Building Envelope
The building envelope, or building enclosure, protects us and the building interior from the elements and enables occupant comfort. The building envelope includes the cladding, air barrier, weather barrier, thermal insulation, and other components.
Building Envelope
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Alpen Fiberglass Windows-Leading the High-Performance Race
Product Review
Alpen Energy Group manufacturers some of the highest-performing windows in the world, with center-of-glass R-values reaching R-20 in some cases.
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Enertia Double-Envelope Home Still Has Problems
Product Review
Although its passive solar design is sound, the Enertia double-envelope home's energy performance claims may be overstated and its design presents fire risks.
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Cardinal Introduces New LoE3 Glass
Product Review
The nation's largest manufacturer of low-emissivity glass for residential windows has introduced an improved triple-coated glass, now being used by several window makers.
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Tinting on Demand with SageGlass
Product Review
Glazing from Sage Electrochromics, Inc., allows users to change its visible light and total solar transmittance properties with the push of a button.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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SIPs Accepted into Residential Code
News Brief
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IRS Issues Guidance on Energy Efficiency Deduction for Commercial Building Owners
News Brief
Building owners or leaseholders can deduct the cost of energy-efficient property installed in commercial buildings, and recent guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) describes what taxpayers need to do to qualify.
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Low-E Glass Gains Ground
News Brief
Since producing its one-billionth square foot in 1996, the low-e glazing industry has steadily gained ground over the last ten years, with sales now approaching one billion square feet each year.
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Little to Show for Ten Years
News Brief
We found little progress, and even some backsliding, in the ten years since we wrote about windows, The Natural Step, autoclaved aerated concrete, and AIA's Environmental Resource Guide.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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