Extreme climatic conditions are those falling in the upper or lower tenth percentile of the local period of record. North American hygrothermal datasets rely on such extremes in simulating climatic effects on building performance. Prior to 2012, WUFI employed customized 30-year hourly data provided by the U.S. Department of Energy for the 1961-1990 period of…
In an earlier article, we outlined some general aspects of plan reviews and the benefits gained relative to costs (article link). Here, we focus on plan reviews related specifically to the building enclosure, including roof, wall, foundation, and floor assemblies. As with all plan reviews, the purpose is focused squarely on minimizing errors and omissions. However, building enclosure…
Concrete masonry construction was common practice in post-war Modern architecture where it was used extensively in schools, churches, public buildings, and industrial complexes. Brick and concrete block-bonded construction gained favor in many public buildings for its perceived durability, aesthetics, and relative ease of construction. Over 50 years later, many of these buildings now have historic significance but suffer…
Self-adhered flashings (SAFs) and peel-and-stick membranes are used extensively in moisture control strategies for building enclosures. When properly integrated with flashed components and weather-resistive barriers, this approach is seen as a time-saving, cost-effective solution to moisture-related failures. However, an unintended problem occurs when moisture accumulates between the flashing and sheathing due to moisture leaks or as a…
Energy efficient initiatives, coupled with the IECC’s requirements for continuous insulation over exterior surfaces, have prompted a vast array of ‘Frankensteinian’ energy assemblies. From three-coat stucco over outbound EPS to EIFS on structural insulated panels (SIPs), the combinations of such hybrid approaches appear endless. While the professed energy efficiencies can be impressive, moisture management may…
Problems associated with water-induced failures became more prevalent in the 1980’s as a result of changing paradigms in design and construction practices. These failures are often attributed to air-tight, energy-efficient designs initiated during the global energy crisis of the 1970’s. Although applicable, this over-simplification ignores the fact that many energy-efficient buildings of this era have…
The Building Enclosure 