Building Enclosure

A building enclosure (envelope) separates the interior and the exterior environments of a building, thus serving to protect the indoor environment and assist in its climate control. Think of it as the skin of the building that prevents air, moisture, and heat from flowing freely in or out.

The building enclosure is assembled from multiple layers and materials to provide strength, durability, beauty (or the lack thereof), and rigidity.

The building enclosure controls:

• Rain and snow penetration
• Pollution, dust, other contaminants or environmental hazards  
• Heat flow
• Airflow
• Water vapor flow
• Groundwater
• Light 
• Solar radiation
• Fire
• Noise
• Entrance of animals, bugs, vermin
• Entrance of unwanted humans
• Odors