This document provides an overview and agenda for an Energy Trust of Oregon envelope design training event held on October 2015. The training covered key topics related to building enclosure design including critical barriers like the thermal barrier, air barrier and vapor barrier. It discussed approaches to designing continuous barriers and managing issues like thermal bridging. Insulation strategies like interior, exterior and split insulation were also reviewed. The document aimed to educate designers on best practices for creating efficient, durable and low energy building enclosures.

1. Energy Trust New Buildings
Envelope Design Training
October 27th, 2015

2. About
• Independent nonprofit
• Serving 1.5 million
customers of
Portland General
Electric, Pacific Power,
NW Natural and
Cascade Natural Gas
• Providing access to
affordable energy
• Generating
homegrown, renewable
power
• Building a stronger
Oregon and
SW Washington

3. Energy Trust service territory

4. 4
Projects served:
• New construction
• Major renovation
• Tenant build-out
• Additions or
expansions

5. Trainings and Events
• Allies for Efficiency Training Series
• Building Energy Simulation Forum
• Allies for Efficiency 2.0 (tentative title)
Priority Registration for New Buildings Allies!

6. Trainings & Education Site

7. Energy Trust of Oregon
Envelope Design
Training
AIA Portland
October 2015
Marty Houston,
AIA, CSI, LEED AP
Walsh Construction Co.

8. Enclosure Design Training
• The Role of the Building Enclosure in the
Creation of Low Energy Buildings…
• Critical Barriers
• The Thermal Barrier
• The Air Barrier
8

9. Definition:
Water Vapor
Water in it’s gaseous state
9

10. Definition:
Water Vapor
Water in it’s gaseous state
10

11. Definition:
Water Vapor Diffusion
The process by which water vapor spreads or
moves through permeable materials caused
by a difference in water vapor pressure.
11

12. 12

13. Definition:
Vapor Permeability
Permeability, rated in Perms, is a measure of
the rate of transfer of water vapor through a
material.
The higher the number, the easier it is to pass
water vapor through a material.
13

14. Vapor Permeability of
Standard Building Materials
1. Polyethylene .06
2. XPS Rigid 1
3. OSB 2
4. Plywood 3.5
5. EPS Rigid 3.5
6. 15# Felt 6
7. 2 PSJTX 11
8. Tyvek CW 23
9. Cat5 18
10. Vaproshield 50/212
14

15. Definition:
Condensation
Condensation is the change in the phase of
water from the gaseous phase into liquid
droplets or solid grains .
15

16. 16

17. Definition:
Dew Point
• The dew point is the temperature to which a
given parcel of air must be cooled, at
constant barometric pressure, for water vapor
to condense into water.
17

18. 18

19. 19

20. 20
Pop Quiz
1. How many of you know the difference
between an air barrier, a weather resistive
barrier and a vapor barrier?
2. How many materials do you need to have all
three in one wall?

21. 21

22. 22

23. The Path to Low Energy Buildings
1
2
3
4
23
Basic Building
Design
Enclosure
MEP
On-site Renewable
Energy

24. The Path to Low Energy Buildings
1
2
3
4
24
Basic Building
Design
Enclosure
MEP
On-site Renewable
Energy
Load Reduction

25. The Path to Low Energy Buildings
1
2
3
4
25
Basic Building
Design
Enclosure
MEP
On-site Renewable
Energy
Load Reduction
Meeting loads as
efficiently and cleanly
as possible…

26. The Path to Low Energy Buildings
1
2
3
4
26
Basic Building
Design
Enclosure
MEP
On-site Renewable
Energy
Load Reduction

27. Enclosure – Key Attributes
• Insulation
• Airtightness
• Optimized
Glazing
27

28. Basic Building Design (BBD)
28
• Low energy building design should focus first
on a few basic building design concepts:
– Building size & shape
• As small as possible for the given program
• As compact as possible for the given program, relative to
climaticfactors
– Building orientation
– Optimized glazing design

29. 29
E-W Orientation = 5%-6% Reduction in Annual Energy Use

30. Dwg: Building Shape
30
20 24 26
26 All contain 8
volume units-
what about
surface area?

31. Enclosure Area to Volume Ratio

32. Enclosure Area to Volume Ratio

33. BBD
• Optimized Glazing Design – i.e. windows
sized, configured and oriented to optimize
daylighting, views and solar gain
– Window-to-wall ratio managed to avoid excessive
heat loss while allowing for daylighting and views
– Glazing systems designed to avoid excessive solar
gain – i.e. glass coatings, shadings, etc.
– Use well-insulated & airtight glazing systems
33

34. Window-to-Wall Ratio: 50%

35. Window to Wall Ratio

36. Critical Barriers
• Water-Shedding Surface  Rain Penetration Control
• Water-Resistive Barrier  Rain Penetration Control
• Thermal Barrier  Thermal Control
• Air Barrier  Air Leakage Control
• Vapor Barrier  Vapor Diffusion Control
36

37. Critical Barriers
• Water-Shedding Surface  Rain Penetration Control
• Water-Resistive Barrier  Rain Penetration Control
• Thermal Barrier  Thermal Control
– Controls conductive and radiant heat flow
• Air Barrier  Air Leakage Control
– Controls air flow / convective heat flow
• Vapor Barrier  Vapor Diffusion Control
37

38. Critical Barriers
Thermal Barrier
Exterior
Stucco Cladding
Air Space
Sheathing Paper
Exterior Sheathing
Insulated Stud Space
Polyethylene Sheet
Interior Gypsum Board
Interior
Critical Barriers:
Vapor Barrier
Air Barrier
Water Resistive Barrier
Water Shedding Surface
Exterior Interior

39. Continuity – A Key Principle
• Continuous barriers are required to achieve
effective thermal and moisture control
• Continuity of critical barriers must be
provided, not just at field areas, but also at
interface details
– Transitions
– Penetrations
– Terminations
39

40. Continuity – A Key Principle
• Lack of continuity at critical barriers may lead to:
– Water leakage
– Air leakage
– Thermal bridging
– Condensation
• Resulting in:
– Poor energy performance
– Durability problems
40

41. Design of Critical Barriers
• Designer of the building enclosure should be
able to trace the continuity of each critical
barrier through the enclosure system
• Begin with building sections / wall sections
• Continue with foundation, wall and roof details
• Establish lines of continuity of all five barriers
41

42. Tracing the
Barriers
42

43. Thermal
Barrier (TB)
43

44. Water-shedding
Surface (WSS)
44

45. Water-resistive
Barrier (WRB)
45

46. Air Barrier
(AB)
46

47. Vapor Barrier
(VB)
47

48. RDH
Window: Aluminum Rebate (Box) Frame
Wall Assembly: Non Combustible - Exterior Insulation
Cladding: Brick Veneer
WINDOW SILL – JAMB
Steel Stud Framing
Dens-Glass Wall Sheathing
Beveled Wood Sub-Sill
Self Adhered Membrane
Metal Angle
Sill Membrane
Corner Membrane
Jamb Membrane
Shims
Sealant
Self Adhered Membrane
Interior Gypsum Board
Wood Stool
Exterior Rigid Insulation
Brick Veneer and Ties
Metal Drip Edge
Backer Rod & Exterior Sealant
Backer Rod & Interior Sealant at jamb
Window
VAPOUR BARRIERVAPOUR BARRIER
AIR BARRIERAIR BARRIER
EXT. MOISTURE BARRIER
VAPOUR BARRIER
AIR BARRIER
WATER SHEDDING SURFACE
EXT. MOISTURE BARRIER
VAPOUR BARRIER
END
48
Source:
RDH Building Sciences
THERMAL BARRIER

49. Durability - A Key Principle
• Durable = sustainable
• Selection and use of durable materials - suited
to the application / exposure - is critical
• Effective design and detailing of the enclosure
for watertightness, airtightness and thermal
resistance is essential for achieving both
energy performance and long term durability
49

50. The Air Barrier
• The air barrier is the system of materials that
controls air leakage / convective heat flow
through the building enclosure
• The air barrier is not one material but instead
is an integrated system of many different
materials/components
50

51. The Problem of Air Leakage
• Air leakage accounts for 20-40% of the heat
loss through building enclosures…
• Air leakage = higher energy costs
• Air leakage = larger carbon footprint
• Air leakage = reduced water penetration control
• Air leakage = increased condensation risk
• Air leakage = poor airflow control
– Impacts reliability of ventilation system design
51

52. 52
Source: State of Wisconsin Minimium Requirements for the Building Envelope

53. Air Barrier - Definitions
• Air barriers are defined by their air permeance
• Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) has
taken lead position in developing and
promulgating standards
• Now incorporated in many codes - including
WSEC
• “Materials”
– ≤ 0.04 cfm/sf @ 1.57 psf pressure differential
– ASTM E 2178, Standard Test Method for Air
Permeance of Building Materials
53

54. Air Barrier - Definitions
• “Assemblies”
– A collection of air barrier materials and air barrier
components assembled together in a specific
manner to create continuity (ABAA)
– ≤ 0.04 cfm/sf @ 1.57 psf
– ASTM E 2357, Standard Test Method for
Determining Air Leakage of Air Barrier Assemblies
54

55. Air Barrier - Definitions
• “System”
– An air barrier system is a system of building
assemblies within the building enclosure designed,
installed, and integrated in such a manner as to stop
the uncontrolled flow of air into and out of the building
enclosure (ABAA)
– A whole building air barrier is a system
– ≤ 0.40 cfm/sf @ 1.57 psf
– ASTM E 779, Standard Test Method for Determining
Air Leakage Rates by Fan Pressurization
– Alternate standard: ≤ 0.25 cfm/sf @ 1.57 psf (USACE)
55

56. Air Barrier - Materials
• Exterior cladding
• Sealants
• Flashings (membrane flashing, metal flashing)
• Windows
• Doors (poor AB)
• Housewraps (e.g. Tyvek)
• Wall membranes (e.g. “peel & stick”)
• Roof membranes
• Drywall
• Polyethylene sheet
56

57. Photo - Air Barrier
57

58. Air Barrier - Materials
• Material selection criteria includes:
– Air permeance
– Vapor permeance
– Water resistance (if serving as WRB also)
– Cost
– Constructability
– Availability
• Location / placement of air barrier relative to
insulation location is major determinant
58

59. Air Barrier - Approaches
• Interior Side
– Airtight Drywall Approach
– Sealed Polyethylene Approach
• Exterior Side
– Exterior Sheathing Approach
– Sheathing Membrane Approach (“housewrap”)
• Where cavity insulation approach is used
• Vapor permeable
59

62. Air Barrier - Approaches
• Exterior Side
– Exterior Sheathing Approach
– Sheathing Membrane Approach (“housewrap”)
• Where cavity insulation approach is used
• Vapor permeable
– Sheathing Membrane Approach (“peel & stick”)
• Where exterior insulation approach is used
• Vapor impermeable
62

64. Air Barrier - Approaches
• Exterior Side
– Exterior Sheathing Approach
– Sheathing Membrane Approach (“housewrap”)
• Where cavity insulation approach is used
• Vapor permeable
– Sheathing Membrane Approach (“peel & stick”)
• Where exterior insulation approach is used
• Vapor impermeable
– Sheathing Membrane Approach (fluid-applied)
• Vapor permeabilitydependent on whether cavity
insulation or exterior insulation approach is used
64

66. Air Barrier - Continuity
• To design and construct a complete air
barrier system for the building, continuity
must be provided at interfaces between all
materials and components…
• Easier said than done!
66

67. Air Barrier - Continuity
• Key Details for Air Barrier Continuity:
– Wall to foundation
– Roof to wall
– Floor lines
– Window and door perimeters
– Other penetrations
– Transitions between wall types
– Transitions between cladding materials
67

68. 68

69. Airtightness & IAQ
• Mechanical ventilation becomes increasingly
important as building airtightness increases
• Effectiveness - and efficiency - of ventilation
system becomes more highly critical to
ensuring overall building performance,
including indoor air quality…
– Dedicated fresh air delivery to each space
– Controlled air flow between spaces
– Controlled ventilation rates
– Heat recovery from exhaust air
– IF YOU BUILD IT TIGHT- VENTILATE RIGHT! 69

70. KEN
70

71. The Thermal Barrier
• The thermal barrier is the system of materials
that controls conductive and radiant heat flow
through the building enclosure
• Insulation - yes - but many other materials
and components serve as part of the thermal
barrier
71

72. Thermal Barrier Problems
• Thermal Bridges
• Insulation Material Selection
• Insulation Installation “Defects”
72

73. Get Your Thermal Bridge On

74. 74
Thermal Bridging

75. Thermal Barrier Problems
• Thermal Bridges
• Insulation Material Selection
• Insulation Installation Defects
• Glazing Assemblies
75

76. 76

77. 77

78. Thermal Barrier Problems
• Thermal Bridges
• Insulation Material Selection
• Insulation Installation Defects
• Glazing Assemblies?
78

79. 79

80. Thermal Bridges
• Exterior Wall Framing Members
– Light gauge steel framing
– Wood framing
80

81. R-Value Comparison
81
Source: Bombino/Burnett

82. Photo - Light Steel Frame Walls
82

84. Thermal Bridges
• Exterior Wall Framing Members
– Light gauge steel framing
– Wood framing
• Regions of Framing “Build-up”
– Exterior Wall Openings (e.g. headers, posts)
– Exterior Wall Corners
– Exterior Wall to Floor Intersections
– Exterior Wall to Roof Intersections
84

85. Photo: Not so advanced framing…

86. Other Thermal Bridges
• Window Frames (Aluminum & Steel)
• Metal Subframing at Cladding Systems
• Steel Ledger Angles at Cladding Systems
• Projecting Slab Edges (Concrete)
• Large Structural Framing Members (Steel)
86

87. Drawing – Straube report
87

88. Drawing – Straube report
88

89. Drawing – Straube report
89
Image courtesy of Mike Williams

90. 90

91. 91

92. 92
Thermal Bridging

96. Condensation Risk
• Thermal bridges not only cause problems
with poor thermal performance but can also
lead to significantly increased risk of
condensation problems
96

97. PERFECT WALL
Source: philipluo.com

98. PERFECT WALL
Source: BuildingScience Corporation

99. PERFECT WALL
Source: BuildingScience Corporation

100. PERFECT WALL
Source: BuildingScience Corporation

101. PERFECT WALL
Source: BuildingScience Corporation

102. PERFECT WALL
Source: BuildingScience Corporation

103. PERFECT WALL

104. PERFECT WALL
Source: philipluo.com

105. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Interior Insulation(wall)
• Advantages
• easier to install
• Materialcosts low
• Disadvantages
• Allows dewpoint interior to weather barrier
• May requirefire separationfrom habitable space
• Does not protect weather barrier from thermal
movements
• Thermal bridgingat framing members reduces
effectiveR-value

106. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Interior Insulation (wall)
• Product Types
• Fiberglass batts (3.1 to 4.3/in)
• Mineral wool (3.7 to 4.5/in)
• Cotton batts (3.5/in)
• Sprayed-in cellulose (3.6 to 3.8/in)
• Sprayed-in fiberglass (3.7 to 4.2/in)
• Closed cell spray foam (6/in)
• Open cell spray foam (3.5/in)

107. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Exterior Insulation (wall)
• Advantages
• Mitigates thermal bridging
• Protects weather barrier from thermal movements
• Pushes dewpoint exterior of weather barrier
• Disadvantages
• Installation requires more coordination
• Higher material cost
• Drying time of wall may lengthen depending on
material choices

108. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Exterior Insulation (wall)
• Product Types
• Extruded polystyrene (XPS) (4.5 to 5.0/in)
• Expanded polystyrene (EPS) (3.6 to 4.0/in)
• Polyisocyanurate (5.6/in)
• Closed cell spray foam (6/in)
• Mineral wool (3.7 to 4.5/in)

109. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Split Insulation(wall)
• Advantages
• Mitigatesthermal bridging
• Protects weather barrier from most thermal
movements
• Sometimes cost effective
• Disadvantages
• Installationstill requires more coordination
• Drying time of wall may lengthendepending on
materialchoices
• Weather barrier materialchoices narrow
• Dewpoint will reside in stud cavity….but for how long?

110. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Interior Insulation(roof)
• Advantages
• Easier to install
• Materialcosts low
• Disadvantages
• Allows dewpoint interior to roof membrane
• Does not protect roof membrane from thermal
movements and weathering
• Susceptible to moistureduring construction
• Thermal bridgingat fasteners reduces effectiveR-
value mildly

111. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Infrared Scan of EPDM Roof
THERM model w/ fasteners
thru all insulation
THERM model w/ fasteners thru
first layer of insulation

112. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Exterior Insulation (roof)
• Advantages
• Mitigates thermal bridging
• Protects roof membrane from thermal movements
• Pushes dewpoint exterior of roof membrane
• Quicker “dry-in” of building
• Disadvantages
• Installation requires more coordination
• Insulation needs to be covered (pavers, ballast,
vegetation, etc.) to protect from exposure

113. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Source: Roxul

114. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Source: Roxul
Source: Roxul

115. INSULATION STRATEGIES
Figure source: Roxul

116. INSULATION STRATEGIES

117. Why is CONTINUITY important?
PORTLAND AIR
INFILTRATION
WATER VAPOR
DIFFUSION
1” SQUARE
HOLE
10000 1000 100 10 1 0.1
# GRAINS PER HOUR
INTERIOR
68°F 50%RH
EXTERIOR
41°F 80%RH
SOURCE: WBDG

118. Why is CONTINUITY important?
MIAMIAIR
INFILTRATION
INTERIOR
70°F 50%RH
WATER VAPOR
DIFFUSION
1” SQUARE
HOLE
EXTERIOR
91°F 56%RH
0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
# GRAINS PER HOUR
SOURCE: WBDG

119. Why is CONTINUITY important?
Solve the air and water first……..then worry about insulation!

120. Case Study 1 – Exterior infiltration

121. Case Study 1 – Exterior infiltration

122. Case Study 1 – Exterior infiltration

123. Case Study 1 – Exterior infiltration

124. Case Study 1 – Exterior infiltration

125. Case Study 1 – Exterior infiltration

126. Case Study 1 – Exterior infiltration

127. Case Study – Exterior infiltration

128. Case Study 1 – Exterior infiltration

129. Case Study 2 – Interior infiltration
• Case Study - Interior

130. Case Study 2 – Interior infiltration

131. Case Study 2 – Interior infiltration
???

132. Case Study 2 – Interior infiltration
Temperature = 20°F
Relative Humidity = 93%
Vapor Pressure Force = 7.2psf
Temperature = 70°F
Relative Humidity = 53%
Vapor Pressure Force = 15.7psf

133. Case Study 2 – Interior infiltration

134. Case Study 2 – Interior infiltration

135. Case Study 2 – Interior infiltration

136. Case Study 2 – Interior infiltration

137. Case Study 3 – Interior infiltration

138. Case Study 3 – Interior infiltration

139. Case Study 3 – Interior infiltration

140. Case Study 3 – Interior infiltration

141. Case Study 3 – Interior infiltration

142. Case Study 3 – Interior infiltration

143. Case Study 3 – Interior infiltration

144. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

145. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

146. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

147. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

148. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

149. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

150. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

151. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

152. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

153. Case Study 4 – Exterior infiltration

155. PENCIL TEST – plans and sections
UNCONDITIONEDCONDITIONED

156. PENCIL TEST – plans and sections
UNCONDITIONED
CONDITIONED

157. PENCIL TEST – plans and sections
UNCONDITIONED
CONDITIONED

158. PENCIL TEST – plans and sections
UNCONDITIONED
CONDITIONED

159. PENCIL TEST – plans and sections

160. DETAILS

161. DETAILS

162. DETAILS

163. DETAILS

164. DETAILS

165. DETAILS

166. DETAILS

167. THE OTHER “C” WORD - COMPATIBILITY

168. COMPATIBILITY

169. COMPATIBILITY

170. COMPATIBILITY

171. Energy Trust of Oregon
The Quality Process-
You Don’t Get
Something for Nothing
AIA Portland
October 2015
Marty Houston,
AIA, CSI, LEED AP
Walsh Construction Co.

172. Program for Quality
172

173. 173
Program for Quality

174. 174
Design for Quality

175. 175
Design for Quality

176. 176
Build for Quality

177. 177
Design for Quality

178. 178
Maintain for Quality

179. W. Edwards Deming
179

180. Quality= Results of Work Efforts
180
Total Costs

181. “Cost of Quality Versus Cost of Non-
Quality in Construction: the Crucial
Balance”
Yehiel Rosenfeld
Published November 2008
181

182. Key Ideas and Definitions
• All Buildings are Prototypes
• ISO9000: Quality is a Managerial Issue
• Focus on Proactive Measures
• Internal Failures
• External Failures
• Total Cost of Quality
182

183. 183

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185. 185

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187. 187

188. 188

189. 189

190. 190

191. Total Costs of Quality
• Prevention
• Appraisal
• Internal Failures
• External Failures
191

192. Hidden Costs of Non- Quality
• Exposure to Future Liabilities
• Failure to Retain Existing Customers (tenants)
• Loss of New Customers (tenants)
• Short and Long-Term Damage to Reputation
• Increased Insurance Costs
192

193. 193

194. 194

195. 195
You get what you pay for

196. 196
You get what you pay for

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