Windows/Doors

January 18 2012

Changes In The Wind

Changes in the wind have been felt lately; not only has the climate been influenced by this phenomenon, but design codes have been influenced as well. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Standard 7 has released their latest 2010 issue, which is slowly being adopted by most local jurisdictions and it is likely that these changes will be included into the International Building Code (IBC) this year. The latest ASCE 7-10 code introduces new wind speed and windborne maps which change the determination of the basic wind speed, revised building classifications, and new methods for determining wind pressures for buildings.

So what does that mean to you and me? It means that higher wind pressures loading criteria for assuming safely, serviceabliity, and structural integrity are being implemented. In some cases the new wind loads can be 60% higher than previously required. This will affect the design and selection of stronger windows, doors, attachments for roofs, facades and mechanical equipment, and anything else that make up the building and its envelope.

January 25 2011

Condensation…Not So Pretty

Staff Writer

During the winter season, condensation occurs when warm moist indoor air is cooled down below the dew point temperature as it comes in contact with a cold surface such as the exterior walls or windows. Cold surfaces usually are the result of air leakage, inadequate insulation of walls and windows, or in rooms where less interior heat is provided in the winter. Condensation will continue to form on these surfaces that are below the indoor dew point temperature until sufficient moisture is removed from the air (i.e. lowering of humidity) or the building surface(s) is heated above the dew point temperature. The following general recommendations are simple cost-effective steps that you can perform that could have a noticeable impact to address condensation problems.

1. Properly maintain and operate the spot ventilation systems to exhaust moisture from the kitchen and bathrooms.

2. Verify that the dryer duct connections are air-tight and discharge the dryer air to the outside, not in the unit. Repair/replace the dryer duct where defective.

3. Inspect all windows to locate any areas of possible air infiltration including deteriorated weather stripping, cracked or otherwise defective perimeter sealant, etc. Repair and/or replace where encountered.

4. Replace existing single-pane windows with new more thermal resistance window assemblies.

5. Use portable dehumidifiers within the unit(s) to lower the relative humidity to within acceptable limits by removing moisture from the indoor air.

September 17 2010

Caulk? Maybe Not!

Staff Writer

Applying caulk to stop leaks is not always a good thing. Sometimes it makes matters worse by trapping water in the building façade instead of letting it drain. Here are a few areas where NOT to caulk:

*Along window or door head lintels on brick facades – leads to advanced corrosion of the steel support and either rotated/deflected steel or cracked bricks.

*Soffit (ceiling) of elevated concrete slabs (i.e. balconies, parking garage slabs) – traps water in the concrete and accelerates corrosion of the embedded steel and deterioration of the concrete

*Over/covering window weep holes – prevents windows from draining properly