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There are some components of a home that are best to get right the first time around. We’re talking about the components that are difficult (or even impossible) to replace later, especially those that form the home’s building envelope. Investing in this way ensures long-term durability and comfort when resources are limited.
We asked one of our most trusted high-performance builders to explain more. Jake Bruton of Aarow Building in Columbia, Missouri, told us how he talks to his clients about spending the budget. Before we get into his advice, however, it’s helpful to gain a basic understanding of a key building science concept.
(Yes, we said building science. This is a field that applies engineering and physics to make buildings better. And there’s no one better prepared to give a crash course than Bruton who is a leading voice in the industry writing and speaking on the subject — let’s dive in!)
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Why is the building envelope important?
Prioritizing a high-quality building envelope is non-negotiable because it helps protect your home — likely your largest investment. “If we get those things correct, we have a durable home,” Bruton said. While this is the No. 1 reason you should care, it’s not the only one. Your everyday comfort will also be affected.
A good building envelope that’s supported by quality mechanicals — heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other systems — impacts your daily comfort and energy bills. “We all have some experience in a house that had differences in temperature from one room to another,” Bruton said. Maybe your bedroom growing up was the one above the garage, making it freezing in winter and sweltering in summer. Whatever the case, most of us can relate to the way that discomfort negatively affects the experience of being at home.
This is why Bruton describes the combination of windows, walls, and HVAC as the “comfort package” when he’s talking to homeowners. He actually groups these expenses into one budget category because of their relationship to one another. If you spend more on the windows and walls, you’ll have a better building envelope, which means you can spend less on the mechanical system(s).
And along with the increase in comfort that comes from investing in the envelope, there also comes an increase in energy efficiency, so the cost of running your home can be less over time too.
