Green Building Going Strong

Green Building Going Strong
Market studies suggest that interest in green homes—from pros and buyers alike—continues to climb.
By: Katy Tomasulo


Las Vegas, Jan. 22 -- Can green be the lifeboat the home building industry needs? During a presentation at the International Builders’ Show, Harvey M. Bernstein, vice president of industry analytics, alliances, and strategic initiatives for McGraw-Hill Construction, suggests that eco-friendly design and products are proving to be a market differentiator for builders and an in-demand feature for home buyers.
Utilizing data from McGraw-Hill Construction’s 2006 and 2008 Smart Market Reports on green building, as well as a few other studies, Bernstein offered the following conclusions:

• Green is a market differentiator: Builders are finding it easier to market green homes and homeowners are much more interested in buying them, even in a down economy. Bernstein called green building a “savior,” and said that while the residential market overall has plummeted, the green residential market is climbing at a steady pace, increasing fivefold between 2005 and 2008 and expected to triple by 2013. The total residential green opportunity in 2013 will be $40 billion to $70 billion.


• Involvement in green building is on the rise: In addition to a growing number of local and national green building certification programs, green policies have jumped from 57 local governments in 2005 to 156 in 2008. The new presidential administration also has demonstrated a commitment to green policies and stimulus programs. At the builder level, in 2007 32% of builders reported being “significantly dedicated” to green building. In 2008 that number climbed to 52% and is expected to reach 69% in 2009.


• Interest in green homes spans all income levels: While the greatest percentage of demand for green homes (27%) is within the $50,000 to $74,000 income range, 30% of the demand falls into the two lower income brackets.
  


• Younger generations will expect green options: “They can’t imagine building anything that isn’t sustainable,” Bernstein said.
  


• Green-home buyers are driven by operational cost savings and improved health. Associating green with quality will be a strong selling point in the down market.
  


• As a builder’s green building experience increases, perceived costs decrease.
  


• Energy Star is the most well-known product standard.
  


• When remodeling, homeowners will spend the most on features that make their homes greener, versus those that increase comfort or improve the appearance.
  For those pros still wary of the trend, it’s worth noting what Bernstein calls one of green building’s biggest obstacles for homeowners: In some markets, there just aren’t enough builders doing it.

The environment is everyone's home. Andersen Corporation, a leading manufacturer for over 100 years, has a long history of environmental stewardship. As the window replacement subsidiary of Andersen, Renewal by Andersen proudly carries this tradition forward. We work to approach sustainability at every level, from our manufacturing facility to your home.

Remodel Green?

Andersen Corp.'s Andersen and Renewal by Andersen brands of wood and wood-composite windows and doors are now Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody certified. The certification was awarded by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), a third-party certification and assessment body based in Emeryville, Calif.

To achieve FSC Chain-of-Custody certification, companies must meet FSC's standards for traceability and distribution, and all stages of production, distribution, and sale of a product must be independently evaluated. With FSC Chain-of-Custody certification, use of Andersen and Renewal by Andersen windows and doors earns points under USGBC LEED Materials and Resources Credit 7: Certified Wood, the company says.

Andersen's FSC certification affirms the company's commitment to sustainability and assures its customers that Andersen and Renewal by Andersen products meet the highest forestry standards, according to J. Glasnapp, vice president of corporate sustainability and quality for Andersen. Windows and doors in the Andersen and Renewal by Andersen lines also recently received SCS' Indoor Advantage Gold certification for indoor air quality.

Around Town This Weekend!

Catch the Renewal By Andersen event team at multiple locations this weekend:

Friday Jan 23rd - Sunday Jan 25th at the Novi Home Improvement Show

Friday Jan 23rd - Sunday Jan 25th: Plymouth Ice Sculpture Spectacular

Sunday Jan 25th: Amazing Brides Expo Ann Arbor

Sunday Jan 25th: Livingston County Winter Bridal Show

All of our booths will have beautiful, energy efficient Renewal By Andersen replacement windows on hand for you to check out.

In the midst of this cold, come see how Renewal By Andersen can help you keep your home warmer in the winter.

Replacement windows are a terrific investment

By DWIGHT BARNETT • Scripps Howard News Service

QUESTION: Our house was built in 1984, and we have aluminum-clad windows (in an aluminum frame) that need to be replaced. The frames were originally bronze-colored but have become faded and scratched, plus the glass has "fogged" in many of the windows.

Contractors are steering us toward buying replacement windows, saying the aluminum frame can't be removed without considerable damage to the siding and brick (because of the flange that's attached to the original window and nailed in place).
They want to use replacement windows and then wrap the existing aluminum frames with siding. Is it possible to remove the old windows and replace them with new construction windows? We want to have the job right the first time and have a good result.
-- Deb Smiley,
Mount Sidney, Va.

ANSWER: Every window I have installed or replaced has had an exterior nailing flange or wood rail behind the wall's exterior covering. In order to remove the original window's frame, the exterior wall covering must be removed.
If the home has vinyl or wood siding, you simply remove the siding and replace it once the windows have been replaced. If you have to remove aluminum siding, brick or stone to get to the window frame, you may want to consider a replacement window.
Aluminum siding is easily damaged and difficult to color match for replacement. Brick and stone can be reset, but the new mortar joints may not match the original mortar color, and the lines will be noticeable for years to come.
When choosing a window you need to consider costs, timing, convenience, looks and energy efficiency. Here are a few pluses and minuses for selecting replacement windows versus installing new windows. I've also thrown in the idea of using storm windows.
Costs: A replacement window will cost less than a new window and will be easier to install. You might consider adding storm windows to your original windows because they are easy to install and are cost-effective. Properly installed and sealed, a storm window will save you energy dollars and costs much less than replacement or new windows, and there will be no need to remove exterior wall coverings.
Time: Replacement windows or storm windows can be installed in a day or two. Installing all new windows will take several days if not weeks.
Convenience: There is little to no damage to either the interior or exterior of the home with replacement windows or storm windows. New windows will require removal of some if not all of the home's exterior covering.
Looks: You will always be able to tell that the replacement windows are not original. Storm windows are an addition, and you should consider how they would affect the overall appeal of the home.
Air leakage: Because the original frame is left intact, there are no easy solutions to sealing the nailing flange. Replacement windows are no better at insulating against the weather than a modern wood window.
There is a lot of air leakage around the frames of older aluminum and wood windows because they were simply nailed to the structure but never sealed. When a new window is installed it is now common practice to seal the nailing flange with caulk and/or metallic tape.
The only way you can be sure of air-sealing an older window or a replacement window is to remove the exterior wall covering.

Renewal By Andersen = Quality Installation!

Quality installation is a critical component of any successful window replacement project. Even the highest quality windows will underperform if installed incorrectly. That’s why at Renewal by Andersen, we include professional installation as a key part of our window replacement process, backed by our limited warranty.
To maximize performance and provide long-term energy efficiency, a replacement window must fit well in the opening. Renewal by Andersen® replacement windows are custom-built to precisely fit each window opening in your home.
Our made-to-order windows are then installed by professional Renewal by Andersen installers who are experts at window replacement. Since they’ve completed window replacement jobs in dozens of homes like yours, you can be confident that your window replacement project will deliver the beauty and performance you are seeking.
We are so confident in the quality of our installation process that installation is included under your window replacement project’s written limited warranty.

Palace Of Auburn Hills Home Show!

Snow...snow...snow...snow

In the midst of the weekend's insane snow storm, the Renewal By Andersen Event Team had a very succesful weekend at the Palace Of Auburn Hills Home Show. We met with tons of new customers and listened to past customers rave about their Renewal By Andersen windows! Thank you American Consumer Shows!


No amount of snow could stop the team from spreading the message of Energy Efficiency, Beauty, Performance, Value, Indoor Air Quality, Professional Installation, and details of the 2009 Tax Credit!
Homeowners were out in full force looking to update their homes with energy efficient and beautiful Renewal By Andersen windows!




At our Renewal By Andersen booth we were able to showcase our wide range of features and options, that can effortlessly match your current windows or completely change the look of a room! You can choose from:

• 22 interior/exterior color combinations - colors have been carefully selected to blend with popular color palettes and our stainable wood interiors include oak, maple and engineered pine--an especially nice feature when you want to maintain the integrity and beauty of vintage architecture.
• 11 available hardware finishes include fashionable options such as satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, bright brass and polished chrome. An easy way to add a distinctive touch to a room.
• A variety of grille patterns, including: colonial, prairie and farmhouse styles.
• A selection of insect screens, including our optional TruScene® insect screens that are nearly invisible, providing 50% more clarity than our regular insect screens, enhancing your view and letting in more light and air.
  

For those that may have missed us, catch us at one the upcoming events listed onto the right.

Recessionary gifts: utility gift card sales jump

The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — With luxury and electronic goods posting double-digit sales declines over the holiday season, shoppers still rung up warmth and good cheer in a spate of recession-inspired buying.
Utility companies saw a notable uptick in programs that allow gift-givers to pay the gas and electric bills of friends, relatives or families.
Consumers Energy, a gas and electric utility in Michigan, reported an estimated $265,000 in utility gift purchases by year's end, a 6 percent increase from 2007.


Renewal by Andersen® window replacement can save you up to 25% on your energy bills.*

In August 2008, the Energy Information Agency (EIA) predicted a dramatic 36% increase in home heating oil and a 23% increase in natural gas prices. Windows can play a large role in a home’s annual heating budget. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that windows can account for as much as 40% of your annual heating and cooling costs.
Our windows are 14% more energy efficient than the stringent ENERGY STAR® criteria in all areas of the country. In addition, our newest glass option, SmartSun™ glass, is our most energy efficient glass ever. SmartSun glass is 70% more efficient in summer and 45% more energy efficient in winter than ordinary dual pane glass.**