You’re Free to Ignore the Laws of Building Science

You're Free To Ignore The Laws Of Building Science...at Your Peril.

I spent this week at the 15th Annual Westford Symposium on Building Science (aka Building Science Summer Camp). Great event. Great people. Lots of learning and thinking and networking.

I spent this week at the 15th Annual Westford Symposium on Building Science (aka Building Science Summer Camp). Great event. Great people. Lots of learning and thinking and networking.

I bought Bill Rose’s book, Water in Buildings, and started reading it on the plane yesterday as I returned to Atlanta. In the introduction, he does a really nice job of explaining what exactly building science is and what it’s not.

Basically, building science is our attempt to understand the performance of buildings: What happens to water when it hits the roof and walls? Where does water go when it comes up from the ground? Under what conditions of temperature, humidity, and air flow does water create a problem in building assemblies?

moisture problem mold on floor joist in crawl space sml

You’re perfectly free to ignore the knowledge gained by building scientists. It’s an applied science, with uncertainties and grey areas, and, for some people, that lack of 100% definition is reason enough to disregard its findings. Of course, you’re also free to have mold growing on the materials in your home or uncomfortable rooms or astronomically high energy bills or paint that doesn’t last or…

You’re free to ignore the law of gravity, too. You can jump off that high cliff — but you won’t be able to ignore the consequences.

 

Photo at top by epSos.de from flickr.com, used under a Creative Commons license.

This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. I don’t even believe in
    I don’t even believe in science!

  2. Allison, It is a wonderful
    Allison, It is a wonderful Book. 
    I mentioned it to you once at your GBA Lumpy Insulation Blog. 
    Check out Cold Edge Effect.

  3. I thought gravity was a rumor
    I thought gravity was a rumor started by building science geeks. And who goes to a camp known as BS camp? Really!

  5. Physics do have a lot to do
    Physics do have a lot to do with building plans though…whether you believe in science or not. I can’t understand how you can ignore the fact that physics are definitely a part of the laws of building.

  6. Simple. Short. To the point!!
    Simple. Short. To the point!! 
     
    Thanks

  7. Thanks for all the comments,
    Thanks for all the comments, whatever your beliefs about science, BS, physics, or cosmetology. I myself don’t believe in astronomy, but that’s a different matter altogether. I mean, how can a single horoscope be true for half a billion people!

  8. You mean “astrology,
    You mean “astrology,” or am I being dense and missing the joke?

  10. Leigha:
    Leigha: Yeah, that’s a joke I stole from a college friend of mine and have been using for decades now. Sorry. 
     
    Harvey: Huh?

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