flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Upgrading windows: repair, refurbish, or retrofit [AIA course]

Upgrading windows: repair, refurbish, or retrofit [AIA course]

Building Teams must focus on a number of key decisions in order to arrive at the optimal solution: repair the windows in place, remove and refurbish them, or opt for full replacement.


By C.C. Sullivan and Barbara Horwitz-Bennett, Contributing Editors | April 16, 2014
For an 1893 academic building in the Collegiate Gothic style at Bryn Mawr (Pa.)
For an 1893 academic building in the Collegiate Gothic style at Bryn Mawr (Pa.) College, architect MGA Partners reworked the ori

Thanks to today’s high-performance fenestration products and systems, well-designed and properly installed window retrofits deliver predictable and calculable operations benefits.

However, Building Teams must focus on a number of key decisions in order to arrive at the optimal solution: Repair the windows in place? Remove and refurbish them? Opt for full replacement? Which types of materials and window profiles and styles are best suited for a retrofit application? How do aesthetics factor into the equation? 

Drawing from years of experience, a select group of expert organizations and Building Team leaders, including architects and contractors, share insights that have helped sorting out these issues on recent major projects.

After reading this article, you should be able to:
• Describe the assessment considerations for replacing or repairing existing fenestration systems, with particular attention to occupant health and comfort.
• Explain the relative benefits and tradeoffs, including energy savings and indoor environmental quality, of material specifications for replacement window and door products.
• List three or more requirements for evaluating replacement windows, doors, and other fenestration, depending on the historical styles or aesthetic criteria of the subject building.
• Discuss the materials and systems attributes that affect a window system’s energy efficiency, including thermal bridging.

 

TAKE THIS FREE AIA/CES DISCOVERY COURSE AT BDCUNIVERSITY.COM

Related Stories

Urban Planning | Feb 14, 2018

6 urban design trends to watch in 2018

2017 saw the continuation of the evolution of expectations on the part of consumers, developers, office workers, and cities.

Office Buildings | Feb 13, 2018

Office market vacancy rate at 10-year low

Cautious development and healthy absorption across major markets contributed to the decline in vacancy, according to a new Transwestern report.

Architects | Feb 12, 2018

AIA selects seven individuals to receive the 2018 Associates Award

The recipients will be honored at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018 in New York City.  

Architects | Feb 9, 2018

AIA's 2018 Young Architects Award honors 18 recipients

The Young Architects Award recipients will be honored at the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018 in New York City.   

Architects | Feb 8, 2018

Three ways cities could evolve 2018

Cities change constantly, but given the numerous disruptive factors spanning technology, policy, climate and more that will impact 2018 – it could prove to be a year of dynamic change for our urban fabric.

Architects | Feb 7, 2018

8 inefficiencies in the architecture + design industry (and possible solutions)

Matthew Rosenberg has identified 8 major inefficiencies in the architecture and design industry, as well as a solution for each of them.

Architects | Feb 5, 2018

Little names new Corporate President and COO

International architecture and design firm Little has appointed Carolyn Rickard-Brideau as its new Corporate President, and Charles Todd as its Chief Operating Officer. 

Architects | Feb 1, 2018

How to generate architecture leads

One of the first steps to increasing leads for your design firm is to acknowledge that all leads are not equal, writes Hinge’s Karl Feldman.

Healthcare Facilities | Feb 1, 2018

Early supplier engagement provides exceptional project outcomes

Efficient supply chains enable companies to be more competitive in the marketplace.

Industry Research | Jan 30, 2018

AIA’s Kermit Baker: Five signs of an impending upturn in construction spending

Tax reform implications and rebuilding from natural disasters are among the reasons AIA’s Chief Economist is optimistic for 2018 and 2019.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Construction Costs

Data center construction costs for 2024

Gordian’s data features more than 100 building models, including computer data centers. These localized models allow architects, engineers, and other preconstruction professionals to quickly and accurately create conceptual estimates for future builds. This table shows a five-year view of costs per square foot for one-story computer data centers. 


Sustainability

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

Minoro, an online platform to help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings, was recently launched by architecture firm Grimshaw, in collaboration with more than 20 supporting organizations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe.



Healthcare Facilities

Watch on-demand: Key Trends in the Healthcare Facilities Market for 2024-2025

Join the Building Design+Construction editorial team for this on-demand webinar on key trends, innovations, and opportunities in the $65 billion U.S. healthcare buildings market. A panel of healthcare design and construction experts present their latest projects, trends, innovations, opportunities, and data/research on key healthcare facilities sub-sectors. A 2024-2025 U.S. healthcare facilities market outlook is also presented.

halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021