Canada Post Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 Commitment to Sustainability and Performance in the Built Environment SPRING 2025Building Science Association of Ontario5 TABLE OF CONTENTS ON THE COVER: This issue is highlighting the Ontario Building Envelope Council's rebranding to the Building Science Association of Ontario. This rebranding is part of their strategic initiative to better represent their mission and commitment to sustainability and performance in the built environment. Canada Post Publications Agreement Number: 40609661 Commitment to Sustainability and Performance in the Built Environment SPRING 2025 Pushing the Envelope Canada A publication of the Building Science Association of Ontario Spring 2025 Published For: The Building Science Association of Ontario 2800 – 14th Ave. Suite 210 Markham, ON L3R 0E4 Phone: 647-317-5754 Fax: 416-491-1670 info@bsao.ca www.bsao.ca © 2025 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Printed in Canada. BSAO does not specifically endorse the editorial, products or services contained within this magazine. These products and services are presented here as an indication of the various possibilities in the Marketplace. BSAO wishes to advise the reader that sound Building Science Practices should be applied to any and all product or service selections. BSAO does not make or imply any warranties as to the suitability of any of these products or services for any specific situation. Furthermore, the opinions expressed in this magazine’s editorial content may not necessarily reflect the opinions of BSAO. UP FRONT Message from the President......................................................................................9 Meet the BSAO Board of Directors............................................................................9 Ontario Building Envelope Council Rebrands as Building Science Association of Ontario!............................................................11 Upcoming Building Science Specialist Exam Dates...............................................11 FEATURES Best Practices for Constructing a Building Clad with EFIS: Ensuring Durability, Thermal Benefits, and Long-Term Performance............13 Exploring Pathways to Improved Housing in First Nations Communities..........16 Aerogel Insultation in Building Retrofits: Maximizing Efficiency with Minimizing Bulk...........................................................................19 Sealing the Gaps: Preventing Window-Wall Water Woes......................................23 Making Transitions....................................................................................................26 Propelling Sustainable Building Restoration with Deep Energy Retrofits in Canada........................................................................28 TAKE ACTION Join the Building Science Association of Ontario...................................................31 INDEX TO ADVERTISERS ....................................................................................34Building Science Association of Ontario7 TABLE OF CONTENTS MEET OUR EXPERTS CHRISTINE ASFOUR-META Christine Asfour-Meta is a Building Envelope Consultant at Durabond Products Limited, with over sixteen years of experience in EIFS cladding. HELEN STOPPS, PH.D. Helen Stopps, Ph.D., P.Eng., is an Assistant Professor in Architectural Science at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and co-lead of the From Harvest to House program. SARAH HAINES, PH.D. Sarah Haines, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at University of Toronto and co-lead of the community-based research program, From Harvest to House. MARIA MILAN, PH.D. Maria Milan is a Ph.D. student in Building Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. ODEL LINETSKA Odel Linetska is a M.A.Sc student in Building Science at Toronto Metropolitan University. NATALIE CLYKE Natalie Clyke is both Project Manager of From Harvest to House, and Founder and CEO of RockTree Mgo Construction Materials Inc. BECKY BIG CANOE Becky Big Canoe is the co-founder of the Mno Aki Land Trust, a member of the Keepers of the Circle and the founder of EnviroNative Training Initiatives. OSKAR LINKRUUS Oskar Linkruus is a third-year student in Algonquin’s Bachelor of Science, Building Science Honours program. NICHOLAS ASISTORES Nicholas Asistores is a third-year student in Algonquin College’s Building Science Honours program. TAOFIQ AL-FAESLY, PH.D. Dr. Taofiq Al-Faesly is a distinguished educator and engineer with over 30 years of experience in academia and industry. EMILY SALEH Emily Saleh is a Senior Associate with 30 Forensic Engineering’s Civil & Structural Engineering Group, specializing in Building Science. AUSTIN TODD Austin is the Founder and President of Evergreen Building Science Inc. and a building science and sustainability professional. JAVERIYA HASAN, PH.D. Javeriya Hasan is an Associate at 30 Forensic Engineering, specializing in Civil & Structural Engineering and Building Science. TERRENCE HOLDER Terrence Holder is the Technical Director of the Civil & Structural Engineering and Building Science & Building Envelope groups at 30 Forensic Engineering. JULIE SZABO Julie Szabo is an Associate Principal at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., with over 20 years of experience in building science and building enclosure consulting. JASON SANCHEZ Jason Sanchez is a Senior Associate at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc., with 18 years of experience in building enclosure consulting where his work focuses on project management and technical advisement. CHUCK BUNDRICK Chuck Bundrick, CSI, LEED GA, is a Key Account Executive – Commercial Construction and Renovation at Tremco Construction Products Group. Pushing the Envelope Canada A publication of the Building Science Association of Ontario Spring 2025 Published By: Matrix Group Publishing Inc. 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Account Executives Colleen Bell, Jackie Casburn, Chandler Cousins, Rich Cowan, Rob Gibson, Jim Hamilton, Frank Kenyeres, Sandra Kirby, Andrew Lee, Brian MacIntyre, Chad Morris, Lynn Murphy, Wilma Gray-Rose, Monique Simons, Joseph Ukaoha Layout & Design Travis Bevan Advertising Design James Robinson © 2025 Matrix Group Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Matrix Group Publishing Inc. Printed in Canada. BSAO does not specifically endorse the editorial, products or services contained within this magazine. These products and services are presented here as an indication of the various possibilities in the Marketplace. BSAO wishes to advise the reader that sound Building Science Practices should be applied to any and all product or service selections. BSAO does not make or imply any warranties as to the suitability of any of these products or services for any specific situation. Furthermore, the opinions expressed in this magazine’s editorial content may not necessarily reflect the opinions of BSAO.Building Science Association of Ontario9 UP FRONT President: Daniel Aleksov, P.Eng., BSS, Leading Edge Building Engineers Inc. Vice-President: Negar Pakzadian, B.Eng., M.Arch., MBSC., BSS, CPHD, Major Capital Project Manager Treasurer: Matthew Gelowitz, M.A.Sc., CPHC, LEED® AP, Synergy Partners Consulting Ltd. Operations Manager: Sherry Denesha, Building Science of Ontario Directors: Mohammed Dawoud, P.Eng, M.Eng, BSS, CPHD, NFRC Certified Simulator, Ennova Facades Brandon Gemme, P.Eng., BSS, CPHD, Leading Edge Building Engineers Inc. Alessandra Valerio, B.Arch., PMP, BECxP, CxA + BE, Stantec Antoine Possik, Northern Caulking Inc. Stephanie Martin, M.Sc., P.Eng., MTE Consultants Inc. Shohreh Salimpour, M.Eng., P.Eng., M.Arch., OAA (Int.), LEED® AP, PMP, OHE Consultants Kelsey Saunders, KPMB A s we wrap up a more formidable winter and approach spring, it is important to reflect on the last six months of some major initiatives the Ontario Building Envelope Council (OBEC) has implemented and is actively engaged in. Our joint OBEC/IIBEC BES Conference held last fall was by all accounts a major success thanks to the participants of both associations as well as the countless efforts of our board and committee members, au- thors, speakers, sponsors and members at large. We appreciate the support and commitment that helped make this major undertaking a memorable and beneficial experience. During our annual general meeting held on October 1, 2024, we made the announcement that the association was officially changing its name to the Build- ing Science Association of Ontario (BSAO) in accordance with the special mem- bers vote which passed. The rebrand- ing and new website www.bsao.ca was launched on January 17, 2025. Addition- ally, it was announced at the AGM that Paul Pushman from EXP was the recipi- ent of the Anthony A. Woods (The Beckie) award, and it was formally presented to him at our recent dinner meeting held on January 15th. One of the major new initiatives BSAO has formally commenced at the start of this year is hiring a lobby firm to advocate BSAO’s strategic goals to government of- ficials and agencies further broadening our reach and impact across the province of Ontario. Any important updates will be communicated to our members regularly through emails, social media, events, and publications. We have an outstanding lineup of events planned for this year which include our regular dinner seminars, webinars, a lab tour, our second annual golf tourna- ment with the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) Golden Horseshoe chapter and our fall full day conference and AGM. We look forward to our membership to participate, benefit, and sponsor these high calibre events as they become open for registration. We are thrilled that post-secondary students continue to become BSAO mem- bers and host their own student chapter events as well as attend BSAO organised events. Many thanks to our corporate spon- sors who have facilitated and supported this initiative for the past few years. This year the rising star award will be granted to an individual, nominated by their peers, to rec- ognize individuals that demonstrate excep- tional knowledge of the design, construction and performance of the building envelope. In closing, we have made some incred- ible strides to further BSAO’s mission to be the beacon of excellence for building sci- ence and we appreciate all the efforts and support from our members for the major initiatives that we are collectively working on. Additionally, I would like to thank Andrea Mucciarone and Robert Quattrociocchi for their service on the board and their impact. I look forward to working closely with each of you as we navigate on this exciting journey together. If you are interested in volunteer- ing on one of our many active committees, please email us at info@bsao.ca. Message from the President Daniel Aleksov Principal & Co-Founder Leading Edge Building EngineersNext >