Architect Westchester Michael McCann - AIA continuing ed credits

Attended Continuing education seminar for AIA CEU credits - hosted by Authentic Window Design and Marvin Windows. Seminar focused on window design and characteristics and how windows perform with wind, rain, air and operating force. The seminar also covered performance testing, including hurricanes and impact professional standards.
The Standards covered included material testing for temperature, UV , humidity and resistance for corrosion, especially in coastal areas like Westchester and the Hamptons where salt is an issue. Paint fading and durability were also discussed.

The presenter mentioned that any window product receiving the Hallmark Certification is an indication of the highest level of underwriters' approval. It signifies that the product has undergone an in plant third party inspection under a quality control audit. Areas of certification include for example, skylights, Florida special needs and mold. Hallmark Certification provides additional assurance of predictable performance.

Another part of the s

eminar included architectural materials standards. The presenter from Marvin Windows mentioned that some municipalities were instituting inspections for windows and doors to see that they were installed per manufacturers specifications and if they were not installed correctly, a certification of occupancy would not be issued. Building inspectors and towns are trying to prevent problems associated with improper window and door installation, such as windows/doors out of square, water leakage leading to mold problems and lack of good insulation. Therefore, the Marvin Window presenter believes that Window Installation codes are coming, making builders install windows and doors properly according to the manufacturers installation instructions. Bad installations he said can lead to mold and moisture problems.

For vinyl windows the Marvin Window presenter discussed Sill Pan flashings which direct incidental water and moisture away from the interior plane of the window so that the water drains to the exterior of the building and down to the ground. He also covered weather resistant barriers, shims and sealants. As to sealants, compatibility of adjoining materials determines what type of sealant to use, taking into account adherence and rate of expansion and contraction of materials. A good sealant will allow for at least 25 to 50 % expansion and contraction.

Architect Westchester - Fine by towns re:legalizing open building permits or obtaining Certificate of Occupancies

The fees vary greatly from town to town in Westchester when a homeowner is required to legalize an improvement that was never filed with his local building department. For example, New Rochelle charges $2000 for unfiled building permits regardless of whether or not the homeowner did the work or purchased the home with the improvement already there. Eastchester also has very stiff fees in excess of $2000. Other towns though are just happy to have the homeowner correct the situation and will charge only the regular building department fee or something like it - sometimes 2 or 3 times the fee, but only a few hundred dollars. Without having the certificate of occupancy on the improvement, the owner will have a difficult time selling the home as the title company will not want to give the prospective buyer clear title with an open CO. The real estate agent often finds out about the open CO when trying to list the house and the property card at city hall does not match what is present on the property.

Michael McCann, an architect in Westchester has spoken to over 40 real estate offices educating the staff as to the procedures regarding open CO's or unfiled building permits.

Mamaroneck House for Sale Orienta Mamaroneck, NY, 1010 Cove Road Mamaroneck, NY, architect Westchester

The house I designed at 1010 Cove Rd, Mamaroneck, NY in the Orienta section of Mamaroneck is nearing completion. Go on line and see the listing.