Hopper window is hinged at the bottom and opens into the room. Hopper windows are a disadvantage to window coverings because they open into the room. Hopper window top opens out.
Center pivot window pivots from a point at the center of the frame. Center pivot can be hazardous in an area where people walk, like next to a side walk.
Double hung windows open from the top down or the bottom up. Only half the window can be open at a time. Because double hung window can be opened one window at a time, they provide less ventilation than casement windows. Advantage of double hung is the top can be opened to create air movement in the home on the coolest side of the house. Air naturally rises out of the top opening, and hot air rises, so cooler air is brought up through the house and out the upper window. Older double hung windows have weight and pulley system making it easier to open. However, double hung weight and pulley system tends to stick and rattle and is hard to stop air from leaking around pulleys. Newer double hung windows have spring and tension devices that make opening and closing the window easier.
Single hung window most common today. Similar to double hung but only bottom sash is moveable.
A fixed pane window is called a picture window. It does not open and is therefore hard to clean and does not allow easy cleaning. Fixed pane windows have sealed edges to protect against air filtration. Fixed pane come in many sizes and shapes with various degrees of glazing. In Florida double and triple glazing should be considered for fixed pane windows, especially large window.
An awning window is fixed at the top and tilts out with a crank to provide ventilation but have limited open space. Awning are easy to clean and are seen in schools and multifamily housing because of the extra security they provide. An awning is like a fixed pane with a hinge.
A casement window is like a set of double doors. There are one or more sashes hinged at the side like a door, swinging horizontally out or in, usually with the aid of a crank. Older casements swing on hinges while newer have pivot mechanisms. Casement windows swing out but some swing in. Casements provide great ventilation because both halves of the window open. Because they seal tightly when closed, they are considered energy efficient. Casement windows are easy to clean because they are accessed from inside and outside. For safety reasons it is best to locate a casement window away from sidewalks.
A jalousie windows is louvered. Jalousie's were popular in south Florida because of maximum ventilation. Glass overlapping louvers form a jalousie window. Operated with a crank or turn screw, glass louvers tilt to open permitting air flow. Jalousie window is almost impossible to seal. Each glass louver rests against one below rarely ever making an air tight seal. Jalousie window hinges almost impossible to seal without covering entire window. Jalousie's are not energy efficient and not high security windows.
Horizontal sliding windows move back and forth on tracks. Usually only one of the sashes moves and the other one is fixed. Only one half of a horizontal window can be open. Sliding windows provide less ventilation than casement windows. Sliding window advantage is they are inexpensive, especially if frame is aluminum and easy to clean if sash is removed.
Effectiveness of insulation is resistance to heat flow R-value. Higher r-value better efficiency. Insulation includes: batt and blanket (fiberglass), loose fill (blown cellulose), foam insulation (polyurethane and urea formaldehyde), and rigid board insulation. US Dept. of Energy. DOE, established minimum r-values in zip code areas. Many homes have single pane or single glazed glass windows. In average building has 20% windows. Well-insulated structure 20-50% total energy lost through and around windows. Thermal pane and storm windows are energy efficient are alternative to single pane windows. Thermal pane windows consist of two panes of glass with gas in the middle of two pieces of glass. Thermal panes are better in summer and winter because better insulation. Thermal windows reduce heating and cooling costs. Layer of gas between glass acts as insulation. Width of space between glass important air space too narrow or too wide permits too much heat to be transferred. Best r-values are a space between 5/8" and 1/2". Air is a good insulator. Gas is a good insulator. Argon gas is very stable. Argon gas has a low reaction rate to changing temp. Windows need to be properly sealed so gas can't escape. Window can cloud up if seal becomes defective. Window can cloud up. Water vapor builds up and condenses when weather turns cold. Special absorbing moisture material used to catch water vapor sneaking through material.
Lot Types: corner, cul-de-sac, interior, t-intersection, flag, key
Corner Lot
(bounded with streets on two sides) - commercial corner lots worth more than commercial interior lots - residential corner lots desirable because of curb appeal
Interior Lot
(bound on each side by another lot)
T-intersection Lot
(inferior lots that suffer because end of t-intersection) - less desirable because car headlights and speeding runaway cars
Cul-de-sac Lot
(street open on only one end with circular turn around at other end) - desirable because spacious, ample backyard room and backyard features
Flag Lot
(long access road or driveway to main part of lot) - access road staff of flag, residential development once homestead, long access road increases cost of bringing utilities
*utilities: electricity, gas, water, sewage
*homestead: land, house, outhouse, multiple buildings
Key Lot
(long skinny lots like shaft of a key bound by many lots) - added value because of strategic location
"Description of the Neighborhood
It is important to identify the geographic, demographic,
and social characteristics of the neighborhood. Tell us about its
location (i.e. urban, suburban, rural, etc.), density (i.e. dwelling
units per acre), or street layout and connectivity; economic, social,
and ethnic diversity; and functionality (i.e. residential, commercial,
retail, etc.). We also want to know whether a plan or specific planning
efforts contributed to or sustained the character of the neighborhood,
or if the neighborhood formed more organically and not through a formal
planning process." Good neighborhood checklist: https://www.planning.org/greatplaces/neighborhoods/characteristics.htm
Pier Foundation
(style of foundation) - column of masonry - four or more piers support a structure - piers lift structure above ground providing crawl space under the structure - easy access to plumbing and electrical connections - space to run duct work - pier can raise structure high in coastal and flood-prone areas
Slab-on-grade Foundation
(style of foundation) - pour concrete slab directly on ground - concrete reinforced with steel rods - ground covered with plastic waterproof and vapor barrier - most economical type.
Footers and foundation provide structure support. Footer extends around perimeter of building. Footer provides support. Footer prevents structure from settling.
Basement
(not many in Florida) - Florida has high water table so no basement
Frame Construction
(wood frame: platform, balloon, and post and beam)
Platform
(most common today) - each floor built separately - floor below provides platform for structure above - safer for framers because platform provides flat work surface - subfloor extends to outside edges and exterior walls erected - wall frame constructed on concrete slab and hoisted and anchored - house more than one story layers of platforms added walls stacked on top of first story walls. Structure completed with ceiling and roof framing.
Balloon
(common in older homes) - some two-story construction when masonry exterior involved - studs extend to ceiling of second floor - smooth unbroken wall surface each floor level - load bearing wall studs extend from foundation to top plate two stories up - reduces uneven settling bad for brick, stucco, and veneer - more expensive than platform because high labor and high quality 18' - 20' studs.
Post and beam
(popular in contemporary architecture) - sturdy posts/beams placed 8' apart covered with 2" that form floor, ceiling, and roof deck - posts provide some ceiling support - rooms constructed with larger spans between supporting side walls - popular in contemporary architecture where exposed beam desirable.
Masonry
(common in Florida) - brick and concrete block construction - solid masonry walls durable - does not eliminate termite problem because most roofs constructed with wood trusses - masonry walls reduce termite concerns - walls must be insulated.
*Type of construction that typically uses concrete blocks or bricks.
Roofs
(most roofs today are pre-engineered, factory built trusses) - trusses lifted into place with crane then secured to walls with metal fasteners - truss constructed in triangular shape internal structure members that transfer stress load of roof away from center span outward to load bearing walls
Gable
(cost effective) - use a single truss design - peak at center ridge and extend downward on two opposite sides - do not provide protection from sun on two gable ends - sometimes dormer incorporated into gable and hip roof
Dormer
(gable and hip roof) - extends out of roof for additional light and ventilation
Hip
(peak at center but extend down four opposite sides) - provide overhang protection on all four sides of structure and architecturally pleasing - trusses expensive because special manufacturing required
Saltbox
(appears to be gable roof then slopes down steeply on one side) gets name from old Morton saltbox
Shed
(single steep plane) - used in contemporary architecture
Gambrel
(American barn style) - provide ample head room in two-story construction
Mansard
(French architect styled in Paris) - Paris had zoning code that prevented multi-story structures because structures higher than fire equip. could reach. Zoning defined number of stories by number of feet from ground to where roof began - Mansard brought shingles down walls of top floor increasing number of buildable stories w/o violating zoning codes - common in France and common in French Quarter in New Orleans "US Mansard Roofs"
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