by Mark LaLiberte

No matter where I travel, the weather is always a popular conversation topic. The ever-changing combination of sun, rain, snow, cold, heat, humidity and strong winds has a significant effect on people's daily lives. But curiously, we rarely think about how these variable weather conditions impact the integrity and longevity of the homes we build and live in.

When rain, humidity and even condensation enter our home, we can unintentionally be creating the ideal conditions for growing mold. When cold air infiltrates through doors, windows and poor insulation, we suffer from dry air, cold floors and chilly drafts. When wind exerts enough force on improperly nailed or poor quality roofing or wall sheathing, it can create enough stress on a building to cause nail popping and gaps in finished walls, or even structural failure.

With today's rising energy costs, our homes need to be energy efficient as well as weather resistant. Not surprisingly, the two are closely linked. By building homes to a higher level of efficiency, we can keep these escalating costs manageable. The solution is to consider the effects of weather on every aspect of the homes we build, and to address those effects by taking advantage of today's innovative building materials and improved construction techniques.

Consider the problem of mold. Many of the materials used in home construction are susceptible to mold growth when placed in the wrong conditions, e.g., heavy moisture areas. We therefore need to carefully define when, where and how to use these materials properly. In areas that are prone to moisture exposure, we need to select materials that are less moisture sensitive.

An example would be DensArmor Plus® drywall from Georgia-Pacific, which is the first fiberglass mat product with a moisture-resistant core. The fiberglass mat drywall provides superior moisture- and mold-resistance when compared to traditional paper faced drywall. This panel can be used on exterior walls, bathrooms, wet areas, kitchens, basements and any gypsum application that could be exposed to moisture. This may reduce the possibility of mold growth or product degradation in concealed areas where there could be long periods of moisture exposure.

Weather can also create a variety of problems during the construction process. Costly repairs and replacements can be avoided by using innovative products such as Plytanium® DryPly® plywood. DryPly plywood is a sub-floor with a water-repellent coating that helps protect it from moisture-related damage.

Additionally, we can take other steps when it comes to our HVAC systems. An approach that is gaining general acceptance in both the Building Science Community and the construction industry is making sure the ducts from the heating and cooling system are located inside the conditioned space. Installing the ductwork in conditioned space out of the heat of the attic can lead to greater energy efficiency for the homeowner. In many cases, accommodating these changes must begin at the design phase. Consider using a product such as the XJ 85® I-joist from Georgia-Pacific that has strategically-cut openings for the installation of ducts, electrical lines and plumbing within the conditioned space of the home.

Additionally, on roofs, there are now sheathing materials that will block excess solar radiation, resulting in reduced attic temperatures and lower cooling costs. Thermostat® Plywood Radiant Barrier Sheathing, also from Georgia-Pacific, combines the benefits of high-quality plywood with a reflective foil laminate that faces the inside attic space. As the sun heats the shingle side, the Radiant Barrier Sheathing reflects up to 97 percent of the sun's radiant heat. This ENERGY STAR® qualified product can reduce cooling expenses by up to 17 percent.*

In today's rapidly changing housing market, it is increasingly important that we build homes that are weather resistant, energy efficient, durable, and easier for homeowners to maintain. This requires us to be more careful in both product selection and installation. Constructing homes that will last a hundred years or more is our responsibility to future generations as it is important to the health of our business, our clients and our environment. With the rising cost of energy on everyone's mind, look carefully at the opportunities that will differentiate your business with techniques and performance features that provide your clients with the benefits of building a better home.