Sealing Joints in the Building Envelope Joint failure is one of the most common—and costly—causes of moisture intrusion in buildings. This seminar addresses the often-overlooked disconnect between architects selecting joint sealants and engineers calculating joint movement. When the selected sealant’s movement capability isn’t aligned with actual joint movement, failure is inevitable. In Sealing the Building […]

Air Barrier Flashing Details The realities of construction, including construction and substrate material tolerances, an unlimited amount of project-specific detailing, and different product types and manufacturers, will directly affect the installation of air barrier detailing and flashings. How the Designer and Contractor detail and install the flashing must consider the realities of construction and product […]

Flashings 101 This presentation will cover a detailed explanation of various types of flashings used in buildings, including the challenges and solutions facing through wall flashings. It will include a thorough description of the characteristics of several types of membranes, emphasize the importance of compatibility, and review proper installation techniques. Register Now Meagan Elfert, CDT, […]

The Big Disconnect: Roof to Wall Connections for your Air Barrier As more states, jurisdictions and the design community require air barriers, the issue of connecting the wall air barrier assembly to other building assemblies, such as below grade, window systems and roofs need to be completely understood in order to design and construct a […]

Masonry Thru-Wall Flashing & Key Interface Details Explore the continuity of water and air control layers in relation to masonry thru-wall flashing at critical interface details, including: base-of-wall, window sill, openings heads, shelf angle, veneer material transitions, and top-of-wall. Learning Objectives: Understand masonry thru-wall flashing function and options Realize how masonry thru-wall flashing coordinates with […]

Failure is Not an Option: Air Barrier Continuity Strategies for Storefront and Curtain Wall Systems Critical details that typically cause building performance-related issues will be focused on one of the largest failures of building enclosures: wall-to-window connections specific to curtain wall systems and storefronts. A step-by-step look at each critical detail regarding the sequence of […]

Beyond the Sill Seal: A Modern Approach to Air Barriers for Long-Lasting Building Enclosures The effectiveness of air barriers in building enclosures is critical for energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality. Traditional gasketing materials, such as sill seals, have long been utilized to manage air infiltration. However, these materials often fall short in meeting […]

New Air Barrier Requirements for Re-Roofing As energy codes evolve, so do the requirements for roof system performance — especially during reroofing projects. This course explores the latest updates to building codes and standards that introduce air barrier requirements when replacing existing roofs. Attendees will learn why air control matters, how it interacts with moisture […]

Predicting Rooftop Surface Temperature Extremes and Impact on Air Barrier Tie-Ins Roofing system surfaces can get hot, sometimes extremely hot due to climatic and indoor design conditions, direct and reflected solar radiation exposure, and radiative heat transfer with surrounding objects. Roof surface color, the position and color of adjacent objects, as well as the thermal […]

Buildings are designed to separate indoor and outdoor environments, but differences between them create forces that challenge the building envelope. Key demands include managing liquid water, air, heat, and water vapor flows. While these concepts seem simple, their complexities often lead to confusion, such as distinguishing between air and vapor barriers. This presentation explores how […]

Akira Window Connection: Pathways to Thinner Exterior Walls Akira Window Connection – a market ready punched window installation method that nearly eliminates window transition thermal bridging. This innovation helps reduce wall thickness, embodied carbon emissions, construction cost, and meet performance-based energy targets. In partnership with Northern Facades and Cascadia Windows, we will discuss maximum window […]

Achieving a High-Performance Air Barrier System Air Barriers are an extremely important component of a high-performance building enclosure system. For the most part, these systems are non-maintainable components and repairs can typically only be made with the removal of the exterior cladding system. To ensure a performing system, proper design, detailing and ultimately the proper […]

Commissioning the Air Barrier The IECC 2021 requires air barrier commissioning and/or whole building air tests as part of the code compliancy pathways. The process is an essential step to ensure that the building enclosure assembly performs as intended and complies with the energy code. The presenter will detail the commissioning process as it relates […]

Building Envelope Solutions: Building Code Compliance for Fire, Air, Water, and Vapor This presentation discusses the key Building Code and Industry Standards for meeting fire, air, water, and vapor requirements in Residential and Commercial construction projects. The building envelope is an essential integrated system in new construction. When system components are incorrectly installed or if […]

POSTPONED Sink or Swim: Effective Natatorium Envelope Design Thru Case Study Participants will develop a comprehensive understanding of the potential risks involved in designing roof and wall assemblies over pools and other corrosive environments. The session will cover effective design strategies to mitigate moisture damage by managing air, temperature, and vapor control. Key roof assembly […]

This interactive panel discussion will address shop drawing submittals and their role in construction. The speaker panel will have representative from legal, architectural, installer, and general contractor backgrounds who will discuss responsibilities of each party, and what risks each party may be talking on, knowingly or unknowingly. The panel will also discuss best practices for […]

Testing the Boundaries: Quality Control Options for Air Barrier Installation Air barriers separate conditioned air from unconditioned air, improving energy efficiency and limiting the risk of unintended moisture migration via airflow that may result in condensation within wall assemblies. But, as with any system, the performance of the air barrier depends on the quality of […]

What the Heck Happened, A Case Study in a New Building's Stucco Gone Wrong A recently constructed charter elementary school had a huge problem. Their new stucco of about 8 years was extensively cracked and the window perimeters were leaking into the classrooms. This case study will address the steps of investigation which included forensic […]

BECx Fundamentals: What It Is and Why It Matters This session provides a summary of Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx), focusing on its role in delivering the building owner's vision by achieving a high-performing, durable building envelope. It explores the structured BECx process, outlining how BECx providers, contractors, architects, and owners collaborate to meet performance goals […]

We are excited to host a free virtual educational webinar in November, but need your help.  Our speaker, Adam Ugliuzza, will be hosting an open forum, focusing on curtainwall details in real-world applications.  Send project-specific issues with an example picture or detail by October 31 to lhardman@airbarrier.org (redact sensitive information).  The webinar will be interactive, and […]

 Pitfalls and Challenges to Avoid in NFPA 285 Engineering Judgements Engineering Analysis is a necessary tool to provide the fire protection and safety of our buildings. The exponential number of wall assembly combinations and detailing of enclosure assemblies in the built environment prevents the opportunity to confirm fire performance through direct testing. This is especially […]

Moisture Defects in Buildings - A Sick Building Pandemic Poor air quality caused by water damage and mold is contributing to increasing health burdens on occupants of buildings of every type, construction and age...including new construction. Understanding and applying building science fundamentals along with considerations uniquely related to region, site, structure type, materials and construction […]

When Codes are in Conflict: Building Science and Life Safety in Wood Framed Construction Over time, changes in building codes have begun to challenge designers to meet life safety, indoor air quality, and energy efficiency requirements on wood-framed, mid-rise multi-family projects. When NFPA 13 sprinkler requirements are driving the design of the roof assembly, the […]

Masonry Thru-Wall Flashing and Key Interface Details Explore the continuity of water and air control layers in relation to masonry thru-wall flashing at critical interface details, including: base-of-wall, window sill, openings heads, shelf angle, veneer material transitions, and top-of-wall. Learning Objectives:  Understand masonry thru-wall flashing function and options  Realize how masonry thru-wall flashing coordinates with […]

Design Principles for Rainscreen Wall Systems The topic will discuss thorough understanding of the various components that lead to failure in Building Enclosures and how to prevent it with Rainscreen system solutions. The importance of structural/Hygrothermal design of wall systems and air barriers, vapor and thermal control in the walls will be presented. Owner/user benefits […]

Top Air Barrier Details for Commercial Construction It’s often been said that architecture is the synthesis of art and science, but the art of crafting a thoughtful and successful detail is often something that has to be learned on the job or at the school of hard knocks. This presentation will build on building science […]

Introduction to Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) for the Building Enclosure This course provides a complete overview of spray polyurethane foam (SFP) technology and applications for residential and commercial buildings. It covers a brief history, types of products and installation equipment. A review of chemical safety and environmental impact is provided, along with SPF performance for […]

Blown Away - Unmasking the Secrets of Whole Building Airtightness Testing Whole building airtightness testing has been a code compliance option in the International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE 90.1 for some time. That compliance option was rarely used and only became mandatory as part of a building owners' requirements, or a specific state or […]