Do You Have Beautiful Historic Older Windows? Protect them and Save Energy With Interior Window Inserts!
These photos of old windows are simply a small collection of historic charm and in most cases energy challenges. Window Efficiency Works believes that you should “Enjoy your older windows!” Enjoy this gallery then start thinking about how you can save energy and add comfort to homes and buildings.
- Keep the cold air outside of that oldfarmhouse window you’ve enjoyed since you were a kid.
- Imagine the savings of a large historic building!
- Save air conditioning dollars and keep the oppressive Charleston summer heat out!
- So……that art studio on the top floor CAN be more efficient?
- Don’t hesitate to keep that hand crafted window! You can maintain a clear view through it as well as add comfort.
- Maintain your historic windows- save energy, add comfort, and protect them from condensation as well!
Look for a new photo gallery of images taken around Asheville. It will be a pleasant walk indeed.
For more information about what an interior window insert can do for you read our previous post
Call The ARCH for free consultation and information: 828 253 5455
Interior Window Inserts Provide Great Benefits For Inefficient Windows!
Whether you’re reading a book or dining with friends, sitting next to a drafty window is simply uncomfortable as well as being costly.
There are many ways that we can make our homes and businesses more energy efficient as well as comfortable.
- Acupuncture Clinic in Historic Montford Asheville. Window insert adds comfort in treatment rooms.
If you have inefficient windows one place to start is to install Window Efficiency Works interior window inserts. They are visually hardly noticeable, yet they will provide significant energy savings.
If you install these inserts you will immediately feel the added comfort during the coldest winter days, windy days, or during the hot summer days when you’re running an air conditioner.They also reduce outside noise by approximately 60%.
Get started!
Though your home improvement list may be a long one, it’ll pay off not only in comfort and energy savings but in dollars and cents! Whether you begin with a dining area or a covered porch, you will experience that cozy comfort which will feel like you’ve added square footage to your living space that might have otherwise been avoided!
Have you lived in or visited a home that you chose one room to relax in over another simply because one of them is delivering an Arctic blast or the traffic noise outside is annoying? Interior window inserts will remedy these concerns.
Window inserts add to dining comfort at the Corner Kitchen
Customers that have had the inserts installed continue to share positive experiences with us. Window Efficiency Works offers a variety of interior window inserts that you can see are simple to handle and the benefits are many.
Window inserts are easy to place into frame as they are magnetic.
Available through The ARCH, we can help you customize the inserts that work best for you. Whether you want to preserve the original appearance of the windows in a historic home or you simply want to keep the windows you have, these inserts are placed on the interior of your windows and they are discreet in design. 
The window inserts attach to a magnetic frame (which stops the drafts) within your window frame, they are lightweight, the acrylic glazing provides 2.5 times the insulation of most glass, and they perform beautifully. Shown here are several Asheville area installations that demonstrate the process, design simplicity and noted feedback that we are getting.
One homeowner’s response: The rooms are definitely holding heat better and feel way less drafty. One surprise that I hadn’t expected is that the inserts have also decreased the noise from the street, which is really nice. It will be a little tricky working with controlling the temperature in the rooms in the spring as we have extreme changes in high and low temperatures, but the ease of taking the inserts on and off should help with that. I assume that we will want to keep them in through the Summer too because they will help keep the cool air in too. I’m interested to see how it effects the utility bills in the long run. I suspect it will have a dramatic effect.
The insert is installed on the left section and not on the right. Notice the condensation problems on the right side!
Call us today for free estimates and consultation. Visit us at our new location to see a showroom model and discuss your project. The ARCH has recently moved to: The Riverside Business Park, Unit 10, Asheville, NC. http://www.thearchnc.com 828 253 5455 Email: cmsilver@thearchnc.com Hours: T-F 9:30-5:30, Sat 10-3
Calling All Superheroes! Support Roxanne’s Amazing Capes Kickstarter Campaign!
It’s fun, it’s creative, it’s….Amazing Capes! Kickstarter campaigns support creativity in dance, technology, photography, theater, food, fashion, and the list goes on. My daughter Roxanne Turpen has worked endless hours over the last year or more, putting together a kickstarter project called Amazing Capeswhich supports her ambitious goal to sell capes to the superheroes of the world!
Roxanne Turpen with her Amazing Cape
They are beautiful, well made, and amazingly fun! Her Amazing Capes kickstarter has been launched and the purpose is to raise money for the first production reversible satin collection of Amazing Capes to make them affordable for all. This is just the start to the goals she has set for her Amazing Capes. Kickstarter is an online “funding platform for creative projects” and she has just one month to meet her goal through pledges and with your help, sharing her campaign with friends or groups that might wish to support her.
Depending on when you are reading this the days are moving along quickly, but as of this writing she has reached 29% of her goal and has 18 days to go!
Roxanne graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in photojournalism and studio art and as you look over her Amazingcapes.com website and campaign you’ll see her photography, editing, writing, and artistic skills applied to this innovative business idea.
Capes, Capes, and More Capes!
If you choose to make a pledge your choices range from 5.00 on up, each with different reward options.
Unlike my other blog posts, this one is an invitation and one of support for my daughter Roxanne.
I hope you will check out her adventure, consider a pledge, and share this campaign with others. As Roxanne would say “Release your inner superhero!
Saving The World Through the Power of Imagination!
Please take a few minutes to look over these Amazing Capes!
Click here to learn more about Amazing Capes!
A Smokin Idea for The Factory: Wood-Fired Oven Installation in a 97 Foot Chimney That Is!
97 Feet UP!
Interior 97′ Smokestack
This ought to be tall enough for a wood-fired oven chimney don’t you think? It’s not necessary of course, but….some ideas are BIG ideas and this one is BIG as well as TALL! Project Manager, Maxime Theberge of The Factory in High Point, NC wanted a bold and innovative idea to come together for this restored old mill dating back to the early 20th century, formally the Adams-Millis Hosiery Mill.
The Factory
Now it is the home of a furniture showroom and is soon to be a destination for the High Point Market. This oven installation will be part of an entertainment venue, that not only has character but will be serving up some delicious fare to those attending events. Fire and wood-fired ovens are always a great draw and a crowd-pleaser and we’re thankful to have been a part of this project! Jim Erskine with The ARCH, was contacted Spring of 2012 as he is known for his competent masonry skills and Forno Bravo oven installation work. Well, this isn’t a typical installation for wood-fired ovens, but Jim was definitely stoked, jazzed, excited, you name it!, and between all the professionals looking at the engineering of this project it was given a green light!
Though I see a rather blue white moon light…oh wait, that’s not the moon at the top of that smoke stack, that’s daylight and that’s where climbers Michael Grosser and Leo Dupuis clipped their way up the interior rungs of the smoke stack and then helped guide sections of the selected Forno Bravo Modena 120 commercial wood-fired oven down the stack!
Four of the sections fit through the hole at the base, but the plan was to maintain a smaller opening and lower two of the six sections with the use of a crane, guided by Michael Grosser at the TOP. Several days prior to “the drop”, Jim had to get through this massive wall. 
Not what you call a highlight but he made it through this thick wall and then built an oven floor after gravel was poured into the base, cement, re bar reinforcement, the works….
Building the floor
Jim accomplished the hole in the wall and oven floor days before the crane was scheduled to provide their expertise…. and expertise was the case. Hats off to crane operators!
Not a bump going down the stack, and with the assistance from Michael at the top (to start the guided lowering of the sections), they were received by more brave souls at the base. (They waited until the piece was nearly at the bottom, stepped in and guided the final landing of the sections). 
Going UP
With a lot of patience and teamwork the six section oven kit was in place. (There is also a side access hole about fifteen feet up the right side of the smoke stack. Perhaps future climbing expeditions?)
Setting the Cap
Finally, a customized “smoke stack chimney cap” was lowered onto the top… another success! This cap was beautifully constructed and a necessary component. This time Leo Dupuis braved the climb up the smoke stack and guided the landing of the cap at the top.
The weather was drizzling most of the day but thankfully the wind wasn’t up. The next day more insulation and finish work was completed to the dome. Jim thanks all of those that helped with this project.
Jim Erskine and Tom Silver
Ready to start curing!
Next step…… to enjoy some phenomenal food and watch the smoke rise from 97 feet up!
For more information give us a call at The ARCH 171 Weaverville Hwy Suite 103 Asheville NC 28804 828 253 5455 www.thearchnc.com For more images visit Jim’s Wood Fired Ovens Facebook page albumFor Forno Bravo oven and outdoor fireplace sales and installation information call Jim Erskine 828 768 4438 or email jim@thearchnc.com
American Clay’s Humidity Buffering Qualities Contributes to Healthy Air Quality
The growing interest and importance of air quality continues to reinforce our great feeling about American Clay Earth Plaster. There are some interesting advantages that American Clay offers to those wanting more consistent humidity levels and the reduction of potential mold and mildew, as well as a quieter space.
From personal experience we have lived with clay plaster in our own home and have experience with a broad variety of applications and placement of clay.
We have American Clay plaster in a kitchen/dining area, sun room, bedroom and in two bathrooms. We’ve enjoyed the benefits clay provides in every space and have witnessed, felt, and breathed in it’s ability to absorb and release water vapor when high levels of humidity are present without a spec of mildew appearing anywhere -EVER! What might seem to be a vulnerable location is where we applied clay along the top 18″ above the tiled walls in two shower areas but absolutely no problems have resulted- instead it benefits these areas. In contrast, if a painted wall experiences high levels of humidity such as in a bathroom the surface will eventually develop condensation from water vapor creating an environment favorable for mold and mildew growth. Another more extreme experience that we had was with several large 3′x6′ foot display panels we made and applied with clay plaster for an expo. After a three day event we drove home and with the onset of a rain storm we rushed the panels into our (less than perfect) garage several years ago. We had an unfortunate heavy rain that evening that ultimately flowed into the area where these panels were situated.The panels were trimmed with wood for presentation purposes. After about a week we noticed a mold made its way up the wood strips but did not touch the clay. The mildew completely avoided the clay. If ever conditions were ripe for mildew this was it. The following diagrams portray how American Clay provides humidity buffering in your home or business. 
Powder Room at CIEL with American Clay, Porcelina, Chesapeake Bay, Designer Talli Roberts
As noted in this last image, the more clay there is in a given space the greater the humidity buffering. We called a few customers that have applied the clay in wine cellars as this is an excellent application choice to assist in maintaining a consistent humidity so critical in a wine cellar.
In reading about climate control in wine cellars, efforts must be made to maintain a certain temperature as well as humidity level.
If the humidity rises above 70% in a wine cellar this is when the potential for mildew on the corks can develop which may create a problem for the wine.
There are several benefits when using the American Clay plaster- it assists in maintaining consistent humidity levels, assists in preventing mold and mildew, helps purify the air which is also important, and it is beautiful!
One of our customers shared that he has had no problems and added that he also selected the clay for the old world look. Most of the wine cellars include applications on the ceiling contributing to humidity buffering benefits.
Lastly, this open-air lobby area at Mica Village is another great example that the humidity does not bother it. The benefits of American Clay go well beyond those mentioned here; in fact they are nothing short of amazing!
Article shared by Catherine Silver of The ARCH Architectural Finishes, Flooring and More
Interesting article: The 10 Most Common Wine Cellar Problems and How to Overcome Them
Click here for a humidity demonstration done by American Clay.
The ARCH Sells Forno Bravo Ovens Which Means You Can Bake Delicious Hearth Breads!
Visit us at The ARCH in Asheville and you’ll find that we’re happy to talk ovens and hearth bread! We don’t claim to be baking professionals and yet we continue to surprise ourselves with delicious loaves of hearth bread. Often we add a little rosemary from the garden or bake Ciabatta with a little Asiago cheese. The recipes are endless. Add a summer fresh tomato, avocado, and goat cheese,….what more do you need to enjoy a delicious combination with fine bread while sitting on your deck this summer? Artisan breads generally cost from $5.00-$6.00 in Asheville, so, let’s see…. $6.00 times how many loaves? Considering the cost of flour, this is a great savings but more importantly it could be your bread. Shown here is just a small sample of delicious food that you can make in a hot wood-fired oven.
The ARCH offers competitive pricing on all Forno Bravo ovens and outdoor fireplace units, accessories, Caputo 00 flour, tomato sauces and more. We offer full service and installations as well. See Jim’s gallery of installations here. Give us a call at The ARCH today at 828 253 5455. Showroom hours: T-F 9:30-5:30, Sat. 10-3. Or email us at cmsilver@thearchnc.com. Website: www.thearchnc.com
For more on Jim’s outdoor oven “conversations”- follow Jim’s Wood Fired Ovens on Facebook.
Mosaic Artistic Tile Adds Art to Forno Bravo Wood-Fired Oven Arch
Tiled arch of Forno Bravo wood-fired oven utilizing local art tile and simple stones
The flame is being fanned all across the country for Wood-Fired Ovens and the delicious food and entertainment they provide. We’re fanning the fire for exciting tile installations! We recently installed the tiles shown here on the arch of our own oven at our home. There are so many ways to use tiles on an oven installation but I suggest including something creative into your oven design whatever you do. Break the boredom and drop the minimalist look from time to time!
You can choose tiles that are colorful, whimsical, classic, craftsman, Latin, glass, stone; the possibilities are endless. Mosaics flow nicely and so believing I could work with the pieces we decided to combine these classic handmade decorative art tiles with a simple grey stone, 
both of which are available through our showroom The ARCH. Just give us a call and we can discuss creative ideas with you. I selected a grey grout which still allows for the various stone colors to pop out. Over the years the dark grout color won’t get dirty in appearance and it tones down the brighter tiles to blend with the earthy primitive nature of wood-fire cooking.
Sketch, plan, let it evolve.
Move the pieces around until they work. It changed from this initial plan but was part of the process.
I started with a cardboard template of the arch and some paper cut outs of the tile pieces and stone shapes to see how it would flow.
After sketching and playing with some layouts, I attached the template to an arch on one of our showroom Forno Bravo models. (The oven shown below is the Casa2G80 32″ interior diameter which happens to have the same arch size as our Casa2G90 36″ interior diameter oven).
Once all the selections were made I special ordered the metallic glaze beauties from a local artist whose work we display at The ARCH, and the stone tiles that come on a mesh material.
Continue to experiment with the arch
I hand picked the most workable stones, placed them on the template and played and played with them until they were working with the tiles.
I had to keep in mind that I would apply extra adhesive to the backs of some pieces.
Working with the pieces
Pressing tiles and stones into tile adhesive.
A few modifications from the original layout so I recommend careful measuring of the template. The process installing the mosaic was more enjoyable than I predicted as I had not completed a mosaic before.
Applying tile adhesive with a putty knife
It was a very sculptural feeling when it came to moving the grout throughout the mosaic. I used a grout bag to squirt the grout around all the pieces given there was so much variation in sizes and heights. The highs and lows of tiles and stones all connected as I smoothed the grout between the pieces.
Sponging off excess grout and cleaning.
Finally, the arch was complete!
The counter surface will meet up with the oven floor entry for easy use when cooking.
It was a pleasure to finally relax and see the fire nestled in the oven with the tiled arch surrounding it.
