Monthly archive

Traditionally precast panel wall assemblies have been designed as face seal systems. In these systems weather tightness relies on water repellence treatment of the panels and on the detailing of the panel joints, such as binary sealant joints. More recent designs have attempted to incorporate rainscreen principles in the design of precast panel wall assemblies. In a typical rainscreen construction, the backup wall is installed first and then weatherproofed prior to the cladding installation.

Discussion of challenges with continuous exterior insulation

December’s presentation will outline two technologies related to high performance glazing. Speaker Michael Gainey, from Azon USA in MI, will discuss structural thermal barriers for aluminum window framing, and warm-edge spacer technology for insulating glass.

Mac Sheldon will present information on the use of spray foam insulation. He will focus on design considerations pertinent to thermal performance and evolving energy codes.

Spray foam insulation provides the opportunity to contribute to the thermal barrier, air barrier, and moisture barrier of envelope assemblies. However, it also presents challenges for proper design and installation. Topics will be examined relating the use of open and closed cell spray foam and methods for installation and common applications for wall and roof assemblies.

The second of two BEC presentations for this year focusing on what project specific conditions warrant using an enclosure consultant and what conditions do not warrant inclusion of an enclosure consultant. The first panel discussion focused on the working relationship setup and strategies, and the second panel discussion (October 2011) focuses on working management and roles.

The first two BEC presentations for this year focus upon what project specific conditions warrant using an enclosure consultant and what conditions do not warrant inclusion of an enclosure consultant. The first panel discussion focuses more upon the working relationship setup and strategies, and the second panel discussion (October 2011) focuses more on the working management and roles.

This month our Portland BEC President, Dave Young, will present information on blistering in polyurethane membranes.

Water-filled blisters under cold-applied, asphalt-modified elastomeric polyurethane waterproofing membranes have been discovered on numerous buildings in the Pacific Northwest in recent years, often requiring replacement of the membrane. This presentation explains the phenomena of osmotic flow through polyurethane waterproofing membranes and presents strategies for addressing this problem through design.

This month Mark Campion will present information on the application of continuous insulation in walls per the 2010 Oregon Energy Code requirement.

This month’s presentation is a summary of a research study conducted by Walsh Construction Company and Building Science Corporation to evaluate highly insulated wood-framed walls for the Pacific Northwest. With changing energy codes, the 2030 Challenge and the need to reduce energy consumption, design teams and owners are considering exterior wall assemblies with ever-increasing amounts of insulation. The study evaluated exterior wall assemblies that provide a high insulating value while acknowledging the hygrothermal implications of increasing the insulating value.