[Greenbuilding] Windows - double hung

[Rob Tom]

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:17:39 -0400, RONALD CASCIO <roncascio at verizon.net>  
wrote:

> Ever try to use a casement to ventilate in a rainstorm?A double hung  
> with a closed bottom sash and an
> open top where there is a modest overhang above

> The ability to open both the top and bottom sash of a double hung window 
> provides unsurpassed venting

Me ?

I'm not particularly fond of casement windows either.

The only place I would use them is on a west elevation ... and I generally  
tend to put a minimum of fenestration (ie maybe one window) on any  
west-facing elevations.

OTOH, I like awning windows a LOT. (I wouldn't go as far as Ted and say  
that I *love* a particular window.)

Awning-type windows have all of the  good points of casements (since they  
are essentially casements rotated 90 degrees) without a lot of their  
disadvantages (including the leave-'em-open-during-a-rainstorm scenario  
that Ron mentions as being a "con" for casements.)

> the ability to open both the top and bottom sash of a double hung window 
> provides unsurpassed venting capabilities

That may have been true in the old days when houses typically had higher  
ceilings but for modern "standard" height ceilings, not so much.

> the main argument that the screen reduces the utility of double hungs is  
> plain  silly.

And that's probably the main reason why window manufacturers don't expend  
any energy talking about it.

For the person asking about information about window technology...

Not all that long ago, if a person were to contact NRCan (formerly the  
Ministry of Natural Resources (Canadian, Federal Govt) seeking unbiased  
information about windows and window technology, they would direct you to  
the Thermotech Windows website. It's been awhile since I've perused the  
site but hopefully, Stephen and the gang had the good sense to keep on  
making that good info available.

-- 
=== * ===
Rob Tom
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
< A r c h i L o g i c  at   C h a f f Y a h o o  dot  C a  >
(winnow the chaff from my edress in your reply)