Highly Permeable Air Barriers May Increase the Risk of Condensation in Wall Assemblies April 08, 2017 Editor’s Note: A modified version of this paper was originally presented at the RCI, Inc. 31st International Convention & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, in March 2016. INTRODUCTION Vapor diffusion is the process of water molecules moving through porous materials (e.g., wood, insulation, plastics, concrete, etc.) driven by differences in vapor pressure. It is one […] Read More
Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis of Thermal and Moisture Transmission Through Building Enclosures: Upgraded Energy Code Edition April 08, 2017 Ab stract Many building owners and developers are concerned with the implications of upgrades in the energy code, and specifically, the requirement for continuous exterior insulation around the building enclosure. There is concern over the initial cost, the lack of information that they currently have regarding the payback period, and the question, “Will this really […] Read More
“Leaky” Exhaust Vents – The 500-lb. Gorilla of Condensation Problems April 08, 2017 Many factors contribute to excessive condensation in low-slope membrane roof systems installed over wood decks with insulation below: high interior relative humidity (RH), high roof reflectance, 1 and especially air intrusion.2 One contributor—the impact of warm humid air leaking out the ends of improperly terminated exhaust vents—is like the proverbial 500-lb. gorilla. We are keenly […] Read More
Brick Façade Evolution in Commercial Construction in Washington, D.C., From 1950 Onward April 08, 2017 Façades: solid and void, cladding and fenestration—the basic elements. Simple. Concise. Yet when one starts to examine the various materials and assemblages that can be incorporated into creating building façades, the results are endless. Cladding: dimensional stone, veneer stone, brick, concrete masonry units, terracotta, tile, metal panels, smooth panels, textured panels, corrugated panels, insulationcore panels, […] Read More
Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs): Five Years of Field Performance April 08, 2017 PREAMBLE This article presents the continuation of a study by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) that was first published in Interface in August 2014. The 2014 article, entitled “Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs): An Historic Opportunity for the Building Construction Industry,” presented the concept of using VIPs in roofing systems to complement conventional insulation […] Read More
Roofing Trends March 08, 2017 Since the turn of the century, there have been many changes in the low-slope roofing industry. What has occurred? What is causing it? How has the roofing industry responded? What are the driving factors? And what is causing the roofing industry to transform so dramatically? There is no smoking gun that can account for the […] Read More
President’s Message: The Future is So Bright March 08, 2017 Robért Hinojosa, RRC, RWC, REWC, RBEC, RRO, PE President PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE It is hard to believe it has already been a year, and I am sitting down to write what will be my last President’s Message. As I think about the past year, I am encouraged about the future of this organization and am extremely […] Read More
Slate Roofing: Innovation in an Old Industry; Part II – Standards, Codes, Testing, and More February 08, 2017 Part I of this article, published in the January 2017 issue of RCI Interface, discussed new materials and installation techniques that have been introduced to the slate industry over the past 10 to 20 years. Those are far from the only recent changes, however. Part II will explore new and retired sources of slate, code […] Read More
Project Profile: EIFS Come and EIFS Go; A Case Study on EIFS Cladding Rehabilitation February 08, 2017 Exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) were cladding systems that became very popular in the United States in the 1980s. They were initially designed to be barrier wall systems. However, significant failures of barrier EIFS began occurring in the 1990s. These failures were primarily due to water penetration through the EIFS to moisture-sensitive substrate materials. […] Read More
President’s Message: Robert “Bob” Lyons Scholarship Fund February 08, 2017 Robért Hinojosa, RRC, RWC, REWC, RBEC, RRO, PE President President’s Message RCI, Inc. has been fortunate in that it has an aligned philanthropic organization to conduct meaningful research, as well as provide educational opportunities for current and future RCI members. Over the course of the past few years, the RCI Foundation has been proud to […] Read More
