Building Envelope in North America

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This report covers the market for building envelope products in the US and Canada. Historical data is presented for 2008, 2013, and 2018, with forecasts given for 2023 and 2028, in US dollars. Demand in area and/or volume terms is provided for certain products.

Building Envelope

Demand is provided separately for the US and Canada, as well as by market in terms of residential and commercial sales.

Building products covered in this study include:

  • windows and exterior doors
  • primary roofing materials
  • siding
  • building insulation
  • air and water barriers – including flashing, roof underlayment, and exterior wall water-resistive barriers and air barriers

Air Barriers

Air barriers are applied to exterior walls specifically to prevent air infiltration and exfiltration.

Flashing

Flashing is designed to prevent the ingress of water into a structure from a joint or other gap in a wall, window or door opening, or roof surface. Flashing materials are installed so that water is carried away and downhill from the building surface without encountering any obstructions.

Rainscreen

A rainscreen system consists of a water protection layer and an air space that are installed over exterior wall sheathing and behind siding.

Roof Underlayment

Roofing underlayment consists of membranes applied to roof decks prior to the installation of the primary roofing material.

R-Value

The approximate reciprocal of the U-factor that measures a material’s resistance to heat conduction.

U-Factor

A measurement of the rate of heat loss, with lower U-values indicating better thermal performance.

Water-Resistive Barrier (WRB)

Also known as building wraps or house wraps, WRBs are installed between the sheathing and siding to protect exterior walls from water damage.

Weather-Related Reroofing

When roofing damaged by outbreaks of severe weather is replaced.

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