Why is Commercial Building Envelope Maintenance Essential?
Commercial buildings are among the biggest investments and require proper maintenance to be in good shape. Issues with the buildings don’t emerge overnight. They develop with time due to a lack of maintenance of the building.
Our inspectors have observed that most of the commercial building owners don’t think about the roof, walls, and windows of the building until there is a problem. Most of the owners don’t focus on the commercial building envelope, which is a protective shell that separates the interior from the exterior of the building. Most of the times this envelope remains unnoticed until things get damaged.
What is a Commercial Building Envelope?
The building envelope consists of all components that separate the interior of the building from exterior. It includes the roof, exterior walls, windows, doors, insulations, foundation and systems used for air sealing and waterproofing. Collectively these components control the flow of air, moisture, and heat between inside and outside the building. A well-designed and properly maintained building envelope ensures a comfortable environment inside.
What are the Benefits of Commercial Building Envelope?
Along with providing protection, the commercial building envelope also improves the performance of installed systems in the building. There are numerous benefits of a well-maintained commercial building envelope:
Enhances Energy Efficiency
The envelope prevents air and heat from moving across the walls of the building. A properly insulated building gains less heat in the summer. It supports the efficiency of the HVAC system and supports energy conservation. It also reduces the utility cost of the building.
Improves Moisture Management
Moisture infiltration causes many problems in a building. Moisture leads to destructive issues in the building. The building envelope prevents water from entering the building even in the rain, snow, or humid environment. It protects the essential components of the building from water damage.
Comfort of the Occupants
A properly maintained commercial building envelope helps to maintain a stable indoor environment that keeps the temperature optimal for the occupants. It can also help to restrict the noise pollution from outside from entering the building. In schools and hospitals, maintenance of the commercial building envelope is vital.
Extends the Lifespan of the Building
The exterior of the building is constantly exposed to the wind, rain, temperature fluctuations, and UV rays. Collectively, these all degrade the structure. Only buildings with adequate maintenance can remain in good condition.
The building envelope restricts such environmental stressors outside the building and prevents the components from getting damaged. It extends the lifespan of the building and reduces the renovation and repair costs.
Protection Against External Hazards
Building envelopes are just like the frontline defense system against a variety of external threats. Along with weather conditions, there are threats of pests, pollutants, and fire. The building envelope with adequate cladding materials reduces the chance of fire spread. It also protects the building from insect infestation and airborne pollutants.
Better Indoor Air Quality
By restricting all the hazardous substances and pollutants outside the building, a commercial building envelope helps to maintain a better indoor air quality. It keeps the allergens outside and prevents dust from entering the building. To enjoy the luxury of good air quality, property owners just have to ensure proper maintenance of the building envelope.
Property Value
The investors and the tenants are all concerned about energy efficiency, indoor air quality and a comfortable environment. The commercial buildings that are well-maintained provide all these to them, and such buildings have a good value in the market.
Compliance with Building Codes and Regulations
Local and national building codes demand high energy efficiency and safety inside a commercial building. The requirements can be fulfilled if the building has a proper envelope. Non-compliance to the regulations can lead to fines and legal issues. Regular maintenance of the commercial building envelope helps to continue to meet all current codes.
Maintenance Strategies and Best Practices
Having a proactive approach can be helpful to keep the commercial building envelope in a condition that it can keep the building safe from external hazards and damages. The envelope needs to be maintained regularly.
The routine maintenance includes the following:
- Inspection of insulation
- Resealing of windows and doors
- Check for cracks in the roof
- Check for dampness in the building
- Repairing the drainage system
- Installation of moisture meters
Invest Today to Save Tomorrow
Maintenance can be done with short expense, while the repair work may cost a lot in commercial buildings. A deferred commercial building envelope can lead to problems that can compromise the comfort of occupants, reduce the lifespan of the building, and result in a reduction in the worth of the property.
Meanwhile, regular maintenance in the form of inspections and minor repairs can save a lot by improving structural integrity, comfort, and value of the property. Experts recommend having frequent inspections of commercial buildings to keep them in good condition.
Being proactive, you can also schedule a commercial inspection. It’s not about detecting the issues in your building, but it’s helpful to secure its future.
