Tag:Tips
Butler Manufacturing Company SunLite Strip
We have always promoted Butler Manufacturing Company’s (BMC) MR-24 Roof System for new commercial buildings as well as large reroof projects. In Culver we have installed this roof on the Edgewater Grille (now Lakehouse Grille), the Culver Ambulance Garage and part of the Culver Street Department Facility. In Plymouth we have installed this on the Grace Baptist School, the Boys & Girls Club Gym, the Marshall County Highway Department Garage, Pioneer Auto as well as others. We’ve installed this roof throughout the region with excellent results. We’ve been pleased with the Pittsburgh double-lock standing seam that is used to make the panels weathertight. (See GIF at right) BMC now has a Sunlite Strip Daylighting System for use with MR-24 roofs. It can be retrofitted to existing roofs as well as included in new construction.
Daylighting has become one of the “Green” initiatives, allowing natural light to be brought into buildings. The new systems harvest natural light in a much more efficient manner than traditional skylights and the old translucent panels that were often installed on metal buildings. The raised profile is also safer, since it is visible when walking the roof on a day when the roof is snow covered, or the panels are otherwise obscured by roof debris.
BMC has also created a program called SunLite Calc which allows modeling of different levels of daylight. The program then generates simple payback calculations to determine if the system is right for your facility. Let us know if you are interested in discussing these options for your facility. With the Sunlite Calc we can help you determine if this is “Green that Saves Green“.
Stephen Hawking on Destiny
I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.
– Stephen Hawking
Energizing Indiana Seminar
I attended an Energizing Indiana Seminar on Tuesday in South Bend presented by the Indiana Energy Association. In our area, the partners that we work with are NIPSCO and AEP. (Marshall County REMC has programs as well, but opted out of IURC (Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission) due to what they felt were onerous reporting and oversight requirements and the associated costs.) There are quite a few incentive programs available to businesses and residential customers as well. Unlike some of the tax incentive programs such as EPAct, these programs provide checks directly from the Utility Companies which means municipalities and other tax exempt entities should be able to take advantage of them as well.
Many of these programs encourage renovations that will pay savings dividends on their own. (Green That Saves Green!) The incentives are there to give the extra kick to encourage implementing them now. I am planning on researching this further and I will include details here, but if you’re interested in pursuing this, please contact us and we can look into your specific situation now!
Chandel-Air
Would you like the air movement benefits of a ceiling fan, but you don’t like the look of paddle fans? An option would be a Chandel-Air from Meyda Custom Lighting. The Chandel-Air integrates lighting and ceiling fan technology in various new styles and configurations.
The Whispering Pines model to the right is just one of dozens available at their site, ranging in sizes from 36″ to 60″ in diameter. They can accommodate flat or vaulted ceilings and have both LED and incandescent lighitng options. They can also customize fixtures to meet the needs of specific applications.
Meyda makes a wide range of other products as well in unique forms. Check them out!
Time For Multifamily Housing?
Fairfield Garden Court, Plymouth, IN
Easterday Construction has been involved with multiple multi-family housing projects over the years. The Garden Court projects have figured prominently in our experience. Currently many of the economic indicators are reportedly pointing towards the need for more multi-family housing. Rental properties are projected to be in demand. A recent article here points to the Top Ten Reasons for owning multi-family housing. Check out the article and contact us if you’re interested in a foray into this type of investment.
