SK Collaborative provides comprehensive consulting and testing services for building performance and durability assurance. Learn about our building enclosure services below and check out our blog and fact sheet for some of our top tips to prevent water intrusion.
Building Enclosure Consulting Services
Plan Reviews
Our building envelope consulting starts with plan reviews identifying potential areas of air and water intrusion and recommended materials and methods for best performance.
Weather Barrier Inspections
SK Collaborative inspects your WRB prior to installation of siding and masonry to ensure that the building will properly manage rain events to remain dry inside and free from water damage.
Testing
ASTM spray rack testing of windows and doors after installation confirms that fenestration has been properly installed and flashed, identifying both installation and product defects prior to installation of exterior finishes. This provides an opportunity to correct any problems before they are covered up, avoiding long term water intrusion into building structures.
Large Building Air Leakage Testing
Testing with Minneapolis Blower Door equipment identifies air leaks to be sealed and confirms that buildings will perform as expected. SK Collaborative provided testing for the Kendeda Building, a Living Building at Georgia Tech, and the new ASHRAE headquarters.
Building Envelope Inspections and Testing
Plan Reviews
Pre-construction review of architectural and structural drawings help identify potential challenges in creating a complete thermal envelope. SK Collaborative provides plan review services including identifying areas requiring special attention to provide proper air sealing and insulation. We can provide recommendations on materials and methods to create a cost-effective high performance building envelope from the early stages of design.
Visual Inspections
Site inspections prior to and following installation of thermal insulation help confirm the quality of workmanship, assuring project teams that the building will perform as expected at completion. Incomplete and out of spec installations can be identified and corrected before they are covered up.
Air Leakage Testing
Building envelope leakage testing is available using Energy Conservatory Blower Door systems. Buildings of any size can be tested from individual apartments to commercial buildings. Testing allows projects to meet residential energy code compliance, QAP thresholds, or owner requirements, as well as identify leaks that may lead to deficient indoor air quality and lower energy efficiency.
Contractors
Have confidence that your trade contractors are performing their work properly, avoid callbacks, and reduce liability
Owners and Developers
Provide an additional set of eyes on the project, confirming that water management systems are properly designed and installed, providing assurance that your building will withstand the test of time.
Architects
Our plan reviews help identify potential problems early in the design process, recommending materials and methods to assure high performance building envelopes that minimize air leakage and eliminate water intrusion.