How to Winterize the Commercial Building Envelope
Oct 04,2017
Winter is quickly approaching and commercial building envelope winterization should at the forefront of priorities for building owners to keep inhabitants comfortable, to protect the structure and to reduce energy costs. Inspecting, repairing and replacing components in the fall will prevent the discomfort and inconvenience of correcting any issues when it is already cold and therefore uncomfortable for inhabitants.
What is the Building Envelope?
The building envelope is the exterior of the structure, and its components separate the interior from the exterior. The building envelope can include components such as windows, doors and siding. Like the roof, the building envelope separates the interior from the elements and allows climate control within the structure. A secure building envelope means an efficient, warm and structurally sound system that will reduce utility costs and increase comfort.
The moment any failure occurs in a building envelope system from cold air seeping through a window frame or water leaks, owners are encouraged to deal with it immediately to minimize the likelihood of damages spreading and becoming more costly, which causes tenant dissatisfaction, and structural safety issues.
Inspecting the Components of Building Envelopes
In the early autumn,components of the building envelope should be inspected by either the building owner, property manager or by one of our specialists here at Royal Roofing Ltd.Oftentimes, faulty components are noticed by someone in the building when air can be felt leaking through windows and doors, or when energy costs go up without explanation.
Inspect the seals around doors and windows for cracks, air leaking and brittleness caused by age. Inspecting is a preventative approach that can save energy costs and prevent issues before they occur.
Stains around windows and doors can mean that water has been leaking through the seal and, since water expands when it freezes, it causes even more damage to the seals in the winter. There are a number of reasons why components of the building envelope fail, including cracks in the glazing, improper seals and lack of weather stripping.
Royal Roofing Ltd. provides a wide range of specialty building envelope services, including:
Leak Investigation Support
Weather Stripping
Insulating Commercial Windows
Curtain Wall Repairs
Façade Stabilization and Strengthening
Resealing Windows and Doors
Corrosion Mitigation and Control
Brick, and Stone Re-Pointing, Repair, and Replacement
Pre-Cast Panel Repair and Replacement
Repair and Replacing Components of the Commercial Building Envelope
In many cases seasonal maintenance and preventative sealing, weather stripping, Low-E Coating and repairing cracks will have a significant impact on the ability to control the climate in the structure’s interior.
However, older windows and doors, such as non-insulated and single pane windows, can be a significant cause of heat loss and raised utility bills. Updating these windows and doors with double or even triple pane systems can vastly decrease energy usage and keep tenants and employees warmer in Calgary’s coldest months.
When replacements are necessary, Royal Roofing Ltd are Calgary’s trusted commercial specialists for guaranteeing fair prices, quality workmanship and exceptional customer service.
