When it comes to protecting a home from moisture damage, few components are as critical yet as often overlooked as the vapor retarder in crawlspaces. The crawlspace is uniquely vulnerable to moisture intrusion from the ground below, and without an effective vapor retarder, that moisture can migrate into the living space above, causing elevated humidity […]
Understanding Polyiso Insulation Performance in Cold Climates When designing building envelopes for cold climates, specifying the right insulation material is one of the most consequential decisions a design professional can make. Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) rigid foam insulation has long been favored for its high stated R-value per inch, typically R-5.6 to R-6.0. However, the performance of
Spray polyurethane foam insulation has been a transformative technology in building construction, offering superior air sealing and thermal performance that other insulation types struggle to match. Yet despite decades of use and refinement, spray foam remains one of the most misunderstood and inconsistently applied building materials on the market. Building enclosure specialist Henri Fennell, with
Continuous exterior insulation (CEI) is one of the most effective strategies for improving building envelope performance, delivering measurable gains in energy efficiency, durability, and occupant comfort. By placing a continuous layer of insulation outside the structural sheathing, builders eliminate thermal bridging through studs and framing members, a common source of heat loss in conventionally insulated
The global steel industry stands at a critical crossroads. Steel is fundamental to modern building construction, appearing in structural frameworks, reinforcing bars, wall panels, roofing systems, facades, and countless building components. Yet steelmaking currently contributes up to 9 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions each year, making it one of the most carbon-intensive industrial processes
The construction industry has long recognized the environmental and economic potential of recycled building materials. Diverting waste from landfills, reducing embodied carbon, and lowering raw material costs are powerful incentives for builders and manufacturers alike. However, the path from promising concept to large-scale production is rarely straightforward. The story of Serious Materials and its acquisition
When renovating older buildings, the opportunity to improve thermal performance often arises when wall and roof cavities become exposed during demolition or strip-out work. Rigid insulation boards offer a practical solution for boosting insulation levels during rehabs, but choosing the right material and positioning it correctly within the assembly requires a solid understanding of building
Beneath the streets of thousands of cities and towns across America lies a hidden hazard: aging lead pipes that still carry drinking water into homes, schools, and businesses. The crisis in Flint, Michigan, brought national attention to this problem, but lead plumbing is not isolated to any single community. The choice of piping material for
Moisture damage at the base of interior walls has long been one of the most frustrating problems in construction. When gypsum wall board contacts a concrete floor directly, it acts like a wick, drawing moisture upward through capillary action. A single plumbing leak, a flood from a burst pipe, or repeated mopping in a hospital
When selecting rigid insulation for high-performance building envelope assemblies, professionals must balance thermal efficiency, fire safety, moisture management, and environmental impact. Among the available options, phenolic foam insulation has emerged as a distinctive material that offers compelling performance characteristics. Kingspan Kooltherm, a phenolic foam rigid insulation product, has gained attention in the building science community
