Building envelope

The assemblies separating a building’s interior from the exterior environment, including roofs, walls, windows, doors, and their interfaces. Performance depends on how these parts work together.

Why it matters

Water, air, heat, and vapor move through different mechanisms. A visible interior stain does not establish which exterior component caused it. A baseline observation may identify a concern while a targeted investigation is needed to determine the repair.

In practice

A project example

A leak near a window could originate at the window, a wall joint, roof flashing, or an interface above it. The repair scope should follow evidence rather than the stain’s location alone.

General educational guidance from KOW Building Consultants. Examples are illustrative, not project records. The applicable contract, standard, program, and jurisdiction control the requirements for a specific assignment.