[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Designy metal frame windows with good U-value?

[Lawrence Lile]

I debated the foam-in-shim-space issue with my contractor.  He said that
he had seen window frames bow when filled with expanding foam, causing
the sash to stick.  I have always used minimally expanding foam (there
are two kinds) in these and have been fine.  I guess the answer is you
have a risk of messing up your window with the foam.  Fiberglass can be
stuffed in here, to good effect.  Jamb extensions or sheetrock returns
allow a space for foam.  I still go with the foam idea, just don't get
too aggressive about it, i.e. don't pump foam in there until it runs out
the next hole.  

I ran foam around all the replacement windows in my old house (low cost
vinyl double glazed units) without any issue.  

I think the foam also can cause more trouble in a larger window, more
leverage.  Foam can exert quite a lot of pressure if you squirt it in
too much.  I tend to err on the side of "foam everything" 

Can't help you with a "stylish" window, I think anderson is stylish
enough.   

 
Lawrence Lile, P.E., LEED AP

-----Original Message-----
From: greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org
[mailto:greenbuilding-bounces at listserv.repp.org] On Behalf Of Dan
Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2007 12:40 PM
To: greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Subject: [BULK] [Greenbuilding] Designy metal frame windows with good
U-value?
Importance: Low

Blomberg and Bonelli, two local California companies, put out
clean-looking, hollow frame alum. windows that are really holes in
the wall at R-1.3 or so.  A typical chunky Loewen or Andersen wood
window is R-3. Anybody know of a "stylish" window with a frame this
good? Asking on behalf of high-designy clients who want to "go
green."

Second question: does anyone recommend using expanding foam in the
shim space between a window frame and its rough opening? Previously
we caulked the outside of this space and stuffed the inside with
loose fiberglass batting. Less infiltration with foam?

Thanks, --Dan


Dan Johnson
danjoh99 at gmail.com


 
________________________________________________________________________
____________
No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go 
with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started.
http://mobile.yahoo.com/mail 

_______________________________________________
Greenbuilding email list
List info:
http://listserv.repp.org/mailman/listinfo/greenbuilding_listserv.repp.or
g
List email: Greenbuilding at listserv.repp.org
Managed by BuildingGreen, Inc. http://www.buildinggreen.com
      publisher of Environmental Building News and GreenSpec(r)
Hosted and archived by REPP / CREST http://www.crest.org