September 19, 2022
Performance testing of the building enclosure is a common requirement on new construction projects, especially larger projects in the commercial and government sectors. Testing is one of several ways to enact a quality control process to prevent or mitigate the potential for issues after the building is completed and occupied. One of the more common […]
September 25, 2021
Prefabricated building enclosure components provide a means to reduce construction costs, accelerate schedules, and improve quality control in modern construction. They also reduce environmental impact, increase safety, and allow better project cost controls. However, without proper design, coordination, and planning, these benefits can be undermined or unrealized altogether, and unforeseen consequences can result. This paper […]
September 21, 2021
The high thermal resistivity of polyisocyanurate insulation is attributed to its closedcell structure that is filled with low-thermal-conductivity blowing-agent vapor. However, existing polyisocyanurate products exhibit a decrease in their thermal-resistance values at lower temperatures due to the condensation of the blowing agent vapor. Because use of insulation with higher thermal resistivity can lead to improved […]
September 20, 2021
As design professionals specializing in forensic and restoration projects involving building enclosures, it is perhaps a familiar concept that our work benefits from excellent project team relationships—with building owners and staff, contractors and subcontractors, material manufacturers and suppliers, and local experts—and from a shared vision among the project team of successful end products and the […]
March 26, 2021
Rising temperatures are fast becoming the key challenge for our cities and urbanized areas. The effects of heat have negative outcomes for people’s health and well-being, social equity, energy use and peak demand, resilience of health, transportation and electrical infrastructure, crime, education outcomes, and productivity.1 A study of nearly 1,700 cities found that these combined […]
March 26, 2021
Exterior wall assemblies have become increasingly complex and are critical elements of the building enclosure. Advancements in our understanding of building science, coupled with the need to improve the energy efficiency and resilience of buildings, have led to innovative solutions in both building products and construction methods. Many of the innovative products available to the […]
