Until the late 1940’s, the materials of choice for window frames was steel or wood. Later, aluminum, vinyl and clad wood came on the scene to displace those venerable materials. Steel windows became obsolete because aluminum offered greater versatility in cross-sectional shape due to the extrusion process.
Restoring Steel Windows
Vinyl Windows Leaks and Problems
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. Many work fine, but some vinyl windows exhibit leaks and other issues. There are many satisfied vinyl window customers and I have seen many good installations, however, there can also be…
Storm Damage to Windows and Glass
While Chicago, known as the “Windy City,” may not face hurricane threats like coastal regions, it is not immune to violent storms. Recent events with gusts reaching 77 mph have revealed a critical vulnerability: the resilience of our buildings’ windows. When wind turns outdoor objects into projectiles, it poses significant risks to property and human life. Hurricane experts and those who have experienced nature’s wrath…
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,…
An Interview with Historic Mike Jackson
Mark Meshulam is an window consultant and glass consultant for window replacement & renovation. Â Mike Jackson, FAIA, is the Chief Architect of the Illinois Historic Preservation Services Division of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA). He oversees the evaluation of changes to historic buildings when regulatory and benefit programs are involved. He is also a visiting professor of architecture at the University of Illinois…
Historic Window Renovation
Mark Meshulam is an expert witness and consultant for window preservation. In a continuation of our 20 year retrospective of our unique historic window replacement at Chicago’s Field Museum of Natural History, we have dusted off never before seen video of the design and testing of the project, jazzed it up with some editing, and have posted it here for your edificial edification. Historic window…
Thermal Images of Insulated Glass Types
Jason Theios, P.E. Applications Engineer at Guardian provided these thermal infrared images of 5 types of insulated glass. These images are a result of actual testing – not calculation.
Low-E Glass for Cooling Loads
Mark Meshulam is an expert witness and consultant for glass, windows and building facades. The previous post focused on how Low-E glass reduces the loss of room-side heat by reflecting long-wavelength infrared radiation back into the room. This would be typical of a Chicago-based dude who hasn’t seen much sun since last September. Nonetheless, your Chicago Window Expert recognizes that there are folks out there…
Curtainwall Leaks
Whereas windows fit within an opening, curtainwalls fit outside the structure. Curtainwall mullions and glass run vertically past the slabs. Curtainwall mullions are anchored back to slab edges.
Wood Window Leaks
Mark Meshulam is an expert witness and consultant for wood windows and wood window leaks. Ironically, even though I dwell much more often in the valley of aluminum windows when providing them, I seem to get more calls for consulting on problems with wood windows. There are a few probable reasons for this: Wood can rot, so a failure can be much more dramatic. Wood…