The Sum Of All Parts
Over the past decade, building product introductions have significantly focused on sustainability, digitalization, and increased efficiency. Navigating evolving IECC regulations, building product manufacturers seek to develop high-performance, code-ready solutions that improve the performance of the building envelope and ease HVAC equipment requirements. Both innovation and responsibility are seamlessly integrated into modern design approaches, reducing the carbon footprint in the manufacturing of building materials.
Continuous research and development introduces customizable, compatible systems optimized for any climate, method, and budget. Below are some of the areas of focus over the last decade.
Insulation Control Layers
Permeable insulation (fiberglass, cellulose, mineral wool) is a control layer for heat only. It needs to be protected from air flowing through it by being next to an air barrier. Other insulation materials can serve as two or even three layers while reducing material thickness. Spray foam and foam board are air impermeable. In some cases, these can reduce air flow enough to qualify as an air barrier, effectively controlling both heat and air. Open-cell spray foam is the only foam that is vapor permeable. So, it can serve as the control layer for heat, air AND water vapor.
Energy codes specify insulation requirements according to climate zone and are starting to require exterior insulation as well. Outsulation refers to covering the outside of the house with continuous insulation. Rigid foam sheathing can serve as both sheathing and a drainage plane as long as seams are sealed to complete the water control layer.
Synthetic House Wraps and Roof Underlayments
Installed correctly, synthetic house wraps can provide a moisture and air barrier while allowing vapor permeability. The current International Building Code also requires a home’s roofing system to include an underlayment. The underlayment protects the roof deck and frame if water does manage to penetrate the roof cladding. Synthetic materials generally offer better protection than felt paper and are also more durable, and faster to install with better traction to provide safer working surfaces.
Water Resistant Barriers (WRBs)
Keeping humid air away from cool materials by sealing around joints, seams and penetrations to provides essential protection against water and water vapor is the WRB’s main objective. So, in a hot, humid climate, your placement of the WRB is going to be the on the outside of the wall structure. Your exterior installed WRB can also play an important role during the construction process, shielding the structure from severe weather prior to applying the finish cladding. A good WRB should have enough enhanced UV resistance to allow for up to 120 days of exposure.
Waterproof membranes or coatings placed on the foundation walls to help block moisture from seeping into the slab are also recommended, especially in areas prone to rain and flooding.
Integrated Wall Panels
Combining structural elements and insulation into pre-fabricated panels, often called Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), streamlines the building process, leading to faster construction times, improved energy efficiency, and potentially lower costs.
Smart Windows and Glass
Improved frame materials and advancements in sealing technology have reduced condensation issues between panes and extended the lifespan of windows. Low-emissivity (low-E) coatings are now more common and effective than they were a decade ago. And instead of just air between the panes, inert gases like argon or krypton are often used in double or triple glazed windows.
Window manufacturers say partnering with innovators in glass technology is key to driving further fenestration advancements. Adding smart window technologies such as electrochromic and photochromic glass is the next step. Windows that can adjust transparency in response to light or heat to manage indoor temperatures and lighting are the future.
Ridge Vent Solutions
Designed to safeguard the roof from the elements, ridge vents effectively seal the ridge and hip areas of the roof, preventing wind-driven rain and snow from entering the peaks and corners of the roof. They can also help to exhaust heat and moisture from the roof and provide airflow and attic ventilation.
Flashing & Sealing Innovation
Advances in flashing and sealing technology are critical for improving installation efficiency, reducing callbacks, and ensuring long-term durability in building projects.
Durable and Sustainable Cladding
Along with minimizing thermal bridging and improving insulation, cladding systems are now designed with improved structural performance and durability in mind. This includes increased resistance to wind loads, impact damage, weathering, UV exposure, and moisture ingress. The incorporation of fiber-cement siding, recycled materials, and advanced polymers has significantly improved the durability, weather resistance, and sustainability of residential cladding systems.
IoT-Enabled Smart Devices
Smart thermostats equipped with AI-powered learning capabilities optimize HVAC usage by adjusting settings based on weather conditions and daily routines. These thermostats communicate with other IoT devices, such as automated window shades, to minimize energy consumption and improve temperature control. Predictive maintenance via data analytics further ensures that HVAC systems operate at maximum efficiency, preventing overburdening of the system.
Heat Pumps and VRF Systems
With better insulation and improved designs, modern heat pumps are becoming as effective as traditional systems while costing less to run. Instead of creating heat like traditional furnaces, heat pumps move heat from one place to another, using far less electricity.
Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, available in ducted and ductless options, use refrigerant to provide both heating and cooling. They dynamically adjust refrigerant flow to different indoor units according to need.
Integrated Air Quality Solutions
Many new HVAC systems now include improved air filters that trap dust, allergens, and bacteria. This results in fewer allergies, asthma and respiratory symptoms. Newer HVAC models also control humidity levels to prevent mold growth.
There’s a growing interest in integrating UV-C technology directly into HVAC units to kill bacteria, viruses and biological growth. But currently, most UV-C systems are installed as an add-on directly in a home’s ductwork If you use ductless HVAC, you can install standalone UV air purifiers specifically designed for mini-split systems.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) further complement IAQ by exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while recovering energy from the exhaust. While integrated options become available, ERVs can also be installed as standalone units and used with existing systems.
Eco-Friendly Refrigerants
The environmental hazards of using traditional refrigerants like R-22 led to their eventual elimination. More recent refrigerants, such as R-410A and R-32, are less harmful to the environment. Other options, like CO2-based and hydrocarbon refrigerants, are also gaining attention.
The Sum of All Parts
Education remains a cornerstone in advancing building science. It’s vital to have an understanding that true performance is evaluated on how all the various materials in the assembly work together. Proper installation and sealing practices will ultimately dictate how well the home performs.
Manufacturer’s reps may tell you that their product has a certain R-value. But when that product reaches the stated R-value only in a properly detailed assembly, those claims can be misleading. To maintain products’ warranty, many manufacturers stipulate products must be installed to the manufacturer’s requirements.
And keep in mind that not all products are the right product for any application and/or climate zone.
