#Building envelope inspector how to#

Every detail of each material used for the envelope should be taken into account during the design and construction process.Īlong with the materials themselves, as mentioned above, the way they are put together during the construction process makes a difference as well. Depending on the environment your project is in, some materials may perform better than others or be more durable for the nature of your building. For example, the vapor retarder you select might not be a match with some of your insulation material. Finding materials that are good value and high-quality will be well worth the extra time and effort and pay off in the long run by protecting your project better.Īdditionally, make sure all of the materials you choose are compatible with one another. You may find that one company uses cheap wood in its doors, for example, or that a certain brand of window is especially resistant to leakage. When choosing materials for your project’s windows, doors, walls, roof, and insulation, take the time to carefully source and research them before buying. Poor workmanship is a common cause of envelope failure, which can apply to how the building materials were made as well as how they were handled during construction. High-quality building materials are important for structural integrity and aesthetics, but they affect envelope quality as well. Consequently, strong, high-quality seals at joints are critical.

It is often a matter of creating an envelope that is, to the best of the constructor’s ability, one continuous material.

There are various methods of achieving airtight construction, and it can be challenging, but leads to decreased heat and energy leakage and a lower likelihood of moisture damage. Where there is special concern over preventing moisture from getting in (as opposed to getting moisture out), airtight construction methods are a good idea. It can be applied to any project, though. Airtight Construction: This is more common with buildings that use filtration systems to control the quality of air coming and going.This is especially important if the building is in a heating climate where humidity buildup is more likely, or if the building’s purpose requires a precisely controlled environment. Monitoring Indoor Humidity: Not all buildings have humidity monitors, but they are a valuable asset if moisture management is a concern.Cold, dry climates, however, require a slight negative pressure. A slight positive pressure is good for warm, humid climates. Air pressure determines the direction of airflow to and from the building, so the outside climate is the controlling factor. Air Pressure: Similar to vapor retarders, air pressure should be handled differently depending on what climate the building is in.If the climate is primarily cooling, it should be on the exterior-facing side. If the building is in a primarily heating climate, the vapor retarder should be on the interior-facing side.

Which side of the envelope the vapor retarder is applied to depends on climate.

Vapor Retarders: This is an extra layer that is integrated into the insulation to contain any moisture that does seep in and stop it from spreading.

There are several strategies that can be used to accomplish this: The best way to prevent this is to keep moisture from invading the envelope to begin with. Moisture can wreak havoc on buildings what might start as a small leak can become mold or mildew the longer moisture is allowed to build up. An estimated 50% of envelope failures are due to moisture penetration. Moisture management should be a top priority when designing and constructing a building envelope. Building envelope failure can take many forms, whether it’s excessive air leakage or water damage, but there are a few helpful steps you can take to protect your building and create an envelope that will stand the test of time as well as the elements.

#Building envelope inspector how to#

The building envelope is one of the most important parts of any structure, and knowing how to design a long-lasting one will increase the home's HVAC efficiency and decrease the likelihood of structural damage.