Moisture Control Requirements in Codes May 15, 2005 INTRODUCTION National model codes attempt to prescribe moisture control in various ways and fail miserably, sometimes unwittingly prescribing failure! One solution does not fit all! Potential national solutions that are less prescriptive and more performance-based are reviewed in this article. Moisture control in a building depends on three variables: 1) local weather and subsoil conditions, […] Read More
Planning Ahead for Stained Glass May 15, 2005 The appeal of art glass for adding beauty and mystery to communal and commercial space has been recognized for more than a thousand years. In medieval times, the installation of stained glass often took place years after the construction of the building. The same holds true today. In many cases, a client who wishes for […] Read More
Waterproofing Under Green (Garden) Roofs – Part 1 of 2 May 15, 2005 ABSTRACT Green vegetative roofs have become increasingly popular, encouraged by government and private groups who have focused on their ecological benefits. But in stressing these benefits, many proponents have ignored or dismissed the importance of the underlying waterproofing membrane upon which the success or failure of the green roof assembly depends. This article discusses the […] Read More
Interface Detail for New Construction May 14, 2005 Introduction One of the most common call-backs for “leaky roofs” may not have anything to do with the roof at all, but rather an improperly detailed and constructed interface between the roof and wall. This article discusses how to properly design and build a roof-to-masonry cavity wall interface detail (Figure 1). Early Decisions Successful roof-to-wall […] Read More
Manufacturer Standard Details: Reinforcing Accepted Standards as Common Knowledge March 14, 2005 Introduction Manufacturers of roofing materials recommend how their products are to be installed through details published in their literature. Many manufacturers publish details similar to those of other manufacturers. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and other associations often publish duplicate versions of these details, expanding upon the quantity and sophistication of the information. If […] Read More
The Whatcom Museum of History and Art Bellingham, Washington November 16, 2004 During the late nineteenth century, the Pacific Northwest region of the United States experienced a significant influx of population due to the long-anticipated completion of the Northern Pacific transcontinental railroad in the 1880s and the subsequent completion of the Great Northern Railroad in the 1890s. This triggered rampant real estate development in almost any town […] Read More
Lovely Lane United Methodist Church November 16, 2004 For the first time in 100 years, Lovely Lane United Methodist Church looks exactly the way it was first intended. Cherished for its historical, architectural, and spiritual significance, the restoration of the original 1887 building has been a 24-year campaign, requiring the combined efforts of a faithful congregation, accomplished craftsmen, and a dedicated architectural firm. […] Read More
RICOWI Investigates: Hurricane Charley October 16, 2004 4 0 • I N T E R F A C E O C T O B E R 2 0 0 4 One of the most comprehensive roofing investigations of a hurricane-stricken area took place immediately after Hurricane Charley slammed into the South Florida coastline on August 13, 2004. Under the auspices of the […] Read More
