Building Science Made Simple: Moisture, Air & Thermal Control for High-Performance Homes
- Audree Grubesic
- Nov 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 25
The High Performance Series:
At the heart of every high-performance home is a simple but powerful truth: building science matters. On the latest episode of High Performance Build, our team of seasoned industry experts—Joe Konopacki, Mark, Sean, and Audree—sat down to break down what really makes a building work. Not just from a comfort or energy standpoint, but from the inside out: the systems, the materials, the air, the water—and most importantly, the people behind the build.
The Three Pillars of Building Science
According to Joe, if there’s one place to start, it’s here: moisture control, air control, and thermal control. These three components are critical to building durability, energy efficiency, and occupant health.
“If things are getting wet, almost nothing else matters,” says Joe. Moisture management isn’t just about preventing leaks—it's about preventing the compounding damage that mold, rot, and trapped humidity can cause over time.
Once moisture is under control, the next key focus is air control. Air leakage can transport both heat and moisture through a building’s envelope, affecting everything from indoor air quality to energy use. Joe emphasizes the importance of sealing the building tight and ventilating right.
Lastly, thermal control comes into play—super-insulated walls, high-performance windows, and energy modeling that supports your goals from the very beginning.
Breaking It Down: Analogies that Make Sense
Sean reminds us that building science doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of your home like a person:
The sweater is insulation.
The windbreaker is your air barrier.
The fan after a shower is your mechanical ventilation system.
The comfort level of your body mirrors the comfort you should feel in your home.
And just like your body, your home must respond to different environments. This is where climate zones play a major role. What works in Canada may not work in Florida. Placement of vapor barriers, insulation strategies, and moisture management must all adapt to regional conditions.
Why Modular and Offsite Construction Have the Edge
Audrey offers a compelling perspective from the offsite and modular world. When homes are built in a factory:
Components are kept dry and square.
QA inspections are standardized and state-certified.
Materials are installed in controlled environments.
This reduces the risk of mold and increases the precision of assemblies. Plus, panels and systems can be pre-tested before they even reach the site.
“It's like bringing together earth, wind, and fire,” says Audree. “All the elements are integrated to protect you and allow you to live healthier.”
Testing is Not Optional—It’s Essential
One of the biggest takeaways from the episode? Test early. Test often.
From blower door tests to duct leakage reports and commissioning of mechanical systems, quality assurance should be layered into every phase—factory and field alike.
“The presence of equipment isn’t the same as it functioning properly,” Joe notes. “You can’t fix what you don’t measure.”
Final Thoughts: Build It Right, Build It Together
High-performance building is a team sport. From architects to tradespeople, from factory QA to on-site commissioning—everyone must play their part to ensure success.
Mark and Sean echoed that it's all about integration and collaboration: the air barrier must connect to the windows, the insulation must align with the framing, the systems must be designed with intention—and the homeowner must walk away with a house that performs.
As Sean put it best, “Our buildings are balloons. If they have holes, all that conditioned air escapes. Let’s patch the holes before we put on the finish.”
A Healthier Home Starts with Better Building Science
Your home is your temple. The way it's built matters. Whether you're designing a passive house, exploring offsite construction, or simply planning a renovation—understanding the why behind your build can save time, money, and energy in the long run.
Want to learn more? Subscribe to Offsite Dirt Network and check out our latest video on High Performance Build to see these tips in action.
FAQ's
What are the three critical pillars of building science? The three critical pillars are moisture control, air control, and thermal control, which are essential for building durability, energy efficiency, and occupant health.
Why is moisture control considered the most critical factor in building science? If a building gets wet, "almost nothing else matters," as moisture management is necessary to prevent compounding damage from mold, rot, and trapped humidity that compromises the structure over time.
How do offsite and modular construction methods gain an advantage in building science? Building components are fabricated in a factory's controlled environment, which keeps materials dry, ensures components are "square," and allows for standardized QA inspections and pre-testing to increase precision.
What is the primary purpose of a blower door test in construction? The blower door test is an essential quality assurance step used to measure the air tightness of a building, quantify the air leakage, and identify holes so that the builder can ensure the home's "windbreaker" is functioning properly.
What are the key components of thermal control in a high-performance home? Thermal control involves designing and installing super-insulated walls, high-performance windows, and using energy modeling from the beginning of the project to manage temperatures and reduce energy consumption.