Helping building and property managers evaluate and maximize the benefits of window system renovation and upgrades, Apogee Enterprises, Inc.'s Building Retrofit Strategy Team offers a new 28-page publication.

Most U.S. buildings currently in use will continue to be until 2050 and, eventually, will require renovation.

Helping building and property managers evaluate and maximize the benefits of window system renovation and upgrades, Apogee Enterprises, Inc.'s Building Retrofit Strategy Team offers a new 28-page publication.

"Window replacement: Unrealized benefits to building owners" is available free for download at http://www.apog.com/documents/ApogeeRetro_WhtP.pdf.

"Replacing aging windows with new, high-performance systems provide a better environment for the building's occupants and greater value for the building owner," says John Bendt, vice president of Apogee's Building Retrofit Strategy Team.

"Window systems and components have evolved significantly since the 1980s," explains Kevin Robbins, Apogee's Building Retrofit Strategy Team account manager.

"About half of all U.S. commercial and institutional buildings were constructed prior to this period, which presents a significant opportunity for owners and occupants to benefit from faade improvements and window replacement."

Bendt continues, "Among the many benefits, modern window systems improve the appearance and performance of aging buildings. New, high-performance glass and aluminum frames with thermal barriers help save energy, reduce maintenance, lower vacancy rates, increase rental rates, provide a better environment for the building's occupants and creates greater value for the building owner and enhance occupants' satisfaction and comfort."

Describing these benefits and best practices in achieving them, the paper shares nine case studies along with detailed considerations regarding energy payback, fossil fuel savings equivalents, code compliance and green standards, environmental stewardship, tax credits, product selection and renovation specification tips, plus a glossary of industry terms and acronyms.

The paper's nine featured projects range from the 1800s to the 1970s with geographies from Boston to Portland, Oregon.

As many of these examples demonstrate, re-cladding and renovating building exteriors with high-performance window systems can have a significant affect on the building's energy efficiency.

To compare performance data between a building's existing windows and proposed, new, high-performance, replacements units, Apogee's Retrofit Strategy Team offers free energy modeling that provides building performance information on annual energy, peak demand, carbon emissions, daylight, glare, and condensation.

"Looking beyond simple energy payback, today's owners and facility managers consider all the factors involved, including carbon footprint reduction, maintenance savings, and safety and occupant productivity," adds Robbins.

When window replacement is timed in conjunction with an HVAC system upgrade, significant reductions in peak load can yield further savings in equipment costs.

For building owners seeking enhancements in security, design criteria for faade renovation also can include blast hazard mitigation, hurricane impact resistance, electronic eavesdropping protection and forced entry deterrence.

"Establishing clear goals, priorities and expectations for building envelope maintenance and renovation will significantly contribute to future success. Working with an experienced building envelope retrofit team that includes the installer and manufacturers, building owners and facility managers will optimize the intended benefits and return on investment," concludes Bendt.

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Apogee's Building Retrofit team publishes "Window replacement: Unrealized benefits to building owners" - Glass on Web

Dwain Livengood can save money on his home renovation project by doing the work himself. But he also knows that do-it-yourself projects in historic homes like his 100-year-old farmhouse require extra planning and research and that mistakes can be costly.

Self-awareness is pretty huge, Livengood said, who grew up in the house in Lancaster, Pa., and is the third generation of his family to own it. Saving money isnt worth it if, in the end, it looks like an amateur did it.

He is planning the first major renovations to the property, including a new kitchen, hardwood floor restorations and window repair.

DIY fails in historic homes can do more than look bad; they can seriously damage a homes structure and character, said Jody Robinson, historic preservation officer for the city of Bellevue, Ky. DIY has a place in historic home renovation, she said, but it needs to be well-researched.

If your home or neighborhood has a historical designation, there probably are restrictions on what you can do, particularly to exteriors. Consult with local authorities before initiating projects or hiring contractors.

The difference with a historic home is the materials used and how they were constructed, Robinson said.

Slate roofs, wood gutters, weight-and-pulley windows, plaster walls and old building materials require special attention, experts say. Luckily, there are numerous places where owners of historic homes can find information about which projects they should and shouldnt attempt on their own.

Cities, preservation societies, restoration enthusiasts and even businesses that specialize in historic renovation offer workshops and classes. Window repair, plastering, basic fireplace fixes and tiling are among the most popular subjects.

Understanding your homes construction and appreciating historic renovation methods are the first step, said Benjamin Curran, department head for historic preservation at Savannah Technical College in Georgia. Through its Historic Homeowners Academy, the school teaches classes geared to the do-it-yourselfer.

When homeowners try to apply modern solutions to old homes a remodel can easily turn into a re-muddle, Curran said. For example, using the wrong mortar can damage old bricks.

He recommends taking a class and consulting with a professional or historical preservationist.

From there, its a question of what is achievable. What is the breadth of your skill set? Where might you stretch yourself and learn more? Curran said.

Jim Wigton, president of the Monrovia (California) Historic Preservation Group, said it was formed nearly 40 years ago by residents who were restoring homes and wanted to share knowledge.

At the beginning of the organization, we invited craftspeople in to share how to do things, Wigton said, adding that group also offers a home tour and works on citywide preservation projects.

Livengood, who has experience restoring antique carriage and tractors, plans on repairing the 40 wood windows in his foursquare house this spring. Using tips from a professional restoration company, he will replace the rope that holds the cast-iron weights that allow the windows to move up and down, and will paint the windows interiors. Hes hired a professional to tackle the exterior. He anticipates the work he does will reduce the repair costs by $200 per window.

Windows are a good DIY project because the work is more time-consuming than difficult, said Danielle Keperling, who with her parents and husband owns Historic Restorations in Lancaster. Her company is open to teaching the how-tos in order to reduce project costs, she said.

To maintain a homes historical character, repairing old windows rather than installing new ones makes a big difference, Keperling said.

Windows show the age of the house, she said.

Whenever Doug Heavilin hires a professional to work on his 1902 Queen Anne Victorian in Franklin, Ind., he shadows the person, soaking up as much information as he can.

Ive learned 90 percent of what I know about plumbing by sitting there and watching a plumber, said Heavilin, who is restoring the 4,700-square-foot house with his wife, Amy. Theyve finished five of the homes 22 rooms.

During their restoration journey, theyve learned to install tile, hang wallpaper and drywall, repair plaster, and match stain and paint. He once engineered a solution to create rounded replacement pieces for their homes turret.

The Heavilins read books and magazines, watch videos, take classes and swap tips with other homeowners before starting a project.

But they also know things might not go as planned, and say its important to be flexible. You never know what youre going to find, said Amy Heavilin, recalling the time they discovered that their dining room chandelier was wired to a pipe with a coat hanger.

Were at the point where Im pretty comfortable with whatever we find, Doug Heavilin added. Im not always happy, but Im comfortable.

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STAFF WRITER

Erin McCullough

During its February study session, the Tullahoma City Schools (TCS) Board of Education itemized the status of several maintenance projects, including the windows replacement at the Community Service Building, also known as old West, the parking lot at West Middle School and the gymnasium doors at Tullahoma High School.

Among the maintenance issues discussed by the Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education recently was the deteriorating condition of the parking lot at West Middle School, which is not holding up to seasonal weather changes. Staff Photo by Chris Barstad

Chairman Pat Welsh said the window-replacement project is finally complete after more than three years, and all windows on the side of the building facing Franklin Street are officially upgraded.

If you didnt see them beforehand, Im sorry, because you would understand how badly it needed to be done, he said during the study session.

They look really nice now.

The project took slightly longer than anticipated, with the original timeline projecting a 2016 finish.

Costing roughly $45,000 in total, the windows were funded out of a $150,000 non-standard maintenance fund that the board keeps separate from the total years budget, Welsh said in 2014.

The building houses several programs for TCS, including Kool Kids, alternative school and the adult education program.

Parking lot problems

One newer item on the maintenance committees agenda was looking over the parking lot at the current West Middle School, which is reportedly not holding up to the seasonal weather changes as well as the board would have hoped.

In January, Director of Schools Dan Lawson brought to the boards attention the status of the parking lot, which was facing more rapid deterioration than was originally anticipated, perhaps due to the sudden and frequent bouts of heavy rains that the area has been experiencing.

According to Welsh at the study session, the parking lot is experiencing a little bit of a drainage issue, and it is causing water to pool in multiple areas, which weakens the integrity of the pavement.

Welsh said during the study session that the board has contacted the services of St. John Engineering in Manchester to look over the lot and come up with a potential plan for replacement.

Other maintenance needs

In addition to the parking lot at West, the board is also in discussions with the City of Tullahoma regarding a shared parking lot on the north side of the administration building between it and the former Red Cross building located in front of South Jackson Civic Center.

The lot is currently composed of gravel.

According to Welsh, the city is hoping to turn the Red Cross building into a World War II museum and the lot will be paved to allow for increased visitor traffic, which would alleviate board concerns and funds for the project.

Also of note in Welshs maintenance committee report was the replacement of the inner gymnasium doors in Tullahoma High School.

The previous doors, which had been composed of wood with metal handles, were dangerously off-kilter and would not properly open or close, which posed a potential safety risk for both staff and students, according to Welsh.

Erin McCullough may be reached via email at tnrept09@lcs.net.

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School board itemizes projects status - Tullahoma News and Guardian

State, town meeting to consider their shares of funding.

MASHPEE The towns share of Quashnet Elementary Schools roof, window and door-replacement is projected to total $6.5 million, according to detailed estimates provided by the design team Monday.

The plan to provide badly needed upgrades at the school has expanded in scope since an effort to replace windows and exterior doors was put on hold earlier this year. The delay came after crews discovered that the roof and the insulation structure around the windows also needed to be replaced. That work, as well as legally required accessibility upgrades, is expected to come in at $10.48 million, according to Siva Sivalogan, of exPERTcon, the firm hired by the town for the project.

Quashnet School was built in 1978 and the roof was replaced in 1990. An addition was completed in 1992. All windows and soffits are original.

The selectmen on Monday gave Sivalogan the OK to present the plan to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, the state agency that is projected to reimburse the town at a rate of 37.95 percent for the project. The authority will consider the proposal May 21.

The board also voted to place the funding request for the towns share on the warrant for the May 1 annual town meeting. The request will likely be in the form of a Proposition 2 debt exclusion to fund a 20-year bond for $5.8 million, according to Town Manager Rodney Collins.

Several board members wondered Monday whether the town might be able to complete the project for less by declining to participate in the state building process. Collins said that was unlikely. Either way, board Chairman Andrew Gottlieb said, the town has nothing to lose by moving forward with the state approval, as there are still several more opportunities to back out of the plan should another option become more attractive.

The total cost breakdown is: $3.8 million for the windows and doors; $400,000 for accessibility upgrades; $668,981 for the soffit replacement; and $4.3 million for the roof. Other costs include the feasibility study, which already has been funded by the town, plus administration, engineering and state-required contingency funds, according to Sivalogan.

Responding to concerns about the cost, Sivalogan outlined several areas that are driving the cost of construction. Among them are changes in state code that call for impact-resistant window glass and increased insulation and roof resistance. Other factors include the need to do much of the construction in the summer, the need to hire a general contractor and the markup charged by off-Cape contractors to work on the Cape.

If all goes according to plan, construction would begin in April 2018 and run through November of that year, Sivalogan said.

According to Gene Raymond, of Raymond Design Associates, the project would replace 86 percent of the buildings exterior, essentially rendering it new.

Im totally comfortable saying youll have a service life of 40 years, he said.

Follow Chris Lindahl on Twitter: @cmlindahl.

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Quashnet project could cost Mashpee $6.5M - Cape Cod Times (subscription)

House Republicans on Monday evening released the text of their long-awaited ObamaCare replacement bill, proposing to eliminate the various taxes and penalties tied to the original legislation while still preserving certain patient protections.

Aiming to deliver on their signature campaign promise after several election cycles trying to reclaim control of Washington, majority Republicans unveiled what they call the American Health Care Act. The sweeping legislation would repeal ObamaCares taxes along with the so-called individual and employer mandates which imposed fines for not buying and offering insurance, respectively.

It also would repeal the Affordable Care Acts subsidies, replacing them with tax credits for consumers.

CLICK TO READ THE TEXT OF THE OBAMACARE REPLACEMENT BILL.

The bill would continue Obama's expansion of Medicaid to additional low-earning Americans until 2020. After that, states adding Medicaid recipients would no longer receive the additional federal funds the statute has provided.

More significantly, Republicans would overhaul the federal-state Medicaid program, changing its open-ended federal financing to a limit based on enrollment and costs in each state.

We begin by repealing the awful taxes, the mandate penalties and the subsidies in ObamaCare, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, told Fox News Special Report with Bret Baier in an exclusive interview.

Asked about some conservatives concerns that GOP leaders are merely pushing ObamaCare Lite, Brady countered, It is ObamaCare gone.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., told Fox News they also are not pulling the rug out from under people. Rather, he said Republicans want to restore power to the states and control costs in Medicaid and elsewhere.

Itll amount to the biggest entitlement reform, probably in at least the last 20 years, he said.

The release of the bill touches off what is likely to be a contentious debate, not just with Democrats but within the Republican Party.

The White House signaled its approval of the plan, with spokesman Sean Spicer saying, "Today marks an important step toward restoring healthcare choices and affordability back to the American people."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the bill "hands billionaires a massive new tax break while shifting huge costs and burdens onto working families across America."

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said the proposal "would cut and cap Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthood, and force Americans, particularly older Americans, to pay more out of pocket for their medical care all so insurance companies can pad their bottom line."

The first test for GOP leaders, who have been under heavy pressure ever since President Trump took office to release a bill, will be whether the text satisfies the influential conservative wing which has the numbers to torpedo the legislation. But it is a balancing act, as moderate Republican lawmakers, as well as governors of both parties, also have warned against going too far in rolling back consumer protections and benefits.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said the bill would "drive down costs, encourage competition, and give every American access to quality, affordable health insurance." He added, "This unified Republican government will deliver relief and peace of mind to the millions of Americans suffering under Obamacare."

However, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said the bill "looks like ObamaCare Lite to me ... It's going to have to be better."

Rank-and-file Republicans were watching to see if the legislation brings down the cost of healthcare.

"If it doesn't, we haven't changed anything," one House Republican told Fox News.

While subsidies would be repealed in the new bill, they would be replaced by monthly tax credits. The credits, worth between $2,000 and $14,000 a year, could be used by low-and-middle-income families who dont get work- or government-sponsored insurance to buy state-certified plans.

The credits would be based on age and family size, unlike the income-based version under ObamaCare.Conservatives have objected that that feature creates a new entitlement program the government cannot afford.

"I cant believe many conservative groups are going to like this," one GOP lawmaker told Fox.

Republicans said they'd not yet received official cost estimates on the overall bill from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. That office's projections on the bill's price tag and the number of people the measure would cover could be key in winning over recalcitrant Republicans, or making them even harder to win over.

It's unclear how many people might lose coverage under the new plan.

The legislation, meanwhile, would preserve protections for those with pre-existing conditions by prohibiting insurers from denying coverage or charging them more. It also would continue to allow young adults to stay on their parents plans up to age 26.

Further, the plan would call for a transition away from the current Medicaid expansion, which was used under the original law to cover millions more people. Republicans also say theyd give states $100 billion to design their own programs, while upping the amount of money families can contribute to so-called Health Savings Accounts.

A series of tax increases on higher-earning people, the insurance industry and others used to finance the Obama overhaul's coverage expansion would be repealed as of 2018.

In a last-minute change to satisfy conservative lawmakers, business and unions, Republicans dropped a plan pushed by Ryan to impose a first-ever tax on the most generous employer-provided health plans.

Fox News is told the plan is to go to both the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means committees on Wednesday for "mark-up" sessions where they will craft a final version of the bill. The legislation would tentatively go before the House Budget Committee next week.

The hope is that the bill would hit the House floor the week after that -- and the Senate before the Easter recess.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, wouldn't rule out changes in the measure by his chamber, where significant numbers of moderate Republicans have expressed concerns that the measure could leave too many voters without coverage.

"The House has the right to come up with what it wants to and present it to the Senate by passing it. And we have a right to look it over and see if we like it or don't," Hatch told reporters.

Underscoring those worries, four GOP senators released a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., shortly before the bill was unveiled.

They complained that an earlier, similar draft of the measure "does not provide stability and certainty for individuals and families in Medicaid expansion programs or the necessary flexibility for states." Signing the letter were Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Cory Gardner of Colorado and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

Fox News Chad Pergram and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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House Republicans release long-awaited ObamaCare replacement bill - Fox News

Business

Mar 7, 2017

SARANAC LAKE Saranac Lake Central School District officials are gearing up for the first phase of an $18.7 million capital project approved in January by district voters.

School administrators held an all-day meeting last week with representatives of Tetra Tech Architects & Engineers, the company the district has hired to design the project.

Tetra Tech came with the project engineers and the interior designer and others, said Superintendent Diane Fox. We had quite a group here. We had back to back meetings for any parts of the project that would need design work. We had people in and out all day.

Two big projects are scheduled to take place this summer, as part of phase 1A: an estimated $836,000 re-roofing of part of the Petrova Elementary and Saranac Lake Middle School building, and more than $500,000 in work at Saranac Lake High School, including replacement of the gym floor and bleachers.

Our bleachers do not meet the new (Americans with Disabilities Act) or safety compliance with handrails and facing, Fox said. In order to do a new gym floor we have to move our bleachers, and the minute we move our bleachers they have to meet the new requirements. Our bleachers are old, and its time to make sure theyre safe.

The projects phase 1A also includes improvements to the track and field area at the high school, but other field improvements that were supposed to take place this year could be pushed back, Fox explained.

We had some field enhancements in this phase which would have been this summer, Fox said, but I think were going to put that off for a year because we want to make sure the people who use our fields (Can-Am) rugby, Cycle Adirondacks, the softball and baseball teams we hadnt given those people enough time to know that part or all of those fields will be unavailable, so we probably will back that up. But we are working on our track stuff outside.

Work planned in subsequent phases of the capital project includes reconfiguration of the bus drop-off and parking area, replacement of boilers and installation of an electrical generator at the Petrova building. Other work planned at the high school includes replacement of retaining walls, electrical system upgrades, replacement of windows, installation of a new fire alarm system and a plan to connect the Industrial Arts Building to the school.

Plumbing, ventilation and electrical work is planned at Bloomingdale Elementary School, while the former Lake Colby School building, which is now leased to day-care providers, would see replacement of its stairs, electrical and plumbing upgrades. Flooring improvements, window replacement, and electrical and plumbing work are planned for the school bus garage on state Route 3 outside of Bloomingdale.

At last weeks meeting, Tetra Tech representatives met with school principals, and in some cases teachers and staff, where capital project work is scheduled to take place.

Were trying to invite people who are involved to come and be part of the conversation, Fox said. For example, were building a connector between the industrial arts building and the high school. (High School Principal) Josh Dann was part of that. Josh Marlow, whos our technology teacher, was there.

The school district is currently seeking a construction management firm to oversee the project. Proposals are due March. 23.

Its still early but weve had some companies coming for walk-throughs, Fox said. Weve had people emailing us questions. Theres certainly been some interest, yes.

The capital project was approved in January by a vote of 329 to 77.

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Saranac Lake school district's capital project plan advances - The Adirondack Daily Enterprise

FOX31 Denver

The perfect replacement windows FOX31 Denver If you know you need new windows, but you're not sure where to start the process, call Renewal by Andersen. Their local team was in our Help Center this morning to explain the different window materials available and how they are engineered. Call now ...

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WASHINGTON, March 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As St. Patrick's Day approaches, get ready to see proud displays of green, from shamrocks to clothing, to even green beer. What better way to celebrate the spirit of the day than by going green and also saving green?

One of the easiest ways to achieve those goals, at least when it comes to home improvement projects, is with professionally installed window film. Updating inefficient or outdated windows with professionally installed window film is cost effective and can attain energy efficiency that rivals the outright replacement of existing windows. The potential saving of the green can be dramatic as well.

"Homeowners, especially owners of older homes, often struggle to deal with energy inefficiency caused by age and poor insulation," said Darrell Smith, executive director of the International Window Film Association (IWFA). "Windows are a notable problem area, typically accounting for 15 to 30 percent of the total heating load, and up to 50 percent of the cooling load during warmer months. Professionally installed window film allows homeowners to increase energy efficiency for up to 80 percent less than the cost of new replacement windows."

More environmentally friendly than a total window replacement, window film delivers seven times the energy saving benefits per dollar spent when compared with installing full replacement windows, and also preserves the window frame and casement so that those materials do not need to be discarded.

In addition, the many benefits of window film are not limited to just going green and saving money. Window film can also block a significant amount of UV rays that typically penetrate a home or building. Untreated windows normally block 25 to 50 percent of UV rays. The remaining rays that enter a home can damage the floor, furnishings and rugs, and even valuable antiques. Professionally installed window film blocks up to 99 percent of UV rays from passing through unprotected glass. Adding that extra layer of protection for interiors to a home's windows can help slow continued fading and disintegration.

For more information on how professionally installed window film can help you go green and save green with your home, and to find an installer near you, please visitwww.iwfa.com/FindanInstaller.

About the International Window Film AssociationThe International Window Film Association (IWFA) (www.iwfa.com) is a unified industry body of window film dealers, distributors, and manufacturers that facilitates the growth of the window film industry though the use of education, research, advocacy and consumer awareness. The organization builds alliances with trade associations, utilities and government agencies to advance dealers' and distributors' businesses and provide value to their customers.

Media Contact:Erin Vadala, Warner Communications erin@warnerpr.com 978-468-3076

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/go-green-and-save-green-with-window-film-this-st-patricks-day-300418402.html

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Go Green and Save Green with Window Film This St. Patrick's Day - Yahoo Finance

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To enhance the beauty of home interior and exterior, the best way will be to replace the existing window with a new ones.

McFarland, WI, March 6, 2017 (Newswire.com) Building without windows will be lifeless and dull. It is an important part that lets the air, heat, and light play inside the house. As per the latest report published by the U.S Department of Energy, 25 percent of a buildings heating bill is because a lot of heat loss goes through a window. Proper window maintenance and replacement is, therefore, of utmost importance to enhance both the exterior and the interior. Kool View is one such company that is a leading expert in installation and window replacement in Madison WI.

Since its establishment, the company has been delivering quality service and maintenance at affordable rate. Whether the customers are looking for remodeling or renovation service, the company is equally expert at handling a range of tasks to make the home even more comfortable and habitable. The experts window installers possess industrial knowledge and experience in handling variety of projects pertaining to doors and windows. All of the technicians at Kool View are fully licensed and certified, meaning they can be trusted for their service.

They are responsive, friendly and courteous, deliver the service on time. The quality products they deal in are increasingly engineered and designed to make the residential unit even more comfortable and significantly decrease the energy bills with improved home insulation. The replacement window contractors are fully trained in proper installation. They possess the knowledge and expertise in eliminating gaps and ensuring a tight seal of maximum energy efficiency.

The experts technicians at Kool View specialize in variety of window replacement services such as double hung replacement windows, slider replacement, casement replacement, bay replacement, bow replacement, awning replacement and more. The windows are constructed with the most durable and strongest materials that make them more advanced and superior in terms of energy efficiency.

To learn more about patio enclosures in Madison and Janesville WI and other product lines, feel free to visit .

About the Company:

Kool View is the leading expert in installation of replacement windows for the Madison, WI area. Whether one looks for remodeling, renovating or construction service, they offer high quality replacement vinyl windows that will reduce energy cost, maintenance but most importantly provide one with a more comfortable, beautiful home.

Source: Koolview Company

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Enhance the Home Decor With Window Replacement in Madison WI ... - Satellite PR News (press release)

Its no secret that summer is right around the corner for Southwest Floridians. As the seasonal snowbirds begin to flock home over the next couple months, signaling the end of season, Florida residents remain to deal with the heightened heat and humidity that is a hallmark of South Florida summers.

With the summer heat comes the inevitable rise in the electric bill, with air conditioning units cranked to their highest capacity. There are several ways to combat the uptick in kilowatts, according to several local businesses.

Custom glass window films offer an alternative to custom glass, according to Naples Tint Company owner and operator, Matthew Sandherr.

Sandherr says that with the increase in new construction in Southwest Florida, newer homes are being fitted with custom glass that do indeed help combat the elements.

However, applying custom glass window films can lower the temperature of a home by up to 20 degrees on a hot day, according to Sandherr.

Its also an alternative for [older homes] to window replacement. Even if they have new glass, it only meets the bare minimum for energy efficiency.

Conditioned Air CEO Theo Etzel agreed with Sandherr that lowering a homes radiant heat gain couldtranslate to noticeable savings in ones energy bill.

When we perform energy calculations and whats known as a Manual J calculation for sizing of the equipment, we must specify the square feet of glass in the house, and the amount of shade provided from the overhang of the structure, Etzel said. Replacing windows is one factor to consider for low-emissivitywhich cuts down on theradiant heat allowed into the home. There are tints that do the same thing, as well as cut down on UV light to help with fading of carpets, drapes, etc.

The lower the heat gain, according to Etzel, the less cooling needed to counteract it; this could translate the A/C unit to run less, or even the size of A/C unit to be reduced for a home.

Sandherr and Etzel agree that the tint manufacturer can come into play regarding its effectiveness. Sandherrs Naples Tint Company utilizes Huper Optik Autobahn, a German-engineered, non-reflective window film that Sandherr says only three dealers in Florida use.

The films make that existing clear glass look like custom glass, he said of the film. He also says that, despite misconceptions of the industry, the window film does not change the look of the house or diminish the view to the outside.

Utilizing tint allows homeowners to spend a fraction of what they might spend to get custom glass fitted in their home, as low as 15 to 25 percent of the cost.

To learn more about the Naples Tint Company, click here.

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Local Businesses: Window Tint Could Translate to Big Summer Energy Savings - Naples Herald