Glass Block Blogger

Considerations in Multifamily Construction
New York, New Jersey, Boston, Philadelphia

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the Multifamily Production Index (MPI) released in December of 2011 shows continued improvement for the apartment and condominium market.

The MPI, which tracks the sentiment of builders and developers about the conditions of the multifamily market on a scale of 0 to 100, increased from 44.4 in the second quarter to 47.3 in the third quarter—the highest reading since the fourth quarter of 2005.

This improvement of the multifamily construction market seems to be driven by the increased interest in rentals by families. This trend will probably continue until economic factors improve.

Since the multifamily market is on the rise, certain considerations should be made to accommodate current and future trends in the construction of these buildings. The renters that will be moving into these new buildings will often be new families that, in past years, would have purchased a single family home. These new families have modern expectations such as energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and personal security.

A building material that can assist in meeting the expectations of these families is Glass Block.

As a proven, natural material, glass block can add beauty and inspiration to a project while playing a significant role in sustainable design. Glass block, made largely from sand and limestone, is 100 percent recyclable, inert, low maintenance, and highly durable. Yet its dynamic relationship with light provides the opportunity to create both aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient spaces.

Pittsburgh Corning’s glass block can be part of an overall strategy to earn points in several categories in LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Let’s look at the advantages of a Pittsburgh Corning Mortared Glass Block Window  for example;

• Water Resistance: Acts as solid concrete block wall.
• Energy Efficiency: Comparable to a double pane window. Eliminates drafts.
• Window Treatment: No need. Privacy is controlled by pattern selection.
• Security: Resists breakage and entry. Reduces the risk of burglary.
• Maintenance: No maintenance.
• Cost: Very comparable to a single pane window or less expensive. Check with authorized PC distributor.

Contact us at Eastern Glass Block and will assist you with your design and installation. We have over 20 years of experience designing and installing Glass Block in residential and commercial projects. We love the opportunity to share our experience.