Originally acclaimed for being lightweight, economical, and efficient as compared to traditional stone, terra cotta was a common façade element on many late-19th and early 20th century commercial buildings.
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A few years after construction, a mid-rise building in a freeze-thaw climate exhibited problems with the cast stone coping units atop parapet walls at balconies and the roof perimeter.
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Where masonry needs to be coated, breathability, durability, and adhesion are some of the important considerations in selecting the coating system and developing project specifications.
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Replacement windows present challenges in terms of installation and anchorage, especially in ensuring resistance to air and water infiltration and providing reliable structural support.
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Curtain wall installation requirements, means, methods, and materials continue to evolve, yet many of the basics remain the same. Most curtain walls have similar installations, but differ on size, location, alignment, and anchorage of components. Here are some of the critical areas to focus on for a successful curtain...
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Water leakage through the exterior wall was reported at a 30-year-old, one-story commercial building in the Midwest. The building had been constructed with concrete masonry unit (CMU) bearing walls clad with brick masonry veneer, and steel open-web joists supporting a steel roof deck. The portion of the building experiencing...
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Dutchman repairs are used to permanently repair cracked, spalled, or deeply eroded stone units. The installation of a dutchman repair begins with the preparation of the substrate by cutting, chipping, and grinding the damaged portion of the parent stone to a squared-off profile.
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In most climate zones within the United States, a dedicated air barrier is required by code as part of the building enclosure to control and manage airflow between the conditioned interior and exterior environments.
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Can a waterproofing membrane leak if it has no holes? Unfortunately, yes, under fairly common circumstances. If drainage is absent or impeded, water can slowly migrate directly through the membrane.
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Selection of fenestration systems for specific wall assemblies is a process in which performance characteristics, such as structural capacity, the resistance to air infiltration, and water penetration, and thermal attributes are evaluated along with aesthetics and cost. However, the integration of the system(s) under consideration with the adjacent exterior...
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