Learning from your mistakes
Here’s an SAT test question for you; “Clause is to lawyers as _______ is to engineers”. The answer is “nominal”. The reason is that both entities serve to protect one party from breach of contract when they don’t do what is expected by the other party. And here in lies the rub.
I had specified first floor windows which were 36” wide but 48” high double hung. On the second floor I specified 48” wide by 36” high windows that tilt. I was informed that “no one usually does double hung windows and they would cost a lot more. Most people go with single hung windows. So acquiesced and accepted single hung windows. However, when the windows arrived the tilt windows looked nearly square and when I measured them, they were barely over 40” wide. The first floor windows were more proportional but will still smaller than I had expected. When I questioned the windows sizes, I was told, “those were nominal dimensions”. See – even engineers have language to get them out of contractual issues !
However, in this case, I was not the only one who got burned. It turns out the combination of all factors meant the bedroom window had a usable opening of one 27-1/2” wide by 19” high (the upper sash is fixed in a double hung window and the lower sash is prevented from sliding all the way to the top for clearance purposes). According to International Residential Code (IRC R310.1) states:
- Minimum width of opening: 20 in.
- Minimum height of opening: 24 in.
- Minimum net clear opening: 5.7 sq. ft. (5.0 sq. ft. for ground floor).
- Maximum sill height above floor: 44 in.
So, a single hung window where the usable width is 27.5” and the usable height is 19” fails two criteria – insufficient height and insufficient clear opening.
All of this translates to we need to replace the “very well installed” window <ugh>.
Bummer.
1) I love double hung windows. We had them in Annapolis and they were a very effective addtion to our non-airconditioned ‘cooling protocol’. 2) you will have to go on a vigorous diet and exercise plan in case you ever have to escape though those bedroom windows. 3) do you have to pay to install them again!?! That is not fair – nominmally or actually
Next house and next Lotto win: I am going with Nana Walls. Actual and nominal measurements: HUGE.
(Kind of like your 2 ton dog door)
The idea of Nan Walls is very nice and if you have the right views from your building site (and enough money) they are an intriguing option. One issue they bring into play is the REScheck calculations. It helps with the necessary calculations for the Model Energy Code (MEC) and other regulations which takes into account the types and quantity of insulation, numbers and types of doors and windows, placement, etc. The more glass area you have, the tighter and better insulated the “non-windows and doors” area must be.
Here I demonstrate my proclivity for interjecting tangential elements into a conversation. Is that a raw chicken breast on the windowsill? Or perhaps an old work glove?
Silly little girl … it’s obvious. That’s a raw chicken wearing an old work glove.
But of course! And a very flattering look, I might add.