When we’re building a high-performance home, the details of the building envelope matter. Airtightness, moisture management, insulation, windows, and rain control all work together to create a home that is comfortable, efficient, and durable.
I’m here on the front porch of this Burnaby home, and there are six building-envelope details that really stand out to me.
1. A Temporary Steel Door for Construction Security
The first thing I love is something that may seem simple: the temporary steel door.
While a home is under construction, it still needs to be protected. A temporary steel door provides a secure entry point while the rest of the home is being built.
It’s a small detail, but protecting the home throughout construction is part of maintaining a well-managed job site.
2. A High-Performance Air Control Layer
Next, you can see our WRB, or weather-resistant barrier.
For the air control layer, we’re using SIGA Majvest 500 SA, a self-adhered, vapor-open membrane.
We love using this type of membrane because maintaining continuity in the air control layer is critical to achieving a high level of airtightness.
Every seam, transition, window, and penetration matters when you’re trying to build an airtight home.
3. EuroLine Windows
The third detail is the windows.
We’ve installed EuroLine windows, which are another component we really like using. And just as importantly, our clients love them too.
Windows are a significant part of the building envelope. Their performance, installation, and integration with the surrounding air and water control layers all contribute to the overall performance of the home.
4. Continuity of the Air Control Layer at the Roof
If you look up toward the roof, you can see that SIGA Majvest 500 SA was installed before we put on the skirt roof.
Why does that matter?
It helps promote continuity of the air control layer between different parts of the building envelope.
That continuity is critical when we’re working toward excellent airtightness. On this house, we’re currently achieving 0.44 ACH at mid-construction, which is a fantastic result.
Airtightness isn’t achieved by one product alone. It comes from carefully connecting the different components of the building envelope and paying attention to the details throughout construction.
5. Continuous ROCKWOOL Insulation
The fifth thing I love is the ROCKWOOL continuous insulation around the exterior of the house.
I like to think of it as a continuous sweater around the building.
Continuous exterior insulation helps reduce heat loss and minimize thermal bridging, helping keep the occupants more comfortable while improving the energy efficiency of the home.
It’s another example of how the building envelope can be designed as a complete system rather than a collection of individual components.
6. A Properly Ventilated Rainscreen
And finally, the rainscreen.
In our climate, rainscreen assemblies are an important part of managing moisture behind the exterior cladding. They create a drainage plane and provide back ventilation, helping water drain and allowing the assembly to dry.
That’s especially important in a wet climate like ours.
A well-designed rainscreen can contribute to the long-term durability and longevity of the building envelope by helping manage moisture before it becomes a problem.
7. Building a Better Home Starts with the Building Envelope
These six details may look like separate construction decisions, but they all work toward the same goal: creating a home that is comfortable, efficient, airtight, and durable.
From the air control layer and high-performance windows to continuous insulation and a properly designed rainscreen, the building envelope plays a major role in how a home performs for the people who live in it.
And when you’re already achieving 0.44 ACH at mid-construction, it shows how much attention to detail matters.
— Larry Clay
The Clay Way™
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