Insulating buildings with pressure-sensitive tape

Pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape technologies have properties that can insulate a building from environmental events such as precipitation, vapor ingress, extreme cold and heat, and external noise. While there may be a temptation to use putties and caulks instead of PSA tapes for insulation purposes, those materials are typically...
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Building an envelope warranty

When it comes to multilayered dry-joint rainscreen systems, designers face a potential loophole in the specification/installation process. Should a leak occur in a rainscreen design, before or after the project’s completion, the owner is faced with a costly dilemma. The problem usually occurs when there are different subcontractors for...
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Maintaining continuity at transitions

Hundreds of years ago, buildings were thought of much more simply—as shelter, meant to protect people from the elements. Today, that purpose holds, but the technology, practices, and materials that go into high-performing building enclosures have evolved to do more.
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Constructing basements to receive waterproofing

Auditoriums and computer rooms that do not require daylight now occupy basements that formerly housed mechanical plants and vehicle parking. These sensitive occupancies require the spaces be waterproofed to prevent water from migrating through the basement walls and slab in contact with the wet, adjoining soil.
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Shelter from the storm

This year is shaping up to be a record-breaking one for tornadoes and severe weather. In just the first nine months, nearly 1300 tornadoes swept across the country. Since 2009, the International Building Code (IBC) has included standards for tornado shelters. However, not until the 2015 edition did it...
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