Course Overview

This course is arranged in the most practical and user-friendly way possible. However, as the “durability web” figure shows, there are many interrelated topics, which make any arrangement of information on durability a bit challenging. To the degree possible, redundancy in content is minimized and interrelated topics or discussions are crossreferenced so that readers can seek additional information needed with relative ease. Appendix A also contains a cross-cutting durability checklist for builders and designers.

The scope of this course cuts across the “durability drivers” shown listed below. Note that the building envelope and structure are not listed separately as they’re integrated across all of the drivers.

An effort has also been made to include geographically based data and other technical information that allows the reader to quickly determine the relevance of a particular durability issue to local conditions or requirements.

Lastly, it is vital for the reader to note that this course is just that—a course and that all locally applicable building code regulations apply and take precedence. Likewise, manufacturer recommendations should be followed and take precedence. This course is a collection of important durability measures and practices, however it is by no means comprehensive or all-inclusive. For that reason, each chapter also contains links to additional resources which will go deeper into a particular topic.

Durability Measures—Minimum Code Requirements or Best Practices?

As for the actual durability measures in Chapters 3 through 9, some are simply basic code requirements. Why? Because even basic code requirements can be critical details to get right, and simply focusing on them in the design and specification phase can offer a big durability payoff! In fact, many “above-code” programs which label and distinguish homes in the market include a number of requirements which are simply code requirements. In most cases, these programs include them as requirements because a third party is verifying that they are applied.

Recommended measures may also cover issues not directly covered by codes or standards, yet are critical for durability. Despite the extensive framework of requirements found in building codes like the International Residential Code (IRC), there are often gaps in the details when applying the code to a specific application or local condition.