What is a Building Envelope?
The term “building envelope” refers to how well your building is insulated. In other words, keeping the elements out and your climate-controlled interior environment consistent. The building envelope is extremely important for brick buildings as the material eventually loses its ability to regulate temperature over time.
While brick can be extremely efficient, warming and cooling slowly (thus maintaining temperature consistency), age and the elements eventually compromise your exterior armor. As your masonry ages and continues to deteriorate with time, moisture intrusion and decay will eventually punch holes in the envelope. This leads to energy loss, damage, and the need for extensive repairs. To keep your brick buildings' heating and cooling working optimally, professional envelope inspections and repairs are essential.
Building Envelope Inspection Seattle
At Rife Masonry, we offer comprehensive envelope inspections to help you catch any damages to your brick building before they can spiral out of control. With a routine inspections by our expert masonry contractors, you can be confident that any issues, whether they be major or minor, will be quickly identified and addressed.
Our building envelope inspections in Seattle include:
- Exterior brick and masonry inspections
- Historic brick repair and restoration
- Tuckpointing
- Replacement and repair of brick, masonry, facades, and more
- Extensive experience with sealants, elastomeric products, and more
- Unreinforced masonry repairs
- Helix pinning
Building Envelope Repairs Seattle
The reality is that Seattle area temperatures can reach extreme levels. If you have a brick home, it is especially difficult to regulate the energy efficiency of your space because as brick ages, its ability to properly retain heat and air conditioning is compromised. Additionally, damages can lead to the destabilization of your structure. By having your building envelope repaired by a team of professionals, you can remediate those weak points that are compromising your property, restoring stability and efficiency back to your property. If you suspect any damage to your building envelope, don't wait - contact Rife Masonry right away.
Benefits of Building Envelope Repairs
Our Building Envelope Work in Seattle
Building Envelope FAQs
The function of a building envelope is to control the temperature inside the structure, as well as act as a separator between the inside of your building and the outside world. Your building envelope includes the structural masonry, exterior brick, insulation, roof, facades, and more.
Typical signs your building requires envelope repairs include:
- Visible damage
- Water leaks
- Drafts
- High energy bills
- Mold or mildew growth
- Crumbling brick