- PRIDE Industries

The nonprofit social enterprise is awarded Best of the Best by U.S. Veterans Magazine.

Roseville, Calif. – For a fourth consecutive year, PRIDE Industries has been named one of the nation’s Best of the Best Top Veteran-Friendly Companies by U.S. Veterans Magazine (USVM). The distinction publicly recognizes those entities that go above and beyond in their support of our nation’s former military personnel in terms of outreach to veterans, military families, and transitioning service members.

“We strive to encourage other companies to follow PRIDE Industries’ lead and ultimately create a workforce that is supportive of our veteran community,” said Mona Lisa Faris, President & Publisher at U.S. Veterans Magazine.

Each year, with an eye on veteran employment, U.S. Veterans Magazine conducts select evaluations of the nation’s employers, law enforcement agencies, veteran outreach programs, and schools. These non-biased studies are a valuable resource for the publication’s readers, job seekers, business owners, students, transitioning veterans, and consumers.

“PRIDE Industries is honored to be recognized as a Best of the Best Top Veteran-Friendly Company by U.S. Veterans Magazine,” said Tim Young, Vice President of Talent Management at PRIDE Industries. “We recognize that the experience veterans gain serving our country makes them valuable employees, and we are dedicated to helping our military veterans of all abilities find sustainable employment.”

PRIDE Industries offers several employment resources for veterans, including its one-of-a-kind I AM ABLE employment helpline [(844) 426-2253], a veterans employee resource group (ERG), and a Military Skills Translator tool that helps veterans match their skills and talent to a civilian career. In addition, PRIDE Industries can help veterans access paid internships as well as mentoring and training programs. And to help other companies increase their hiring of diverse candidates, including military veterans, the company provides recruiting services. Last month, on National Hire a Veteran Day, PRIDE Industries held veteran hiring events at four locations across the country.

About PRIDE Industries

PRIDE Industries delivers business excellence with a positive social impact. A social enterprise, we provide facilities operations and maintenance services, custodial services, contract manufacturing, supply chain management, packaging and fulfillment services, and placement services to private and public organizations nationwide. Founded in 1966, PRIDE Industries’ mission is to create employment for people with disabilities. Through personalized employment services, we help individuals realize their true potential and lead more independent lives. PRIDE Industries proves the value of its inclusive workforce model through operational success across multiple industries every day.

About U.S. Veterans Magazine

U.S. Veterans Magazine is dedicated to providing veterans and their families with valuable resources to support both their active military lifestyle and their transition to civilian life. Our goal is to offer comprehensive content that covers a wide range of topics, including career opportunities, education, finance, health, and wellness. Through our magazine, we aim to empower our readers with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the unique challenges they face and to celebrate their achievements and contributions to society. Learn more at https://usveteransmagazine.com.

Media Contact

Kat Maudru

(916) 753-4339

media@prideindustries.com

PRIDE Industries is a social enterprise delivering business excellence to public and private organizations nationwide.

To protect themselves from the harsh Mediterranean sun, the ancient Greeks built their structures from mudbrick and plaster. Clay roof tiles kept their building interiors cool and redirected water away from the walls. And plain wooden shutters and doors kept the sun (or rain) out. Together, these simple constructions are among the earliest examples of what we now call the building envelope.

In today’s buildings, mud has been replaced by steel and stone, and roof tiles can be made of metal, concrete, or even plastic. But the objective of the building envelope remains the same: to keep the outside out and the inside in. The roof, walls, windows, doors, and foundation that make up a building envelope not only provide protection from the elements, they also prevent damage and improve energy efficiency in modern buildings.

Functions of a Building Envelope

Building envelopes serve many functions, but the following are the most crucial ways they protect a building:

It’s been estimated that building owners could save as much as 37 percent on heating and cooling costs simply by improving the airtightness of their building’s envelope.

Water Barrier

Protecting a structure from water damage is one of the most important functions of a building envelope. But it’s not just the roof and walls that keep water out. Other components play a crucial role as well:

Flashing, to keep water out of joints
Siding, to prevent water from seeping through exterior walls, especially brick or stone walls with permeable mortar
Gutters, to divert water away from the structure
Underlayment/vapor barriers, to keep moisture from penetrating walls, ceilings, and floors
Sealants and weatherstripping, to fill gaps between windows and doors

The consequences of a failed water barrier can be catastrophic. Even small amounts of moisture can cause wood and other building materials to deteriorate over time. It can erode the foundation and weaken the structural integrity of a building, putting its occupants in danger. Moisture can also cause mold, which not only destroys building materials, but can also impact indoor air quality and create health issues for occupants.

Thermal Barrier

Another key job of a building envelope is to act as a thermal barrier. In its simplest form, a thermal barrier prevents the transfer of heat from the outside to the inside and vice versa. Walls, roofs, windows, and doors are all thermal barriers. Some ways to strengthen the thermal barrier include:

Insulation, used in attics, foundations, floors, walls, and around windows
Multi-pane windows and special reflective coatings
Air-tight and multi-pane doors
Sealants and weatherstripping, to prevent air leaks around windows and doors

Another important function of the thermal barrier is to reduce thermal bridging. Thermal bridging occurs when heat passes from a building’s interior to its exterior via a building element like a balcony or parapet. Since exterior building elements like balconies are often made of high thermal conductivity materials like concrete or steel, heat energy can be rapidly conducted from the building’s interior to the outside via these thermal bridges. Thermal bridges can be mitigated with improved insulation, triple-glazed windows, and air-to-air heat exchangers, among other solutions.

Air Barrier

A building envelope also operates as an air barrier, preventing outdoor air from getting in, and indoor air from getting out. This function is important for more than just temperature regulation. Buildings need some air circulation to prevent a buildup of moisture and to prevent condensation. But it’s a delicate balancing act, because too much circulating air can raise heating and cooling costs.

A poorly constructed or maintained building envelope can greatly impact indoor air quality, allowing outside pollutants such as wildfire smoke and allergens to penetrate indoor air. It can also decrease energy efficiency and increase heating and cooling costs. A compromised building envelope is one of the main causes of energy loss in a structure. That’s one reason why it’s been estimated that building owners could save as much as 37 percent on heating and cooling costs simply by improving the airtightness of their building’s envelope.

To be airtight, an air barrier must be continuous, with no gaps or holes. Seams where joints or panels meet should be sealed. Drywall and plywood are standard barrier materials, and used in combination with flexible materials like liquid membranes, they form an efficient continuous air barrier. Newer materials like rigid foam-board insulation and closed-cell spray foam are especially energy efficient because they prevent conditioned air from escaping, yet allow for the release of moisture.

Light and Sound Control

While the main purpose of a building envelope is to serve as a water, thermal, and air barrier, that’s not its only function. It also serves as a barrier to light and sound. Light barriers such as tinted windows are especially important because UV light can cause building materials to disintegrate, leading to costly repairs and replacements. Sound barriers like insulation ensure the comfort of a building’s occupants.

Energy Efficiency and the Building Envelope

At their essence, building envelopes are a barrier between the conditioned and unconditioned environment. In the summer, they keep the cool air in and the hot air out. In the winter, they keep the warm air in and the cold air out. But more than that, the building envelope plays an outsized role in determining a building’s energy efficiency.

A building that has a “tight” envelope not only protects the structure from damage, it also greatly reduces heating and cooling costs. Tight envelopes are well-sealed, mechanically ventilated, and typically have fewer moisture issues than those with “loose” envelopes.

Buildings with loose envelopes have more natural ventilation. Some structures, especially heritage buildings, were intentionally designed to take advantage of natural breeze patterns (think transom windows and cross ventilation). However, they suffer greater air loss and therefore cost more to heat and cool.

Building envelope technologies account for as much as 30 percent of the energy consumed in both residential and commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. And air leakage through building envelopes accounts for six percent of all energy consumed by commercial buildings, resulting in sometimes astronomical utility bills for commercial building owners. For this reason, when it comes to improving energy efficiency, proper building envelope maintenance is key.

Best Practices for Maintaining a Building Envelope

A well-functioning building envelope starts with quality construction. But it doesn’t end there. Envelopes must be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure that they’re operating efficiently. Weather events, degradation, and other damage can all impact a building envelope’s functionality, and the earlier these issues are caught, the better.

Cases of building envelope failure are not hard to find. One spectacular example occurred in Vancouver, where thousands of condominiums and townhomes constructed during a housing boom in the 1980s suffered major water infiltration. During what’s known as the “Leaky Condo Crisis,” water vapor was able to penetrate the buildings, which led to rot, rust, and mold that compromised structural integrity. The crisis has resulted in billions of dollars in damages, with legal battles and retrofitting that continues to this day.

The lesson learned is that when it comes to commercial building envelope maintenance, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Even a small kink in the armor can lead to a big headache down the road, so it’s important to establish a regular maintenance schedule to catch problems early on. It can be tempting to put off inspections and maintenance when faced with limited time and resources, which is why having a schedule is important. Depending on the type of facility, inspections should occur at least once a quarter.

Inspecting a building envelope might seem like a herculean task, but one effective approach is to follow a “roof-to-floor” strategy:

Roof: Inspect tiles, flashings, vents, fans, and other penetrations. Look for signs of water damage. Check corners, valleys, and gutters. And given that the roof is the most at-risk location for water ingress, be sure to conduct roof inspections at least twice a year.
Walls: Visually inspect exterior walls for moisture intrusion, mold, or mildew. Check exterior siding. Pay particular attention to penetration joints and seals.
Fenestrations: Check all windows, doors, skylights, or other fenestrations for water or moisture leaks, especially around frames. Ensure weatherstripping is in good shape.
Floors and foundation: Inspect for signs of water seepage, cracks, or other damage. Keep an eye out for the telltale powdery signs of efflorescence. Confirm proper sloping to ensure that water doesn’t pool at the foundation.

Outside of visual inspections, there are specialized tools and tests for commercial building inspection that can help determine whether a building envelope is operating as it should. The gold standard in air leak detection is the blower door test, which measures a building’s airtightness. Another important tool is an infrared camera, which can be used to check for leaks by quickly locating hot (or cold) spots and thermal bridges. For hard-to-reach places, borescopes can provide visual data that’s otherwise inaccessible, and drones can be used to inspect tall buildings.

The Future of Building Envelope Design

Building envelopes have come a long way since the early days of mudbrick shelters. And their design continues to evolve. A push towards more sustainable building practices means laws are changing. In California, net zero buildings will be required of all new commercial construction by 2030, part of an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy consumption. An increased focus on energy efficiency means architects, designers, builders, and researchers are looking for new ways to reduce heating and cooling costs. Some alternatives on the horizon include:

Green rooftops, in which plants, shrubs, and trees are planted atop a roof, providing an added layer of insulation.
Adaptive materials such as smart windows, which darken or lighten based on temperature and light fluctuations.
Self-healing concrete, in which bacteria or enzymes are added to concrete and activated when wet, automatically filling small gaps or cracks.
Aerogel insulation, a silica-based product in which the liquid has been replaced with air, resulting in an extremely lightweight, solid, foam-like material.
Photovoltaic curtain walls, which not only provide an extra layer of protection, but also simultaneously generate power.

These innovations won’t become standard overnight. But their sustainability and energy efficiency ensure that future buildings will incorporate at least some of these technologies.

Your Building Envelope Maintenance Partner

PRIDE Industries has over 35 years of experience in facilities management, energy systems and building envelope maintenance, engineering services, and preventive and predictive maintenance. We can help you optimize your facility’s systems to lower both energy and maintenance costs. Contact us today to see what our award-winning facilities management services can do for you.

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The nonprofit social enterprise is awarded Best of the Best by U.S. Veterans Magazine.

About PRIDE Industries

About U.S. Veterans Magazine

Functions of a Building Envelope

Water Barrier

Thermal Barrier

Air Barrier

Light and Sound Control

Energy Efficiency and the Building Envelope

Best Practices for Maintaining a Building Envelope

The Future of Building Envelope Design

Your Building Envelope Maintenance Partner