zzrmark

Gotcha, not something I've come across here but I did do some van conversions for customers (in my capacity as a highly specialized boat builder ) back in the UK and used a, barely insulated, double sided reflective wrap for the same reasons you list.

Pulaski

I hear that it is commonly used in Texas, but given the very modest incremental cost, I mystified why it isn't universally used across most of the US. ... Other than that builders in the US won't spend $1 more than absolutely necessary and most have no interest in doing anything other than throwing up the cheapest possible houses as quickly as possible.

zzrmark

Yeah, it never ceases to surprise me that I'm, quite often, fitting single glazed windows in Satan's armpit.

Pulaski

I have heard people say, with a straight face and apparent sincerity, that double glazing is "great for keeping heat in during winter".

zzrmark

I'll wager that non of them lived in Florida.

vespucci

It is isn't it, what's wrong with that statement?

Pulaski

Nothing, except that it's only half the statement, actually only about 4/12ths in this part of NC, it needs an "and ...."

scrubbedexpat091

Cheapness of builders is pretty common in Canada too, unless your building a custom home every step of the way, you can bet the contractors will cut every corner they possibly can to save a buck.

You should see how poorly built some 1 million dollar condos are.

vespucci

I see.. leaving out the main benefit which is keeping out heat in a warm climate..

Steerpike

Which is why government regulations / standards (eg in the area of efficiency standards) are not necessarily such a bad thing .

Steerpike

Single pane windows are still allowed in Florida?!? I'm pretty sure dual-pane is required in CA. Surely this cannot be ...?

Pulaski

I am not going to argue with that - it's a pity that people are allowed to install such things as cheap asphalt shingles, and three layers deep, which are in reality unlikely to last even 10 years, and this is one of several reasons why I find the process of house buying in the US unfathomable - that after the inspection, it is, apparently, customary to present the seller with a list of things to fix in order for the buyer ton continue with the transaction, upto and including installing a new roof or replacing the heating and AC system! Are people too dumb to realise that the seller is going to get the cheapest possible roofing contractor and buy the cheapest heating/ AC system?

lansbury

Only Amazon don't have what I want in stock and it is special order.

scrubbedexpat099

I tend to get it from friends who are Contractors and have clients who want to save every dollar they can.

I have changed my mind quite a bit since moving here as to how I would build new if I ever did. Well I built an outbuildings with SIP's and insulated concrete slab.

You have to go with labour, materials and skills locally available. Location makes a big difference here, a southerly clear aspect with properly located overhangs.

I would go 2x6 walls 24 inch centers and 2 inches of foam on the outside. Whatever you can stuff in the roof space as that is cheap blown in and an insulated slab. Double glazing, mostly facing south.

We do not need aircon, wood as the main heat source, loads of that. No geothermal near me but if you have access that would be worth looking at. PV if you are off grid or the subsidies make it worthwhile.

I can well see that this would not be appropriate elsewhere.

zzrmark

Sorry, I should have been more specific, much of the work I do is on trailers which come under transport codes not building codes (where replacement is concerned, add ons have to meet building codes!!!). Glazing on 'proper' homes is more complicated dependent upon your distance from the coast - 'cos hurricanes.