“Systems thinking” is a term that is discussed at times in Building Science. But what if systems thinking asks us to consider more factors in the long term viability of enclosure integrity? While the relationship between structural movement and a structure’s usefulness to its intended purpose has been well developed throughout the history of design […]

This course examines how modern building codes and airtight construction practices are increasing the importance of moisture-aware roof design in cold-climate environments. Participants will explore building code requirements and the growing risk of moisture entrapment in roofing assemblies. The course introduces hygrothermal modeling as a predictive tool, using WUFI to analyze roof assemblies' long-term performance. […]

Thermal innovations are necessary as energy codes evolve. In this seminar, we discuss innovative design strategies to address thermal bridges in wall assemblies and the impact they have on air barriers. Learning Objectives: Discuss the thermal impact veneer anchors have on the overall R-Value and air leakage of a project. Discuss traditional shelf angles to […]

These terms are often described as simple—so why is there so much confusion? This presentation explains what air barriers, vapor barriers, and water-resistive barriers are, and when a single material may serve more than one function. That overlap is often where misunderstandings arise. The session explores which barriers are critical, which may be less so, […]