Building Science

Why Polyurethane Foam is an Excellent Roofing Material

May 15, 2019

For flat roofs, spray polyurethane foam is an excellent option to consider. It consists of two components (resin and polyisocyanurate) joined together with heat and pressure, which react to rise and form a solid surface.

Plant-Based Thermal Material to Rival Styrofoam?

May 15, 2019

Washington State University researchers have developed an environmentally-friendly, plant-based material that for the first time works better than Styrofoam for insulation.

Video: Better Wall Insulation with ‘Advanced Framing’

May 15, 2019

Did you know that 3/4" Advantech subfloor panel isn't supported once framing members are further apart than 19.8"? See the solution here.

2018 IgCC Vast Improvement for Energy Efficiency

May 15, 2019

At a moment when LEED is pivoting toward an increasingly more stringent certification model based on an integration of strategies and measured performance (utilizing the emerging arc platform), the 2018 IgCC is poised to fill the necessary role of setting a minimum standard for energy and environmental design.

Analyzing the Significant Impacts of Water Infiltration

May 15, 2019

The ways in which liquid and vapor move through our building envelopes are complex, and even today not completely understood; but the fact that lots of water can (and does) move through porous building materials is a phenomenon that rules over so much of the way we build.

ASTM Seeks Thermal Insulation Resiliency Research

May 15, 2019

Papers are invited for a Symposium on Performance, Properties and Resiliency of Thermal Insulations to be held Wednesday and Thursday, October 28 & 29, 2020.

PIMA's Justin Koscher: Latest Building Codes Pay Off

May 8, 2019

In a recent submission to Building Enclosures Magazine, PIMA president Justin Koscher briefly examines the impact the latest building codes have on making structures more resilient to natural disasters.

Illustrations: Housewrap and Drip Edging Done Right

May 8, 2019

For this home, the trouble had begun with the installation of the drip edge and gutters. One simple oversight started the entire problem: The drip edge was applied too tight to the fascia trim.That meant that the water would run straight down off the roof and wrap around the drip edge.

Foam Insulation Can Control Basement Floor Moisture

May 8, 2019

Q. I'm considering using a layer of rigid EPS foam followed by a screwed-down plywood underlayment on top of the basement slab, but I'm also considering a subfloor system consisting of engineered wood panels that have a molded polyethylene membrane on the underside. Which approach would be better?

ICC Takes a Look at Net-Zero in the Context of Today’s Codes

May 8, 2019

In building energy efficiency circles, the terms net zero, zero net energy, carbon neutrality and net carbon neutral are becoming increasingly common when discussing policy trends. However, there is confusion on how they intersect with today’s energy codes.