Comments on: My Choice in the ‘Building Enclosure’ vs. ‘Building Envelope’ Battle

By: Ed Foskey

Ed Foskey — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 07:20:13 +0000

When I am discussing with
When I am discussing with clients, I differentiate between the thermal barriers and building barriers when they are different.

When I took the HERS class with Allison and Mike, the term used was building envelope or thermal envelope.

I use both terms NOT interchangeably but very specifically when speaking with my clients. We all end up on the same page with those terms.

By: Colin Genge

Colin Genge — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 03:19:26 +0000

John Straube's students
John Straube's students converted me over to Enclosure some time ago so I am glad to see agreement on that term which seems correct.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 22:17:48 +0000

Hello,

Hello,

Being very critical on wording in my old age makes this all come together. This all makes sense from a pure experience stand point, different words mean different things to individuals in an audience based off their exp too. Outer structure could be a viable option to envelope where defined as if the other side of it meets the outside air.

Thank you all for the volumes of knowledge and insight. The only thing I was disappointed about is not one of you asked "How do you like them Apples".

By: Kelly M.

Kelly M. — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 20:16:45 +0000

The term “building
The term “building envelope” indeed does have some ‘value’ for me as a indicator or gauge of sorts. It’s the same gauge that registers when someone says ‘cement steps’ instead on ‘concrete steps’. It helps me fine tune my delivery to my audience. Knowing and understanding my audience better helps me. If someone uses the term ‘building enclosure’ on the other hand, I pretty much know that I don’t have to spend time on basics, etc – that there is a good chance this person has a deeper understanding. It’s not 100% valid, of course, but if you eliminate ‘envelope’, I will have lost a small advantage. 🙁

By: Anthony Grisolia

Anthony Grisolia — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 17:31:42 +0000

Interesting to hear about Joe
Interesting to hear about Joe's brainwashing in fact Joe heard the term Building enclosure from his mentor's and not him. Eric Burnett used the term back at Summer camp in 2002. Ther term Seperators was used by Doctor Ted Kesik in Toronto Canada when he taught me Building Science at Ryerson University, the Building science course was actually called seperators where he taught us thermal performance and hygrothermal performance of foundations, walls and roofs. He is one of the best Building scientists out there and very good proffesor. Guess what he loves wine too. It must be a Canadian thing, Eh!

I will always use the term Building Enclosure, its the most appropriate technically and literally.

By: John C Hansen, LEED AP

John C Hansen, LEED AP — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 07:29:47 +0000

As a homebuilder, I read a
As a homebuilder, I read a lot of books about homes and residential structures. I have noticed that many of the terms used to describe the building's parts or a particular process are regional. This may fade away as out language becomes homogenized by the internet and television (YouTube.) In my part of the country, the foundation walls of a home are supported on a footing, and in other parts of the USA it is a footer that is placed beneath the basement wall. Many people speak of and even company names use the word cement to describe what is now commonly called concrete. And the exact meaning of a cripple and sleeper are really hard to pin down. And around here we never "dry-in" a building. We just move right past that step and put the shingles on top of the felt on top of the sheathing and we call it being "under roof." And when a customer does not understand me, i tell them we put the shingles on yesterday. Do you call it sheeting, or sheathing? Some people just want to stick with the word cellar when around here, we call it a basement.

I learned the word Envelope, long before I heard it called an Enclosure. And my father always called air coming into the house "infiltrations, but lately it seems to be called Bypass. Is this really the difference between the air that comes in or goes out and the hole it goes through?
In the end, I agree entirely with Allison. Precision in the use of the language of building science really is important.

By: Elaine

Elaine — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 05:01:25 +0000

I prefer to think Allson has
I prefer to think Allson has been brainwashed by his wife--as well as Dr. Joe. Seriously, the poet in me thinks that
"enclosure" is a much better word choice. Hopefully, you building science nerds aren't just talking among yourselves; you want to talk to a larger audience. If you are going to sell us services and materials, you need to speak in a way that is easily understood by as many consumers as possible. :)

By: Ryan Shanahan

Ryan Shanahan — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 23:12:59 +0000

I’ve always been a fan of
I’ve always been a fan of “shell” and I’m sticking to it! I think it has the best crossover to layman’s (homeowner’s) terms as well…

By: Cameron Taylor

Cameron Taylor — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 22:57:41 +0000

My personal preference is
My personal preference is "thermal boundary". This "boundary" may or may not be separate from sun, water, and wind boundaries, or what we commonly call roofs and walls.

Now whether "thermal boundary" implies airtighness and water vapor control alongside any insulation properties...that seems to a be similar concern that might arise in "envelope/enclosure" discussion. According to Dr. Joe, an air control layer does not always need to align with the insulation. In such a case the term "thermal boundary" would seem more literal...it's controlling heat flow but not immediately controlling air or moisture flow. Hmm...

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 21:30:46 +0000

Bill S.:
Bill S.: You make a good point about the extra meaning behind the word 'shell' that I hadn't thought of. Glad to hear you're making the switch, too!

Debbie: Yes, of course, people will continue to use 'envelope' and 'shell' and perhaps other terms, too. I'm perfectly fine with that. I also realize that some people see this as 'much ado about nothing,' but I think it's important. I didn't do a good job of conveying that the folks who suggested the combination words did it in jest, so you don't have to worry about the enclolope and envelosure crowds trying to get their way. ;~)

Stay tuned, though. This 'otherwise useful blog' has plenty more to say that you'll find useful, I believe.