When specifying sealants for curtain wall systems and building envelopes, architects and specifiers face a critical choice: silicone, polyurethane, or acrylic chemistry. The performance of that choice is measured not in months but in decades. A landmark 40-year outdoor weathering study conducted at the Atlas Weathering Test Site in Florida provides some of the most […]
When buildings rise faster and more efficiently than ever before, prefabricated wall systems have become a cornerstone of modern construction. These factory-built assemblies, with framing, insulation, air barriers, cladding, and glazing, arrive on site ready for installation. But the performance of the entire building envelope depends on a single critical detail: the field joint between
Over the past two decades, roof design and construction have evolved from straightforward waterproofing into a sophisticated discipline grounded in building science. Modern roofing systems must manage not only precipitation but also thermal transfer, air movement, and vapor migration across the building envelope. Understanding how roofing barriers, vapor retarders, air barriers, and insulation work together
Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (ccSPF) has become one of the most widely specified insulation materials in modern building envelopes because it combines air barrier, vapor barrier, and thermal barrier functions in a single application. When installed correctly, it delivers exceptional R-values and helps buildings achieve stringent energy code targets. However, post-installation shrinkage remains a persistent
High-performance coatings have evolved far beyond simple paint finishes. In modern building construction, smart coating systems are engineered to deliver corrosion resistance, fire protection, chemical durability, and accelerated construction schedules through offsite prefabrication. These material systems play a critical role in protecting structural steel, building envelopes, interior finishes, and sensitive building zones from environmental exposure
Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has become one of the most specified insulation materials in modern building construction, prized for its high R-value per inch, air-sealing capability, and moisture management properties. Despite its widespread use, misunderstandings about SPF chemistry, application requirements, and long-term performance persist among building professionals. This article provides a technical refresher on spray
The emergence of mass timber as a primary structural system in campus architecture represents one of the most significant material shifts in educational building design in decades. Projects such as Studio Gang’s new building at the California College of the Arts (CCA) in San Francisco demonstrate how exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued-laminated timber (glulam)
LED lighting has become one of the most consequential specification categories in modern building construction. Nowhere is this more evident than in parking structure projects, where lighting must accommodate vehicular and pedestrian traffic, endure harsh operating environments, and address critical public safety considerations. The recent completion of the Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic
Assessing Existing Masonry Before Overcladding Before specifying any overcladding system, the existing masonry must be thoroughly evaluated. Overcladding involves installing a new facade layer over the existing wall assembly, and the original masonry must have sufficient structural capacity to support the added loads from new cladding, sub-framing, and insulation. A comprehensive assessment identifies hidden deterioration,
Brick has anchored construction for millennia, prized for its durability, texture, and timeless character. Yet as building envelopes demand higher thermal performance, faster installation, and lower embodied carbon, traditional fired-clay masonry faces real constraints. Engineers and manufacturers have responded with a wave of brick alternatives that deliver the familiar aesthetic without the weight, labor intensity,
