Category Archives for Safety

Or two, you’ve thought. Did you understand one of the greatest mistakes property owners make when developing a brand-new home is not analyzing lighting?

When developing a new house lighting fixture and outlets should abound, however so must windows ought to exist in every space and as large as possible. And natural light needs to be the primary source of light. That’s why it’s so important to hang out researching the windows you desire for your brand-new home.

We understand researching new windows and browsing unknown window terminology can be difficult, so we’ve broken down the window purchasing processes into a couple of easy steps. Let’s go through each of these actions, so you can make a notified choice about the windows on your brand-new house.

Step 1: Do you desire a new building or replacement windows?

If you’re building a brand-new home you’ll most likely want new construction windows The main factor you need to consider new construction windows is because they’re installed in a different way from replacement windows

New building and construction windows are designed to be installed on a new home or an addition to a home. Unlike replacement windows, they come a with a tail fin so that the window can be nailed directly into the frame.

Replacement windows, also called retrofit windows, are developed for existing homes. These windows permit your installer to install your windows without eliminating any siding or other structure materials from your home. Since this process is less intrusive, retrofit windows can be installed from the inside of your home without removing any trim.

Step 2: Which window product is best for new construction?

Brand-new construction windows, like replacement windows, can be made from a variety of materials. Here are advantages and disadvantages of 3 of the most popular window materials, wood, vinyl, and aluminum.

Wood windows.

Wood is the most conventional window material. Nevertheless, wood windows tend to cost more than other window types.

Vinyl windows.

Vinyl windows carry out similarly to wood windows when comparing energy effectiveness, however are significantly less costly and need less maintenance. This makes vinyl windows the best option to wood windows.

Aluminum windows.

Aluminum windows are the least pricey and are low-maintenance, however they likewise provide the least energy effectiveness of any window product offered.

Action 3: Determine the very best window styles for each room of your home.

There are a number of different window styles to pick from for your brand-new home. Below are the most popular window designs and the finest spaces for each style.

Single Hung & Double Hung Windows

Hung windows slide up and down to open and close. Double hung windows have 2 operable sash (the part that moves and holds the glass in location). This suggests, unlike single hung windows, double hung windows can be opened from the leading and the bottom. This style makes opening and cleaning these windows a breeze.

These windows are the most typical window style and work well in any location of your home.

Sash Windows

Casement windows, unlike the more traditional double hung or single hung windows, are hinged at the side. This indicates rather of lifting or pulling your window open, you can simply utilize the crank at the bottom to quickly ‘crank’ open the window. Casement windows are a terrific alternative for hard to reach areas in your house, like above your kitchen area sink.

Awning Windows

Awning windows are hinged on top and open outside. The crank handle on awning windows makes them incredibly easy to run and ideal for tough to reach places where you still desire ventilation. The hinge at the top makes the awning window the only window design that can be opened when it’s drizzling. This makes awning windows ideal for those regular and fast Florida rains due to the fact that you can leave your windows open all day without concern of rain entering into your house.

Slider Windows

A slider window is typically referred to as a double hung window positioned on its side. They move to open from either the left or the right side and are ideal for rooms where you want a wide view.

Bay & Bow Windows

A bay or bow window creates dimension. These windows project outward, producing a stunning visual screen and include curb appeal to your home. A bay window can likewise include seating or storage inside your home.

Picture windows and geometric windows are fixed in the window frame, which implies they don’t move. Since they don’t move or let any air flow into your house, they are the most energy effective window styles. These windows can be found in any practically any size, shape, or combination you can picture and are ideal for rooms where you do not need air flow, however desire an extensive view.

Garden Windows

Garden windows appear like mini bay windows that jut out from your home. They are generally found in cooking areas above the sink because they provide great deals of natural light and add more area.

Step 4: Choose energy effective glass choices.

The most crucial aspect of a brand-new window is the glass bundle. Various glass choices, such as gas fill, the variety of glass panes, and Low-E, can all impact your window’s energy effectiveness.

What is a gas fill?

Either Argon or Krypton gas can be put in between the glass panes of your windows to offer higher insulation than simply air.

What is Low-E?

Low-E is a movie that is placed on the within your window panes. It assists reflect infrared light to keep keeping heat inside in the winter and exterior in the summertime. It can also assist keep your carpets and furnishings from fading.

Double pane or triple pane?

Is double pane or triple pane glass better? Triple pane windows are more energy effective and are more resistant to condensation. This makes triple pane windows ideal in cooler climates where homes tend to keep greater levels of moisture in the winter season months. Nevertheless, they are more pricey than double pane windows, so in warmer environments, their advantages do not constantly exceed their cost.

ENERGY STAR Certified Windows.

If you’re looking for the most energy effective windows for your area think about ENERGY STAR licensed windows. ENERGY STAR is a government supported program that uses particular requirements to define what makes an energy effective window. The standards are identified by measuring four various parts of the window: the glass, the gas, the spacer, and the reinforcement. The mix of these aspects comprise the ENERGY STAR performance level.

Step 5: Consider custom design options for new construction windows.

Depending on the style of your brand-new house you might want custom alternatives for your windows. For example, if you desire a bold pop of color on the outside of your home, you can select from a variety of different colors, such as chocolate, pine, or tan. Or, if grids are more your style, you may wish to think about a border grid pattern. There are a variety of ways you can personalize windows to fit your individual style.

Action 6: Send your window alternatives to your contractor.

Now that you’ve found out whatever you require to know about new construction windows, what’s the next action? Start designing your windows with Simonton’s “My House” tool. “My House” permits you to arrange the number of windows and window styles you desire by room. And after you’re done choosing the windows you desire you can easily send your choices to your contractor, so they will know exactly

What you need to do

A tower scaffold is one way to prevent a fall when working at height. The type of tower selected must be suitable for the work and erected and dismantled by people who have been trained and are competent to do so.

Those using tower scaffolds should also be trained in the potential dangers and precautions required during use.

Tower scaffold provision and use must be properly managed and include rigorous scaffold inspection arrangements.

What you need to know

Many people are injured each year when they fall from towers or when the tower overturns.

Towers should be erected by trained and competent people. There are a number of organizations that provide training for the safe erection and use of tower scaffolds.

The incidents that occur are mainly caused by:

• Dangerous methods of erection or dismantling – where a safe system is not being followed;
• Defects in the erected scaffold – where the tower structure is incorrectly assembled or where a platform guardrail is missing;
• Misuse of the scaffold – where a ladder is used on a tower causing it to overturn or when a person falls while the tower is being moved.

Erection and dismantling

The manufacturer, supplier or hirer has a duty to provide an instruction manual explaining the erection sequence, including any bracing requirements.

Towers should be erected following a safe method of work, either using:

• Advance guard rail system – where temporary guard rail units are locked in place from the level below and moved up to the platform level. They are in place before the operator accesses the platform to fit the permanent guard rails.
• ‘Through-the-trap’ (3T) – involves the operator taking up a working position in the trap door of the platform, from where they can add or remove the components which act as the guard rails on the level above the platform. It is designed to ensure that the operator does not stand on an unguarded platform.

Stability

To maintain tower stability you must make sure:

• the tower is resting on firm, level ground with the locked castors or base plates properly supported. Never use bricks or building blocks to take the weight of any part of the tower;
• stabilizers or outriggers are installed when required by the instruction manual; and
• that a tower is never erected to a height above that recommended by the manufacturer.

Precautions and inspection

Tower scaffolds must comply with the standard of required for all types of scaffolds, e.g. double guardrails, toeboards, bracing and access ladder.

When the tower is purchased or hired it should arrive with all the necessary components to prevent falls and ensure stability.

Towers rely on all parts being in place to ensure adequate strength. They can collapse if sections are left out.

All towers must be inspected following assembly and then at suitable regular intervals by a competent person. In addition, if the tower is used for construction work and a person could fall 2 metres or more from the working platform, then it must be inspected following assembly and then every 7 days. Stop work if the inspection shows it is not safe to continue, and put right any faults.

The result of an inspection should be recorded and kept until the next inspection is recorded.

Using and moving

Make sure everyone involved is aware of, and follows, these simple rules:

Using

Never use a tower:

• in strong winds;
• as a support for ladders, trestles or other access equipment;
• with broken or missing parts; or
• with incompatible components.

Moving

When moving a tower you should always:

• reduce the height to a maximum of 4m;
• check that there are no power lines or other obstructions overhead;
• check that the ground is firm, level and free from potholes; and
• push or pull using manual effort from the base only.

Never move a tower while people or materials are on the tower, or in windy conditions.