Building Envelope

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For most of us our home is the largest investment in our lives. We all like our homes to look good and have great curb appeal. But have you ever thought of what is under your cladding? Well, its your building envelope. You building envelope is what keeps you safe and dry. It sheds and repels water from entering your home. Was it done correctly, were the windows you just replaced tied back into the envelope? For example, most owners do not realize that based on code minimums the expected service life for a face-sealed, caulked system on a building is about 10 to 15 years. It is extremely important to determine durability targets at the concept stage to manage expectations. This does not include proper installation. If you have a water leak on your home you need someone who really knows what they are doing. Is it properly lapped? Is it the right thickness? Are there to many fasteners holding on the cladding causing tiny little holes in the envelope, and are they sealed. Do you have a drainage system? These are all very big questions when dealing with a water leak that most people never think of or haven’t been educated on. 

Here are a few things that can help with water problems:

• Deterring water is the most-effective water thing that can be done off the outside face of the wall. This will be diverter flashings, proper window flashings, proper size eavestroughing, and downspout flow along with other methods.

• Drainage would be next on the list because it redirects any water that enters the cladding. (stucco, siding, vinyl or whatever covers your envelope) It is important to ensure drained water is directed away from the building.

• Wall systems including stucco should allow for drying but should not be relied on to the same extent as deflection and drainage. Breathable stucco is excellent for this aspect of drainage.