Vinyl windows, also known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) windows or uPVC (unplasticized PVC) are a ubiquitous part of the residential window landscape, and not only that, there are a lot of them out there. There are many satisfied vinyl window customers and I have seen many good installations, however there can also be problems with vinyl windows. Some problems are common to all windows, others…
Leaks and Problems with Vinyl Windows
Envision the Wind in a Blizzard
Chicago Ground Hog Day 2011 Blizzard – Envision the Wind On February 1, 2011 at about 3pm, a somewhat rare occurrence took place in Chicago. A real-life blizzard! It continued for 20 hours. Contrary to the misconceptions of some, a blizzard is not distinguished by a large volume of snow, but rather by an intense and pervasive wind. In order to achieve the…
Testing Leaking Brick Walls
The unfortunate fact is that brick walls leak, concrete block walls leak, mortar joints leak, flashings leak, and we sometimes have forgotten fundamentals of masonry design, making it that much harder to control those leaks.
Choosing a Window Consultant or Exterior Building Consultant
Mark Meshulam is an expert witness and consultant for building exteriors.These days you can pretty much find a consultant for anything. Without trying very hard, you can find:So it stands to reason that you can find a consultant to assist you with your windows or the exterior of your building. As it happens, there are quite a few of us providing construction consultation services to…
Split Face Block Leaks
Since spit face blocks became available, misuse and permeability have plagued homeowners
Fixing Window Leaks in Tall Buildings
Mark Meshulam is an expert witness and exterior facade consultant for window leaks in tall buildings.As we head into our rainy season, there are many participants in a relatively recent social experiment – life in a high-rise – who will discover that their “building envelope” is not enveloping them as well as it did last season. Just like a bucket or a car tire, a…