High Performance Building Envelope in Existing Buildings
Track 2: Contractor Sessions
Thursday, April 20, 13:00 – 14:00
This session is designed for architects and other design and construction professionals interested in increasing their knowledge of the application and use of air barriers in the building envelopes of commercial and multi-family residential buildings. Researchers, architects and code writers have shown that attention to specific details in both new and retrofitted envelopes result in better performing buildings with better comfort and long durability as well as lower energy consumption. Air leakage through the building envelope is silent, invisible and cunning. It causes numerous building envelope problems including wetting of cavity materials, spalling of masonry, premature corrosion of metals, blistering of paint, icicles, staining of contraction. Continuity is important but strength is even more important. In buildings, the air barrier system must be designed, and specified on plans. It has specific performance criteria and specific material requirements.
Learning Objectives:
- How better building envelope can reduce energy demand on heating and cooling and reduce energy.
- The significance of each part of the building envelope (the top, bottom, vertical shafts and the walls) relative to the efficient operation.
- What problems can occur with the lack of compartmentalization and/or decoupling between floors in buildings over 3 stories?
- Learn how a better building envelope can reduce energy demand on heating and cooling and reduce energy.
Steve Tratt
Canam Building Envelope Specialists, Beachwood, OH