(Brendan)
In order to contain cost as we near the bidding process for our home project, we're tracking a number of suggestions from contractors (along with things we've come up with ourselves) that would save money. Some of these things make enough sense that they need to be worked into the plans before the bidding, and some we'll wait until we see the costs to decide if we want to implement them.
One item that we want to get into our home design before bidding is dividing the large, floor-to-ceiling windows in the family area into smaller windows. Just as a reminder, here was a rendering of the interior of the family room (click to enlarge):
It was always the plan to have at least one division in the large windows to the left so that there would be an operable portion that could be opened and closed. This would allow for cross-breezes in the Summer. However, there would still be large portions of glass making up the bulk of the window area, and cost is a concern. The larger the expanse of glass, the more expensive the window.
One contractor also pointed out that the large areas of glass would likely have to be tempered glass, which is an extra processing step done by the manufacturers for windows that gives more strength in order to protect against breaking. With small kids in the home, it's also a safety issue. Having tempered glass would add even more cost to already expensive windows. The solution will be to divide the windows into many small windows, likely of a standard size. This will save on cost in multiple fronts, as smaller, standard size windows are cheaper, and smaller windows would not have to be tempered glass.
Here's some examples of large window areas could be divided into smaller windows without losing the aesthetic feel of the space:
Dividing windows will also give more options for selecting which sections will be operable and which will be fixed glass, so all in all it's kind of a no-brainer design change. We don't have the specifics on how windows will look yet, but my brother is working on it.
In order to contain cost as we near the bidding process for our home project, we're tracking a number of suggestions from contractors (along with things we've come up with ourselves) that would save money. Some of these things make enough sense that they need to be worked into the plans before the bidding, and some we'll wait until we see the costs to decide if we want to implement them.
One item that we want to get into our home design before bidding is dividing the large, floor-to-ceiling windows in the family area into smaller windows. Just as a reminder, here was a rendering of the interior of the family room (click to enlarge):
It was always the plan to have at least one division in the large windows to the left so that there would be an operable portion that could be opened and closed. This would allow for cross-breezes in the Summer. However, there would still be large portions of glass making up the bulk of the window area, and cost is a concern. The larger the expanse of glass, the more expensive the window.One contractor also pointed out that the large areas of glass would likely have to be tempered glass, which is an extra processing step done by the manufacturers for windows that gives more strength in order to protect against breaking. With small kids in the home, it's also a safety issue. Having tempered glass would add even more cost to already expensive windows. The solution will be to divide the windows into many small windows, likely of a standard size. This will save on cost in multiple fronts, as smaller, standard size windows are cheaper, and smaller windows would not have to be tempered glass.
Here's some examples of large window areas could be divided into smaller windows without losing the aesthetic feel of the space:
Dividing windows will also give more options for selecting which sections will be operable and which will be fixed glass, so all in all it's kind of a no-brainer design change. We don't have the specifics on how windows will look yet, but my brother is working on it.
1 comment:
Holy cow, that baby countdown's below 100!!
You've been tagged!
See The Overflowing Cup. for more info. Brendan or Molly or both.
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