Friday 30 March 2012

The Cost Of Church Windows Installation

By Tracey M. Alvarado


Let's be honest using a faltering economy church and school budgets haven't been tighter, though the costs of heating and cooling churches, rectories and schools appears to be getting increasingly higher from year upon year. Although the old metal or wood framed windows might look OK from the distance they are usually very easy to vandalize and require plenty of maintenance. To chop costs and increase your church or school's appearance consider prefabricated glass block window panels which may be mortared to the building's structure.

In this article you'll learn 4 steps for a successful glass block church or school window installation.

Step one - Identify in places you want to use the block windows and also the main benefits desired- Glass blocks can be used in church windows or even in rectories and schools. Some blocks are actually found in basement windows using air vents to boost security while still allowing ventilation. Upper floor windows inside schools or bathrooms provides for increased privacy and improved energy ratings vs. old metal and wood windows. Stairwells, sidelights and transoms can also guarantee light and durability without the large tariff of being forced to maintain windows in difficult to achieve places.

2 - Decide if you wish to use colored glass blocks or maybe if you might have any need thicker faced blocks for security - Not every block windows should be made of clear glass. As a matter of fact you can add standard or custom colors or religious murals to every block pattern or size instead of compromise durability or even the products lasting performance. A church in Detroit Michigan recently added colored blocks to include color and interest on their windows and never having to concern yourself with long term maintenance costs and vandalism.

3 - Look at the dependence on vents - Glass block air vents help to combine the very best of both worlds - a high security window without sacrificing the requirement for air-flow. In the block window panels air and exhaust fans works extremely well. The vent frames can be made of vinyl or thermally efficient aluminum in hopper and casement style operation. The exhaust fans include motors to remove musty smells and improve indoor air quality. If security is a concern you can find smaller vents in 16" x 8" and 24" x 8" sizes that may be combined in the windows.

Step . 4 - Go through the openings and structure. Most church and school windows are in block and brick openings. When installing block windows in masonry openings measure through the the top sill on the header from each side in the window opening. For framed openings measure in the existing window sashes.

Step # 5 - Evaluate if any additional supports is going to be needed about the sides or top. Possess the prefabricated block panel sections made. For most commercial window projects normally the mortar joints would be the preferred choice for both security and longevity.

Step 6 - Installing the panels- You'll want to contain the panel sections made small enough to allow them to be handled (each block weighs about 6 pounds). Think of how high your window are from the sill as well as the grade in the land round the windows.

Set the windows and be sure they're plumb and level before mortaring them into place (then your mortar joints could be field grouted).

Bigger openings will usually use aluminum channels in the tops and sides to allow for expansion and contraction. Because of these types of projects screw the channels in, put expansion foam inside the channels and after that set and caulk your panels to the channels.

Step 7 - If you'd like help look for an expert glass block panel builder or installer.

With one of these 7 steps you're ready order your glass block church or school windows.




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