Adapting PERSIST for the Prevention of Water Accumulation in Residential Wood Frame Construction PDF

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the Pressure Equalized Rain Screen Insulated Structure Technique (PERSIST) can be applied to residential wood frame construction to provide an effective exterior envelope to prevent water accumulation in walls and roofs. Many residential buildings in North America are encountering problems of rot and mold growth related to water accumulation. These problems stretch further than only damage to the building materials. Issues of health, safety, accountability, and cost result as well. PERSIST is a technique that was developed by combining several concepts researched and developed by the National Research Council of Canada in the 1960s. In Alberta this technique of moving the air seal plane to the exterior of the structure has been used successfully for the past 20 years in commercial construction applications. The viability of PERSIST for residential applications is demonstrated through its ability to manage water penetration in the assembly, its ability to be applied to residential buildings, and by examining the cost considerations involved with damage caused by water accumulation.

Authors: Peter D. Baker; Chris B. Makepeace

Citation: Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings VIII

Keywords: December, Florida, 2001