“Windows, Insulation and Doors, Oh My!” - Materials and Practices in High Performance Homes

By Ronnie Godfrey -

In my last article I defined High Performance Homes; “A High Performance Homes is one that uses sustainable materials, is energy efficient, and uses value added green building practices that causes it to be friendlier to the environment.” In the next few articles we will look at some of the materials and practices used to produce the High Performance Home.

The single biggest heat sink or energy robber in a home is the windows. There are several things to consider here. First and foremost is the total square footage of windows. I’ve never had someone come to me and say “Ronnie build me a home that’s dark and doesn’t have many windows.” Always it goes like this,”I want a home that is light and airy.” Then of course the buyer covers all of the windows with blinds, shades, shutters, drapes, curtains, or heaven forbid foil and seldom opens them due to excessive heat, cold or allergens in the air.

What should you do when designing or selecting a new home? Be realistic. The more windows, the bigger the windows, the bigger the utility bills. If you can, keep your windows down to 15% or so of the exterior wall square footage. Strategically place them to maximize views and limit the direct exposure to the sun. Keep the windows from facing the East or West this will help tremendously. If the windows can be located under a porch or patio so that it has a large overhang protecting them they will perform much better. Also, a larger Cornish overhang will help protect windows as well as shade the exterior walls.

There is an organization that evaluates windows and scores them as to how you can expect them to perform; giving the consumer a chance to be sure they are getting the best product for their money. It is The National Fenestration Rating Council. They subject windows to testing and prescribe how they must be built to obtain a certain score. The scoring speaks to the ability of the windows to block the transmission of heat and ultraviolet rays.

Look for windows that have a low “U-Factor” score. This score indicates the windows’ ability to block heat. A lower score is better.  Many builders are using good windows with scores in the .50 range. I like those that are .35 or lower. The next score to look at is “Solar Heat Gain.” Again many windows are being installed with a score around .50. We install those with a score of .32 or lower. Lower is better here as well. Then, the window coverings mentioned before will add additional protection from heat and ultraviolet penetration.

Let me briefly mention doors. Most doors today are made of steel, fiberglass, wood or glass. Nothing insulates like insulation. Hollow doors like steel or fiberglass can be filled with insulation.  Wood is not a particularly good insulator and glass is worse. Generally I prefer steel with fiberglass a close second. These doors don’t rot or warp and provide the most security and energy efficiency.

Try to avoid sliding glass doors, after all, what are they but large windows and therefore a big heat sink. And double French doors are hard to keep from leaking heat in or out of your home. If you need that look think of placing a window close to a door or 2 separately cased doors close to each other.

In my next article we will continue to explore best building materials and practices and talk specifically about insulation.

Copyright 2007

Ronnie Godfrey, Certified Graduate Builder

For more information about this article and other energy saving tips, visit our website http://www.RGodfreyHomes.com

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Maintenance, Repairs and Replacement For Glass Windows and Doors

By  Rob Mainstone

Every house uses glass in some form or the other. Your house too might have doors, windows, partitions, balustrades, shower screens or pool fences made of glass or containing glass to a great extent. The advantage of using glass is that it not only looks good but also requires very little maintenance.

Although glass does not require attention on a daily basis, you should ensure that it is cleaned on a regular basis since being porous it can cause streaks and stains to linger on and become a pain to remove if ignored for a long time. Glass doors and windows are actually very easy to clean. All you need is a bucket of water, a mop, a rubber squeegee and a lint-free cloth, preferably an old cotton t-shirt or towel. You might also need a metal scraper to remove stubborn dirt or paint marks from your glass. Your mop should first be immersed in water and then sprayed with any window cleaning detergent. You can then scrub your glass window or door with the wet mop. Remember to scrub the corners too since they tend to be ignored. Next, take the squeegee and start cleaning your door or window from the top towards the bottom in a sweeping motion. You will need to use your cloth to clean the corners. You can also use diluted vinegar in place of any window cleaning detergent. Repeat the same procedure on both sides of your glass door or window.

While cleaning of your glass windows and doors is a fairly simple job as long as you do not have to climb to a height to clean any fixed windows, repairing or replacing is another matter altogether and best left to the professionals. If your window is cracked due to any accident, then you should get an experienced fitter to inspect and replace it. In the meantime, you can delicately apply masking tape on the cracked glass so that it does not crash and splinter into minute pieces without any warning. Ensure that you get more than one quote but do not base your final decision on the basis of lower rates only. Instead, consider the experience and reputation of the glass expert before you make up your mind. Certain glass items such as leadlight doors and windows will require people who have prior experience in designing, replacing and installing such items. An experienced designer will be able to design and construct a new leadlight based on your ideas and also be able to install it without any fuss.

In addition, glass accessories such as brackets and hinges can also break over a period of time. Often, water might start to seep from the side or under window frames and you might need to seal any gaps that might be facilitating a leak. Again, unless you have prior experience, it is best left to experts to come in and have a look at the leakage and determine the appropriate action.

Thus, in addition to looking smart and providing clean lines to your house, glass doors and windows are also easy to maintain and in the unfortunate event of breakage are also very easy to replace. A little care and time will go a long way in ensuring that your glass doors and windows last for a long-long time.

Rob Mainstone is the owner Perth glass company, West Perth Glass and provides glass repair services for West Australian clients.

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