peak with today's leading build-
ing products manufacturers about
what's driving development of their
latest building-envelope offerings,
and you'll hear two words repeated, over
and over again: codes and labor. Current
energy-efficiency codes are requiring more
sophisticated approaches to envelope design;
at the same time, many regions are experi-
encing shortages in the kinds of skilled labor
required to install such designs appropriate-
ly. Preassembled systems and easier-to-apply
liquid-based sealants are among the solutions
now available to address both concerns.
"Energy codes have become more strin-
gent the past few years; they're the things
that give builders the most anxiety," says
Allen Sealock, product director for Huber
Engineered Woods. "I think manufactur-
ers, in general, are seeing the same trends
and trying to find ways to enter those mar-
kets. I think there have been more dramatic
changes on the residential side — at least in
enforcement."
Sealing the Envelope
Efficiency, both in
energy performance
and installation
ease, is the key
driver in today's
building-envelope
marketplace
By Chuck Ross
S
Tiny 1mm spacers embedded onto
the surface of BENJAMIN OBDYKE'S
HydroGap Drainable Housewrap are
just big enough to encourage water
drainage without reducing an exterior
wall system's R-value. Encouraging this
kind of drainage is especially helpful in
regions where wind-driven rain can lead
to bulk water intrusion.
Circle 10 on inquiry card
84 August 2016 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com
PRODUCT TRENDS: Building Envelope