Author: Valerie Morris

Critical Details for High-Performance Building Air tightness is the foundation of high-performance building, and windows and doors represent the most vulnerable points in any building envelope. Properly installed air-tight window and door installations deliver superior energy efficiency, moisture management, and occupant comfort. However, achieving true air tightness requires attention to critical details that many builders…

Wall airtightness isn’t just construction jargon; it’s your secret weapon against sky-high utility bills and uncomfortable drafts that make your indoor climate feel like a weather lottery. So, let’s seal the deal and move forward with the best wall construction for airtightness you can get.  The Exterior Defense Squad When it comes to protecting your…

Nothing is worse than a drafty room! We can all agree on that. You may intuitively think about insulation and structural components, but often the invisible enemy of uncontrolled air infiltration can undermine even the most sophisticated building systems. This is where air tightness becomes clear, and why choosing the right products and partners makes…

The window industry has been waiting for this moment. Alpen’s new Tyrol series represents a quantum leap forward in uPVC window technology, offering distinct styles that deliver what architects and builders have been demanding: exceptional energy performance, versatile design options, and construction that meets or exceeds Passive House standards. Two Distinct Styles, One Extraordinary Performance…

In today’s increasingly noisy world, the sanctuary of our homes can be compromised by everything from traffic and construction to neighborhood disturbances. While energy efficiency often is the motivation behind a high-performance window choice, many homeowners are discovering an unexpected benefit that’s transforming their living experience: superior sound attenuation. The Science Behind the Silence in…

High-performance windows are a critical component of any energy-efficient building project.  Last month we talked about  smartwin™ by Advantage Architectural Woodwork.  Advantage offers three smartwin™ window models. Those brands are designed to meet different performance requirements, aesthetic preferences, and budget considerations. In this article, we’ll explore the unique properties of smartwin COMPACT®, smartwin SOLAR®, and…

In the world of high-performance windows and doors, one brand stands above the rest in terms of quality, efficiency, and innovation: smartwin™. As American homeowners and builders become increasingly focused on energy efficiency and sustainability, smartwin™ products are emerging as the gold standard in fenestration. Let’s explore what makes smartwin™ so incredibly awesome and why…

When Josh Oqueli of Bonsai Design Build set out to create his new office and home space on Stout Street in historic Curtis Park, he wanted to showcase how high-performance building principles and striking architectural design could coexist beautifully. The result is a testament to how modern sustainable building practices can enhance both comfort and…

When it comes to creating stunning, energy-efficient spaces that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, Alpen High Performance Products continues to push the boundaries of innovation. Their latest announcement has us particularly excited: the new 9-foot tall Grandline Sliding Glass Doors that combines taller sliding doors with better wind-load ratings and superior energy performance. Reaching…

There’s a little taste of Europe coming out of northwest Kansas and it comes in the form of fenestration! Advantage Architectural Woodwork (AAW) is a friend of ours here at AE Building Systems and we love seeing the amazing windows and doors they create. Working with them is a unique opportunity to get superior design…

We learn from an early age how important walls are. From fables like The Three Little Pigs to building towers with our blocks, we learn pretty quickly how important the walls can be. As we get older, we don’t always think about these powerful structures in our daily life, but we sure are grateful when…

In the Limelight with “Heart of a Building” & the Avenson Residence Lights, camera, action! AE Building Systems got a glimpse of the limelight with Heart of a Building and one of our clients. We can’t tell you how excited we were to hear that our client, John Avenson’s home, is featured on the regional…

How to select the best windows based on operation type, performance data, and wall assembly Not all windows and doors are created equally. So, it’s important to understand the needs for YOUR specific project. What works for one project won’t necessarily be optimal for another. Those of us who care a lot about building performance…

Saying “buh-bye” to the gas line is a lofty dream for many of us as we work toward a more sustainable lifestyle. If you can go a more sustainable route, why wouldn’t you? However, the barriers to going all-electric can be a little daunting, especially if you’re new to the concept. The utility companies certainly…

The Rose Residence is truly a beautiful bloom within the local community of Boulder, Colorado! This unique home was built with sustainability in mind from the bottom up. So much heart and soul has gone into the Rose Residence, and AE Building Systems was honored to support the team/homeowners with gorgeous high-performance windows to help…

A little off the beaten path in Hastings Mesa, Colorado, you’ll find a residential gem amidst views of the San Juan mountains. Just about 30-40 miles outside of Telluride sits Hastings Mesa, and is the location of a recent project highlight our team at AE Building Systems had the pleasure of working with. BTB Construction…

One of our long-time product partners, Alpen High Performance Products (Alpen), has been making headlines recently, and we couldn’t be more excited! Alpen recently shared news of receiving a substantial grant of $5.8 million from the United States Department of Energy (DOE). This funding is part of a broader DOE initiative, allocating $275 million to…

Two years ago, we watched in horror as the racing winds spread the Marshall Fire faster than anyone could imagine. The location made it all even worse as we saw entire blocks of homes go up in flames. With any tragedy, we all want to help but we often forget about the needs after the…

Sustainable Building Events You Won’t Want To Miss Wanting to get involved in the local conversation around building and sustainability? At AE Building Systems, we’re very active in local and regional conversations, and we believe strongly in the importance of knowing what’s happening in the industry. Education is key, and involvement helps move the needle.…

Todd’s Involvement On Golden’s Community Sustainability Advisory Board One thing you’ll notice when you get to know the AE Building Systems team is that Todd Collins cares A LOT about sustainable design. He lives and breathes it. So, it’s no wonder he has spread that passion for sustainable building and design into his community interactions…

The high-altitude hamlet of Golden, Colorado is making waves with its initiative to mandate all-electric building construction in 2024. This new construction requirement is aligned with the city’s climate action goals, which aim to achieve 100% renewable energy for heating by 2050. In doing so, Golden is setting the example for other towns and cities…

Passive is passive, right?  When someone talks of passive designs, they are pretty much the same, correct?  While both Passive Solar Design (PSD) and Passive House (PH) may sound similar, they are actually two distinct approaches to design and construction. They often get lumped in the same category, and people can confuse the two easily.…

Combine a little bit of personality and A LOT of passion for sustainability and you get an amazing home! The Poindexter/Kavan Project is living proof of this, and we’re thrilled to be a small part of this home’s story. We can’t wait to share this amazing project with you.  About Amanda and CJ: Amanda and…

What do you get when you cross a sustainably-minded contractor with a home in deep need of an energy overhaul? You get the LaDuke Residence remodel, and the final product is truly something to admire. Jonathan LaDuke has a passion for green building, and as a contractor by trade, he oversaw this remodel on his…

Change happens slowly and in small ways, with every single purchase and every decision we make. As consumers, we each have opportunities to make decisions and at AE Building Systems, we’re at the core of these small, everyday decisions that are making a real difference in our world. But, another way change happens is when…

Green geeks united this summer at Emu Building Science’s 2022 Passive House Open Days! What a great event, and amazing that this event will be coming back again later this fall!  Emu started creating a Passive Haus Days Tour to celebrate local Passive Home designs and construction. Similar to other home tours, attendees can sign…

You CAN Have it All: Form & Function Unite in Crested Butte – Smithworks Restorative Lake House You know what gets us really excited? It makes our day to see sustainable products in action for real families. That’s why we’re thrilled to share the Smithworks project with you today!  The Smithworks Team Smithworks has a…

We bet you have thought about air quality a few more times since 2020 than you ever did before! The recent pandemic has made so many of us aware of the particles in the air we breathe that can make us sick. Those of us in Passive Home design have always been aware of air…

The immediate place our minds go when it comes to improving the performance of a wall is to insulate. That seems to be the easiest and simplest approach to improving performance and energy efficiency. But, what if we told you the glazing is where you really get the bigger bang for your buck? Would you…

Project Highlight: Kirsch-Stroupe Residence near Winter Park What do you get when you cross motivated homeowners, with sustainable builders, and an interest in Passive House design? This special combination is the bones for a truly special residential project up in Tabernash, CO near Winter Park for the Kirsch-Stroupe Residence. This project is a collaboration between…

Smokey the Bear teaches us to help prevent wildfires, but Passive House Design and ERVs help teach us what to do to PROTECT indoor air when a wildfire is already happening! Those of us out west are no strangers to wildfires. They’ve become a regular topic of conversation in the summer months, and can be…

Building a sustainable building envelope is easy…until you add in openings. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to make efficient building envelopes in a snap? But that’s not how life works. We need doors and windows and vents and openings in order for a building to function. So, alas, we have to deal with…

Ready to breathe easy? Air quality has become more and more of a focus in recent years.  It has more than just mental benefits; air quality has a direct correlation with our physical well-being. Those of us in the construction industry have known this for years, but recently with COVID-19, the world is now aware…

You know that feeling when you try on your old Letterman Jacket, or the jeans from ten years ago? It feels GOOD to fit into the same size, right?! That same feeling is what we get when we fit triple pane windows in the same standard size of a double pane window and get even…