AsktheBuilder mp3 Radio Show Oct 15 2005

Posted on by Tim Carter

Each title below is a direct link to a downloadable mp3 file. Just click the title if you want to listen. Right click if you want to download into your computer to save and play at a later date.

The Copyright to all radio segments is owned by Tim Carter. I would love to know what you think of these radio segments. Do you like them? Do they help you? Have they saved you money and/or time? Let me know by sending me an email: [email protected]

Annetta the Producer Makes a Cameo Appearance

Tim in Colorado and Radiant Heating

Minimizing Air Infiltration

Exterior Paint Prep on an Old Brick Building

Finding Information About Sears Catalog Homes

WGRR Listeners Might Become Show Guests

Gas Fireplace Insert

Poor-Fitting Garage Door

AsktheBuilder mp3 Radio Show Oct 8 2005

Posted on by Tim Carter

Each title below is a direct link to a downloadable mp3 file. Just click the title if you want to listen. Right click if you want to download into your computer to save and play at a later date.

The Copyright to all radio segments is owned by Tim Carter. I would love to know what you think of these radio segments. Do you like them? Do they help you? Have they saved you money and/or time? Let me know by sending me an email: [email protected]

Meet Ryan the Show Producer

E-mails from Listeners

Post Office Truck Caravan

Mystery Odor in Home

Removing a Bathtub Drain

Resurfacing Concrete Steps

Fixing Self-Closing Door

Stop Blowing Snow in a Pole Barn

Bathroom Remodel Disaster

AsktheBuilder mp3 Radio Show Oct 1 2005

Posted on by Tim Carter

Each title below is a direct link to a downloadable mp3 file. Just click the title if you want to listen. Right click if you want to download into your computer to save and play at a later date.

The Copyright to all radio segments is owned by Tim Carter. I would love to know what you think of these radio segments.  Do you like them? Do they help you? Have they saved you money and/or time?  Let me know by sending me an email: [email protected]

Tim in Seattle at Wooden Boat Museum

Warning About Energy-Saving Product Claims

Spray-on Radiant Barrier Product

Installing Tyvek on an Existing House

Caring for Unfinished Hardwood Flooring

Locating a Good Structural Engineer

Strange Noises in a Wall

Vinyl Windows – Certified Manufacturers and Associations

Posted on by Tim Carter

Certified Manufacturers of Vinyl Windows - Associations

The AAMA Certification Label on a product tells customers that products have been verified as conforming to the ANSI/AAMA/NWWDA 101/I.S.2 standard's requirements through independent laboratory testing and follow-up on-site inspection of the manufacturer's production line.

Once certified, AAMA makes surprise visits to window factories. They walk in and simply take a randomly chosen window off the end of the assembly line. This window is shipped back to their labs for testing. If it fails, the window manufacturer can lose their certification.

The AAMA maintains an up-to-date list on its web site of all certified manufacturers of vinyl windows. The certification process is rigid and ongoing. Windows are periodically taken off assembly lines and tested by independent third party laboratories. The most recent guidelines are those written and published by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and AAMA. Each month, new manufacturers are certified for inclusion on this listing.

Associations

  • Window & Door Manufacturers Association
  • AAMA - American Architectural Manufacturers Association

Column B73

Vinyl Windows – Replacing Glass

Posted on by Tim Carter

Replacing Glass in Vinyl Windows

Crash! Tinkle...tinkle... The sound of breaking glass. Ordinarily, it is not a big problem for most windows. In the case of older wood windows, you remove the old putty and the remaining glass and install a new piece of glass. It isn't so easy with all modern windows.

For example, a major manufacturer of vinyl covered wood windows makes their windows in such a way that, should you break the glass, you must replace the entire sash! It is impossible to replace just the glass.

This is true with some vinyl windows as well. It can be a major cost and a major headache, if you purchase poor quality windows. Remember, we discussed color change in poor quality vinyl windows. What happens if you purchase a poor quality vinyl window that begins to yellow? What happens if the glass in that window can't be replaced? In other words, you have to buy a new blue-white sash to put into your yellow-white frame? Get the picture?

If you do have an issue with color, and your vinyl windows are white or off white, there is a new house paint that will stick to vinyl. You want to buy a house paint that has urethane and acrylic resins. The label will clearly state that and it will say the paint can be used on vinyl windows or siding. Be sure you follow ALL directions on the paint can label to prevent paint peeling.

High quality vinyl windows that allow you to replace just the glass are readily available. There is no need to replace the sash. Remember to ask about this feature when shopping for your new windows. Good luck on your next project!

Column B73

Low E Glass – Types and Benefits

Posted on by Tim Carter

Have you seen a new home lately? Well, I mean, have you looked at the windows from the outside at a distance?

Did they appear coated or colored like some new office building? If so, there probably was Low-E glass in the windows.

Low-E glass is one of the technological marvels of today's residential construction. Who would have thought years ago that glass could be coated with an ultra-thin layer of metal?

See-Through Metal Saves $$$

Who would have guessed that this metal coating would allow you to see through the glass and provide actual insulating value? Not me, that's for sure!

The E is for Emissivity

My Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary defines emissivity as "the relative power of a surface to emit heat by radiation." Emit means to "throw or give off."

Free & Fast BIDS

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local replacement window companies that install Low-E glass.

Okay, so Low-E glass obviously is a special glass that has a low rate of emission. In other words, if there is a heat source inside your house (or outside!), the glass bounces the heat from that object back away from the glass. So, in the winter months, if you have Low-E glass in your home, much of the warmth (heat) given off by the furnace and all the objects which the furnace has heated, is bounced back into the room.

In the summer, the same thing happens but in reverse. The sun heats things up (the air, sidewalks, driveways, next door neighbors bricks, etc.) outside of your house. This heat radiates from those objects and tries to get into your house. Of course, it tries to take the path of least resistance, that being the glass. With Low-E glass much of this heat bounces off the glass and stays outside.

The Two Types of Low-E

There are two types of Low-E glass: hard coat and soft coat. As you might imagine, they have different properties. In fact, they actually look different.

Hard coat Low-E glass is manufactured by pouring a thin layer of molten tin onto a sheet of glass while the glass is still slightly molten. The tin actually becomes "welded" to the glass. This process makes it difficult or "hard" to scratch or remove the tin. Often this glass has a blueish tint to it.

Soft coat Low-E glass, on the other hand, involves the application of silver, zinc or tin to glass in a vacuum. The glass enters a vacuum chamber filled with an inert gas which is electrically charged. The electricity combined with the vacuum allows molecules of metal to sputter onto the glass. The coating is fairly delicate or "soft."

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local replacement window companies that install Low-E glass.

Furthermore, if silver is used (and it often is) this coating can oxidize if exposed to normal air. For this reason, soft coat Low-E glass must be used in an insulated glass assembly. Sealing the soft coating in between two pieces of glass protects the soft coating from outside air and sources of abrasion. Also, the space between the two pieces of glass is often filled with argon gas. The argon gas inhibits oxidation of the metallic coating. It also acts as an additional insulator.

The two types of Low-E glass have different performance characteristics. The soft coat process has the ability to reflect more heat back to the source. It typically has a higher R value. R values are a measure of resistance to heat loss. The higher the R value of a material, the better its insulating qualities. Look at Table 1 for a comparison of R values and the different types of glass.

Table One - GLASS R VALUES

Type of Glass R Value
Single Pane regular glass 0.85
Clear Insulated Glass 7/8 inch overall thickness 2.08
Hard Coat Low-E insulated glass 2.45
Hard Coat Low-E insulated glass with argon 2.75
Soft Coat Low-E insulated Glass 3.50
Soft Coat Low-E insulated glass with argon 4.35

Table adapted from Great Lakes Windows pamphlet: Window Shopping - We've Got the Answers R values calculated by Cardinal® IG

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local replacement window companies that install Low-E glass.

Column B97

Low E Glass – Savings and Comfort

Posted on by Tim Carter

That Warm Feeling

Those of us who live in colder climates have often felt a draft or cool breeze when sitting near a window. Often there is minimal air actually leaking through or around the window. What in the world is happening?

Different glass assemblies can have widely different R values. (see table 1 in this linked article) You should be able to infer from this that the actual surface temperature of each type of glass might also be different. No doubt about it, they are.

If the surface of a window glass is much cooler than the surrounding room air, a circular convection current actually develops around the window. Room temperature air rubs up against the window, gets cold and this air falls to the floor (cold air is heavier than warm air.) This sets up a sort of spinning wheel of air around the window. If you are sitting near this window, you are in the midst of the moving air! The surface temperatures of different glass assemblies can be dramatic. For example, assume an outside temperature of 0 degrees and a stiff sustained wind of 15 mph blowing against the window. The inside surface temperatures of the different glass assemblies would be as follows:

Single pane 26 degrees
Regular double pane insulated glass 35 degrees
Hard coat Low-E 49 degrees
Soft coat Low-E 62 degrees

Obviously, the closer the glass temperature is to the actual room temperature the less convection there will be near the window. Low-E glass simply works.

Low-E Films

At least one residential window manufacturer - Hurd Millwork - has gone one step further. They have incorporated a special Low-E film in between two pieces of insulated glass. Often the air space between the film and each piece of glass is filled with an inert gas such as argon.

These windows apparently offer higher performance than even the best soft coat Low-E. If I were in the window market now, I would give this system a serious look.

Ultraviolet Light (UV)

All of the Low-E window glass products block UV light. However, some do a much better job than others. If UV degradation of fabrics, carpeting, furniture, etc. is a concern, then be sure to ask specific questions about the amount of UV light that the window blocks.

Some blockage percentages are high. Most of the manufacturers listed offer glass that blocks anywhere from 70 to 99.5 percent of the UV light from the sun. That is impressive.

In Conclusion

If you are shopping for windows, I highly recommend that you spend the extra money for Low-E glass. There is no doubt that you will recapture the extra money in fuel savings. You will also be more comfortable.

Column B97

Window Manufacturers and Low E Glass

Posted on by Tim Carter

 

 

 

Ten Window Manufacturers
and
Their Type of Low E Glass

 

 

MANUFACTURER

Soft Coat

Hard Coat

Low E Film
Andersen Windows Yes No No
Windsor Windows & Doors Yes No No
Crestline Windows & Doors Yes No No
Great Lakes Window Yes No No
Hurd Millwork No No Yes
Marvin Windows and Doors Yes No No
Peachtree Doors & Windows Yes No No
Pella Window Corp. Yes Yes - tempered glass No
Jeld-Wen Windows & Doors No Yes No
Weather Shield Windows Yes Yes - tempered glass No

Glass Associations & Organizations

If you would like detailed, technical information concerning Low-E glass, browse the following web sites. They may be able to help you.

Column B97

Vinyl – Aluminum Combination Windows

Posted on by Tim Carter

Vinyl / Aluminum Combination Windows

Have you started to talk to replacement window sales people yet? It will be an experience, I can assure you of that! Some of these people could talk their way out of a date with the Devil himself! On the other hand, some of them are highly professional and will treat you with the highest respect. It is very likely that you will readily see the difference between the two.

All you have to listen for are the tall tales, exaggerated claims and the hollow promises. That will be the signal of the imminent shakedown. The professional salesperson will provide you with facts, written documentation of claims, and a list of truly satisfied customers.

The Payback Period

Whatever you do, don't buy vinyl windows because you think they are going to pay for themselves. This claim is simply not true. How do I know this? Here is a very simple example.

What is your average heating bill per season? To calculate this look at your oil bill or the portion of your heating bill that deals with gas (You fully electric people are going to have a tougher time..). The gas portion of my utility bill averages about $110 per month for 7 months during the heating season. Subtract from that the gas for the hot water heater, clothes dryer, and cooktop. Let's say that I'm left with $85. This means that it takes $595 per year to heat my house.

OK. Let's say these super duper new vinyl windows are going to save me 25% (I'm not saying I believe that number, mind you...). A 25% savings represents $148.75. For now, let's forget about inflation.

What are your new windows going to cost you? Let's say that the average house will cost about $8,000 to fit with new high quality windows. How long will they last before you need new ones? How about 25 years?

If my math is right, it is going to take nearly 54 years to pay off the windows.......... ($8,000 divided by $148.75). Hang on, because this gets much more interesting.

Interest Income

For sake of discussion, let's say you were going to extract the $8,000 from your hard earned savings account. At current interest rates, you are probably getting about 5.5% in a one year CD. This means your $8,000 is spinning off $440.00 per year in interest! Think. You could actually keep your $8,000 in the bank and just use part of the interest to pay for the extra fuel!

Comfort & Posterity

The math is great to do and impressive, but comfort and looks are important parts of the equation. Who wants to sit in a drafty house and be miserable. Besides, new windows will enhance the value of your house. So, if you are planning to sell your home (the average family moves every seven years!), then your house will show much better.

The point is this. If you are going to jump in and make the purchase, let's be sure you buy the best money can buy. This is one way to preserve and protect your capital.

Style & Character

One of your biggest challenges in selecting new windows will be to stay in character with your house. The aluminum / vinyl combination windows will help you do this. The aluminum exteriors provide you with infinite exterior color possibilities. This is extremely important if you want to maintain a high value for your house. Don't forget, some vinyl windows can actually detract - or steal - value from your house. Beware of the slick sales presentations by the crooks. They will skirt this issue by making you focus on energy savings and such. Energy is important, but we have already seen from the math that it is not as important as the salespeople would like you to believe.Look at Options

While you are shopping for your vinyl windows, pay attention to the new options and features. Test the motion of sliding windows. Note how easily the vinyl / aluminum windows move. The difference is striking.

Glass... I can't say enough about glass. It is - in many respects - the most important part of the window. You want the best high performance glass you can afford. This will be soft coat Low-E or one with high performance Low-E film in between the panes of glass.

The Low-E films and coatings work hard to reflect heat back to its source. This means savings in both winter and summer months.

Inquire about the air infiltration performance of the windows. This value is given as how many cubic feet of air per minute leak past the window per lineal inch or foot of weather-stripping or crack. It is an important number as the greatest heat loss is caused by air infiltration leaks!

Column B196

Vinyl Windows Guidelines

Posted on by Tim Carter

10 Purchasing Guidelines When Shopping for Vinyl Windows

Certification

This is the most important point. Your windows MUST carry the ANSI-AAMA 101-93 certification. If they don't they are also rans. You must have proof from the manufacturer that this is so. All that pass will have a letter of certification. Don't believe VERBAL promises from salespeople!

Installers

Who will install your windows? Company employees or sub-contractors? Sub-contractors can have a different attitude. Speed = more $. Bad ones have no insurance. No matter who installs the windows, get a copy of the paid in advance Workman's Compensation Premium or Certificate!

"Tonight Only" or Immediate Discounts

If your salesperson says that he is "...authorized to give you this 'significant' discount - but only if you sign tonight...", WATCH OUT! This is a high pressure close technique. It is a danger signal that the price of the windows is over inflated.

Broken Glass

What happens if a window breaks in 5 years? If you buy a window where you have to get a new vinyl sash WITH the new glass, this can be trouble. The window company may go out of business. The vinyl may not match in color!

Energy Performance

This is an over used term. The bottom line here is: What is the OVERALL R- factor of the window? The frame may be great but the glass poor. Or the glass may be the best soft coat Low-E available, but the weather-stripping is useless. Ask and obtain specific air infiltration numbers!

Guaranteed Utility Bill Savings

Does the sales presentation come with a utility bill savings guarantee? If so, read it carefully and compare prices. The savings guarantee may not be that much when you really do the computation. In fact, you and all other people who buy those windows are paying for this pledge with higher window pricing........

Low-E Glass

This is an absolute must. Low E glass will save you vast sums of money compared to regular glass. Look for soft coat Low-E glass or one with Low-E films between the glass panes.

Warm Edge Technology

This is a fancy new term. All it really means is the spacer between the pieces of glass transmits cold slower to the inside piece of glass. Aluminum is old technology. Ask about the new coated steel and other warm edge spacers.

Condensation Guarantees

If you get a guarantee against condensation, WATCH OUT! There is a great chance that your new windows WILL fog! If you get new high quality windows, I guarantee that your indoor humidity WILL soar! This can cause some condensation.

Written Contracts / Deposits

Everything that you are buying and are promised MUST be in writing. Watch out for excessive deposits. A 25% deposit for custom ordered windows at the contract signing is not unreasonable. Another check for 25% more is OK when they are delivered. DON'T pay the remaining 50% until you are completely satisfied! Put this pay schedule in the contract.

Column B196