Tempo:
Functions of the Building Envelope: Water, Air,Vapour and Heat Control
This chapter contains information about important functions that impact all parts of the building envelope and influence the design of construction elements covered in Chapters 7 to 15. They are introduced early in this book to help ensure the design of the building envelope is considered from the outset and at each stage of house design. The building envelope is the outer “skin” of the building that acts as a barrier or separator between the exterior and interior environments of a building. It is comprised of the foundation walls and basement floor, the above-grade exterior walls, attic, ceiling and roof, as well as openings including windows, doors, skylights and mechanical and electrical penetrations. Every building envelope is a system and many inter-related issues affect its performance and durability. The designer and the builder must carefully consider the interaction between the interior and exterior environments as well as the materials and components that comprise the building envelope to provide a durable, long-lasting building.
Important: The building envelope performs several functions (such as structural support, fire protection and noise control), which are discussed in later chapters. This chapter focuses on the building envelope’s functions as an environmental separator: the control of water, air, vapour and heat, because these physical processes have a crucial effect on building performance:
they affect comfort, durability and cost of operation; they require careful planning and construction; and if inadequately controlled, they can lead to problems that are difficult or expensive to correct.
The durability of the building envelope of wood-frame structures is directly affected by four inter-related physical processes of moisture, air, vapour and heat moving through the various
This chapter contains information about important functions that impact all parts of the building envelope and influence the design of construction elements covered in Chapters 7 to 15. They are introduced early in this book to help ensure the design of the building envelope is considered from the outset and at each stage of house design. The building envelope is the outer “skin” of the building that acts as a barrier or separator between the exterior and interior environments of a building. It is comprised of the foundation walls and basement floor, the above-grade exterior walls, attic, ceiling and roof, as well as openings including windows, doors, skylights and mechanical and electrical penetrations. Every building envelope is a system and many inter-related issues affect its performance and durability. The designer and the builder must carefully consider the interaction between the interior and exterior environments as well as the materials and components that comprise the building envelope to provide a durable, long-lasting building.
Important: The building envelope performs several functions (such as structural support, fire protection and noise control), which are discussed in later chapters. This chapter focuses on the building envelope’s functions as an environmental separator: the control of water, air, vapour and heat, because these physical processes have a crucial effect on building performance:
they affect comfort, durability and cost of operation; they require careful planning and construction; and if inadequately controlled, they can lead to problems that are difficult or expensive to correct.
The durability of the building envelope of wood-frame structures is directly affected by four inter-related physical processes of moisture, air, vapour and heat moving through the various
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