Controlling moisture, rain and ground water are the most important factors in the design and construction of durable buildings. The shell of a house serves as the first line of defense between the occupants and the outdoor environment. Walls function as a weather barrier, nail base for finish materials and an energy conserving boundary. A sensible wall system is durable. And this requires all components in a wall assembly to be compatible for the long haul. Siding, siding finishes, housewraps, insulation and wall frames must work together while achieving distinctive goals.
Professor Paul Fisette of University of Massachusetts Amherst discusses the detailing of houses as part of an overall strategy to control moisture. These strategies reduce maintenance and lengthen the working life of structural components in wood-frame structures. The webinar focuses on moisture transport mechanisms, relative threats, primary actions, prevention and control.