Energy audits are carried out by energy consultants, they allow for a buildings energy efficiency to be calculated using specialist equipment through a series of tests. These tests will show what upgrades can be made to the building to increase its overall energy efficiency.

The upgrades can be small changes to existing equipment, or they could be larger structural changes. As well as saving energy, once they are completed the upgrades make the building more comfortable to use and save money on its energy bills.

A common test carried out in an energy audit is the blower door test. This measures the air infiltration rate of a building, using the pressure of the room and a flow gauge to show the difference between the inside and outside airflow.

Audit tests can take roughly two to three hours to carry out, and cost between $250 and $650. If an energy audit is set up through a utility company you may be eligible for a rebate.

 

When working on the roof of a heritage building it’s important to consider the type of roof that’s currently used in its construction, as well as any other original parts it may have. Determining what the significant original roof is, or was, helps to understand later non-original changes and additions.

For heritage buildings the goal is to maintain the historical integrity of the building wherever possible. This means using construction methods that help create the original designs, and using materials that replicate the original construction. For example, many heritage buildings are clad in galvanised corrugating roofing which originally came in 6ft lengths. These materials can be modernised, restored and painted to lengthen their life, whilst still using the original design. Maintaining historical accuracy.

Other important considerations to make might be the types of guttering that was used, or if it is available, restoring the original to a usable state.

 

 

One of the most basic jobs on a construction site is cutting wood. It’s a common task that’s often carried out with little thought, but it’s also one of the most advanced construction techniques used by builders.

Cutting a piece of wood requires skill. Cutting a piece of wood well, and with consistency requires understanding and mastery of the tools used and the material being cut. Even with the advanced power tools that are used today, traditional skills and knowledge still come into play.

You could have the most advanced tools available, but there will still be a margin for error and a possibility to improve the cut. It could be in the finish, or the speed of cutting multiple items. Cutting a piece of wood is a fundamental skill and a foundation of building that can show understanding of construction processes used since their conception.

Decorative coloured and stained glass panels are often used on building projects as a way to add an ornate feature into a window fitting. They are delicate and require a little more care to install than standard double glazing style windows, but this can be done relatively easily with the right tools and planning.

Installing The Panels

When installing coloured and stained glass window panels into an aluminium or wooden frame, it’s recommended that glazing foam strips are used. These are often preferred over standard putty or silicone.

Installing panels into UPVC frames is easier as the rubber gaskets in place fit neatly around the panels, so don’t require any further fitting components. When installing any glass panels, spacers should be placed under the bottom of the glass. This raises it up from the base of the frame and helps to avoid moisture building up inside.

Structural glass is often used on buildings that utilise windows as a major feature. This can include glass boxes and glass extensions. It is a way of using glass whilst maintaining the structural integrity of the building.

Structural glass works using stainless steel fittings to connect glass panels to the main building. The fittings can either be attached to the inner sheet of the double glazed unit, or sealed with a high quality silicone sealant for a bonded glass link. This allows the glass to be supported without any additional framing whilst maintaining a strong joint, making the glass structure much more visually appealing.

Using structural glass is also an effective way of maintaining the temperature inside the building. Glass allows heat from the sun into the building, keeping it warm in the same way as a greenhouse, maintaining a comfortable temperature whatever the weather outside.