Archive for the ‘Skylights’ Category
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
Remember back in March or April when our minds were all aflutter with thoughts of the wonderful home projects we wanted to accomplish this summer? Maybe we were thinking of adding some lovely decorative vinyl shutters to give our façade a little pick me up. Or possibly we were going to finally rip out those old cracked basement windows and replace them with glass blocks. There may have been a little mention of once-and-for-all removing that decaying wood heap we try to pass off as a railing system, adding an adequate gable vent to allow proper airflow (thereby reducing cooling costs), or finally wrapping those less-than-attractive post with a pvc column wraps?
Did you get all of that stuff done? Did you get any of that stuff done? Yeah, I didn’t either. But it’s not too late! We still have 1 whole official month left for summer 2009. So what are you waiting for? There’s no time like right now to commit to getting at least one thing off of your “to-do” list. For me, it’s going to be shutters. What’s it going to be for you?
Posted in Acrylic Block, Address Plaques, Exterior Vinyl Accents, Fireplace Mantels, Fypon Urethane Millwork, Glass Block, Kitchen & Bath Cabinets, Shutters, Skylights, Vinyl Railing | No Comments »
Friday, August 22nd, 2008
Velux Sun Tunnels are a wonderful way to bring pure natural light into a small dark area. The best way to achieve this in a small area is a Velux bonded silver rigid sun tunnel. The rigid tunnel is highly reflected so the natural light has a clear path down from the roof to the ceiling. The ridged tunnel can be used for a longer length then flexible, allowing smaller 10” domes to provide a great deal of light.
The flexible tunnel is a great option it you have a shorter run from the roof to the ceiling, and if the room you are lighting is not immediately underneath where the exterior dome needs to go due to some minor obstruction. The Flexible sun tunnel has a ring with a mirror finish just below the dome to reflect light from all angles. To get the maximum light from a flexible tunnel you might consider the 21” dome if you have 24” (on center) rafters to accommodate it.
Whether the Rigid or the Flexible Tunnel is chosen there are two flashings options offered to help you get the maximum light available. The low profile blends in to the roofline and works best for south facing applications. The pitched flashing option is adjustable to gather the light from the desired direction and more suitable for a north facing application. At this time the sun tunnels are available for shingle/shake roofing material and tile with the use of an adaptation kit.
Sun Tunnels are Energy Star Rated. The pre-assembled interior ceiling ring is paintable, and a frosted dual diffuser reduces the possibility of condensation. In no time at all a sun tunnel can save you, and the earth, a lot of resources.
Tags: application, condensation, energy star, flashing, maximum light, roofing material, shingle, sun tunnel, Velux, velux sun tunnels, wonderful way
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Friday, June 6th, 2008
Your skylights are installed and you love them, for the most part. Unfortunately there are times when the sun is just a little too strong, a little too hot, a little too “not what you want right now”. There is a simple solution for this minor problem, shades. All shades serve a basic purpose, to block light and heat. Some are better at blocking the light, some are better at blocking heat, some are more attractive, some are very reasonably priced. Whatever your concern or budget there will be a shade that is right for you. Let’s take a look at the primary differences between the five basic style currently available.
The least expensive option is a standard roller shade. This looks and operates much like the vinyl window shades many of us grew up with. It is mentioned as an economical choice for controlling daylight. Next up would be the Venetian Blind. This looks just like the typical mini-blind that is commonly used today. It will help to control light and increase energy efficiency up to 12%. The mid-level choice would be the cellular shade. Built using the popular “solid honeycomb” style the cellular shade is a clean and contemporary look that can diffuse the light and increase the energy efficiency by 16%. The lightblock shade resembles a vinyl blackout blind. While the others can “control” or “diffuse” the sunlight the lightblock shade does exactly what the name suggests; it will totally block the light. It will increase energy efficiency by 20%, and while most of the styles have a choice between manual and electric operation the lightblock shade in the only one that is offered with a solar panel operator. Previously if you had a non-electric skylight you either had to use a manual blind or pay to have electrical wiring run up to your skylight, an often expensive pursuit. With the solar lightblock shade none of that is necessary, and it operated via the included remote control. It’s easy to see why the solar lightblock shade has become the most popular choice since it’s introduction. The last of the five basic options is the Heat Block Awning. As the name implies, it is not really an interior shade but instead an exterior awning. This option does require electric wiring to operate. It is the most energy efficient of all the choice, with an efficiency increase of 40%. Thought it can be used in any location this awning is typically used in only the most extreme heat areas along the southern coast. Whatever your style, budget, or need, there is a skylight blind that is right for you.
Tags: blackout blind, budget, cellular shade, economical choice, electrical wiring, energy efficiency, increase energy, level choice, mid level, mini blind, remote control, roller shade, simple solution, skylight, Skylights, solar panel, sunlight, venetian blind, vinyl window, window shades
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Monday, February 11th, 2008
So what is meant by Egress? Egress by definition means a path or opening for going out; an exit; to go out; emerge.” Windows with an egress rating are required for all bedrooms of a home as a way to escape in case of a fire emergency. Each bedroom should have at least one window that would permit an escape route and/or allow entrance by fire emergency personnel. The IRC (International Residential Code) states that an egress rated window must have a minimum opening width of 20”, a minimum opening height of 24”, and have a net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. They also need to have a sill height of no more than 44” above the floor.
One-way to satisfy egress requirements when planning a bedroom for an above-garage bonus area, loft or finished attic space is to consider a roof window by Velux. Velux has designed the GPL model to exceed egress emergency escape requirements by creating a roof window that opens to a 45-degree angle. A roof window is ideal for spaces like these because of the steep slope of the roofline. And the bonus is that the sash rotates inward for easy glass cleaning.
Tags: attic space, bonus area, egress approved skylight, egress window, escape route, finished attic, fire emergency, Skylights, square feet, steep slope, Velux, venting roof window
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