Marvin Infinity vs Lindsay Pinnacle for MN Full Replacement
mnmom80
8 years ago
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Comments (8)
Windows on Washington Ltd
8 years agoWindow1
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Low-e Windows Effect on Plants
Comments (47)Low e will certainly effect plant growth. Ultraviolet Light (UV) Ultraviolet light is comprised of three different wavelength ranges of light. UVC (200-280nm) has the shortest wavelength and most energy, but is potentially the most stressful to plants and human skin causing sunburn and can be very damaging to human eyes. Fortunately, for humans and plants atmospheric absorption eliminates the majority of UVC shortwave light. no need for a window film to block it. UVB (280-315nm) has a short wavelength, high energy and also causes sunburn in humans and plants. UVB is known to damage protein and nucleic acids in plant cells, causing decreased metabolism and decreased number of flowers. UVB can have positive effects as well.. A plant responds to the stress and sunburn from UVB wavelengths, by creating it’s own sunscreen in the form of trichomes and cretinoid. Exposure to UVB radiation is also known to reduce a plants biomass, plant height and leaf area, but increase leaf thickness. lack of UVB causes leggy plants. Finally, UVA and near ultraviolet light (315-400nm) has the longest wavelengths of UV light and can be very beneficial to plant development. Wavelengths in the UVA spectral range are included in the absorption spectrum, particularly in the 380nm range. The absorption spectrum is the range of wavelengths of light that are absorbed by green chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Additionally, research has shown that exposing plants to UVA light can also inhibit mold growth and fungal development. Far-Red and Infrared Light On the far end of the spectrum (>700nm) you find far-red and infrared wavelengths of light. Far-red and infrared light have very long wavelengths, and very little energy. Infrared wavelengths are not visible to the human eye and only can be felt as heat. We know that blue and red light is optimal for plant development, but research conducted in 1957 has shown that combining blue light and red light with far-red/infrared light (700-760nm), led to an increased rate of photosynthesis due to the Emerson effect. The protein Phytochrome is the only known receptor that is sensitive to far-red/infrared wavelengths. Plants use Phytrochrome to regulate when a plant is to switch from vegetation state to flowering, and the time of flowering, due to the length of daylight or exposure to artificial light. The appropriate amounts of far-red and infrared light can also be a very effective at promoting robust stem growth, proper node spacing, and more flowers and fruit. Too much IR radiation can also be an issue because to a plant the majority of IR radiation is felt as heat. consider the amount of light (PAR or PPFD) needed to successfully grow your plants. then decide if low e is sufficient for you. It may lack certain lighting requirements....See MoreWindows - who did you go with?
Comments (61)I looked at the Windsor Pinnacle Casement online and there was not enough information for me to take them seriously. I was not impressed with what little was offered which consisted of typical sales claims ("heavy duty extruded cladding" that appeared to be thin hollow extrusions) and a cut-away sample of a lower corner of a window that was impossible to understand since it was cut diagonally. Marvin provides scaled detail drawings in plan and section that can be downloaded....See MoreThe Chicken or The Egg?
Comments (33)Gosh this sounds so like me. All I wanted to know was cost to build. All anybody else wanted to know was, well what are you going to build. And I didnt know what I wanted to build until I knew what it would cost :-P I am a bit different, as I already have land, well, utilities, probably keep same driveway, etc. But I started by looking at house plans. Found a couple styles I liked on the outside. Insides were basically then same. Showed them to a contractor just to get a rough idea what it might cost to build, and he was able to say that a plan like that might cost around X amount psf. So that was my starting place. Other researches led me here. Further researching I discovered things like fewer corners = money saved, etc. I also learned there are plenty of ppl like me that don't want/need things like dining room, living room etc. Would rather rework for other space or make other spaces bigger. Did talk informally to couple of different contractors and learned things like the lumberyard have drafspeople that are reasonable. So I got some ideas together, couple of house plans, showed what I liked and didnt like to a draftslady. The draftslady had her own set of questions for me to answer. The cost for this particular lady is .20 psf, and she doesnt charge for the basement or bonus room. I can have up to 5 major changes, major being foundation changes that change other areas of the house. Minor walls and stuff on the inside does not count. Anything over 5, is $35 an hour but she said in her 10 years, she has never had to charge anyone that. I also get 5 sets of plans, but she said she would give me 2 extra. And if we use their lumberyard for supplies, for every $1000 spent, I get $20 back on the cost of the plans. I pay her when we are all finished. So I felt like this was a good deal, a good place to start. Then I can take those plans and start getting my bids and costs. But since I want things like geothermal, radiant heat flooring, solar panels, I am trying to keep my footprint smaller because I dont know what it will cost to build, so I am very anxious to see what she comes up with, and then I can take my rough draft and try to get an idea of some of these other cost. While I am waiting, I have been researching each system more in detail. Trying to figure out things like 2x4 or 2x6. I told the draftslady 2x4, so that might be my first major change :-) But the insulation seems complicated , I read about the zo-e windows which I need something like that also I think, I finally am understanding the geothermal and what I need for that and then learned of a Reverse-Cycle Chiller? (might have to start a new thread for that one) So now I am trying to pick apart each system and figure out what I want/need. Anyways, in my area, there seems to be no shortage of people who would want the work, regardless how big or how small. I have one fella, who has mostly only done ranch styles before, he does a lot of remodeling work, and he said he has never done any monster homes like ours was. The new house, while not ranch, probably wont be quite as big but still alot of newer technology, that he may or may not have experience with. So I am a bit hesitant, but yet at the same time, this might be a good one for him to cut his teeth on so he might give me a better deal? Then again, it might be a nightmare. But being from a small town, I know him, his son is one of my son's best friends... which could be another nightmare.... But I have a couple of contractors lined up to talk to. Several are what I would call conventional builders, but then I plan on talking to a couple of non-conventional also, for lack of better words. Like the Cleary building ppl, like the pre-fab ppl, I even considered a steel frame etc. I have talked to a couple of minninite ppl. I really do not want a mortgage, so if I can compare apples to apples, basically I want to go with the cheapest if everything else is equal. It it isnt equal, then I will have to decide if and where I want to compromise. I have X amount of dollars and I want it to go as far as it can. Gosh I babble alot. But this is my "job" now. To get this house built. And my husband is very busy with work, so I have all this babble building up in my brain and no other outlet... aren't you guys lucky? :-)...See MoreANOTHER Sunrise vs Marvin quote Michigan
Comments (26)We went with the Triple pane apex package (ultra-u plus8). We're in MN and suffer from both weather extremes. The windows are not yet installed, they were just ordered after before the Christmas. We are actually just doing two double casements first and will live with them for a few months before purchasing more. i want to make sure I truly like our windows before committing another $20-30k for the rest of our windows and doors. Yes, it cost more doing it this way, but I'm ok to pay a bit more to ensure I'm happy....See Moretoddinmn
8 years agomnmom80
8 years agoPhil Trowbridge
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