Recently we explored several window tinting options and this, in our option, is mind numbingly cool!

What would you say if we told you we could install a system that will allow you to control daylight and heat transmittance in your windows, skylights, and/or curtainwall using nanotechnology? Never again will you have to get out of bed or chair over privacy concerns or that forever irritating early morning light after a short night’s sleep … sounds cutting edge cool, right? We’ll that time is upon us.  The tintable glass can be “zoned” allowing direct sun above and zoned black below or almost anything in-between.

If building green is your goal, it's important to ensure that the products you use are environmentally-friendly. SageGlass® is GreenSpec®-listed, which means Building Green, Inc., has designated it an environmentally preferable building product, and lists it in the GreenSpec® directory. 

According to Building Green, Inc., SageGlass products qualify for green status because they reduce heating and cooling loads, and they improve light quality.

Find out more at http://www.sage-ec.com/pages/resconstr.html

Best, Team Congressional Design/Build

Having been extremely busy bringing one of our most spectacular homes to life over the past few weeks, we are back on-line and are going to BLOG your socks off with innovative products and technology we have been coming across recently, so click back often.

Today, above, is a sneak peek to internationally-recognized Architect, David Jameson’s latest work of art, “NcCI Residence” that we are currently building in downtown, Bethesda MD.  It’s a show stopper!

From an energy efficiency design program, DJ’s light drenched concept, cuts down on the consumption of electricity necessary for lighting and HVAC usage, coupled with our site built custom windows, utilizing the latest in window spacer technology with Solarban^® 70XL glass, by PPG Industries, Inc.; a revolutionary new Solar Control, Low-E glass, these windows surpass any other Solar Control glass on the market today.

On the roof, other innovative building materials were used, such as: Firestone’s “UltraWhite” roofing granules, a cool roofing solution that provides greater light reflectivity and heat emissivity, again, reducing energy consumption, electrical demand and labor costs. It is UL- and FM-code approved, meets requirements for California’s Title 24 regulations and can help achieve points in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, in which we are an active member. Its reflectivity is also consistent with Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) programs. More info on UltraWhite can be found at http://www.firestonebpco.com/roofing/accessories/ultrawhite/.

This ecohome approach was carried thru to the exterior cladding or skin of the house as well.  Our team used Sto Powerwall Stucco System, which is simply that, a system based approach, applied to a conventional building application. This systems compressive strength is nearly twice that of conventional stucco, by way of a more controlled mix, with added fibers. It’s also lighter per square foot, the benefit translation, this material does not absorb as much moisture and when used with its elastomeric coating; yeah I know, elastomeric, often used interchangeably with the term rubber, reduces the risk of cracking and eliminates pin holing.  To find out more on Sto’s product line, check them out at www.stocorp.com.

And if you think that’s cool, wait to see what was designed for the inside.

If you have any questions on the above mentioned materials or general construction related questions, e-mail us at info(at)cdbmd.com

Enjoy the weekend.

Best, Team Congressional Design/Build