Current construction practices have spurred innovation in continuous insulation and air barrier technologies. Specifiers need a solid grasp of continuous insulation and air barrier fundamentals in order to ensure wall systems function as intended. This course will provide an overview of continuous insulation and air barrier technology options for in-field and off-site construction. In addition, […]
This presentation will review the challenges presented when detailing an exterior wall with a reservoir cladding. Because reservoir claddings hold onto moisture by their nature, they create conditions that present different risks than typical drained cladding systems or rainscreen walls. The detailing of your air barrier, flashing, and insulation can all be affected based on […]
As building performance expectations rise, confusion often persists between Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) and Building Enclosure Testing (BET). While both serve to verify performance, they are distinct processes that meet at key points in design and construction. This session clarifies the relationship between BET and BECx and shows how testing requirements should flow from the […]
How does one address an iconic building's systemic water infiltration issues while preserving its unique character? The multi-denominational United States Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, designed by Walter Netsch of Skidmore Owings and Merrill and completed in 1963, exemplifies modernist architecture with its minimalist style and use of contemporary materials. The Chapel received the AIA’s […]
Fog testing is a practical and revealing method for verifying air barrier performance in building construction. Traditional fog testing demands three key components for meaningful results: a fog generator, an enclosure to contain and create a pressure differential across the assembly, and a variable speed fan to pressurize the enclosure. We have streamlined this process […]
This presentation examines how building enclosure performance requirements have evolved from LEED v4 to LEED v5 through updates to ASHRAE 90.1-2010, -2019, and -2022, and explores the implications of these changes for enclosure design, moisture management, indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and overall building performance. As enclosure assemblies have become tighter to meet increasingly stringent […]
Owners don’t reward good intentions—they reward verified performance. This session shows air barrier practitioners, architects, contractors, and Cx providers how to move from drawings to passing results with a clear, repeatable path that works at entry, intermediate, and advanced levels. We start with why now (IECC/ASHRAE drivers and owner risk) and a plain-English methods decoder […]
