Exterior Residential Wood-Frame Walls Made Better

This two-day training explores how to effectively manage the movement of moisture, air, and heat to produce exterior wood-frame walls for new, low-rise housing that are affordable, energy efficient, and durable. Through a blend of classroom instruction, live demonstrations, and hands-on construction of mock-ups, participants learn practical detailing, material selection best practices, and proven wall construction techniques that reduce risk, prevent costly call-backs, and meet or exceed new code requirements.

Funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain key building science principles that influence the energy performance and durability of exterior wood-frame walls in a cold climate.
• Compare the advantages and limitations of barrier and insulation materials that can be specified to control the movement of moisture, air, and heat.
• Integrate these materials into effective control layers through effective sequencing and detailing to produce robust exterior wall assemblies.
• Calculate effective thermal resistance values for common residential walls assembled to support code compliance and design decisions.
• Properly support exterior cladding and finish over walls with exterior insulation.
• Safely use measuring, cutting, and installation tools to install moisture barriers, air barriers, and insulation.

​​This training provides participants with foundational knowledge and shop-based practice to identify code-compliant materials, calculate effective thermal resistance values, and safely install insulation and barrier systems. These skills enable them to reduce heat loss, air leakage, and moisture intrusion in both new builds and retrofit projects. By assessing existing assemblies and implementing targeted upgrades, they help lower energy consumption and contribute to low-carbon building practices.​