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.

HouseHampton 21 Houses for the 21 Century Michael McCann architect Westchester

The newly published book HouseHampton, 21 Houses for the 21st Century, is now for sale in the gift book section of Womrath's Bookstore in Bronxville NY on Pondfield Ave.

The book features local architect Michael McCann who designed a 8,000 sq ft home in Quogue NY for a New Canaan family. The book features only 21 houses and all the photos were taken by Ron Papageorge of The Hamptons. The dutch colonial designed by Michael on Shinnicock Bay is shown on 8 pages of HouseHampton.

Michael McCann architect Westchester Newly Designed Home Mamaroneck on Market

A house Michael McCann designed that is under construction has recently come to the market. The home is at 1010 Cove Road, Mamaroneck, NY in the Orienta Point estates area. The listing says:




Experience the quiet serenity of Cove Road in this gorgeous family home situated on half an acre of private property in the heart of prestigious Orienta Point.Spectacular New Nantucket Colonial is sunfilled & features elegance & refined architectual details thru-out with 5 bedrm, 4.5 baths, hard wood floors, large gourmet EIK flows to wonderful family rm/Fpl. Perfect for entertaining and every ammenity for todays lifestyle.This gem is just minutes from shops,schools and a short commute to NYC.

Pictures can be seen on Weikert real estate site and the Houlihan Lawrence site. Price of the house is $2,295,000.

Architect Westchester Michael McCann Westchester Home Magazine

Westchester Home Magazine has an article in their Fall issue "10 Most Beautiful Houses in Westchester". Michael McCann's design and construction of a home in Pocantico Hills, NY was selected to me in the article.

Michael McCann, an architect practicing in Westchester, Fairfield and the Hamptons, designed a large addition on an existing house. The home had a Cotswold feel to it and Michael's addition fit seamlessly into the original house, so that it is almost impossible to tell where the old house ended and the new addition began.

Note: The actual print magazine for Westchester Home included a mistake as to the house Michael designed. It has his name next to an Adirondack style house, not the Cotswold style house in Pocantico Hills. The magazine has corrected the on line website for Westchester Home. The link for the Westchester Home Magazine issue is:
http://www.westchestermagazine.com/Westchester-Magazine/Westchester-Home/Fall-2010/The-10-Most-Beautiful-Homes-in-Westchester/index.

Architect Westchester Michael McCann - Certified Aging in Place Specialist

With many people wanting to remain in their homes as they age instead of moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home, there is a demand for professionals knowledgeable as an Certified Aging in Place Specialist. What is aging in place? It means being able to remain and live in your home independently, comfortably and safely. If changes are made to the home, it might extend for years the ability of the homeowner to remain in their familiar surroundings.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, "Making changes to a home so you or your loved one can live in it longer is a growing trend among Baby Boomers and their parents. Modifications can range from simple to incredibly expensive...A CAPS certified specialist can do a home assessment for you and assist you in determining your needs."

Some age in place remodeling projects can include installing grab bars in the bathroom, securing floor coverings, changing door handles, installing walk-in showers or tubs and seats, rearranging appliances for easy accessibility, replacing light wall switches, increasing doorway openings, designing ramps for entrance into the home and other projects to make the home more user friendly for the older or disabled occupant.

Michael McCann is now a Certified Aging in Place specialist and as an architect and builder make the changes necessary to keep owners in their homes longer.

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