I have had the pleasure of attending a few Building Science seminars/presentations in Ontario in the last few years. I have learned some useful facts about the possible future of construction practices, modern trends, and some data/science updates. Wikipedia states:
ering disciplines traditionally avoided, albeit there are emerging disciplines of 'building scientists', 'envelope consultants', and 'building engineers'. See here for more from the Wiki
The building science of a project refers to strategies implemented in the general and specific arrangement of building materials and component-assemblies.The practical outcome of building science knowledge is reflected in the design of the architectural details of the building enclosure (see building envelope ),and ultimately in the long-term performance of the building's 'skin'.
The scope can be, and is, much wider than this on most projects; after all,engineering is applied science mixed with experience and judgement. When architects talk of "building science", they usually mean the 'science' issues that traditional engineering disciplines traditionally avoided, albeit there are emerging disciplines of 'building scientists', 'envelope consultants', and 'building engineers'. See here for more from the Wiki
What I have found is that some of the experts in building science are recommending practices or methods of insulating that is not practical or affordable for most of the people that are doing the actual construction. A good example is a client I met who wants to build an efficient new home in the snow-belt of Ontario, called someone from 'building science' and had architectural drawings prepared based on their recommendations. When the drawings got to me to prepare an estimate, I called the builder, and asked why the customer was choosing an unusual amount of rigid foam for the primary roof insulation (6 layers of 2" board), with very little vertical venting from soffit to ridge-vents. The answer from the builder was that "this was what the 'building science people recommended" and "some of other materials spec'd on the house weren't even allowed in Canada". The roof was very large, and the cost for that much rigid foam was astronomical, even compared to 2lb spray-foam. The customer, even though well-heeled, didn't like the portion of his budget that would be going to insulation. I suggested they might change the roof design, and incorporate our BIBS(Blow in Blanket System), and cut the cost enormously. The suggestion was simple, and saved the customer about $100,000 on the roof. Unfortunately, the customer had spent a good deal of money for plans that were theoretical, and not possible(or practical) for their site, and budget. I guess the 'buyer beware' principle applies here, and is a danger for all "Google Contractors" skimming the internet for ideas.
