The great thing about a house with lot of glass, is that there are always incredible views, your interior and exterior spaces seem to blend seamlessly. The bad thing about a house with a lot of glass, everyone else has that same view, except they’re looking in. Largely this isn’t an issue for use with our blinds and the natural surroundings blocking most of the sight lines into our house. However, our front door seems to be the one exception. The clear view doors provide us little privacy from the frequent passerby and seem to attract the hands and faces of the neighborhood kids like moths to a light. Because the door way is positioned in main artery of our house there never any quick Saturday morning strolls to the kitchen, in any thing less than your full days attire and your best styled hair, without the risk of showing more than you wish to share of yourself to your neighbors—not that this is something that has even happened to me. With that said it has become clear that if wanted to give ourselves a little more privacy we need to do something with our front door.

We love the natural light that the two big panes of glass bring into the center of our house but we need a way to give ourselves a little more privacy. The solution was to apply a thin layer of frosted film over the windows of the doors, but  this would then keep up us from seeing out the front door as well. Our solution was a simple one. We cut the thin film to the proper size of the window holding it down from the top of the top so that it was 5′ from the floor. We then added a second strip to each window about two inches above the first that went up the rest of the way to the top of the window. This gave us a 2 inch swath across the center of the window that provided us a view out to the street, while preventing any potential passerby from an unobstructed view inside. Not only was this a highly functional solution but it has a really nice aesthetic appeal as well—problem solved, and it only cost about $14.

The film went on easily using soapy water and a squeegee.

Most importantly, the views inside the house at night are now blocked.

Have you ever seen condensation on your windows in the summer time? I’ve recently noticed that the windows on the south side of our house have developed condensation on them, early in the morning. Since we made such a large investment in windows, and in particular low-E, triple pane glass, I was concerned that there was something drastically wrong. I know that interior condensation occurs in the winter time and usually is a sign that the cold air is making it’s way into your home, through your windows. When the cold air meets with the warm interior air it results in a condensation on the interior surface of the glass. Besides being a sign of poorly performing windows this condensation can also result in rot and mold issue inside your home. However, the condensation that I’m seeing on my windows is happening on the exterior not the interior, so it got me to wondering why?

After a few web searches, I came across a series of similar explanations to my window condensation issue. The explanation I found to be most clearly stated, was on the website of RLC Engineering, LLC. from Craig DeWitt, PhD, PE, who writes:

“…condensation occurs when a surface falls below the dew point temperature of the air. The outside glass in an energy efficient window will be closer to the outside temperature, and the inside glass will be closer to the inside temperature. The glass in an inefficient window will be more heavily influenced by both inside and outside temperatures. A Low-E coating (that reduces radiant heat transfer) will tend to warm the inside surface in the winter, and the outside surface in summer sunshine. A Low-E coating will also lower the outside surface temperature at night in the summer. Therefore, a low-E coating will reduce the potential for winter condensation, while creating more potential for summer condensation situations (especially if the inside thermostat is set near or below the outside dew point temperature.)”

Based on the information stated above, I’m sure that the condensation issue in our house is a combination of our highly efficient, low-E coated windows in conjunction with the fact that our house envelope is incredibly energy efficient maintaining a more consistent temperature, therefore magnifying the difference between the changes in inside air and outside air temperature. Although the issue was mildly concerning when I first notice it, I guess that it’s a reassuring sign that my windows are doing their job, and apparently doing it quite well.

You can see the slightly frosted appearance of our widows, as condensation has gathered on the outside of the glass.

In this shot, you can actually see some of the dew running down the face of the window exterior. The condensation usually disappears shortly after the sun rises and the exterior temperature begins to rise.

In recent years, fans of modern home design have been looking for ways to get the style and character often associated with an architecturally designed modern home, which can run in upwards of $400 per sq ft. on a more value engineered budget. The result has been an ever growing trend of modern modular pre-fabricated homes, designed by architectural firms.

One of the pioneers of modern modular Pre-fab housing has been Twin Cities based FlatPak. Founded by Charlie Lazor (one of the founders of Blu Dot furniture) who named the company after the term used to describe knock down self-assembled furniture, that can be shipped flat in a box. However, the The Flat pack system is really an intricate and customizable system using a standard modular 8ft wide wall system, which can be clad in variety of materials from wood, to metal to glass panels. The standardized wall system allows home owners to leverage the economies of scale (about 20-30% less expensive than a traditional architect designed home), while the interchangeable nature of the materials, exterior panels, offers them the freedom to create a uniquely styled home, often times only seen in custom designed homes.

Recognized as one of the pioneers of Modern Modular housing, FlatPak homes have received recognition from the design community in the form of magazine, TV and extensive blog coverage. However, this July a FlatPak demo house reached one of its highest honors to date, as a featured longterm installation at the Minneapolis Walker Art Center’s Sculpture Garden. The 576 sq. ft. structure had been used as a display in several other design demo applications over the past few years, but in those cases it was displayed inside, so the structure received some slight modifications (including a real roof) to make it water tight and weather ready, for its latest appearance at the Walker. The FlatPak in the garden is the first long term architectural design installation since the Walker featured the Idea House II in the summer of 1947 as an exhibition of modern living. This time the structure will be used to house works of art, host information for visitors, along with a variety of activities and special events throughout the year.

But the installation of this project at the Walker, is not an end state for FlatPak. With a list of growing projects around the country and potential interest on a global scale, don’t be surprised if you see one of these wonderful, modern, modular homes in a neighborhood near you some day.

This corner shot shows the variety of substrates that can be applied to the FlatPak exterior to give it a unique look.

The FlatPak house sits in the Walker Art Center’s sculpture Garden and will be used as a visitor center of sorts.

Even the interior of the FlatPak house features a nice mixture and variety of wall panels, from composite wood, to frosted glass, giving the interior a warm, yet modern feel.

The ChairChair, a Blu Dot classic adorns the interior space.

Rendering of the latest FlatPak project, being built in Golden Valley Minnesota.

It’s that time of year again, when thousands of people from all over, flock to St. Paul to the Minnesota State Fair. Somehow over the past several years between the funnel cakes, concerts, rides and events 350,000 people have taken the time to tour the Eco Experience in the Progress Center Building, making it the single largest event of its kind in the country. The Eco Experience is a collection of resources, experts and exhibitors showcasing a variety of cutting edge green technologies surrounding it’s key attraction the Eco House. The Eco House itself is a collection of green technology alternatives as they may appear in a real world application.

This year I had the honor of receiving a tour of the Eco Experience’s featured Eco House, just days before it’s opening to the public. The 2008 Eco House was designed by Minnesota based Architectural firm Sala Architects and is based on a 2000 sq. ft. modern style home, that SALA designed for a client who became more interested in green building during last years Eco Experience.

The Eco House (at roughly 980 sq ft) is a little more like a cross section or sampling of a home, then it is a complete home, but none the less extraordinary. Constructed in just three weeks, by Showcase Renovations Inc. and Panel Works Plus, the Eco house is designed to give visitors to the Eco Experience examples real life applications of ways that green building can be implemented in both new construction, renovation or remodeling. This years building features structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs) to make up it’s core structure. It’s exterior is a combination of green friendly material including cementboard siding, Richlite, and glass. The structure is designed to be passive solar with the majority of it’s triple paned Marvin Windows facing the southern exposure. As well as active solar, through the use of solar thermal hot water heating, solar photovoltaic, and solar hot air systems provided by Twin Cities based Powerfully Green. Even the landscaping is designed to showcase green construction at its best. A permeable paver patio system, along with front steps made of Vast recycled rubber paver blocks, a rainwater capture system, rain gardens and a green planted roof. The interior, not to be outdone, includes Richlite, linoleum and Vetrazzo (crubside recycled glass) countertops, reconstituted veneer cabinets, bamboo and linoleum flooring and recycled glass tiles, all provide by Natural Built Home of the Twin Cities.

Although the home is filled with a collection of green friendly products, my tour guide for the day, Architect Marc Sloot (of Sala Architects), pointed out that green goes beyond substrates and surface materials, and directly to design itself. From site placement to key features, like a high usable ratio of square footage to wall and roof surface area, contributing to better energy efficiency. Additionally, Sloot observed that although any home style can utilize green building techniques, modern design often lends itself to the use of simple, readily available materials, resulting in reduced material use and waste. Sloot also noted that by making sure that the home is not only functional but beautiful, you will most likely better meet the needs of the home owners and give the home a longer lifecycle — definitely green.

So my big question of the day, and one I’m sure several readers are asking —so how is a temporary home green? Well even that question was something the people at the Eco Experience were ready for. Sala Architects paid careful attention to make sure that all the windows used in the Eco House could be re-purposed in the original projects layout. As well, all the SIPs panels, flooring, cabinets, lights and just about everything else outside of sheetrock and some cut pieces of flooring will be accounted for at the completion of the project. But maybe more importantly, the impact that this short lived project and it’s materials may have on the way people look at building in the future, makes it all a little more green.

A rendering of the Eco House at the Minnesota State Fair, Eco Experience.

The Exterior of the home on Minnehaha Creek that served as inspiration for this years Eco House.

The Exterior of this Years Eco House at the Minnesota State Fair Eco Experience features a modern design and green materials.

Triple paned Marvin windows and metal awnings help to harness and shiled the sun for a passive solar effect.

This Solar hot air panel is one of several active solar devices this years home will feature.

The kitchen will feature high efficiency appliances along with alternative cabinet materials such as reconstituted veneers, linoleum countertops and recycled glass tiles.

The fireplace was wrapped in thin steel sheeting (an inherently recycled material)
to give it a really cool visual effect.

When the project is completed on Wednesday and ready for fairgoers this wall section will be filled with a variety of green friendly alternative insulation —here you can see one example, denim insulation.

After some good recommendations from readers about the Neuton mower I was excited to give it a try. Then about that same time I was contacted by a representative of Neuton who is a reader of my blog, and offered to let me do a “test drive” of one of their mowers. I was more than excited to give the machine a go, and see how it performed in a real life setting. He also informed me that this wasn’t really something out of the ordinary for Neuton, as they offer a 6 Month Risk-FreeTrial period on the Neuton mower.

On Friday the mower arrived and our first impression was good. I expected that the mower would come in a million pieces but that was not the case. Everything arrived in one box (although it looked like it had been dragged behind the truck on its way to our house) we just unfolded the handle and it was ready to be charged.

Aethetically the machine is fresh and playful-looking with simple, solid, functional and friendly elements making up its form. The top hood was a semi-transparent plastic material that easily opened with the touch of fairly obvious orange release button. My only concern with this was that plastic piece seemed like it might be subject to breaking if something were dropped on it, but that is only the suspicion of someone with two small boys, and it had made it this far without any damage despite the condition of the box. Under the hood I found a pleasantly simple set of elements, a set of tools (wrenches etc.), the battery, a port for the safety key and height adjustment knob. The beautiful fresh green color and hot orange isn’t only for looks either. Every item on the machine that is a piece you will need to adjust, move or interact with has been color code in orange to make it easy to identify. The handles features, like that of the rest of the machine, are clearly marked (again in orange) and appear quite easy to operate—this is just simply good industrial design.

The battery is probably the heaviest item on the Neuton mower, but it comes out quite easily so you can charge it (it can also be charged with the battery in place). I plugged the battery in on Friday night and wanted to give it a good 24 hrs. of charge time before the first run early on Sunday morning. It says that it most often needs 8-12 hours of charge time after the initial charge for the battery to reach it’s full capacity so this means there isn’t a lot planning needed between each mowing.

For the first test run of the mower I decided that I would try the use the mulching feature. Our grass was extremely long and thick and I knew that this would probably be the biggest challenge for any mower (gas or electric). I set the height adjustment to it’s highest level (4″) and was ready to go. My first observation was that once I put the key in and turned the mower to the on position, there was no noise. Additionally, I didn’t have to wear out my shoulder using a pull start, like the gas mowers I have used in the past. Once I squeezed the handle the mower gave off a whirling sound (a bit louder than I had expected based on reviews I had read) similar to that of a small barn fan (yes I’m from farm country), but nowhere near as loud as traditional gas mower. The first pass through the grass left a perfectly crisp cut path of grass behind me, and the mulcher appeared to be working well. I did notice that as I moved into the really long grass, I had to mow a little slower and that occasionally it left a trail of grass clumps behind me, that the mulcher couldn’t devour. I would most likely say that in the areas where the grass was it’s thickest (almost 12″) that this would have been the result for most push mowers gas or electric. I also had to go back over a couple of areas where the wheels hand trampled down the grass but this wasn’t really an issue if I made sure to overlap my paths and alternate the direction I mowed. If there is one area where the mower may be a draw back to users its that it is not self-propelled. This doesn’t bother me, but for a smaller person with a hilly yard, this may mean a little bit more effort with their legs and arms than they’re use to.

Using the Neuton mower I completed our back lawn in 1 hour 10 minutes, about 1/2 the time that I would with our push style, rotary mower. I would guess that this would be less next time, as I don’t plan to let the grass grow to 12″ again anytime soon. The marketing materials say 1 hour of charge time for the battery and I got all of that and a little more by letting off the handle as I made my turns and when I moved between areas of the lawn.

My over-all review so far: the Neuton mower is simple and easy to use with well designed functional features. The mower cut through the tallest grass in our yard with acceptable performance and was excellent in the areas where the grass was at a more normal height. It was a bit louder than I had imagined but still much quieter than any gas mower I’ve heard. It exceeded my expected 1 hour window of run time on the battery, but probably would require two charges for an area larger than my 500 square feet of grass or to do my entire yard. My only real area of concern were the mowers weight, especially for people with hilly yards. Overall, I’d say the Neuton lives up to what all of it’s fans have told me, and really proves itself as a rival to the traditional gas mower.

Easy to operate handle features are clearly marked, including battery level.

The hood material felt a bit suspect to me for durability,
but I liked the easy access, almost elementary buttons.

I love the simple and straight forward nature of the industrial design.

The mower cut nice clean strips of grass with relative ease.

A side profile of the Neuton mower shows its streamlined design.

The 19″ model I tested came with a mulching plug, bagger and side discharge adapter.

I was most impressed with the Neuton’s ability to cut through the thick long grass without any real issues.

With our grass now coming in at full capacity, it appears that we are in need of a new lawn mower. We own a manual, reel style, push mower, that we used at our last house to cut the relatively small front yard (but the size of our new lawn and the time it would take will not make this a realistic option) We have sworn ourselves off the use of a traditional gas powered mower (based on their incredibly polluting nature), which means we need to settle on some sort of electric mower. I’ve never owned one before, although I remember years ago seeing a friend’s parent mowing their lawn tethered to the house by a long extension cord. Although I am finding there are now a lot of options when it comes to electric mowers both those that require corded operation and those that run on a battery I am struggling to determine which one is best for us.

From what I understand reel style mowers actually provide the healthiest style cut for your lawn and there appear to be a couple mowers that offer this option. the SunLawn EM-2 model (a cordless option) got high reviews from Wired Magazine and weighs in at roughly 39 lbs. one of the lightest mowers I could find that wasn’t powered soley by my legs. Unfortunately, for me one the drawbacks to the Sunlawn is its rather “Wally and the Beav” design, which reminds me of something that you might find at the back of your grandparents storage shed—not horrible looking but certainly not really very nice looking either. The other option for reel mowers that caught my eye, is the Brill ASM380 Reel Mower (another cordless option) with a more updated design style, and a remarkably light weight of only 29lbs. However, as I dug deeper in my search the ASM380 model has been discontinued by the manufacturer with the release of an new mower in June of 2008. The German Engineer, Brill mower can actually be operated as a traditional push mower if the battery were to run out, before the lawn was completed. Since it’s recommended for a lawn of about 2,500 sq. ft. or less this push mower feature might actually come in handy.

The other option in electric mowers, is the more common rotary style cutting system. The apparent darling of this category is the Nuetron Electric Mower. with it’s stylish fresh green exterior making it appealing to look at. Plus, it features a wonderful little features like a push button start (with safety key), relatively long run time of 45-60 minutes and boast being the most powerful battery powered mower you can buy (360 watt-hours of battery energy.) Its draw backs, in this case are its rotary blade and weight of 69lbs. Another one of the rotary options is the Desa® Remington® Electric Mower, which boasts being the first and only 60 volt battery mower with 60 minutes of run time and corded option. The design of the Remington looks a bit more like a traditional gas mower, nothing really “wowing” here but not bad looking either. The great feature of this mower (in my opinion) is the option to either run it from the battery or as a corded model. I can imagine that there may be a few times that I might forget to plug it in before my next use or run out of juice before I get the lawn completed so this would be a great little feature.

I’ve tried to read a few online reviews as well as pick up on what users are saying in various forums, but the feedback seems to be greatly varied. People either totally love whichever model they have, or they completely loath it. All of them claim to cut tall grass and give a long run time but at the same time, without first-hand experience, I can’t separate marketing hype from manufacturing performance. What I’d really like to do is line the various models up across my front yard and test them side-by-side, to see which is best for me. Since that is not so likely to happen, I’m asking if anyone out there can share with me their first hand experience with their electric mower.

The Sunlawn EM2

The Brill ASM380

The Nuetron Electric Mower

Desa Remington Electric Mower