Snap o' the Day: Is spring here?
Okay, this has become the Hook's bellwether for the weather: the flowering of the winter jasmine along University Avenue. Its blooms were visible, as shown here, Thursday morning, February 12. Last year, it didn't look like this until February 22. (But two years ago, it erupted in January.)
6 comments
Bellwether-- what a wonderful word and for those who like myself wondered about the origins of this word:
The term is derived from the Middle English bellewether and refers to the practice of placing a bell around the neck of a castrated ram (a wether) leading its flock of sheep.[1] The movements of the flock could be perceived by hearing the bell before the flock was in sight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellwether
I may be mistaken--but I think you are. This is not Winter Jasmine. It is Forsythia. There is a difference.
you are mistaken, it is winter jasmine. Lower than forsythia and blooms sooner as well.
Yeah--you're right. Forsythia has a hollow branch, winter jasmine does not. I went out there and broke off a twig. Not hollow. So it's winter jasmine, aka jasminum nudiflorum.
I speck many different types of insulation but think you lead this person in the wrong direction by jumping to the most expensive insulation on the market, spray foam. I would suggest either a high density spray fiberglass insulation that will get to an R-15 and tighten the envelope or cellulose that will get an R-13 and also tighten the envelope. Either of these two options are much less expensive than spray foam and the cost difference between my two options and spray foam can get the homeowner into a new piece of mechanical equipment either heating or cooling. Spray foam is great for people I work with in Aspen who have unlimited income but this homeowner specifically asked about not breaking the bank.
These other two options are environmental friendly with cellulose at 75% recycled product and fiberglass at 50% recycled product. Most foams I work with can only use 20% bio-oils such as soy to maintain their structure.
Mark
Truely Architectural
I was wondering if you have heard anything about mold growing between foam and fiberglass insulation. Some insulation contractors spray about an inch of foam in walls and then place fiberglass on top. Had a contractor mention this and want to see concrete info on it. He also had said 2 states were banning the use. Also does foam emit any formaldehyde over the life of the insulation?