Moisture Management
The building enclosure manages everything that might get into and out of a building: water, wind, light, sound, air, pests, and people. Assemblies are the foundations, above-grade walls, and roofs that make up the enclosure, and how they’re put together makes all the difference to how well the building performs—and for how long.
Here you’ll learn the importance of continuity at assembly transitions, and how to help ensure that the whole team—from architect to structural and mechanical engineers to construction managers and subcontractors—is educated about moisture risks and is accountable for quality work.
Moisture Management
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
-
What Makes the Building Envelope Green? BuildingGreen’s Guide to Thermal & Moisture Protection Products
Feature Article
From insulation to flashing tape to cladding, we look at the attributes of the greenest building envelope products.
-
Go with the Flows: The Promise and Peril of Hygrothermal Modeling
Feature Article
Tools modeling heat and moisture flows in building envelopes, such as WUFI, offer vital information for architects and engineers-but their misuse can do harm.
-
The Hidden Science of High-Performance Building Assemblies
Feature Article
Any four walls and a roof make an enclosure, but for efficiency, comfort, and durability, those elements have to be meticulously designed and installed.
-
Bringing Nature Indoors: The Myths and Realities of Plants in Buildings
Feature Article
Some proponents of indoor plants promise that they will clean the air and promote occupant health and productivity. But will they? Scientific backing for these claims is still being developed, but some of the results are promising.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
-
Building Enclosure Commissioning: Ensuring Durable and Energy-Efficient Buildings
Primer
The building envelope is crucial for all other building systems. How can we use commissioning to make sure it performs?
-
Capillary Breaks: How to Get Them Right the First Time
Primer
Most people understand that they need drainage—but they forget to plan for the water that flows uphill, and disaster can result.
-
Talk Perms Like a Pro: The Science of Water Vapor
Primer
Faced with managing water vapor in buildings? Who isn’t? Put down that polyethylene and learn to talk like a building scientist.
-
Buffering Humidity with Interior Finishes
Primer
The relative humidity of indoor air often fluctuates. Interior finishes can help moderate those changes, improving comfort and IAQ as well as saving energy.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
-
No More Condensation on Chilled Beams
Product Review
Semco’s Neuton pump module could simplify installation of chilled beams, eliminate condensation problems, and provide improved zone control.
-
Top-Efficiency Washers and Dryers Come in from Turkey
Product Review
Blomberg and Beko ventless heat-pump dryers lead the pack in energy performance and also may cause less wear-and-tear on clothing.
-
Treated Wood for Ground Contact, Minus the Toxic Pesticides
Product Review
Accoya, now code-approved for fungus and termite resistance, relies on acetylation as a benign alternative to conventional pressure-treated wood.
-
Aerogel Coating May Reduce Thermal Bridging
Product Review
Thermal breaks can be pricey and may affect structural integrity. Aerolon is a non-structural alternative designed to have similar benefits.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
-
Zero-Energy Laws Spur Growth in Passive House Certification
News Brief
Passive House-certified projects surged in North America last year, particularly in Vancouver.
-
New Owner of TimberSIL Hopes to Put Failures in the Past
News Analysis
Everyone loved the treated-wood alternative until its high-profile failures. For the next maker of TimberSIL, quality control is job one.
-
Mechanical—Not Natural—Drying Is a Must After a Flood
News Brief
Long-term research confirms that airing it out doesn’t cut the mustard (or the mold) after major moisture damage.
-
EPA Primer on Moisture Control Filled With Strategies, Checklists
News Brief
A free resource outlines basic moisture-management practices for design, construction, and maintenance of both homes and commercial buildings.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
-
Wingnut Real-World Testing of Basement Waterproofing
Blog Post
A basement testing of UGL Drylok Extreme, Koster NB1 Grey, Xypex Concentrate negative-side waterproofing
-
Pete’s Puzzle: Mold on Painted Clapboards is Food for Thought
Blog Post
There is mold on the factory-primed, latex top-coated wood clapboards on the south but not the north side of our house
-
Combining Sheathing With a WRB and Air Barrier
Blog Post
How well do Zip and ForceField sheathing integrate a structural panel with bulk water and air management?
-
Installing Basement Waterproofing from the “Negative” Side
Blog Post
Of course the best way to waterproof any below-grade assembly is from the exterior—but what works if you have to go from the interior?
Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
-
What Makes the Building Envelope Green? BuildingGreen’s Guide to Thermal & Moisture Protection Products
Feature Article
From insulation to flashing tape to cladding, we look at the attributes of the greenest building envelope products.
-
The Hidden Science of High-Performance Building Assemblies
Feature Article
Any four walls and a roof make an enclosure, but for efficiency, comfort, and durability, those elements have to be meticulously designed and installed.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
-
Judge Robs Yost of Gold Medal in WUFI Modeling
April Fools
Despite a perfect 10 for Yost from two of the judges, this year’s WUFIlympics gold medal goes to Terry Brennan.
