Wednesday, April 2, 2008
I recently have been wondering what people thought about open or closed balconies. Which was more desired over the other. Then again I think why can't we have a closed balcony with sliding windows above the railings to portrait a opened balcony. If anyone is looking at my site, I want you to give me your opinion on what you would prefer and why?
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Planning Outline
Project:
Ways to minimize thermal bridging in balconies of high rise buildings. To recognize the pro’s and con’s for the different types of methods used in construction. And be able to understand why some are chosen over others.
Methods:
1. Research the different types of methods to eliminate thermal bridging. The Halfen HIT system, BX system, BQ system, and ISOTEC.
2. Analyze the different systems used. How they are built? What materials are used in the construction?
3. Compare each type of method their similarities and methods. Which is more beneficial?
4. Which type is more commonly used in construction?
5. Understand how thermal bridging occurs in balconies of high rise buildings.
Special Problems:
1. How do these methods compare to earlier attempts at eliminating thermal bridging?
2. Is there a way to completely eliminate it or just slow the process down?
3. How do the curtains walls conflict with thermal bridging across concrete balconies?
4. What are the costs, which is more expensive, and which is least expensive? If the quality is better should cost matter?
Also:
1. Which method is best for commercial use?
2. Determining what method is able to eliminate the thermal bridging entirely?
3. Which is more environmentally friendly? Or are they all the same?
Ways to minimize thermal bridging in balconies of high rise buildings. To recognize the pro’s and con’s for the different types of methods used in construction. And be able to understand why some are chosen over others.
Methods:
1. Research the different types of methods to eliminate thermal bridging. The Halfen HIT system, BX system, BQ system, and ISOTEC.
2. Analyze the different systems used. How they are built? What materials are used in the construction?
3. Compare each type of method their similarities and methods. Which is more beneficial?
4. Which type is more commonly used in construction?
5. Understand how thermal bridging occurs in balconies of high rise buildings.
Special Problems:
1. How do these methods compare to earlier attempts at eliminating thermal bridging?
2. Is there a way to completely eliminate it or just slow the process down?
3. How do the curtains walls conflict with thermal bridging across concrete balconies?
4. What are the costs, which is more expensive, and which is least expensive? If the quality is better should cost matter?
Also:
1. Which method is best for commercial use?
2. Determining what method is able to eliminate the thermal bridging entirely?
3. Which is more environmentally friendly? Or are they all the same?
Concrete Slab
Revised Outline
Project:
What methods can be applied to highrise buildings in kamloops to minimize thermal bridging across balconies. Analyze the different methods and compare them.
Methods:
1. Research the different types of methods used to minimize thermal bridging. Halfen HIT system, ISOTECH.
2. Difference in open and closed balconies. How steel or concrete balconies deal with thermal bridging.
3.What method is more beneficial? And how can it be applied to a climate type like Kamloops?
4. Is one method more superior than the other? If so, what is the difference and why is it better?
5. Understand what thermal bridging is and why it occurs.
Speacial Problems:
1. How do these methods compare to past attempts at eliminating thermal bridging? Is there even a difference.
2. Is there a way to completely eliminate it or just slow the process down?
3. How do the curtains walls conflict with thermal bridging across concrete balconies?
4. What are the costs, which is more expensive, and which is least expensive? If the quality is better should cost matter?
Also:
1. How does the building envelope relate to thermal bridging across balconies?
2. Determining what method is able to eliminate the thermal bridging entirely?
3. Which is more environmentally friendly? Or are they all the same?
4. Can HVAC systems help to eliminate thermal bridging? Heating and cooling of HVAC systems may help the cause.
What methods can be applied to highrise buildings in kamloops to minimize thermal bridging across balconies. Analyze the different methods and compare them.
Methods:
1. Research the different types of methods used to minimize thermal bridging. Halfen HIT system, ISOTECH.
2. Difference in open and closed balconies. How steel or concrete balconies deal with thermal bridging.
3.What method is more beneficial? And how can it be applied to a climate type like Kamloops?
4. Is one method more superior than the other? If so, what is the difference and why is it better?
5. Understand what thermal bridging is and why it occurs.
Speacial Problems:
1. How do these methods compare to past attempts at eliminating thermal bridging? Is there even a difference.
2. Is there a way to completely eliminate it or just slow the process down?
3. How do the curtains walls conflict with thermal bridging across concrete balconies?
4. What are the costs, which is more expensive, and which is least expensive? If the quality is better should cost matter?
Also:
1. How does the building envelope relate to thermal bridging across balconies?
2. Determining what method is able to eliminate the thermal bridging entirely?
3. Which is more environmentally friendly? Or are they all the same?
4. Can HVAC systems help to eliminate thermal bridging? Heating and cooling of HVAC systems may help the cause.
Abstract
To minimize thermal bridging across high rise balconies there are some different methods hat can be applied to the construction process. First of all balconies can be either be constructed of individual steel sections or concrete. Some developers prefer to use concrete because of its durability and life span, but have an insurmountable thermal bridge issue. Steel sections conduct heat much more readily than concrete and steel sections bolted back to the building create less of continuous thermal bridge.
Thermal bridging can be minimized by the type of material used. For example, concrete slabs versus steel sections bolted back. Both have their pro’s and con's and are used in different scenarios. A company called Halfen has designed a balcony or system for a balcony to minimize the thermal bridge. It's called the HIT System and is used on pre-cast balconies. Halfen also makes another system called BX. The difference in these two methods is how the HIT link and the HIT shear reinforcement are connected inside the pre-cast.
Special conditions involving concrete balconies are condensation and drainage. If the insulation layer is bridged by the concrete balcony the likely result is condensation and mould on the underside of the concrete slab. Concrete balconies usually have a waterproof membrane and a direct drain outlet. Smaller balconies are drained by discharge going over the front edge. Steel and timber balconies often have a permeable deck. The deck can be timber decking or steel mesh, which allows water to drip down onto the balconies directly below. This type of ‘open’ deck is unsatisfactory for balconies on lower floors.
The cost of these balconies depends on the amount of material needed. Concrete is 3 - 4$ per cubic yard, and depending on the height of the building it could go up from there. You can order the HIT and BX type systems from Halfen USA for 100$ per linear foot.
Minimization of thermal bridging is possible, its how we effectively use the methods and materials readily availible to accomplish this goal. Thermal bridges in balconies of high rise buildings will be minimal or completely gone.
Thermal bridging can be minimized by the type of material used. For example, concrete slabs versus steel sections bolted back. Both have their pro’s and con's and are used in different scenarios. A company called Halfen has designed a balcony or system for a balcony to minimize the thermal bridge. It's called the HIT System and is used on pre-cast balconies. Halfen also makes another system called BX. The difference in these two methods is how the HIT link and the HIT shear reinforcement are connected inside the pre-cast.
Special conditions involving concrete balconies are condensation and drainage. If the insulation layer is bridged by the concrete balcony the likely result is condensation and mould on the underside of the concrete slab. Concrete balconies usually have a waterproof membrane and a direct drain outlet. Smaller balconies are drained by discharge going over the front edge. Steel and timber balconies often have a permeable deck. The deck can be timber decking or steel mesh, which allows water to drip down onto the balconies directly below. This type of ‘open’ deck is unsatisfactory for balconies on lower floors.
The cost of these balconies depends on the amount of material needed. Concrete is 3 - 4$ per cubic yard, and depending on the height of the building it could go up from there. You can order the HIT and BX type systems from Halfen USA for 100$ per linear foot.
Minimization of thermal bridging is possible, its how we effectively use the methods and materials readily availible to accomplish this goal. Thermal bridges in balconies of high rise buildings will be minimal or completely gone.
13 comments:
I think that since you're looking at what is best in Kamloops it might be best to do some sort of combination balcony. While I prefer open balconies in general, in Kamloops you couldn't really use that half of the year. We have such a wide flux in temperature from winter to summer, that you would get much more use out of a balcony which could be sealed up.
If you were looking at a place where the temperature wasn't so dramatic, I'd definitely go with open.
thanks morgan for taking interest in my poll. I think that closed balconies would we best in the winter as well but then heating the balcony comes in to play if some one wanted to go out there. And in the summer it could get to hot in the space, so airconditionaing would be needed. but I also think that a open balconie in kamloops could only be used in for 4 or 5 months of the year (acutally spending time on it for a hour or so). It would be to cold to go outside in the winter. open balconies might appeal to ones taste more possibly if viewing it from a distance.
I have a friend in Victoria who has an apartment with both an open balcony and a balcony closed-in with glass. She mainly uses the closed-in balcony. In the winter, when it's sunny, it warms up and is a nice sunroom. In the summer most of the windows open up and air can flow nearly as freely as an open air balcony. The main benefit is that if it starts to rain a little, you can close a few windows and not get rained on, unlike the open balcony which will get drenched. I think the closed-in balcony can be more practical in an apartment setting, but I still prefer the open balcony on a warm sunny day. Having both is definitely nice though.
yah i breifly talked to dale about that type of balcony kevin, it would seem to be a more desired option i think to.
but dale said "the key to a good enclosed balcony is being able to open it up when you want to. This is tricky to detail, which is why most designers hate enclosed balconies."
maybe we could jsut pay the designers a little more haha
I would prefer an open balcony. A balcony is suppose to give a person a feeling of being outside without having to travel anywhere. A bunch of windows can make a person feel closed in. Not to mention that heating and cooling a balcony with that many windows would be expensive. Removable windows would be a great idea for winter if you dont mind paying more, but everyone loves a nice open balcony.
Call me Crazy but im a huge fan of open balconys. Nothing better than good ol' fashion fresh air.
Jeremy, I think your idea of a closed balcony with sliding windows would be very benefical in Kamloops due to the extreme weather changes. Personally I like open balconies as a security issue. They allow you to actually see what is happening outside, whereas a closed balcony can impair your view in most cases.
Lots of great opinions on this post! You have covered most of the bases. The client for the project that I am working on thinks that enclosed balconies (with opening windows) could be used more often in the Kamloops climate. They act as extra insulation in the winter and when opened up can provide sun shading in the summer. Some in Vancouver even include a small baseboard heater so that you can use them in the winter. One drawback is that you would not be able to barbecue in an enclosed balcony. We are proposing an outdoor amenity space with a barbecue that everyone can use. I personally like enclosed balconies because of the clean look that it gives to the tower.
one more thing I forgot to mention:
The closed in balcony at my friend's place has sliding doors just like any other balcony so you don't have to heat it if you don't want to.
And yes, designers should get paid more money. haha
Thanks everyone who has so far commented on my blog. I think getting feed back from my peers has helped me to explore this issue.
I think Jeremy is being facetious.
I have contacted some people at IBI/HB and hopefully you will get some comments from them.
Dale I hope that by your comment you meant I am being amusing and orgirnal for my poll..and not that I shouldnt be taken serisouly. Or that you think Im lacking serious intent
jeremy, you might want to fix some spelling errors on this post, i think you were trying to say "portray" instead of portrait. As for your topic I enjoy open balconies but i lived in a house on Greenstone Dr. that had a solarium(balcony with sliding glass doors all the way around it) which was nice in the winter, as we could heat it with space heaters and play pool out there. In the summer we just opened the sliding glass windows and let the breeze in. Also look into verandas(decks that are enclosed with wire mesh to keep insects and other things out but let light and air in.
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