by Charles Hendricks | Mar 22, 2018 | architecture, Building Science, Green Building
Check to see where the snow is melting faster than other areas. Of course, sun exposure and shade will change the patterns. You are looking for the spots where it seems like it should still be there and it has melted. Why did it melt faster? Could that be an area where the heat from inside your home is escaping to the attic? That is the most common issue. Spaces above recessed can lights typically melt quick as that is a big leak to your attic. The attic access is another source of heat escaping from your inside to your attic. Finding these leaks will help you seal the leak and improve the comfort of your home and reduce your energy bills.
If you find icicles on the exterior of your home, this could cause bigger problems. Ice dams can form on the edge of your roof if you have big heat leaks. This could create a dam along the edge and push water back under the shingles on your home. This could result in water damage in your exterior walls or ceiling. Even if there is not an ice dam, try to determine the cause of the icicle. Why did the snow melt in that location faster than others?
While I don’t enjoy snow at all – this is a great time to do a visual inspection of your home’s energy performance. Pay attention to the clues your home is providing for you.
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 1, 2018 | architecture
On a windy day (like today), check for air leaks and seal them up!
According to Aubrey Urbanowicz it is going to be a windy day today and Friday. This is a great chance to cut your energy bills. Walk around with your hand around window trim, electrical outlets, light switches, and doors and find the breeze coming in. Seal these gaps and cracks and you will not only make your home more efficient to heat and cool, you will make the rooms more comfortable.
You can see in this image huge air infiltration around a light switch. Take the cover off and caulk the plastic box tight to the drywall. There is also an thin insulation that fits over the switches behind the decorative plate that can be added to increase the insulation a little.
Recessed can lights are another place for huge leaks. Make sure the can is tight to the drywall. A careful thin bead of caulk around the edge might also help.
A lot of times windows are blamed for the big leaks. However, the window is probably ok, but the trim around the windows probably was not sealed.
Perhaps it does not seem like much to have light switches that leak air. However, if you add up all the leaks in your home from all the sources, it makes a big difference. We use too much energy and our bills are too high. The average house has the equivalent air leakage through gaps and cracks as a 3′ x 3′ hole in the all. You would not leave a window out of your house and expect to have a comfortable house, so why accept leaks through the gaps and cracks. Use this windy day to determine where the problems areas are in your home. Caulk and seal the gaps and make your home more comfortable.
If you want me to do an energy-audit, give me a call. I might find something like this image above and not know what in the world it is and I am certainly old enough to know I don’t want to go find out. This was in the ceiling of a home. I expect it is a nest for an animal since I did not see signs of water. What kind of animal – well, you will have to find that out for yourself.
by Charles Hendricks | Feb 28, 2018 | architecture, project update
I love getting a new box of history in the office! Working in the Chesapeake Western Railroad Depot (more posts here, here, here, here) is a true joy. It seems almost every day someone comes in to share their story about the short-line rail, nicknamed the Crooked and Weedy. Here are some of the latest finds. I also have new things on display in our foyer if you want to drop by during business hours to see them. Share your stories about the CW with me – I love learning more about this short-line.
D.W. Thomas in 1926 was hired by W.E.D. Stokes of New York to try to make a last-ditch effort to save the short-line. Mr. Thomas was named the General manager of the CW and was innovative in his approach. He put competing bus lines out of business by cutting his rider fees to one-half cent per mile. The CW became the first 100% radio controlled rail in the country. He also started the CW trucking line to compete with other trucking companies moving into the area. Apparently he even gave out autograph copies of his photo!
Some postcards found in the latest batch of history dropped off include a view of old town, Union Station, Spotswood Country Club, and Rockingham Memorial Hospital.
Anybody know what the going rate for shipping bags of fertilizer. Here is a ticket from 1898 for 260 bags. It seems like $1,277 is a lot of money to move fertilizer in the late 1800’s. The average annual income in 1903 for a railroad wage earner at the time was $593.
Even in the early 70’s the CW struggled to keep people from walking on their rail. This is such a dangerous practice, but it happens every day here in Harrisonburg.
I want to know more about assembly park. Who has a story?
I am sure this was a fun bunch of hard workers. Can anyone tell me more about the Elkton Lead rebuild?
by Charles Hendricks | Feb 11, 2018 | architecture
I have heard this a few times recently – “I was not sure you would be interested in a job this small”. Well the truth is, we do all scales and sizes of projects. We only want to be involved in jobs where you see value in what we offer, but all scales of projects are interesting for us. The question for most is when do you need an architect as they embark on a renovation or new construction project. The reality is, the majority of the population has never worked with an architect and do not really understand what we do.
So when do you need an architect for a residential renovation?
In renovation work, you should call an architect into the project if you are moving walls, changing use of a space, need creativity, or just finishing a basement. If you are re-configuring spaces, it is important to not only make sure it works structurally, but also functionally. Just taking out a wall without thinking through how the space will be impacted on a daily basis could create other obstacles. Having an architect work through the design in advance of the builder giving you a price is critical for you to get the best value. The builder wants to know the full scope of work and you want to know if the space will function as you expect it will work.
Home renovation – Before
Home renovation – After
If you are adding space to your existing home with an addition, deck, sunroom, or screen porch, you should call an architect. These additions seem straight forward, but they impact the amount of light entering the home, impact views if adding columns, and add spaces that need to be thought through and evaluated for function and structure.
If you are adding rooms to your home, you should call an architect. This one seems a little more straight forward than a simple interior renovation to justify bringing in an architect. We can not only provide the permit drawings required, but also the scope of work drawings the builder needs to give you an accurate price. We can maximize the value of the added space through our design. We will evaluate the functional layout and offer you suggestions to make the addition work as you intended.
So when do you need an architect for a custom home?
For me this one is easy – every time. Hiring a builder to do your design or purchasing a magazine plan to me is never a good investment. A builder is not trained in design to think through function and value. A builder knows how to build. They will guide you through the process, but you are only getting a semi-custom home. You are not going through a design process that an architect is trained lead. We listen to your goals, evaluate them vs your budget, offer suggestions to improve the space, and use our experience to deliver an energy-efficient, durable, and healthy design solution that best meets your aesthetic and functional goals. We spend a lot of time thinking through how you want to live in the space and how that translates into your new custom home. We bring together the aesthetics and function into a cohesive whole. This is why we spend 5-6 years in school training and another 3-6 years learning under a licensed architect before becoming an architect. A drafter or builder or online plan cannot fulfill the goal of a custom home. An architect is not only providing design services, but also guiding you through the construction process. I have heard from several of our regular builders that the houses they build for our clients cost less per square foot because we have a good plan in advance of construction. We think through not only the space layout, but the construct-ability of the structure. We work hard to make all the space we design as functional (valuable) as possible.
I believe you need an architect on every construction project where you want to use your money wisely and want a beautiful, healthy, and durable home or business.
Weiler Orthodontics, Harrisonburg, Va – Before
Weiler Orthodontics, Harrisonburg, Va – After
by Charles Hendricks | Feb 7, 2018 | architecture
Share the Love fabulous February giveaway has started. We love our community and the businesses in it. They are owned by our friends and neighbors after all. In particular our corner of downtown – Southwest of Court Square. Now those businesses want to know who is loving them. Check-in on Facebook at any of the participating businesses between February 1st and 13th to be automatically entered into a drawing for gift certificates, products, memberships, and more. The winners will be announced on Valentine’s Day.
Where to share the Love!
Share the Love at any of the following businesses: Black Sheep Coffee Harrisonburg, The Hub Coworking, HUGO KOHL, Boboko Indonesian Cafe,Blue Ridge Dog, The Center Yoga, Breathe, Rocktown Kitchen, Foodbarfood Harrisonburg, Salon Eleven, Pale Fire Brewing Company, The Mark-It, The Gaines Group Architects, and Blue Ridge Architects.
Visit the Depot!
You can come hang out with us at the Depot. Check out the history display telling the Chesapeake Western Railroad story any time Monday – Friday from 9 am – 5 pm.
by Charles Hendricks | Feb 1, 2018 | architecture
I am participating in Bowl for Kids Sake again this year to support Big Brothers Big Sisters. I originally got involved with this event because I thought it would be fun and they do good work. Since then I found out that they served 600+ kids in our community. They operate at 25% below the national average despite serving more kids than any other similar-sized community agency in the country. This one event makes up a good portion of their annual funding. The majority of their volunteers are JMU students that meet with their “littles” once a week. This organization is making a difference in our community and helping those most in need of help.
No matter where you are, you can support your local Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Click HERE to find events near you!
PLUS! Learn how to support other organizations in Harrisonburg by joining the Great Community Give of 2018.
If you find icicles on the exterior of your home, this could cause bigger problems. Ice dams can form on the edge of your roof if you have big heat leaks. This could create a dam along the edge and push water back under the shingles on your home. This could result in water damage in your exterior walls or ceiling. Even if there is not an ice dam, try to determine the cause of the icicle. Why did the snow melt in that location faster than others?
Share the Love fabulous February giveaway has started. We love our community and the businesses in it. They are owned by our friends and neighbors after all. In particular our corner of downtown – Southwest of Court Square. Now those businesses want to know who is loving them. Check-in on Facebook at any of the participating businesses between February 1st and 13th to be automatically entered into a drawing for gift certificates, products, memberships, and more. The winners will be announced on Valentine’s Day.
