When outside noise is a concern, Thorpe specs push-out casement windows from Loewen. When combined with RC-1 resilient furring products from USG, Loewen casements “reduce sound-wave transmission into bedrooms and studies,” he says. Product features include Douglas fir interiors, low-E glass, and extruded-aluminum cladding in 36 colors. Stock casements come with a standard sound-transmission coefficient of 33 but may be built to even higher specifications. Loewen, 800.563.9367; www.loewen.com. USG Corp., 800.874.4968; www.usg.com.

merle thorpe architects washington, d.c.

merle thorpe, ncarb www.merlethorpearchitects.com