[Greenbuilding] Windows

[John Straube]

While some wood and some wood windows last, many do not.  This is the reason people switched.  They wanted painted wood, and that required maintainence.  For every 100 yr wood window there is one that rotted at 50.  With new wood, they can fail in 20.
The key is to protect the wood window through smart detailing (building overhangs, recessed windows, drip caps, steep sloped sill with drip kerf etc etc).  Then hope you can find some slow growth cedar or maybe heat treated wood to get the better material.
It is not just “spec wood and it will last 100 years”.  It is more like “study wood, understand windows and buldings, choose the best materials and the best designs and you should get 50 yrs, maybe more”.




John Straube | Ph.D, P.Eng.
Associate Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering / School of Architecture
University of Waterloo
CPH-2373H

From: Greenbuilding [mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Michael O'Brien
Sent: May 9, 2016 15:50
To: Green Building <greenbuilding at lists.bioenergylists.org>
Subject: Re: [Greenbuilding] Windows

Hi, Reuben--

Many things to like about wood windows, but what about weather exposure? Don't they need some cladding or coating to withstand UV and water?

Best, Mike
Sent from my iPhone

On May 9, 2016, at 12:16 PM, Reuben Deumling <9watts at gmail.com<mailto:9watts at gmail.com>> wrote:
Windows have become for me a central, fraught issue when it comes to buildings. I've met several wood window makers who have a local (and by default historical/restoration) focus and who prefer single pane. It took me a number of years and lots of experimenting to come around to their preference for single pane/antipathy to double pane. To date I have sourced my storm windows from the same window makers.
We are engulfed by a tidal wave of window upgrades where (typically) original double hung single pane wood windows are yanked out and tossed into the dumpster, replaced by vinyl crap. Energy authorities love this, and most people who do this assume they are doing the right thing, in large part because almost no one objects, disagrees, or points to viable alternatives.
Aesthetically, philosophically, environmentally, even economically, a set of handmade wood windows are hard to beat.

On Mon, May 9, 2016 at 9:14 AM, Sacie Lambertson <sacie.lambertson at gmail.com<mailto:sacie.lambertson at gmail.com>> wrote:
Me too.  I'm interested in finding some very good triple glazed windows.  Would appreciate Reuben's info as well.  Where do your storms come from Reuben?  Interesting what you suggest about thermopanes.  Wonder if there is some consensus on this?

Stephen T. from Thermotech used to post regularly on this forum.

I checked out 'best' windows and found, while T. are considered very good windows, their service is not good, or wasn't for the number of people who posted such.  They are definitely still around.

John Straube mentioned a C. manufacturer out of his West but in contacting them they didn't look like a good fit for our Mid West (Kansas).

I'm also looking for someone who can rebuild good old old windows.  Close to Kansas City.

Sacie

On Mon, May 9, 2016 at 10:15 AM, Lynelle Hamilton <lynelle at lahamilton.com<mailto:lynelle at lahamilton.com>> wrote:

Hi Folks,

Am looking for windows for the new part of the house. I'd used Thermotech (Ottawa) last time, but don't know if they are still around. The house faces NW, onto a lake, so efficiency is important. As always, I want the best for the best price.  What have folks used and like?

Thanks in advance!

Lynelle Hamilton

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