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 Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 7:54 pm
ArikaiHart The co-ops (which are like paid internships, because I don't think american college/unis have co-ops? or at least they don't use that term) will hopefully be a bit of break. I'll just have to work a normal job, with no homework and being done when I get home will be amazing. Window design is my FAVOURITE. Basically, you want windows where they will allow you the most natural light. However, you don't want direct sunlight in the summer, because that will heat up your house (windows, even the most advanced, are crap at insulation). An excellent way of getting around this is planting deciduous trees, since the leaves will block the sun in the summer and fall in the winter, allowing the direct sun. You also want, if possible, windows on at least two walls (I don't really know how to explain this, but having light from two sources makes it more 'real' or something). And when it comes to the exterior shell of the building, you have to be careful that your windows aren't out of line. Your windows don't have to be all the same and all symmetrical, like some kind of colonial house, but they shouldn't look like they were just placed at random. Personally, when designing something, I like to go for big, custom windows. I find they have more visual interest, and the loss of insulation is worth the increase of light, I think. I think all that sounds really cool. I'd read in an energy workbook from my practicum class that some use that window heating from the sun to save money. Passive solar heating, or something like that. Big windows aren't always good at insulation, but damn, you should visit my room at home during the summer. It insulates well enough then to melt me, and it insulates poorly enough to lose all heat during the winter. It's probably more than just the windows, though. The room's also small and barely gets any AC/heating from the vent. I hate that room. I hate whoever designed that house.
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Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:12 pm
Man, I've been looking at apartments lately and, let me tell you:
If you move into a really old city like Montreal of New York, make sure that old buildings have been renovated because the apartment I'm living in now is poorly insulated and droughty as hell.
It gets SO. damn. COLD. in winter.
Like "year-long savings on your heating bill" cold.
I want to punch whoever designed this place in the face
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Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2013 9:21 am
Skitty-san Man, I've been looking at apartments lately and, let me tell you:
If you move into a really old city like Montreal of New York, make sure that old buildings have been renovated because the apartment I'm living in now is poorly insulated and droughty as hell.
It gets SO. damn. COLD. in winter.
Like "year-long savings on your heating bill" cold.
I want to punch whoever designed this place in the face Insulation standards weren't the same at all. I've always wondered how that worked: did past generations not mind cold as much? Was heating cheaper? Did they just generally dress more warmly and didn't really notice? Also, your windows/doors could be to blame. If they're old and haven't been changed in a while, then you're probably losing lots of heat through the frame.
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Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2013 5:34 am
ArikaiHart Skitty-san Man, I've been looking at apartments lately and, let me tell you:
If you move into a really old city like Montreal of New York, make sure that old buildings have been renovated because the apartment I'm living in now is poorly insulated and droughty as hell.
It gets SO. damn. COLD. in winter.
Like "year-long savings on your heating bill" cold.
I want to punch whoever designed this place in the face Insulation standards weren't the same at all. I've always wondered how that worked: did past generations not mind cold as much? Was heating cheaper? Did they just generally dress more warmly and didn't really notice? Also, your windows/doors could be to blame. If they're old and haven't been changed in a while, then you're probably losing lots of heat through the frame.
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