Author: Matt

I’m a husband and father of three. I’m also an engineer. Professionally, yes, but also more broadly. I like to solve problems and make stuff work better. Enjoying my ride on Spaceship Earth.

The Thermal Envelope Certificate Is Not a Substitute for Stretch Code–Compliant Design

Matt

Under the Massachusetts Stretch Energy Code, the thermal envelope certificate is often misunderstood. It’s often treated as an administrative requirement to be addressed at the end of a project—something to be obtained after design and construction decisions have already been made. In reality, the certificate is intended to document compliance with the Stretch Code’s envelope performance requirements, not to create that compliance.

Importantly, the thermal envelope certificate cannot make a non-compliant wall assembly compliant. If the building envelope does not meet the required performance thresholds, no amount of documentation at the end of the project will resolve that gap.

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Hands On: Exploratory Openings, Mock-ups, and Training

Hands On: Exploratory Openings, Mock-ups, and Training

Matt

Building envelope systems work, or don’t, because of physical real-world details. Air and water don’t care how it’s drawn—the only thing that matters is how it actually is.

Exploratory Openings

When it comes to diagnosing what’s wrong with a building that’s not working right (if it’s leaking, for example) one of the best tools we have are exploratory openings. Sometimes called “probes”, this is essentially disassembling some parts of the building so we can see what’s under the surface.

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The cost of deferred maintenance

The cost of deferred maintenance

Matt

In a reality where funding is scarce and resources are limited, how can you best allocate those dollars to care for your most valuable assets?

Status quo: deferred maintenance

Much of the time, proactive maintenance is viewed as a cost. Those inspections and routine repairs are perceived as money out the door. This widely-held perception has led to deferred maintenance becoming the norm for many facilities.

Deferred maintenance is the practice of postponing maintenance activities such as repairs… in order to save costs, meet budget funding levels, or realign available budget monies. The failure to perform needed repairs could lead to asset deterioration and ultimately asset impairment. Generally, a policy of continued deferred maintenance may result in higher costs, asset failure, and in some cases, health and safety implications. (Wikipedia, emphasis added)

What if, instead, we could better tell the story of how investments in proactive maintenance are not costs but actually grow the bottom line?

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Live Webinar: Understanding & Designing for Moisture Movement

Live Webinar: Understanding & Designing for Moisture Movement

Matt

Update: Watch the webinar on-demand here.

Join CopelandBEC’s Matt Copeland and GAF’s Jennifer Keegan in this live webinar today, September 24, 2025.

Learning Objectives

  1. Differentiate between how moisture moves through airflow and how it moves by way of diffusion through materials and assemblies. 
  2. Explain the code-mandated responsibilities regarding building envelope details.
  3. Develop strategies for meeting standard of care obligations related to including details in your design documents.
  4. Cover the new whole building airtightness testing requirements and how to be prepared for them on your next project.

A quick intro video is below and you can register here.

#16: Joe Lstiburek—50 Years of Better Buildings

#16: Joe Lstiburek—50 Years of Better Buildings

Matt

Joseph Lstiburek, B.A.Sc., M.Eng., Ph.D., P.Eng., is a principal of Building Science Corporation and an ASHRAE Fellow. Dr. Lstiburek received an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, a masters degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto and a doctorate in Building Science Engineering from the University of Toronto. The Wall Street Journal refers to him as “the dean of North American building science”. When he is not in buildings he drinks red French wine and drives fast German sports cars – but never at the same time.

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