Low-e coatings don't reflect much of the visible spectrum, so if the product was only heat mirror w/o low-e, the VLT would only be a few % more - nearly insignificant. Sound deadening occurs because as sound waves pass through the dissimilar materials glass, air, HM, air, glass, each medium vibrates with a different frequency which diminishes transmission. Argon gas is also effective at noise reduction in IGU's and the thicker the IGU, the better the sound reduction. A single piece of 1/4" plate glass has a STC (sound transmission class) rating of 31. 1" conventional IGU's are rated at about 34 and the same product with heat mirror is rated at 36, so I would rate the difference as fairly insignificant & not too important as a consideration. Though I cannot quote exact numbers without looking it up, I can say that I believe argon gas makes a considerable difference in noise reduction. Without fail, when we install argon filled windows in a noise-rich environment, the home owner invariably comments on how much quieter the home is. Part of the reduction is the superior sealing of the brand of window we sell, but even when we replace wood windows that already have IGU's in them, the difference is significant. Al

I read an article in an Australian rose journal by a woman who discussed how she handled the terrible draught they have had there. One thing she did, especially with her young roses was to disbud. She felt like it helped the roses. I also read once about people in Texas letting their roses set hips after the early spring bloom and in that way go semi dormant. It sounds like two different things but I guess it's the same in that the roses are prevented from blooming in the hottest time of the year. I haven't done either. Here I have used a thick mulch of rice straw to help hold moisture.

From White Oak Nursery, I ordered: Abiqua Moonbeam Alex Summers Jewel of the Nile June Touch of Class Guacamole Captain Kirk Thunderbolt and from Hilltop Farms, I ordered: American Icon Blue Mouse Ears Dark Shadows Fujibotan Journeys End plantaginea Aphrodite Sun Power I had spring fever so bad, I got a little carried away ordering online! Off-topic, but I hadn't seen hide nor hair, or even the tip of an eye of my Striptease, even though all my other hostas are up. Good news - saw some Striptease eyes peeking out today! Deanna

The shower in our last house was 60" wide by 34" deep from the back wall to the sliding glass door. The big glass expanse made it not feel at all closed in, but occasionally with 2 people in there I wished I had just a couple more inches of elbow room. We are doing 42" x 60" this time. I think you will be fine with 44" depth in the shower. I also think clipping the corner to make the bedroom feel more spacious is an inspired idea, and your long vanity will still look good. The area that looks tight to me is the distance from toilet to vanity. You do not want to feel like you could wash your hands without getting up. The Toto Aquia Wall-Hung Toilet projects 21 1/16" from the wall. It would be worth it to me to buy a new toilet to save over 5" in a tight space. That would leave you with about 40" between toilet and vanity, which lets you put in a decent sized door. Maybe you could do a pocket door that splits in the middle so half goes to each side? It looks like your bedroom door blocks a closet when it is open. We have that too, and it drives me nuts, so we are reversing the swing when we remodel. Depending on the placement of your bathroom door and width of the bedroom door, you may want to change the swing so the door opens towards the bathroom instead of the closet. Here is a link that might be useful: Toto Specs