As specialist Building Envelope Consultants, we carry out comprehensive Building Envelope Condition Surveys to inspect and assess the different aspects of the building envelope to determine its integrity.
A Building Envelope Consultants focus is making sure all the components – the roof, windows, doors, walls, etc. – are all able to keep exterior elements outside of the building.We work with building owners, architects, contractors, and manufacturers to offer solutions that consider all aspects of the building envelope. Building Envelope Consultants will test for vulnerabilities in your building if you are experiencing water ingress issues or leaks. Using specialist Building Envelope Consultants for routine inspection and maintenance will provide accurate information to identify defects early, optimise building performance and allow for budget control.
What is the Building Envelope?
The Building Envelope relates to the design and construction of the exterior of the building and is the physical barrier between the interior and external environment. The building envelope includes the materials that consist of the foundation, wall assembly, roofing systems, glazing, doors, and any other penetrations such as chimneys and vents. The compatibility between these elements is critical to ensure that the building envelope functions as intended.
Why do Building Envelope Systems Fail?
Design Defects - Unsuitable materials or design systems may be specified. Incompatibility between materials or those with inadequate performance criteria may be used, impacting thermal performance, structural capacity, or water penetration resistance.
Material failures – Materials failing to meet the published performance levels is a common cause of building envelope systems failing. This could be due to errors in the manufacturing, handling, or storage.
Poor Workmanship – Inexperienced, unsupervised, and untrained personnel working on the building envelope increases the risk of incorrectly installed components, often not installed in adherence to the manufacturing specifications.
Weather - The effects of high winds, rain, and temperature fluctuations can overload a properly designed and constructed building envelope causing damage to the system and making it vulnerable to further deterioration or failure.
