How Do You Know What is Needed?
For starters, it is important to keep it simple. Home contractors and industry professionals ask themselves very direct questions before constructing a building envelope.
What is the goal of the building envelope? On a simple level, what is it trying to do? More importantly, what are the most likely hazards that a building’s specific environment are likely to generate?
The answers to these questions serve as the “foundation” before the foundation of the building envelope. While there are variances across regions, most building envelopes will consider the following goals as mandatory, with the priority goal shifting depending on environment:
- Stop water from getting in the home
- Stop water and moisture from getting to any structural members
- Keep water away from any insulation
- Keep excess moisture out of the home, including the basement and attic
- Stop air infiltration around windows, doors and mechanical openings
Some problems are obvious, while others are more hidden, and we often don’t see the problems until they become large and expensive to repair.
One of the services that can identify any shortcomings (and biggest potential paybacks) in your building envelope is the use of thermal imaging to identify the problem areas. For this to be done effectively, be sure there is at least a 20-degree difference between the inside and outside of the home. Proper thermal imaging can identify air leaks, water, and excessive moisture build-up and conduction problems.