There is a lot that goes into creating a safe and functional building, and one of the most important elements is the building envelope. If you are not familiar with building envelopes, these refer to the physical separation between the building’s interior and exterior. For example, the walls, roof, foundation, doors, and windows are all parts of building envelopes. All buildings have them, though they are not all equally effective.
Here are several traits found in great building envelopes:
- Structural Integrity- Building envelopes must be designed to support the weight of the structure as well as other internal and external loads. They need to keep the building safe and upright no matter the environment, so they must meet certain regulations and building codes that are required in that region. All building envelopes need to be created with structural integrity as the first priority, but the best building envelopes also excel in other aspects beyond their support.
- Climate Control- Because building envelopes separate the inside from the outside, they need to create an indoor environment that is ideal for the people inside. Through heating, cooling, and air circulation, a building can maintain comfortable conditions suited to the building’s purposes. The envelope keeps this controlled air inside and prevents it from escaping. The reverse is also true; the walls, roof, and windows prevent outdoor air from altering the indoor climate.
- Finish- Great building envelopes create a beautiful appearance for the building’s exterior. By using high-quality materials and meeting the desired aesthetics in other ways, building envelopes increase the appeal and value of the building.