April 2017 Monthly Meeting

When
-
Meeting Title
Condensation Control - Effective R-values and Continuous Insulation
Location

Aceh Community Room
Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St
Portland, OR 97204

Presenters
John Smegal
Description

Continuous exterior insulation, when used correctly, can resolve multiple building performance challenges. In this presentation, we will look at two topics: condensation and effective R-values. Condensation can lead to mold or rot on building enclosure surfaces, as well as within the enclosure’s inner layers. You will learn how to assess and minimize condensation risk in various assemblies, including how to reduce risk using continuous exterior insulation. We will also discuss the reasons that advertised insulation R-values are rarely achieved in buildings, how the effective R-value can be determined, and strategies (including continuous exterior insulation) that can maximize the effective R-value of a wall assembly.

Jonathan Smegal’s work for RDH includes laboratory research, hygrothermal modeling, field monitoring of wall performance, and forensic analysis of building failures. Jonathan has managed more than a dozen full scale field tests of wall and roof performance including test huts, test trailers, test houses, and production homes in various locations throughout North America.