and can cause fading of paint finishes, carpets, and fabrics.
V
Vapor retarder. A material that reduces the diffusion of water vapor across a building assembly.
Vent. The movable framework or sash in a glazed window that is hinged or pivoted to swing open.
Vinyl. Polyvinyl chloride material, which can be both rigid or flexible, used for window frames.
Vinyl-clad window. A window with exterior wood parts covered with extruded vinyl.
Visible light. The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that produces light that can be seen. Wavelengths range from 380 to 720 nanometers.
Visible transmittance (VT). The percentage or fraction of the visible spectrum (380 to 720 nanometers) weighted by the sensitivity of the eye, that is transmitted through the glazing.

W
Warm-edge technology. The use of low-conductance spacers to reduce heat transfer near the edge of insulated glazing.
Weatherstripping. A strip of resilient material for covering the joint between the window sash and frame in order to reduce air leaks and prevent water from entering the structure.
Weep hole. A small opening in a wall or window sill member through which water may drain to the building exterior.
Window. A glazed opening in an external wall of a building; an entire unit consisting of a frame sash and glazing, and any operable elements.
Window hardware. Various devices and mechanisms for the window including catches, fasteners and locks, hinges, pivots, lifts and pulls, pulleys and sash weights, sash balances, and stays.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Large Appliances....Done!

After searching and searching for the best deal on appliances, we stopped looking today.
Sean McClanahan, store manager with Hahn Appliance Warehouse located at 41st and Memorial, took time out to give us a personal tour of the warehouse. From what we found through our research, Hahn offers the best overall pricing for the consumer looking for a one-stop-shop.

We're going with a Frigidaire stainless steel line with a Samsung stainless refridgerator because Frigidaire doesn't carry a French door/side-by-side with a bottom freezer. La-ti-da, right?

Many thanks to Sean and the folks at Hahn for giving us a great package deal.

http://www.hahnappliance.com/

Sean can be reached at:
918-622-6262
seanm@hahnappliance.com

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

More Side Porch Stuff

It's official - my favorite room it the West side porch off the master bedroom. Operable 6ft casement windows and a sliding glass door gives any king/caveman a means of fresh air or escape. Porch dimensions are about 13ft long x 8ft wide...now conditioned space with interior LED can lights...whoa, baby! That adds about 100sf to the total square footage of the main house.


The sliding glass door has a lock at the bottom, top and middle...Pella isn't fooling around with security and door strength.