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Welcome to GreenSpec Insights, an independent resource for architects, green consultants, and building product specifiers. Each week, we aim to bring you not only unbiased new product reviews, but also insights into what's really important for environmental performance in specific product categories. We hope you find it useful -- send your suggestions and other comments to Insights@GreenSpec.com.
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- Peter Yost
Should you replace your old windows? Using attachments can get more life out of them, and improve performance.
Most of us approach poorly performing old windows with a step-by-step exploration from one less-than-optimal fix to the next. Improving existing window performance shouldn't be that way, and it doesn't have to with new online resources.
Read the rest of the article and Join the discussion
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- Brent Ehrlich
The array of water-, dirt-, and mold-repellent chemicals added to carpeting and fabrics is dizzying. Which are causes for concern, and how can we minimize exposure?
Commercial carpeting and textiles are subjected to dirt, spilled drinks, pathogens, cleaning chemicals, and a variety of other abuses. Fibers can absorb liquids or allow them to pass through into cushioning beneath, making cleaning difficult, particularly for furniture. Manufacturers add treatments that repel water and oils; antimicrobials to keep mold, mildew, and pathogens at bay; and flame retardants for safety. For architects and designers, specifying these products and understanding their complex chemistry and manufacturer claims is daunting.
Treatments may help prolong a product’s life, but the long-term health and environmental impacts of those chemicals are unknown, and in some cases may be cause for concern.
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- Brent Ehrlich
Steel beams are a prime pathway for transferring heat and cold in and out of buildings. This thermal bridging not only wastes energy, but can also cause condensation, corrosion, mold, and other indoor air quality problems. To combat these problems, Fabreeka International, maker of vibration and shock control systems, recently began offering its Thermal Insulation Material (TIM) as a structural thermal break in steel framing.
There's a reason cooking pans are made from steel.
Read the rest of the article and Join the discussion
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