The building envelope
includes everything that separates the interior of a building from the outdoor
environment
above and below grade, including the windows, doors, walls, foundation,
basement slab, ceiling, roof, decks and insulation.
It is the barrier between
the conditioned indoor environment and the outdoors.á It is the designerÆs task to provide the
necessary waterproofing and resistance to weathering, air infiltration,
chemicals, mildew, movement and fire, while at the same time preserving and
enhancing the structureÆs aesthetic appearance.
Effective waterproofing
includes the building design, determining surface treatments and the selection of materials and
finishes as they relate to the durability and eventually to maintainability, determining waterproofing
needs, selecting and specifying waterproofing materials and systems, and preparing detailed
drawings for construction.