Building Science

What are the key material properties?In a previous article the use of thermal inertia to slow down heat flux through a roof assembly was discussed. In buildings where air conditioning costs dominate and heating use is relatively low, higher thermal inertia assemblies can potentially improve energy efficiency. This is particularly the case of buildings such as offices that are only occupied during daylight hours. Thermal inertia could delay the transmission of heat into a building towards the end of the day, increasing thermal comfort and allowing facility managers to reduce cooling during the day.

Thermal insulation is an important part of commercial roofing assemblies. As with anything, there are ways to design with and install polyiso insulation — a better way, a best way, and many variations in-between! What may be best in terms of lowest up-front costs, may prove only good or worse over the long-term life of the building.

Designing for Moisture Durability and Energy Efficiency, Part 2 Part 1 of our discussion of Designing for Moisture Durability and Energy Efficiency explored the driving forces that result in the increasing interactive complexity and tight coupling of roofs and other building systems in modern green buildings. Part 1 also provided an overview of the various project life-cycle phases and compared the top green rating system's scope to address or not address moisture durability in those phases.