SaugeenJunction
Senior Member
Today:
I think the balcony treatment/implementation will make or kill the look of these buildings.love the design, would have appreciated if they had used less spandrel.
Using spandrel and drywall/insulation is likely much better for energy efficiency compared to using glass panels all around. Think about how much light and heat a window can bring into a room during a warm day, even if you don't directly face the sun. Creating units that have entire exterior glass window walls and multiplying that for hundreds of units in a single building, you'll have massive use in AC in the summer and heat in the winter. I know that modern glass panels have gotten more efficient in regard to winter heat loss and summer heat gain, but an opaque wall with insulation will always perform better than glass and hold up for longer.Apparently its illegal to build a condo in Ontario without using spandrel.
or is it that the developers are too cheap?
I don't think the question for most readers is glass spandrel vs. more window, I think the questions is glass spandrel vs. more traditional materials for exterior walls, like brick, etc., that have texture and a solid appearance.Using spandrel and drywall/insulation is likely much better for energy efficiency compared to using glass panels all around. Think about how much light and heat a window can bring into a room during a warm day, even if you don't directly face the sun. Creating units that have entire exterior glass window walls and multiplying that for hundreds of units in a single building, you'll have massive use in AC in the summer and heat in the winter. I know that modern glass panels have gotten more efficient in regard to winter heat loss and summer heat gain, but an opaque wall with insulation will always perform better than glass and hold up for longer.
If Ontario had a milder climate, we'd probably see greater use of pure glass panels since there would be less demand for AC in the summer and heat in the winter.
Mississauga is starting to get quite the skyline. When you view the north shore from the escarpment in Hamilton you really notice the difference in the last 10 to 15 years, before it was sort of flat until Toronto.
...or using any bargain basement kinds versus using kinds that look less bargain basement.or any other spandrel color than Grey/white.