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elizabethn34
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RE: Exterior shades change the comparison with smart tint
One wrinkle in comparing the numbers: the SHGC for bare glazing doesn’t capture what an exterior shade does. For the shade option, look for solar heat-gain data rated for the window-and-shade assembly, not just the shade...
RE: Letting more sun in without major renos - what’s worked for you?
I actually put in a couple of solar tubes for a client last winter - one in a hallway with no windows and another in a small bathroom. The difference was pretty wild, honestly. The hallway went from feeling like a cave t...
RE: Making homes smarter: how I upgraded my windows for energy savings
That’s spot on. I’ve seen folks get a lot of mileage just from swapping out cracked glazing putty and adding a storm window, especially in old houses like mine (1920s). But one thing I noticed - thermal curtains help wit...
RE: Do DIY glass repair kits actually work or just a temporary fix?
Funny you mention the cloudiness - I've run into that same issue more times than I can count. Those DIY kits, especially the resin ones, are really hit or miss for anything but a quick patch. I used one on a client’s sto...
RE: Impact glass vs. shutters for storm season - what’s your pick?
This hits home. I’ve done installs for folks who never bothered with their shutters until a storm was basically knocking - then it’s a scramble. Impact glass is like having a bouncer at your window 24/7, minus the attitu...
RE: Drafty windows driving me nuts - what actually works for sealing them up?
Shrink film’s decent for a quick fix, but I’ve seen it peel up if you’ve got condensation or if the trim’s even a bit dusty - like you said, prep is everything. Personally, I’ve had better luck with rope caulk for those ...
RE: Feeling stuck between aluminum and vinyl windows - regrets, anyone?
I hear you about the warping - seen it a bunch, especially on south-facing walls where the sun just beats down. But I’ve also pulled out some 20-year-old vinyl windows that were still in decent shape, so I think a lot co...
RE: Keeping warm in off-grid cabins: insulated window upgrades making headlines
Those window quilts definitely have their place, but I know what you mean about the daily hassle. I worked on a hunting cabin a couple winters back - client wanted to keep the original single-pane windows for the look, b...
RE: Why does lining up aluminum window frames feel impossible sometimes?
I hear you on the shims - last winter I was retrofitting a set of aluminum windows into a 1920s bungalow, and it felt like every stud had its own agenda. Ended up with a pile of snapped shims and a few choice words for w...