Proposal to Allow for Overhangs as Another Design Option is Defeated

At the February code hearings, the ICC committee approved EC25, Part 2 of the International Residential Code. But it was ultimately defeated on Sunday at the International Code Council's Final Action Hearings in Minneapolis.

(CLICK HERE for that story which was part of DWM's February code coverage.)

The proposal would have allowed for overhangs to allow the user of the code another design option. It would permit modification and configuration of the structure to achieve a lower solar heat gain coefficient. Proponent of EC25 was Vicki Lovell, representing the Association of Industrial Metallized Coaters and Laminators.

Many in the industry spoke in favor of this measure on Sunday including Julie Ruth representing the American Architectural Manufacturers Association, Thomas Culp representing the Aluminum Extruders Council and Thomas Zaremba representing Pilkington North America.

"Our glass manufacturer members would love to encourage the use of low-E, but how can we tell a homeowner who wants an overhang that they have to use low-E glass instead?" said Culp.

"Shading reduces solar gain so why as a designer wouldn't you want to do that?" asked Zaremba. "For one thing you wouldn't get credit for it in the energy code but with this proposal you would."

He added, "We make glass but we're in support of this as it's a smart design alternative."

There were those opposed to the proposal, including Mike Fischer, representing the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, who said that there are inherent problems in the proposal. Garrett Stone, representing Cardinal Glass Industries, also spoke in opposition. He said in essence that we shouldn't take a known SHGC and put it against all these other factors involved with overhangs.

"This is not the right approach," agreed Jeff Harris of the Alliance to Save Energy. "In fact, it could increase heat load in the late afternoon and reduce comfort."

In the rebuttal, Zaremba said that many opposed to the proposal are making it out to be more than it is.

"This is not the rocket science that some are trying to make it out to be. Overhangs just make sense," he said.

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