Staying on top of the latest building science and new innovations in building protection can be difficult. We’re here to help. Drawing on our own independent academic research and over 125 years of global experience, we offer a variety of accessible and convenient learning experiences and research to provide you with the know-how to build to a higher standard.
With changing climates and client expectations, it’s time for builders and designers to think green. Here are 5 proven sustainable design strategies to implement in your next new build or retrofitting project.
Read MoreComfortable, dry basements add significant project and property value for builders. Here are five ways to ensure your below-grade spaces stay warm and dry.
To keep foundations dry, you’ll need capillary breaks at the footings to prevent the migration of ground moisture into the interior. Here’s how it’s done.
Learn how to apply and install an effective drainboard system, as well as the components and fasteners required, in this short video.
DELTA®-VENT S is a mechanically adhered air and moisture barrier that enables architects and designers to design air tight enclosures easily.
Air tightness targets, or maximum air tightness levels, are a metric for assessing building performance. Dr. Joe Lstiburek from Building Science Corporation reviews just how tight building enclosures should be.
When building an effective air barrier assembly, it’s essential to have the right components. We detail four must-haves from the DELTA® line of products.
With changing climates and client expectations, it’s time for builders and designers to think green. Here are 5 proven sustainable design strategies to implement in your next new build or retrofitting project.
Building above grade is tough enough, but below grade? It is the most difficult space to get right. Not only does a basement hold the building up; it must keep groundwater, soil gas, and water vapor out, while keeping heat in during the winter and out during the summer.
Finally, a below-grade dimpled membrane that contributes to high-performance building compliance. Demonstrating market leadership in the growing movement towards product transparency and health in the built environment, DELTA®-MS is the first, and only, below-grade dimpled membrane to obtain a Red List Free Declare label with the Living Building Challenge (LBC) International Living Future […]
Managing moisture in a basement is difficult. We break down and detail the fundamentals of a water-managed basement foundation done right.
When it comes to below-grade moisture protection, cold weather and snow limit the use of any fluid-applied application. This can be avoided by selecting a better below-grade wall waterproofing solution that is designed specifically with cold climates in mind.
One of the most reliable ways of keeping walls dry and allowing them to dry out if they do get wet, is to construct the wall with an outer shell – also known as a rainscreen. A rainscreen is defined as an assembly applied to an exterior wall which consists of, at minimum, an out […]
We investigate the hygrothermal performance of a brick veneer wall assembly with two different weather-resistant barrier (WRB) strategies – an innovative 3D dual ventilated sheet and a spunbonded polyolefin-based material.
This paper compares two types of wood-framed walls, one with an air gap membrane and another installed following standard practice, and the effects of inward vapor drives on each.
We compared the intrinsic value asphaltic felts, self-adhering membranes, and mechanically attached synthetic underlayments provide a roofing assembly.
We explore if moisture problems in wood- or steel-framed walls are the result of inward solar vapor drives, and a lack of a drainage and ventilation space.
New polymeric WRBs with a range of vapor permeabilities are on the market. We examined the impact of various WRBs on their hygrothermal performance.
Can an HDPE drainboard meet the requirements of the Gotthard Railway Tunnels, including withstanding up to 45°C and an expected service life of 100 years?
Learn the essential advantages – and possible concerns – associated with the usage, durability, and design of HDPE dimple sheets and drainboards.
We explore a WRB’s essential functions, and durability concerns associated with polyolefin-based WRBs through our different testing methods.
This paper describes the advantages and concerns related to the using and designing with polymeric drainboards in tunnel construction.
We tested a polyolefin-based WRB and an innovative three-dimensional, dual-ventilated sheet to compare their hygrothermal performance in wall assemblies.
We studied the hygrothermal performance of a WRB and drainage membrane for residential and commercial construction. These were the results.
Learn about the performance of different WRBs with various vapor permeabilities, in varied climates and cladding applications, in wall assemblies.
This paper explores the loss of physical properties of water-resistive membranes due to temporary UV exposure, and what WRBs require to perform long term.
NFPA 285 is a code-required fire safety test for exterior wall assemblies, but it can be confusing as to which building materials and designs need to comply with the testing standard.
Top building scientist Dr. John Straube dives into the science of rainscreen wall systems, and what they require above all else to be effective.
Basements can account for 20% of a home’s total heat loss. While there are countless steps you can take to make homes more energy efficient, starting from the ground up is the best approach.
In this webinar, you’ll learn reliable waterproofing methods for foundations and below-grade structures from building expert Dr. Straube.
Building knowledge expert Gord Cooke discusses why we need to set new expectations for basements and foundations, cost-effective solutions that can enhance safety and comfort, and the building science behind it.
Gord Cooke discusses how builders and contractors can build better basements, increase their margins, and sell even more finished basements.
In partnership with Construction Instruction, this one-hour webinar will discuss construction details for building exteriors, including water and air barrier material choices and details that separate successful stucco installations from those that are prone to premature failure.
Matt Risinger, Jake Bruton, and Adrian Wegner share their best water-management practices for foundations and below-grade structures, to protect homes from structural damage, and ensure homeowners health and comfort.
In this webinar, two of North America’s most influential building science experts go head-to-head and debate on the construction industry’s hottest topics.
Curious what it takes to achieve a very tight building enclosure? Pursuing a Passive House or Net Zero project? Graham Finch talks about how to achieve measurable improvements in airtightness and more.
Dörken’s Director of Sales David de Maria presents to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association on how to protect basements from moisture and keep them dry using the right products and installation.
Dr. Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corporation discusses the evolution of rainscreens in terms of design, functionality, and protection, the importance of correct installation, and what trends we might see in the future.
In this webinar, Matt Risinger shares how preserve both the aesthetics and structural integrity of the building.
In this on demand webinar with Experts André Desjarlais & Philip Boudreaux, you will learn how the Building Science Advisor Tool to help create tighter high-performance construction solutions that manage moisture risks, reduce mold potential, and improve durability.
In this on demand webinar with Dr. John Straube, we will take an in-depth look at how the right materials, in the right order, can improve durability, comfort, and thermal performance.
DELTA®-MS uses a vacuum-formed dimple pattern to create an air gap between the membrane and the foundation, allowing incidental water to drain. DELTA®’s expert and product manager, Peter Barrett, shares his knowledge and 25 years of experience within the industry.
The proof is in the building science! In this webinar, Dr. Joe Lstiburek, the founding principal of Building Science Corporation, explains how to provide superior protection for below-grade living spaces.
The proof is in the building science! In this webinar, Dr. John Straube, Principal at RDH Building Science Inc., explains how you can build high-performance enclosures with the perfect wall.
Learn the proper installation techniques and safety practices required to install DELTA®-MS products through our DELTA®-MS Certified Installer Program.
By becoming a certified installer, you’ll receive professional training on how to install DELTA®-MS for long-lasting product performance. Plus, you’ll be able to offer homeowners added value in the form of the best warranty in the industry, and peace of mind that products are installed correctly and the building envelope is protected.
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Dörken delivers innovative, high performance air and moisture barriers for commercial and residential construction sold under the DELTA® brand name. A North American manufacturer based out of Beamsville, Ontario, Dörken Systems, Inc. is a subsidiary of Ewald Dörken AG, a leading European developer and manufacturer of waterproofing and drainage products sold worldwide. Dörken is known for delivering premium products while providing educational programs and full technical support. For more information, call 1-888-4DELTA4 (433-5824) or visit www.dorken.com.
DELTA® is a registered trademark of Ewald Dörken AG, Herdecke, Germany.
