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This updated presentation reviews the research and latest prescriptive code requirements for attaching claddings through a layer of exterior continuous insulation.

Newer homes, materials and code requirements have changed the way “invisible” water (water vapor) must be managed to avoid it becoming visible in unwanted ways. Water vapor control is one of the trickiest and riskiest areas of building and energy code compliance. The old “rules of thumb” are no longer reliable or universal. This program, originally presented at IBS 2017, provides actionable prescriptive guidelines for integrated insulation and vapor control strategies. 

To download the full presentation, choose a link below. 

This presentation reviews structural wind resistance and water-resistance research supporting various detailing options in the context of new provisions in the latest editions of the IBC and IRC.

The presence of an airspace enclosed within a building envelope assembly is known to contribute to the overall thermal performance of the assembly. But, the actual R-value of an airspace can vary significantly depending on various conditions of use, such as the air-tightness of the assembly of materials enclosing an airspace.

Used appropriately with other control layers, the thermal control layers (insulation) of a cold-formed steel wall assembly can actually contribute to improved durability and energy efficiency. This presentation looks at five key building science topics together with new code requirements and design tools to help navigate and coordinate building code requirements for moisture control and energy code requirements for insulation.

This program presents energy code requirements, addresses moisture control principles and building code requirements, and then specifically focuses on details to integrate windows and cladding efficiently and effectively with continuous insulation, particularly foam plastic insulated sheathings.

This presentation explains the types of thermal bridges, their impacts, how to account for them, and practical ways to address them with efficient detailing and insulation strategies, including continuous insulation. 

Presented as a live, full-day course at the 2024 Colorado Chapter of ICC Educational Institute, Jay Crandell, P.E. and Thomas Culp, Ph.D. cover the importance of the building thermal envelope in the context of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code.