ABSTRACT
The building fabric and services design are two key aspects that impact on a building's performance. This chapter focuses on thermal performance of the fabric, but there are many synergies between them and other aspects of building performance, such as structure, acoustics and fire. A thermally efficient building envelope will need to be well built, structurally sound, airtight, weatherproof, fire resistant and have good acoustic performance due to the insulation and airtightness. The attention to detail and quality assurance on-site needed to deliver a thermally efficient building will also normally lead to increased performance in other areas. A thermally efficient building envelope will have three continuous layers: windtight and weathertight (outside layer), continuous insulation with no thermal bridges, and airtight layer (normally the inside layer). All construction types can achieve high levels of fabric performance with three continuous layers of windtightness, insulation and airtightness.
