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Roof Design
Research Report - 0404
2004
Joseph Lstiburek

Abstract:

Roofs can be designed and constructed to be either vented or unvented in any hygro-thermal zone. Air
barrier systems are typically the most common approach, however, air pressure control approaches are
be-coming more common especially in cases involving remedial work on existing structures. Vapor
diffusion should be considered as a secondary moisture transport mechanism when designing and
building roofs. Specific vapor retarders are often unnecessary if appropriate air movement control is
provided or if control of condensing surface temperatures is provided.
© 2004 Building Science Corporation 1

Roof Design
Roofs can be designed and constructed to be either vented
or unvented in any hygro-thermal zone.
In cold climates, the primary purpose of attic ventilation is
to maintain a cold roof temperature to avoid ice dams cre-
ated by melting snow, and to vent moisture that moves
the roof deck and the top of the cavity insulation. This not
a code requirement but ought to be (only 1-inch is typically
specified).
In addition to an air barrier at the ceiling line, a Class II va-
por retarder should be installed in Climate Zone 6 and Cli-

m
from the conditioned space to the attic. Melted snow, in mate Zone 7. A Class III vapor retarder is acceptable in Cli-

c o
ce.
this case, is caused by heat loss from the conditioned space. mate Zone 5.

n
In hot climates, the primary purpose of attic ventilation is Class I vapor retarders (i.e. vapor barriers) can be installed

ie
to expel solar heated hot air from the attic to lessen the in vented roof assemblies in Climate Zone 6 and Climate
building cooling load.

gs c Zone 7 but should be avoided in Climate Zone 5 as top side

i n
condensation may occur in the summer months during air

d m
The amount of roof cavity ventilation is specified by nu-

bui l o
conditioning periods.

c
merous ratios of free vent area to insulated ceiling area

ce.
ranging from 1:150 to 1:600 depending on which building No interior roof assembly-side vapor control is required or

© i en
code is consulted, the 1:300 ratio being the most common. recommended in climate zones other than cold or very

gsc
cold.
Control of ice dams, moisture accumulation and heat gain

in
can also be facilitated by unvented roof design.

i ld m
Roof insulation

o
Continuous ridge

bu . c
ventilation

ce
Insulation wind baffle
Approach

©
2” minimum space

i
In cold climates the main strategy that should be utilized

c e n Water protection Attic ventilation

gs
membrane
when designing roofs to be free from moisture problems

i n
and ice dams along with control of heat gain or heat loss

l d m
bui o
regardless of ventilation approach is the elimination of air

ce. c
movement, particularly exfiltrating air. This can be accom-

©
plished by the installation of an air barrier system or by the Gypsum board air barrier

control of the air pressure difference across the roof sys-

ci en
Continuous

gs
tem. soffit vent Consider increasing depth of

in
insulation by using deeper
Air barrier systems are typically the most common ap- trusses or oversized (longer)

ld m
Vinyl or

i o
trusses

bu c
proach, however, air pressure control approaches are be- aluminum siding

.
Caulking or sealant

ce
coming more common especially in cases involving reme-

©
Rigid insulation Gypsum board

n
dial work on existing structures. (taped or sealed joints)

ie
gsc
Unfaced cavity insulation,
Vapor diffusion should be considered as a secondary mois- cellulose or low density

in
ture transport mechanism when designing and building spray-applied foam

il d m
roofs. Specific vapor retarders are often unnecessary if ap-

bu c o
Figure 1

.
propriate air movement control is provided or if control of

e
Vented Roof Assembly

© c
condensing surface temperatures is provided.

cien
•Roof insulation thermal resistance (depth) at truss heel (roof
perimeter) should be equal or greater to thermal resistance of

g s
Vented Roof Design exterior wall

i n
•1:300 roof ventilation ratio recommended

i ld
Vented roofs should not communicate with the conditioned

b u
space — they are coupled to the exterior. Therefore, an air

©
barrier at the ceiling line should be present to isolate the at- Unvented Roof Design
tic space from the conditioned space. No services such as
Unvented roof design falls into two categories: systems
HVAC distribution ducts, air handlers, plumbing or fire
where condensing surface temperatures are controlled and
sprinkler systems should be located external to the air bar-
systems where condensing surface temperatures are not
rier (Figure 1).
controlled. The two categories essentially are the demarca-
The recommended ventilation ratio to provide in vented tion between regions where cold weather conditions occur
roof assemblies when an air barrier is present, is the 1:300 with sufficient frequency and intensity that sufficient mois-
ratio (as specified by most codes). ture accumulation from interior sources can occur on an
uninsulated roof deck to risk mold, corrosion and decay
In vented cathedral ceiling assemblies a minimum 2-inch
problems.
clear airspace is recommended between the underside of

RR-0404: Roof Design

© 2004 Building Science Corporation
The key is to keep the roof deck — the principle condens-
ing surface in roof assemblies — sufficiently warm
throughout the year. This can be accomplished either be-
cause of the local climate or as a result of design princi-
pally through the use of rigid insulation installed above the
roof deck or air-impermeable spray foam insulation in-
stalled under the roof deck in direct contact with it.
Where rigid insulation is installed above the roof deck, or
air-impermeable spray foam insulation is installed under
the roof deck condensing surface temperatures are said to
be controlled.
n
e
The demarcation is specified as a distinction between re-
i
gs c
gions where the monthly average temperature remains
above 45 degrees F throughout the year and where it drops
l d i n
below 45 degrees F during the year. An additional criteria
bui
is also necessary - that of keeping interior relative humidi-
ties below 45 percent.
©
These criteria were selected for two reasons. First, by keep-
gsc
ing the roof deck above 45 degrees F, condensation can be
in
minimized or eliminated. Condensation will not occur un-
i ld
less the dewpoint temperature of the interior air exceeds 45
bu
degrees F and this air contacts the roof deck. This interior
© n
dewpoint temperature is approximately equal to an interior
conditioned space temperature of 70 degrees F at an inte-
rior relative humidity of 45 percent. These are interior
i n
moisture conditions that can easily be avoided with air
l d
bui
change/ventilation or the avoidance of over humidification
during the coldest month of the year in the climate zones
©
specified.
Second, a monthly average temperature was selected,
rather than a design heating temperature, as it is more rep-
d in
resentative of building enclosure performance. Short term,
bu i l
intermittent "spikes" in parameters/environmental loads are
of interest to structural engineers and in the sizing of equip-
© n
ment, but not typically relevant to moisture induced dete-
rioration. Wood-based roof sheathing typical to residential
bu
Shingles
Roofing paper (1 perm or lower
vapor retarder as tested by the wet-cup
©
procedure required in some climates)
R-19 batt insulation installed with
wire stays or twine
R-5 rigid insulation (vertical and horizontal
joints offset from roof sheathing)
3/8” sheathing over rigid
insulation
Roof sheathing
©
Sealant
Rigid insulation
notched around roof
trusses and sealed
Vinyl or Unfaced batt insulation
aluminum siding Gypsum board with vapor semi-
Rigid insulation (taped, permeable (latex) paint
shiplapped or sealed joints)
Figure 2
Rigid Insulation Used to Control Condensing Surface Temperatures
•Rigid insulation installed above roof deck
•Ratio of R-value between rigid insulation and batt insulation is
climate-dependent
2
construction has sufficient hygric buffer capacity to absorb,
redistribute and re-release significant quantities of con-
densed moisture should intermittent condensation occur
during cold nights when the sheathing temperature occa-
sionally dips below 45 degrees F. The average monthly
conditions more accurately reflect moisture content in
wood-based assemblies.
Asphalt roofing shingles require special attention when in-
stalled on unvented roof assemblies in hot-humid, mixed-
o m
humid and marine climates due to inward vapor drive from
c
ce.
incident solar radiation. A 1 perm or lower vapor retarder
(Class II) as tested by the wet-cup procedure should be in-
stalled under the asphalt roofing shingles to control this in-
ward drive.
m
Wood shingles or shakes, require a minimum 1/4-inch
ce. c o
vented airspace that separates the shingles/shakes and the
roofing felt placed over the roof sheathing for similar rea-
i en
sons.
The demarcation between regions that require the control
of condensing surface temperatures and regions that do not
o m
can be obtained by using the hygro-thermal zones defini-
ce . c
tions in this builder's guide. Both hot-humid and hot-dry
climate zones meet the 45°F roof deck criteria. However,
ie
the high interior humidities found in buildings located in
gs c hot-humid zones during the winter months do not always
meet the 45% interior relative humidity criteria. Therefore,
m
o
the only zone that meets both of these requirements is the
ce. c
hot-dry hygro-thermal region. Only hot-cry climates do not
require the control of condensing surface temperatures. All
ci en
other regions require some form of control.
gs
Control of condensing surface temperatures typically in-
m
volves the installation of insulating sheathing above the
. co
roof deck. In residential wood frame construction this in-
ce
volves installing rigid insulation between the roof shingles
and the roof plywood or OSB (Figure 2). The installation
ie
gsc
of the rigid insulation elevates the temperature of the roof
deck to minimize condensation.
ildin o m
In cold and very cold climates selecting a roof deck con-
c
.
densing surface temperature criteria of 45°F is very conser-
e
c
vative. This temperature criteria can be reduced to 40°F
cien
(which corresponds to interior average conditions of 70°F,
s
35% RH) where high interior moisture loads due to spas,
g
i n
indoor swimming pools and excessive humidification are
ld
i
not present.
b u
Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrate the differences between the
First condensing
surface is the under-
side of roof sheathing
two fundamental systems. Figure 3 shows the potential for
condensation of an unvented roof assembly in Phoenix,
AZ. Phoenix, AZ is located in a hot-dry climate zone. This
roof assembly has no insulating sheathing installed above
the roof deck.
Figure 4 shows the potential for condensation of an un-
vented roof assembly in Dallas, TX. Dallas, TX is located
in a mixed-humid climate zone. Note that this roof assem-
bly has rigid insulation installed above the roof deck in or-
der to control the condensation potential. The thermal resis-
tance of the rigid insulation (thickness) necessary to control
RR-0404: Roof Design
© 2004 Building Science Corporation 3

condensation depends on the severity of the climate. The Figure 7 shows a roof design that is not as dependent on
colder the climate, the greater the resistance of the rigid in-
controlling interior moisture levels as the other roof de-
sulation required. Note that the thermal resistance of the signs presented. The absence of cavity insulation yields the
rigid insulation is based on the ratio of the thermal resis- highest condensing surface temperature of any of the de-
tance of the insulation above the roof deck as compared to signs presented. In this particular design, the condensing
the thermal resistance of the insulation below the roof surface is the air barrier membrane installed over the wood
deck. The key is to elevate the temperature of the condens- decking. With this design interior relative humidities
ing surface to 45 degrees F or higher during the coldest should be kept below 60 percent in order to control surface
months of the year. mold. In cold and very cold climate zones where there is

m
likely snow accumulation on roof surfaces, there is also the

o
Figure 5 shows the use of rigid insulation in a cathedral

ce. c
likelihood of ice-damming. In order to control ice-dam-
ceiling assembly in Washington, DC. A calculation proce-
ming, heat flow form the interior to the roof cladding must

n
dure is presented that determines the temperature of the

e
be minimized. In cold climate zones the minimum total R-

i
condensing surface. This calculation procedure is similar to

c
value for the entire unvented roof assembly should be R-

gs
the one used in Chapter 4 to determine the sheathing tem-
40. In very cold climate zones this minimum R-value

i n
perature in wall assemblies.

l d m
should be increased to R-50.

bui ce. c o
Figure 6 plots the temperature of the condensing surface.
In extreme snow regions it is typical to add a vented air
The graph shows that condensation within the roof assem-

© n
space between the roof cladding (shingles) and the rigid in-

e
bly will not occur if interior conditions are maintained at

i
sulation in Figure 7 to flush heat away trapped due to the

gsc
45 percent relative humidity or less at 70 degrees F during
insulating value of the snow (the snow becomes an insulat-
the coldest month of the year.

i ld in o m
bu . c
Shingles

ce
Roofing tile
Roofing paper (1 perm or lower

©
vapor retarder as tested by the wet-cup

n
Roofing paper

e
procedure required in some climates)

c i
Batt insulation installed with R-19 batt insulation installed with

gs
wire stays or twine
wire stays or twine

n
R-5 rigid insulation (vertical and horizontal

di m
joints offset from roof sheathing)

l
Roof sheathing

bui o
3/8” sheathing over rigid

ce. c
insulation
Roof sheathing

©
First condensing

n
Sealant

e
surface is the under-

i
side of roof sheathing

c
Rigid insulation

gs
notched around roof
Stucco Unfaced batt insulation trusses and sealed

in
Unfaced batt insulation

d m
Rigid insulation (taped, Gypsum board with vapor Vinyl or

i l o
shiplapped or sealed joints) semi-permeable (latex) paint aluminum siding Gypsum board with vapor semi-

bu . c
Rigid insulation (taped, permeable (latex) paint

ce
shiplapped or sealed joints)

© ie n
gsc
100 100

Mean monthly

ildin
90 90
outdoor temperature

m
First condensing surface

o
80 80

bu c
temperature (underside of

.
roof sheathing) if R-5 rigid

e
70 70

c
insulation is installed over

©
Mean monthly outdoor

cien
roof deck
Temperature (°F)

temperature 60 Dew point temperature

60
at 50% R.H., 70°F
Temperature (°F)

s
50 50

40

d i ng 40

ui l
Dew point temperature 30
30 Dew point temperature

b
of 70°F, 50% RH air
at 40% R.H., 70°F

©
20
20

10
10

0
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY
Month
Figure 3
Potential for Condensation in Phoenix, Arizona with Unvented Roof
•1,750 heating degree days
•Winter design temperature 34°F
•Summer design temperature 107°F dry bulb; 71°F wet bulb
•There is no potential for condensation on the underside of the roof
sheathing until interior moisture levels exceed 50% RH at 70°F
0
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY
Month
Figure 4
Potential for Condensation in Dallas, Texas with Unvented Roof and
Insulating Sheathing
•There is no potential for condensation on the underside of the roof
sheathing until moisture levels exceed 40% RH at 70°F
•Rigid insulation is recommended in this roof assembly to raise the
condensation potential above 50% RH at 70°F

RR-0404: Roof Design

© 2004 Building Science Corporation 4

ing "blanket"). In essence creating a vented-unvented hy-

brid roof assembly.
Note that in these types of unvented roof assemblies (ex-
cept Figure 7), interior vapor barriers (Class I vapor retard-
ers) are not recommended as these assemblies are expected
to be able to "dry" towards the interior.
Instead of installing rigid insulation above the roof deck to
control condensing surface temperature, air-impermeable

m
spray foam insulation can be installed in direct contact to

c o
ce.
the underside of the roof deck to accomplish the same
thing.

ie n
Figure 8 shows a roof design where air-impermeable spray

c
gs
foam insulation is installed in direct contact to the under-

i n
side of the structural roof deck. Shingles

l d m
bui o
Roofing paper (1 perm or lower vapor retarder as

c
tested by the wet-cup procedure required in some climates)

ce.
In Climate Zone 6 and Climate Zone 7 the air-impermeable
R-30 cavity insulation
insulation, including any covering adhered continuously to

© n
R-16 rigid insulation (vertical and horizontal

e
the bottom side should have a vapor permeance of 1 perm

i
joints offset from roof sheathing)

gsc
or less (i.e. have the characteristics of a Class II vapor re- Plywood or OSB nail base for shingles
screwed through rigid insulation
tarder or lower). This can be done by applying vapor bar-

in
to rafters

ld m
rier paint over the interior surface of the low density spray

i
Roof sheathing

bu . c o
foam or by installing a material layer that has a vapor per- Condensing surface

e
2x10 rafter

c
meance of 1 perm or less.

©
A high density spray foam insulation due to its imperme-

ie n
Gypsum board with vapor

c
semi-permeable (latex) paint

s
ability properties can be installed directly under roof decks

din g
in Climate Zone 6 and Climate Zone 7 without any addi- R-46 Unvented Roof Assembly

m
buil
•Two layers of R-6.5/inch rigid insulation yielding a total combined

o
tional provision for vapor diffusion resistance.

ce. c
thickness of 2.5 inches
In Figure 9 extruded polystyrene of thickness 1-inch is in- •Layers of rigid insulation have staggered joints to facilitate air tightness;

© n
two layers are preferable to one layer due to increase in air flow resistance

e
stalled to provide a Class II vapor retarder on the bottom
side of the low density air-impermeable spray foam insula-

ci
gs
tion. This allows the assembly to be constructed in Climate

in
Inside Monthly Average Temperature of

d m
Zone 6 and Climate Zones 7. Without the extruded polysty-

i l o
Temp. Outdoor Temp. ∆T Condensing Surface

bu c
rene layer (or without a coating of vapor barrier paint) the
use of low density air-impermeable spray foam insulation

©
Oct 70

ce . 55 15 60

n
is limited to Climate Zone 5 or lower.

e
Nov 70 45 25 54

i
gsc
Gypsum board is used to provide a thermal barrier with Dec 70 36 34 48

in
foam insulations to meet code requirements when an attic Jan 70 31 39 45

il d o m
space is occupiable. Feb 70 34 36 47

bu . c
Mar 70 43 27 52

© c e
cien
Apr 70 49 21 56

s
Ratio of thermal resistance above condensing surface to

d i ng total thermal resistance:

i l
16 ÷ 46 = 0.348

b u Temperature of Condensing Surface = (∆T x 0.348) + Outdoor Temperature

© Figure 5
Condensing Surface Temperatures in Washington, D.C.
•The greater the thermal resistance in the cavity, the lower the
temperature of the condensing surface
•The greater the thermal resistance of the rigid insulation, the
higher the temperature of the condensing surface
•In designs with no cavity insulation, only rigid insulation, yield
the highest (warmest) condensing surface temperatures
•In hot-humid, mixed-humid and marine climates a 1 perm or lower
vapor retarder as tested by the wet-cup procedure should be installed
under the asphalt roofing shingles

RR-0404: Roof Design

 © 2004 Building Science Corporation 5

Shingles
Roofing paper (1 perm or lower vapor retarder as
tested by the wet-cup procedure required in some climates)
R-30 cavity insulation
R-16 rigid insulation (vertical and horizontal Shingles
joints offset from roof sheathing)
Plywood or OSB nail base for shingles Roofing paper
screwed through rigid insulation
to rafters
R-40 rigid insulation (6 inches
Roof sheathing
of R-6.5/inch rigid insulation) in

m
Condensing surface two or three layers with horizontal

o
2x10 rafter
and vertical joinst staggered
Gypsum board with vapor

ce. c
Nail base for shingles (plywood or OSB)

n
semi-permeable (latex) paint screwed through rigid insulation

ie
to wood decking or timber rafters

gs c Air barrier membrane

n
(sheet polyethylene,

di m
membrane roofing in

l
R-46 Unvented Roof Assembly

i o
very cold and cold

u ce. c
• Two layers of R-6.5/inch rigid insulation yielding a total combined

b
climates; housewraps,
thickness of 2.5 inches building paper in all

©
Wood decking

n
other climates)
• Layers of rigid insulation have staggered joints to facilitate air tightness;

sci e
two layers are preferable to one layer due to increase in air flow resistance Timber rafter or exposed joist

d in g Figure 7

m
u i l c o
Compact Unvented Roof Assembly
100

90

© b ce .
•R-value increased to R-50 in very cold climate zones to control

n
ice-damming

ie
80 Condensing surface temperature

c
•Optimum roof assembly design to enclose pool areas and spas

gs
(R-16 rigid insulation, R-30 cavity
70 insulation with 70°F interior

i n
temperature)

l d m
60

bui o
Temperature (°F)

c
Mean monthly outdoor

ce.
50 temperature

© n
40

ci e
30

gs
Dewpoint temperature
at 45% RH, 70°F

in
20

i ld o m
10 Low density spray foam insulation

bu ce . c
0
Asphalt shingles

©
APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY

ie n
Month
Roofing paper (1 perm or lower vapor retarder

gsc
as tested by the wet-cup procedure required in
some climates)
Figure 6

d in m
Potential for Condensation in Washington, D.C. with Rigid Insulation

l
Roof sheathing

in Unvented Roof Assembly

bu i Raised heel truss

e . c o
c
•There is no potential for condensation until interior moisture

©
cien
Rigid foam, or comparable,
levels exceed 45% RH at 70°F during the coldest month of the as backdam
year if R-16 rigid insulation is installed over a rafter cavity

s
Fiber cement siding soffit Non-occupiable

g
space
insulation to R-30

i n
Roof underlayment
•In hot-humid, mixed-humid and marine climates a 1 perm or lower

d
sealed to drip edge

i l
vapor retarder as tested by the wet-cup procedure should be installed

b u
Gypsum board with latex paint
under the asphalt roofing shingles (acts as thermal barrier separating

©
occupiable space from non-occupiable
space)

Figure 8
Air Impermeable Spray Foam Insulation
• Spray foam protected with thermal barrier in occupied attic space
•In hot-humid, mixed-humid and marine climates a 1 perm or
lower vapor retarder as tested by the wet-cup procedure should be
installed under the asphalt roofing shingles

RR-0404: Roof Design

© 2004 Building Science Corporation 6

Low density spray foam insulation

Standing seam metal roof

Rosin paper slip surface over fully-adhered
membrane waterproofing (i.e. Ice & Water Shield®) Metal cap
1" XPS rigid insulation 18" wide membrane strip under
(Class II vapor retarder) parapet folded down over exterior
OSB
Roof sheathing Coping wedge
OSB
OSB sheathing
Rigid foam, or comparable, Rubber roofing
as backdam membrane

m
Scupper

o
Fiber cement Gypsum

c
siding soffit board Two layers OSB

ce.
required for High density spray
Roof fire-rating foam insulation

n
under-

e
layment

cant/ft
Space behind Polymer modified (PM) or Gypsum board with semi-

c
sealed to
traditional cement stucco

gs
drip edge knee wall for Knee wall permeable (latex) paint
mechanical duct runs

1/4"
n
and air handling equipment

i
Metal lath Sealant, adhesive or gasket at
in conditioned space

d m
top plate

ui l o
Caulking or sealant

c
Building paper bond break

©b e.
Low density spray foam over drainage plane Cavity insulation
insulation

i en c
Figure 9

d in gsc Figure 11

m
i l o
Air Impermeable Spray Foam Insulation Unvented Flat Roof Assembly

bu . c
•Spray foam protected with thermal barrier in occupied attic space •There is no potential for condensation on the underside of the roof

© ce
•Interior vapor retarder (Class II) required with low density spray sheathing until interior moisture levels exceed 50% RH at 70°F

ie n
foam in Climate Zones 6 and 7 •High density spray foam insulation does not require an interior

gs c
vapor retarder in any climate

l di n m
bui o
Gypsum board (thermal barrier) required for fire-rating

Asphalt shingle roof

ce. c
Roofing paper
© i en
Roof sheathing

gs c
i ld in o m
bu c
18" wide membrane strip

.
under parapet folded Air barrier

ce
High density spray foam insulation Metal cap down over exterior membrane

©
rigid insulation

n
(membrane
Coping wedge

e
roofing in very

i
OSB

gsc
cold and cold
OSB sheathing Rubber roofing climates; house-
Scupper membrane wraps, building

ildin
Knee wall paper in all
Rigid insulation

m
other climates)

o
Drip edge tucked

bu c
under membrane Sealant

e .
Rigid insulation

© c
OSB

cien
Cavity insulation
Occupiable space Sealant

s
Gypsum board with semi-
cant/ft

Open head joint Polymer modified (PM)

g
permeable (latex) paint

n
(every other brick) or traditional cement

i
stucco

ld
Sealant, adhesive or gasket at
1/ "

i
4

Brick veneer High density spray foam Metal lath top plate

u
insulation

b
Building paper bond
Air space Cavity insulation
break over drainage

©
Gypsum board plane
Insulating sheathing

Drainage plane
Structural sheathing Figure 12
Unvented Flat Roof Assembly — Condensing Surface Temperature
Figure 10 Controlled
Air Impermeable Spray Foam Insulation •The thickness of the rigid insulation at both the roof deck and roof
•Spray foam protected with thermal barrier in occupied attic space perimeter is determined by a calculation procedure similar to
•High density foam insulation partially fills roof rafter cavity and Figure 5
wall cavity •The colder the climate the thicker the rigid insulation required
•No interior vapor retarder required in any climate zone with high •The higher the interior moisture level the thicker the rigid
density spray foam insulation insulation required

RR-0404: Roof Design

2 Roof Design

About this Report

This report was first published in the Builder’s Guide for Cold Climates, 2004 edition.

About the Author

Joseph Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., is a principal of Building Science Corporation in

Westford, Massachusetts. He has twenty-five years of experience in design,
construction, investigation, and building science research. Joe is an ASHRAE Fellow
and an internationally recognized authority on indoor air quality, moisture, and
condensation in buildings. More information about Joseph Lstiburek can be found at
www.buildingscience.com

Direct all correspondence to: Joseph Lstiburek, Building Science Corporation, 70 Main
Street, Westford, MA 01886

Limits of Liability and Disclaimer of Warranty:

Building Science documents are intended for professionals. The author and the publisher of this article have used their best efforts to
provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. The author and publisher make no warranty of
any kind, expressed or implied, with regard to the information contained in this article.

The information presented in this article must be used with care by professionals who understand the implications of what they are
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