While the focus is usually on the window itself and the energy efficiency and insulation value it will contribute to the building envelope, a thought should also be spared for the material from which the window frame is made. Coupling efficient window framing materials with the right glass options for your climate will give you the most effective window framing systems.
Energy efficient home design relies on effective building envelopes and as these get tighter, some concerns are being raised about poor indoor air quality. This has led many construction professionals to add mechanical ventilation to their designs.
Employee owned and operated since 1963, Alpine Lumber is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Their secret to success? Exceptional, unparalleled customer service and the pride that comes from employee ownership. “What’s important to us is to be the best supplier and resource to our customers. Although we have grown our company over the years to meet the needs of the relationships we have with our customers, our desire is not to be the biggest, it is to be the best,” says Hamid Taha, President.
Because glass is a poor insulator, the large amounts of energy that are wasted trying to keep the interior of office buildings and schools comfortable make glass unviable for those who wish to create an effective building envelope. Designers are torn between form and function, having to compromise either their vision or sustainability goals. Now phase change windows offer a new evolution in energy efficient window systems that will enable designers to let the light shine in.
Since its inception in 1993, Hann Builders has set the standard in custom home building in the greater Houston area. “We have fairly unique weather in Texas and we have to build to keep moisture out while ensuring that each home is as energy efficient as possible,” says founder and president Stephen Hann. With 98 days over 90°F and an average relative humidity of 77.0, effective cooling and accounting for moisture require careful planning and unique design in the Houston climate.
The Ferrier family has a long history in the construction industry. Don Ferrier, president of Ferrier Custom Homes, is the third generation of Ferriers to explore groundbreaking construction techniques. Ferrier Inc. pride themselves on the exemplary energy efficiency of their buildings and constantly adopt new techniques that help them to build above and beyond code requirements.
In no other industry is mobile information as important as it is in the construction sphere. With the technical evolution of smart phones and tablets, all the key players in any construction endeavour can communicate and access all the latest information. Whether you are looking up code details or nailing patterns, there’s an app for that!
Faced with psychological and physical disabilities, many returning veterans experience dire hardships including financial difficulties, lack of employment and even homelessness. Now members of the building industry in the US and Canada are using their skills and resources to provide specialized accommodation for returning veterans.
We’ve compiled a list of all the construction abbreviations we use most often as a resource to builders, engineers, framers, dealers, architects and other trades. This list is a work in progress, so if you have any abbreviations we’ve missed, leave them in the comments section and we’ll add them to the list.
Preparing your home for hurricane season helps to mitigate damage during high wind events and reduces the risk of injury or death for home occupants. We have already discussed a number of ways in which to prepare your family for inclement weather, and here are some hurricane preparedness tips for your home.
