PRESERVATION Tech Notes u.s. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WASHINGTON, D.C.

WINDOWS NUMBER 7

Window Awnings

FLORIDA STATE CAPITOL Tallahassee, Laura A. Muckenfuss Center for Architectural Conservation Georgia Institute of Technology, and The old , constructed reducing glare; can provide rain protec­ Charles E. Fisher in the I 840s and greatly enlarged over the tion for windows opened for ventilation; Preservation Assistance Division years, has recently been rehabilitated for and can bring a bright, cheerful addition National Park Service use as museum space and government to a building. Given the high visibility of offices. The neo-classical revival building such a window treatment, research should has been returned to its 1902 appearance be undertaken to ensure that awnings and is individually listed in the National previously had been used on the building; Register of Historic Places. care should be taken to match the size, Photographs in the Florida Photo­ design, color, and basic appearance of the graphic Archives show that as early as historic awnings where possible. the 1890s decorative awnings had been The Florida State Capitol project is a installed, replacing shutters as sun good example where replication of the screens. Wide-striped red and white oper­ awning treatment was undertaken pri­ able awnings can be seen in postcards as marily because of the cost savings early as 1902. By World War II, air con­ realized through reduced energy usage. ditioning units had been added to the build­ The architect and the mechanical ing, and the awnings had been removed. engineer for the work at the Capitol were When rehabilitation plans were concerned from the outset about the high drawn up for the building, the initial cooling load created by the large glass intention was not to duplicate the area on the building's facade. The cooling awnings. Energy studies, however, load required to handle the solar gain showed that significant cost savings could from the 138 windows that measured 4' be Ilchieved by installing the awnings, by 10' each was calculated at 55 tons . and today the building stands with this There were also significant air infiltration highly colorful feature added. problems due to a lack of weatherstrip­ ping and window maintenance. It was Rehabilitation Design Problem estimated that mechanical equipment with a capacity of 102 tons refrigeration The effective use of awnings to reduce (which includes the 55 ton load for just solar heat gain can be found on numerous the windows) would be needed to cool the historic buildings during the late 19th and 46,501 square feet of building area, and early 20th centuries, and it still is a concern was expressed that the air treatment with practical applications in velocity from such a system might have certain climates. In hot climates awnings created drafty conditions in the smaller can eliminate the need to alter or replace offices within the building. An engineer­ Installing historically appropriate existing historic windows for reasons of ing study of two offices on the west awnings can effectively reduce solar improved energy performance while also facade of the building showed that 72% of heat gain. the required cooling load in a typical first Rehabilitation Design Solution Fabrication And Installation floor office and 56% of the load in a typical second floor office was due to It was determined that installation of the A decision had to be made on the type of exposed glass surface. With the windows awnings would appreciably reduce heat material to be used for the awnings. contributing to 54% of the overall air gain and cut energy consumption during Canvas awnings had been used on the conditioning load, some measures were Florida's long hot weather season and building from the 1890s through the necessary to reduce the heat gain from the also enable the Capitol project to remain 1930, but records showed that the canvas windows. within its $7 million budget. This was lasted only three to four years in the Some of the sash were in good possible, despite the purchase cost of the Florida climate. A modern material of condition, and it would have been awnings, in part because of the cost acrylic fibers with an eight-year life possible to add tinted heat-absorbing savings resulting from the ability to expectancy was selected instead to reduce insulating glass by rabbeting out the reduce the size of the HV AC system. The the long-term maintenance needs. A local existing sash frames. Alternatively, tinted size, shape and installation angle of the marine products company was located glass could have been installed both in original awnings as shown in the archival that sold the acrylic fabric . existing sash that were repairable as well records were duplicated in the new work. The awnings were fabricated to the as in the numerous sash replacement units Since the primary facades of the architect's design of 4' wide by 4' deep needed. There were concerns, however, Capitol faced east and west, awnings with a height of 8' -I" and a 9 W' scalloped over such visual changes to the historic were needed on the two main floors on all valence (see figure 2). The 100% acrylic appearance of the building; finally , cost but the north side (see figure 1). Solar fabric has vertical stripes four inches considerations were an important factor heat gain, which originally would have apart. Regrettably the production of the weighing against the use of insulating and consumed 54% of the required cooling acrylic weave did not allow for pure color new tinted glass. Rising energy costs and load, was now estimated to be 31.5% of separation, and as a result the striping is the savings from the reduction in the size the equipment load, and allowed a in reality red and a very light pink; still of the HV AC system made the reinstalla­ downsizing of the HV AC system by 2? the impression of red and white is tion of the awnings both a practical and tons. In typical first floor offices, the maintained. economical alternative. exposed glass surface would now only account for 46% of the required cooling Figure 2. Early photographs were used in determining the appropriate design and size of Figure 1. Large awnings were specified for aU load down from 72%. On the second the new awnings shown in the photograph. but the north elevation in order to reduce floor, there was a similar change from Drawing: Courtesy, Shepard Associates, solar gain. Drawing: Courtesy, Shepard Asso­ 56% down to 30%. Architects and Planners, Inc.; Photo: Cour­ ciates, Architects and Planners, Inc. tesy, Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation.

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(0 :::: ~ -r in ~ TOP OF UNO ERLAYMENT D D D I ELEVATION 219.82 .---- .---- .---- ...... Co ~ 'fl 0 ~ .====. ..== .==. = T OPOF BRICK ELEVATION 205.75 , J NEW AWNINGS TYPICAL ON FIRST AND SECOND FLOOR WINDOWS ON EAST, WEST & SOUTH ELEVATIONS ~rL 4'-0 )\L )\l 2 The awning fabric can be readily tion and as a result of the downsizing of easily retract the awnings. The awnings removed from the frame for replacement the HVAC system. now are performing admirably and this and cleaning. Standard galvanized steel highly distinctive historic feature has awning frames designed to draw vertical­ Project Evaluation generated considerable local interest (see ly against the window frame were used. figure 4). Since the windows in the Capitol were The Florida State Capitol project has shown that awnings can be an effective sealed shut for weatherization purposes Figure 4. While the awnings were installed in and to keep a more constant load demand means of reducing heat gain. Commonly order to save on energy costs, the restoration on the HV AC system, the pivoting points used in the past as a passive design of this highly decorative and colorful feature on the standard frames were easily made feature to keep a building cool, awnings enhances the historic appearance of the rigid, preventing retraction of the have received renewed interest in the building. Photo: Courtesy, Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation. awnings. 1980s because of their energy-conserving The decision to fix the awnings in a qualities. fully opened position did have some cost The use of the acrylic fabric as a trade-offs, since solar, gain through the substitute material for the original cotton windows during the short cold weather duck canvas avoided the problem of season would have been desirable. There shrinking that canvas exhibits. Moreover, also would be an advantage to be able to acrylic is not affected as badly by adjust the awnings to allow natural light mildew. It is also anticipated that the when the rays of the sun were not directly reinstallation of the awning with their shining on the windows. In addition, the protective overhang will provide some viewing area through the window would additional cost savings through extended be permanently reduced in the upper life for the windows. portions of the windows. Operable The decision to make the frames awnings could have been provided by rigid to prevent retraction of the awnings having the mechanical opening hardware on the Florida State Capitol did prove to extend through to the inside. This more be unwise, since seasonal high winds, costly feature was not selected for use in exacerbated by large adjacent new con­ the Capitol. struction, caused greater damage than had The hardware for the awnings, been anticipated. To correct this con­ including the anchors and attaching dition, the windows, which had been devices, were primarily galvanized or screwed shut and sealed, were easily zinc plated steel. Prior to installation, the reopened; the awnings were rigged so that contractor was required to examine the they can be drawn back in high winds; windows and to correct any condition that and various sleeves and pins were might have prevented proper installation removed from the frames, returning them of the awnings. to their original operable condition. Now whenever inclement weather is antici­ Cost pated or more sunlight is required in certain rooms , maintenance personnel can Eighty-four awnings were purchased for the Capitol; eighty-two were installed on the two main floors throughout all but the north side of the building. The remaining two were saved for replacement needs. The cost of material and installation was $26,500-approximately $315 per large window. Along with the benefits of energy savings as a result of reduced heat gain during the long warm weather season, the awnings have eliminated the problem of glare in the main ceremonial spaces of the building. In certain rooms, the awnings also have eliminated the need to purchase and maintain interior shades or draperies (see figure 3). The awnings are proving to be cost effective with a full payback projected within 3 to 4 years (even counting the projected high maintenance cost) , largely because of the reduced energy consump-

Figure 3. By reducing the glare and solar gain, the awnings have eliminated the need to purchase and maintain interior shades and draperies in various offices. Photo: Courtesy, Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation. 3 PROJECT DATA James M. Hammond Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation Building: Mechanical Engineer Preservation Consultants Evans and Hammond Inc . Division of Archives, History and Old Florida State Capitol Jacksonville, Florida Records Management Capitol Complex Department of State Tallahassee, Florida Jennings Knox State of Florida Project Manager Owner: Jack Culpepper Construction Company State of Florida Tallahassee, Florida Materials: Awning Fabric and Hardware- 1979-1982 Project Date: C. E. Sullivan Jacksonville Ship Chandlery Manager Jacksonville, Florida Project Team: Division of Building Construction Herschel E. Shepard, FAIA and Property Management Project Costs: Restoration Architect Department of General Services The 84 awnings cost $26,500; approx­ Shepard Associates Inc. State of Florida imately $315 apiece fabricated and in­ Jacksonville, Florida Tallahassee, Florida stalled.

This PRESERVATION TECH NOTE was prepared by the National PRESERVATION TECH NOTES are designed to provide practical Park Service in cooperation with the Center for Architectural information on innovative techniques and practices for successfully Conservation, Georgia Institute of Technology; funding assistance was maintaining and preserving cultural resources. All techniques and provided by the Office of Solar Heat Technologies, Conservation and practices described herein conform to established National Park Service Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy. Charles Fisher, policies, procedures, and standards. This Tech Note was prepared pursuant Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, serves as to the National Historic Preservation Act Amendments of 1980 which Technical Coordinator for the PRESERVATION TECH NOTES. direct the Secretary of the Interior to develop and make available to Information on the awning installation work at the Florida State Capitol government agencies and individuals information concerning professional was contributed by Herschel E. Shepard, F AlA, who served as the methods and techniques for the preservation of historic properties. restoration architect for the project; James M. Hammond, Mechanical Engineer with Evans and Hammond Inc.; and David E. Ferro, Comments on the usefulness of this information are welcomed and should Preservation Architect, Division of Archives, History, and Records be addressed to PRESERVATION TECH NOTES, Preservation Management, State of Florida Thanks also go to the following people Assistance Division, National Park Service, Washington, D.C. 20240. who contributed to the production of this Tech Note: John Myers, This publication is not copyrighted and can be reproduced without penalty. Center for Architectural Conservation at the Georgia Institute of Normal procedures for credit to the author and the National Park Technology, and Preservation Assistance Division staff, particularly Service are appreciated Michael J. Auer, Martha A Gutrick, Brenda Johnson, and Mae Simon. Cover, Florida State Capitol Photo: Courtesy, Florida Bureau of ISSN: 0741-9023 PTN-7 September 1984 Historic Preservation. This and many of the PRESERVATION TECH NOTES on windows are included in "The Window Handbook: Successful Strategies for Rehabilitatin~ Windows in Historic Buildings" (available late 1984), a joint publication of the Preservation Assistance Division, National Park Service, and the Center for Architectural Conservation, Georgia Institute of Technology. For information write to The Center for 4 Architectural Conservation, P.O. Box 93402, Atlanta, Georgia 30377.