Building Science

Through advanced building science training McGrath Engineering Ltd provides specialist expertise in the field of building science.

McGrath Engineering is a valuable member of the design team during new construction of buildings.  We get involved at an early stage during the design development phase to help identify critical aspects of air leakage, water ingress protection and other components of the building envelope.  During detailed design, we assist with the difficult details such as interfaces between components, details at windows and penetrations.  Our specification writing, material, and product experience can be utilized to review standard specs and tailor them to the project requirements.

Some buildings require more attention to envelope design.  Site exposure, sensitive components, and high rain or humidity loads are some examples.  McGrath Engineering has experience working on the most challenging envelope designs such as aquatic centers, museums, and other buildings with extreme interior temperature and humidity conditions.

Restoration, repair and maintenance is a large part of our practice.  Some of the types these envelope assignments include:

  • envelope condition and performance assessments,
  • maintenance and service life planning,
  • major envelope replacement,
  • targeted envelope repair,
  • minor maintenance solutions including water leak investigation,
  • roof membrane replacement.