Research & Testing
Most testing done in the building industry is done in labs under carefully prescribed and controlled environments, having NOTHING to do with what takes place in the real world. I work with building industry professionals and product manufacturers to develop field service life prediction testing under jobsite conditions. It’s testing where the rubber hits the road.
Certainly a bit tongue-in-cheek, I (and my longtime friend and colleague, Dave Gauthier) started the “Wingnut Test Facility.” Working on the weekends and usually with alcohol involved, we set about developing test procedures that did not require fancy equipment and that mimicked field conditions.
We fully expected to be either laughed off at any building professional meeting and/or be sued by building product manufacturers whose products we were testing. But to our surprise, WTF was taken seriously and even appreciated.
So far, WTF testing has focused on pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes and negative side waterproofing.
But give me a call or send an email for wingnut testing on your products (manufacturers) or products you use (builders and architects).
Published Blog Arcitles:
Conducting a Building Science/Building Performance Design Review
I get asked this quite a bit: when should I involve a building performance consultant in the architectural design process? The answer is: the moment design involves building performance— Efficiency
Using Building Science to Conduct a Building Assessment
COVID-19 & Curriculum Development For several years, our local Sustainable Energy Outreach Network (SEON) has been developing a High Performance Building Associate certificate program (http://www.seon.info/hpb-overview/ ). In early March 2020,
The Jigsaw Approach, Revisited
Back in October 2016, I started my Building Science Puzzles on GBA with this blog: Building Science Puzzles: The Jigsaw Approach. In that post I explained six steps for solving
Beauty goes more than skin-deep for high performance buildings. I work with architects and builders to achieve designs and materials that result in buildings tuned to their climate and site, successfully managing the elements for durable enclosures, comfortable and safe interiors. Click here to learn more.
Getting new buildings to work right is easy compared to understanding and then changing existing buildings, especially ones you know are not working right. I have a system for assessing old buildings, then using building science to make sure that what we do to them makes them work better, not worse. Click here to learn more.
Since completing my Master’s Thesis in 1993, a big part of my life has been technical writing related to building performance. From blogs to investigation summaries, from building product installation manuals to multi-year government project reports, I have honed my writing to be clear, concise, accurate. Click here to learn more.
I have developed curriculum for and taught building performance to high school trade students, graduate students in architecture and environmental management, and every type of building professionals you can imagine: engineers, architects, construction managers, code officials, trade contractors, and even a few bankers along the way. I tailor my materials to the length of the course and keep engagement high no matter who the participants are. Click here to learn more.
Most testing done in the building industry is done in labs under carefully prescribed and controlled environments, having NOTHING to do with what takes place in the real world. I work with building industry professionals and product manufacturers to develop field service life prediction testing under jobsite conditions. It’s testing where the rubber hits the road. Click here to learn more.
