Construction Market Forecast 2010

USGNN (The USGlass News Network) - October 19, 2009. When Robert Murray, vice president of economic affairs for McGraw Hill Construction, offered his annual construction forecast last Friday to attendees of McGraw Hill's annual Construction Outlook Conference, there was a great deal of bad news to report, mainly consisting of large drops in virtually all construction segments in 2009. But there were a few glimmers of hope including the fact that the level of construction starts in 2010 is expected to climb 11 percent to $466.2 billion, following the 25 percent decline predicted for 2009. "This is the end of that lengthy cycle," says Murray. "This year and next is the start of a new cycle." "We are turning a corner," adds Murray who also notes that more optimism is being seen in the market in recent months. "In January-February there was a pervasive sense of gloom, but that is changing," he says. 2009-2010 Forecast Highlights That length cycle has included significant drops in most areas of construction. Following are some highlights from Murray's Forecast: The previous resilient institutional buildings market took a hit in 2009 as it is predicted to decrease 15 percent. A 25 percent decline in construction starts is forecast for this year, which Murray says is bigger that previously expected. "The commercial building market really got clobbered this year," says Murray who adds that segment is down approximately 55 percent. Healthcare facilities have posted a 36-percent drop thus far this year after an all time high in 2008. Airline terminal projects have posted a fairly large pickup in 2009. "There are some large projects that are moving the numbers up," says Murray. Multi-family housing has seen a 55 percent drop in 2009. Murray forecasts a modest increase in 2010. The retail segment has take a huge hit in 2009, according to Murray, and another decline may come in 2010. However, he points out that this is causing some big box retailers to "scout out new locations." Murray points out that the hotel market has posted another steep decline in 2009 and the top list of commercial hotel projects has no Las Vegas projects on it showing just how much that market has declined. The list now includes smaller hotel projects such as Embassy Suites. The decline in construction of educational buildings was surprising to Murray who says everything was down in this segment except research labs. The bright spot here is that school enrollments are increasing so he forecasts improvement in this market for 2010. "Government-related buildings are cushioning the overall decline," adds Murray. An Unstable Credit Market However, while the market may be on its way up, Murray says another huge obstacle for the industry may be looming. "The big unknown and threat is commercial mortagages in 2010 and 2011," he says. "That could be the next financial crisis." He says there are numerous instances of tight credit affecting large projects such as the Echelon in Las Vegas, the World Trade Center Towers 2 and 3 and the Chicago Spire, to name a few. A Bright Spot--Stimulus Package Murray says that $130 billion has been designated in the stimulus bill for construction related spending for 2009-2011. He says not much money has been spent yet but that should change in 2010. "Our data shows the stimulus money is starting to come out," he says. "Money for energy-efficient upgrades really hasn't hit construction starts yet." He adds that the institutional buildings segment shows the most benefit of the Stimuus Act thus far, which has included an increase in courthouse projects. he also says public works is a guaranteed area of growth in 2010 if the stimulus money comes through. If it does he frecasts a 13-percent increase. "Overall, the market is stabalizing after some steep drops," says Murray. "It is a cyclical business and the non-residential market has nother year of entrenchment to go through."

Announcing Solar Innovations Folding Glass Wall

Folding Glass Walls by Solar Innovations® invite the beauty of the outdoors into your residence or business and expand your view with more light, space, and flexibility by integrating a folding glass wall or bifold door into your structure! Whether a residential or commercial folding glass wall, the applications are endless...

• Connect your kitchen or living room to an outside patio area, with a folding glass wall or bifold door, adding a unique element to home entertaining.

• Include folding glass walls or bifold doors in your pool or spa enclosure to enjoy the outdoor environment during pleasant weather.

• Enhance your outdoor restaurant seating area with folding glass walls, allowing patrons to enjoy the view no matter what season it is.

• Open up your storefront to the sidewalk with a folding glass wall to create an inviting environment for your customers.

• Open up your interior rooms to one another or closets with bifold doors.

Wood options include veneers of Mahogany, Western Red Cedar, Southern Yellow Pine, Douglas Fir, and Northern White Pine. Redwood and Cherry can be integrated into your folding glass walls or bi-fold doors depending on final engineering requirements. Polycarbonate glazing is also available with these innovative folding walls.

By constructing folding glass walls and bi-fold doors to meet the demands of today's consumers, we offer unlimited design options, superior performance, security features, and ease of installation with our folding glass walls. The extensive capabilities of our engineers, designers, and installers has allowed Solar Innovations® to pinpoint the limitations of our competitors' products and design our systems to be more durable and easier to operate. Solar Innovations®' goal is to make the most installation-friendly and long-term maintenance-free folding glass walls and bi-fold doors available.

We manufacture all of our folding glass wall hardware and hinges. These walls can also be considered bi-fold doors or bi-fold walls. This allows us to maintain the highest level of quality control and to meet shorter production deadlines. Our "no-compromise" design philosophy has resulted in a folding glass wall system that is second to none.

Our folding glass walls are designed with no breach of the thermal break anywhere in the system, including the hinges. The folding walls and bi-fold doors received excellent air and water infiltration test results due to the continuous weather seal on the inside surface. The gaskets are chemically adhered at the corners, rather than simply abutted against each other, and they contain a shrink-resistant cord to enhance the long-term performance of the wall.

Solar Innovations® folding glass walls and bi-fold doors are easy to operate. They glide almost effortlessly along the sill track due in large part to our uniquely elongated trolley design, which properly distributes and balances the weight. The unique triple knuckle hinge design with stainless steel impregnated bushings prevents sagging of the wall, even with large panels.

If you would like to recieve more information, please call at 217-356-6471 or email at info@bvbglass.com

A Greater Vision : Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency of the windows has a significant impact on the overall annual operating costs of a building. To obtain the best energy efficiency from a window three factors must be evaluated: thermal performance, condensation resistance and occupant comfort. Additionally, because installation can affect window performance, the manufacturer’s installation instructions should be evaluated and followed for optimum performance.

Wood windows optimize design performance and budget flexibility at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, Drew University, Madison, NJ, by Ford Farewell Mills and Gatsch, Architects.

To compare thermal performance look at the R-values and U-values. The R-value measures resistance of glazing material or fenestration assembly to heat flow. Materials with higher R-values have higher resistance to heat flow and are better insulators. The U-value measures the rate of non-solar heat loss or gain through a material and may be expressed for the glass alone or the entire window including frame and spacer material. The lower the U-factor, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.

Choice of materials has a bearing on both these factors. For example, in Chapter 30 of the 2001 ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, the addition of a thermal break in an aluminum frame improves the U-value from 1.92 to 1.13. An aluminum-clad wood frame further improves the frame U-value from 1.13 to 0.51.

The handbook also indicates that total Unit U-values for the entire window include both the frame and glass. The range for aluminum windows with thermal breaks is from 0.35 (triple glazing with low-E coatings) to 0.64 (double glazing with clear glass).

For aluminum-clad wood windows the range is from 0.25 (triple glazing with low-E coatings) to 0.53 (double glazing with clear glass). The glass is the same so the difference in U-values is a result of changing frame material.

The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) is a reliable source for determining window energy properties and comparing products. NFRC rates window units for U-factor, SHGC, visible light transmittance (VT), and air leakage (AL).

Another factor that affects window thermal performance is air infiltration. Air leakage heat loss and gain occur by infiltration through cracks in the window assembly. This is indicated by an AL rating expressed as the equivalent cubic feet of air passing through a square foot of window area. The lower the AL, the less air will pass through cracks in the window assembly. Select windows with an AL rating of 0.30 cfm/sq ft or less.

Resistance to condensation also is important. Condensation on window frames can damage interior windowsills, finishes and eventually walls and floors. Specifying products and design conditions that regulate surface temperatures and moisture in the air will minimize potential for condensation.

Materials with greater resistance to condensation also provide greater comfort to occupants seated near windows, and occupant comfort has a direct impact on worker productivity.

Wood is considered the best performer from a thermal point of view. It is a natural insulator with excellent resistance to condensation and a high degree of thermal comfort.

Aluminum is a natural conductor and therefore has poor energy efficiency and low resistance to condensation. Aluminum’s R-value is minimal and raises the overall U-factor of a window unit. In cold climates, an aluminum frame can become cold enough to condense moisture or frost on the inside surfaces.

A desirable combination for thermal performance and comfort is an aluminum-clad wood window. This alleviates differences in exterior and interior frame temperatures, offering resistance to condensation, greater thermal comfort and lower annual energy costs than thermally-broken aluminum windows.

The average annual savings from the use of aluminum-clad wood windows is fairly consistent across the United States: 27% to 31% compared to single-glazed aluminum windows without thermal breaks; 6% to 9% compared to thermally-broken aluminum windows.

Vinyl has the same thermal efficiency as wood and in terms of thermal performance vinyl frames are comparable with wood. However, vinyl’s expansion and contraction encourages air and water infiltration which increases maintenance and damage issues.

Fiberglass offers thermal efficiency similar to wood and the lowest expansion and contraction rates of all four materials. Less expansion ensures a consistent bond between sash and glass and reduced energy costs as well as less stress on joints for greater durability.

A Greater Vision : The Selection Process & Aesthetics

The Selection Process

Four window types are commonly used in commercial structures: double-hung, casement, fixed and awning. A double-hung window consists of two sashes operating in a rectangular frame with upper and lower halves able to slide up and down. A casement window swings open on side hinges. A fixed window has no operating sashes, and an awning window is similar to casement, but the sash is hinged at the top and always swings out.

How Window Materials Meet Selection Criteria Wood Aluminum Vinyl Fiberglass Aesthetics Warm, natural beauty; many finish options Many finish options Limited color options Many color options Energy Efficiency Natural insulator Natural conductor Good insulator Good insulator Environmental Impact Very low embodied energy; can be recycled High embodied energy; can be recycled Medium embodied energy; not recyclable Low embodied energy; limited recyclability Price Medium to high first cost; low long-term cost Medium to high first cost; low long-term cost Low first cost; higher long-term cost Low first cost; low long-term cost Durability High High; but potential for thermal break failure Low; cracks easily High Maintenance Interior wood surfaces may need refinishing; scratches can be repaired Low; not scratch resistant Low; may require early window replacement Low; high scratch and dent resistance

Aesthetics

The choice of materials is influenced by the architect’s perspective and the project design intent. Several things must be considered: scale and proportion, sightlines, relationship to other interior finishes, frame profiles, and glass types. Hardware and location of window treatments (room side or between-glass blinds) also influence the choice of frame material.

Of the four framing materials, wood is unique because it allows different finishes for the interior and exterior and provides a warmth and natural beauty not offered by the other materials.

Aluminum offers a broad selection of anodized and painted finishes that typically are the same on both sides. Aluminum can be combined with wood in an aluminum clad wood frame that offers the warmth and natural beauty of wood on the interior and the durability of aluminum on the exterior.

Vinyl framing offers few color choices and has the same finish on both sides. Medium to dark colors are especially limited. Some manufacturers offer surface treatments such as laminates or other coating options to increase color selection and surface appearance.

Fiberglass has high design flexibility with many color options. The material is typically painted the same color on both sides but offers the potential for different colors on the exterior and interior.