Gargoyle, Château d'Amboise, France
Photo: Ben Aveling. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.
The building enclosure manages everything that might get into and out of a building: water, wind, light, sound, air, pests, and people. Assemblies are the foundations, above-grade walls, and roofs that make up the enclosure, and how they're put together makes all the difference to how well the building performs—and for how long.
Here you'll learn the importance of continuity at assembly transitions, and how to help ensure that the whole team—from architect to structural and mechanical engineers to construction managers and subcontractors—is educated about moisture risks and is accountable for quality work.
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Fundamentals of High Performance Building Assemblies
In-Depth Course
BuildingGreen's four-part course, designed for architects and builders, provides methodologies for how best to design and manage these details and achieve superior performance—while avoiding expensive pitfalls.
The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation
The BuildingGreen Guide to Insulation provides detailed guidance on insulation products and practices, including cost comparisons and detailed recommendations on what insulation to use, and what to avoid.
What Makes the Building Envelope Green? BuildingGreen's Guide to Thermal & Moisture Protection Products
From insulation to flashing tape to cladding, we look at the attributes of the greenest building envelope products.
Go with the Flows: The Promise and Peril of Hygrothermal Modeling
Tools modeling heat and moisture flows in building envelopes, such as WUFI, offer vital information for architects and engineers-but their misuse can do harm.
The Hidden Science of High-Performance Building Assemblies
Any four walls and a roof make an enclosure, but for efficiency, comfort, and durability, those elements have to be meticulously designed and installed.
Bringing Nature Indoors: The Myths and Realities of Plants in Buildings
Some proponents of indoor plants promise that they will clean the air and promote occupant health and productivity. But will they? Scientific backing for these claims is still being developed, but some of the results are promising.
Antimicrobial Chemicals in Buildings: Hygiene or Harm?
Carpets, door handles, and a myriad of other building products now contain pesticides targeting fungi and bacteria, offering potential benefit to the indoor environment, but also raising health concerns. This article asks whether antimicrobial products live up to their marketing claims and whether relying on them is a sound path to a hygienic environment.
Treated Wood in Transition: Less Toxic Options in Preserved and Protected Wood
Following the recent phaseout of CCA, the dominant wood preservative of the last 30 years, the treated wood industry is in major transition. Some current wood treatment technologies present familiar environmental problems, while less-toxic alternatives are just entering the market.
Pat Huelman, associate professor at the University of Minnesota, applauds EBN's coverage of durability.