Envelope Performance
Focused guides for this part of the commercial project.
Rainscreen cladding concepts
Rainscreens separate exterior cladding from water/air-control layers with a drained/ventilated cavity concept, but details are assembly-specific.
Water management behind cladding
Successful facades manage bulk water, drainage, penetrations, joints and interfaces rather than relying on the visible panel alone.
Air-barrier coordination in recladding
Recladding can expose opportunities and risks around continuity of the air-control layer at openings, transitions and penetrations.
Thermal performance and exterior insulation
Exterior recladding may be paired with added insulation, but thermal bridges, condensation risk and existing-wall conditions require building-envelope design.
Fire performance of exterior wall assemblies
Fire requirements can depend on the complete wall assembly and building conditions; passing performance cannot be inferred from a cladding panel in isolation.
Wind-load planning for facade systems
Building height, exposure, corners/edges, panel size and attachment system influence wind demand and require professional structural design.
Movement joints and facade cladding
Thermal movement, building movement and material changes need coordinated joints so finishes are not forced to absorb unintended movement.
Windows and cladding interfaces
Facade renewal often intersects window perimeters, flashings and sealants, so scope boundaries must be clear before bids are compared.