Login Walls, Walls and More Walls – Impacts of New Energy Codes on Typical Wall Construction
The ever increasing thermal performance requirements for building enclosures is having a dramatic impact on how we build wood-frame buildings. In particular, new requirements with the City of Vancouver and the new BCBC Step Code have instigated a need for significantly improved thermal performance of exterior walls and roof assemblies. This has lead from a shift of cavity insulated assemblies to the development and adoption of new and innovative wall designs including deeply insulated framing, exterior and interior insulation, panelized components and a range of proprietary systems and new insulation materials. The combinations and options are seemingly endless, yet there are some simple strategies which are gaining more market acceptance by designers and builders.
In this 60 minute seminar, Graham Finch of RDH Building Science, will discuss the building science fundamentals and tricks for the design of more insulated wall assemblies. He will review various wall assembly combinations to compare effective thermal performance, moisture management, air leakage, vapour diffusion control, overall durability and return on investment. Building professionals will walk-away with practical solutions to improve the thermal performance of their walls in order to meet market demands and stay competitive.
Graham Finch, Principal and Building Science Specialist, RDH Building Science
Graham has a passion for technology and a dedication to making better and more energy efficient buildings. He leads the RDH building science research group and is actively involved in a wide range of projects from building research studies to forensic investigations, building monitoring, hygrothermal modeling, and new construction façade design across North America and overseas.
Graham has co-authored several publications and practical industry guideline documents related to high-performance building enclosures and is regularly invited by industry organizations and clients across Canada and the US to speak to the practical and technical issues of various building science topics. In addition to his work at RDH, Graham is a part-time instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology where he teaches building science courses to students at the Diploma and Masters levels.
