Conventional Wisdom Goes Down The Drain In New Roof Drain Code May 15, 2014 The frequency of torrential rains in much of the United States has increased dramatically since 1958, according to the U.S. National Climate Assessment’s “Climate Change Impacts in the United States.” The report, which was published in May 2014, states that the proportion of precipitation that is falling in very heavy rain events has jumped by […] Read More
Correctly Specifying Fall Protection May 15, 2014 Roof replacement is an ideal time to address rooftop fall protection issues. Design of effective and practical solutions to suit the owner’s specific rooftop maintenance needs is critical. The fall protection marketplace offers an endless array of products, but there is no “one size fits all” solution. Rather, the appropriate solution will vary based on […] Read More
Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs): An Historic Opportunity for the Building Construction Industry May 15, 2014 WHAT IS A VACUUM INSULATION PANEL (VIP)? The construction of VIPs is based on the principle of vacuum technology, invented by British scientist James Dewar in 1892. VIPs are made with open porous core materials enclosed in an impermeable gas barrier (Figure 1) and have three major components: 1) open porous core material that imparts […] Read More
Panorama: Nomenclature and Classification of Architectural Sill Pan Flashings May 15, 2014 INTRODUCTION A wide variety of sill pan flashing types are available to the building industry, and their use is increasing. Integration of these flashings for the building envelope at windows, doors, and water-resistive barriers (WRBs) to exterior walls is desirable. However, differences in configuration and material selection can be obstacles to achieving optimum performance. Sill […] Read More
Practical Application of Hygrothermal Modeling of West Coast Wood Deck Systems May 15, 2014 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Roofing systems—particularly in the western part of the United States—are often installed directly to a wood deck, with the building’s insulation below the deck. This construction assembly has a long track record of performance and generally has been used without consequence with traditional built-up roof systems. In recent years, there has been […] Read More
Doing It Right the Second Time–Designing Minimally Invasive, Cost-Effective Solutions for Window Repair vs. Replacement May 15, 2014 3 8 • I n t e r f a c e S e p t e m b e r 2 0 1 4 Many well-built or recently repaired structures continue to leak air, water, and energy through the building envelope in spite of the best efforts of construction professionals. Since many leaks are […] Read More
The Evolution of Transitions in the Building Envelope: What To Consider for 2015 May 15, 2014 As the building industry improves its construction practices with energy savings, water conservation, fire protection, natural resource preservation, and human wellbeing at the forefront, stricter building codes will be put in place to drive change. With the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) taking effect on January 1, 2015, architects, specifiers, consultants, and other building […] Read More
