Comments on: An Incomplete Building Envelope Doesn’t Work

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:12:43 +0000

Bob, I'm always glad to hear
Bob, I'm always glad to hear about architects promoting building science and diagnostic testing. In addition to knowing about problems with the building envelope that need to be fixed, by getting a Blower Door test before any work starts, you have a baseline and can document the improvement you've made as a result of the work. Also, going after air leaks in parts of the house you're not touching with the renovation allows you to leave them with less infiltration overall even when you're adding on to the house.

By: Life of an Architect

Life of an Architect — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:01:47 +0000

nice post - I am a big fan of
nice post - I am a big fan of the blower door test despite the often depressing news it brings to homeowners. I encourage people to get 3rd party testing before we start a remodel project so we can include fixing problems that are outside the intended scope of work while the contractor is on site.

Nice post

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:05:58 +0000

You're absolutely right,
You're absolutely right, Chris. Visual inspections and Blower Door testing by people who know what they're doing will catch problems like this every time.

Yes, Jamie, that was the first house we visited in your HERS rater class.

By: Jamie Kaye

Jamie Kaye — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:50:36 +0000

I think I remember that house
I think I remember that house. Was it the one with the erroneous "Earthcraft" sign in the front yard? The Wednesday House?

Good article.

By: ChrisSEM

ChrisSEM — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:41:49 +0000

Nice post — and great point.
Nice post — and great point. Blower door testing goes way beyond the baseline reading, and can be the single most useful tool for people who know what they’re doing.