[Greenbuilding] metal windows in Ontario

[Stephen Collette]

OK my metal window story.

I did a little 1950's bungalow air quality inspection last week. Just  
purchased a mould farm from lying former owners. But that is another  
story. Anyway, the former highly skilled owners wanted to install new  
windows to replace the old metal single hung windows. So in their  
infinite wisdom, they simply put the new vinyl windows inside the old  
metal windows leaving a nice 1" gap between them where the water  
could collect and seep into the wall system. (this surprisingly was  
not the cause of the mould farm in the basement, that was the  
drainage, and being affected by both former floods and not declaring  
it. The removed drywall with an 18" water mark off the floor, helped  
conclude that one). Anyway, I've never seen anyone that lazy that   
they didn't take out the old windows. Granted the new vinyl windows  
were the cheapest possible and some protection from them failing  
within a few short years, might be wise, but not enough brains to  
drill some weeping holes in the outer windows.

Gotta love skilled trades.

Stephen

Stephen Collette B.B.E.C. - Principal
Your Healthy House - Indoor Environmental Testing & Building Consulting
www.yourhealthyhouse.ca
stephen at yourhealthyhouse.ca
705.652.5159