What is Building Science?

Building science is greatly focused on the movement of heat, air, and moisture thru the building envelope. Heat always moves from hot to cold. Air & water (always a pair) move from high pressure to low pressure. Moisture migrates from wet to dry.

Building science is a field of knowledge that is based on physics, chemistry, engineering, architecture, and the life sciences. Understanding the physical behaviour of the building as a system and how this impacts energy efficiency, durability, comfort, and indoor air quality is essential to high performance buildings.

Building science improves the durability of building materials & assemblies, increases occupant comfort and safety and it provides effective energy efficiency construction techniques.

House-as-a-system approach – Major component categories:

1) Building Envelope

2) The Mechanical Equipment & Systems

3) The Occupants

The performance of the building is also influenced by the local climate & surrounding environment. The knowledge of building science principals forms the basis of energy efficient construction. Understanding them is the first step to eliminating common construction problems & building better homes.