By Steven Kraus
Nov. 3, 2011
We often think of building projects as new construction. However, the reality is that in any given year, owners typically undertake more building renovation and rehabilitation projects than new construction projects. Moreover, the vast majority of renovation and rehabilitation projects are not full-scale renovations, but are instead smaller projects – such as window retrofits – intended to improve appearance, functionality and energy efficiency of older buildings.
According to the US Department of Energy, up to 35 percent of energy used in buildings is wasted due to inefficient windows, which adds up to 10 percent of national carbon emissions annually. Windows conserve energy in two ways: first, they block the transfer of heat. They keep warm air inside in the winter and keep warm air outside in the summer. Second, they reduce solar radiation caused when the window heats up. Older, worn-out or improperly installed windows are often leaky, resulting in significant energy loss and high energy bills.
In a window retrofit, the old frame is left in place, making installation easier, faster and less expensive than a new construction window. Retrofitting is a good option for owners of older buildings who wish to preserve historic architectural features. In fact, the New York Stock Exchange, a 104-year-old building and designated National Historic Landmark, recently partnered with Skyline Windows on the installation of an extensive window retrofit project aimed at increasing thermal performance by up to 60 percent while preserving the iconic features that make the building so renowned.
Other building owners are following suit. According to the National Association of Realtors’ July 2011 Commercial Real Estate Market Survey, economic uncertainty is impeding new development, leading many owners to opt for incremental improvements, such as window retrofits, that modernize, improve energy efficiency and provide increased value for tenants. Green retrofits are projected to represent 20-30 percent of all green building activity in just five years, according to the Green Building Retrofit & Renovation SmartMarket report from McGraw-Hill Construction.