Northeast

Credit type: 1 AIA HSW LU
Provider: Northern Facades

Thermal bridging is a well-understood concept within the building-envelope industry, yet the conversation surrounding its mitigation has evolved significantly over the past decade. In 2026, thermal bridging is no longer addressed solely as an energy-efficiency concern, but as a critical factor in thermal resilience, durability, climate adaptation, and long-term building performance.

As energy codes and standards across the United States and Canada continue to advance toward higher performance targets, designers, developers, and contractors are increasingly required to evaluate whole-assembly thermal performance, including the impact of clear-field cladding support attachments. At the same time, regional climate risks—such as extreme cold, prolonged heat waves, and increased wildfire exposure in western regions—are reshaping how exterior wall assemblies are designed and detailed.

This course provides a current overview of the codes, standards, and regional drivers influencing thermal bridging mitigation today, including energy codes, resilience frameworks, and emerging wildfire-related requirements such as Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) standards. Participants will explore how thermally broken cladding attachment systems (thermal clips) support continuous insulation strategies while contributing to assemblies that address energy performance, fire exposure, constructability, and durability.

The presentation also examines regional adoption patterns, industry pushback, and affordability pressures, highlighting the importance of avoiding short-term value engineering that can lead to long-term envelope failures. Attendees will gain practical insight into performance-based compliance pathways, freely available calculation tools, and how to critically evaluate the growing range of thermal clip products in a market where not all solutions perform equally under real-world conditions.

Learning Objectives

• Explain how thermal bridging mitigation has evolved from a prescriptive insulation consideration to a key driver of thermal resilience, durability, and whole-assembly performance in contemporary exterior wall design.
• Identify the primary U.S. and Canadian building codes, energy standards, and regional requirements influencing thermal performance in 2026, including how state, provincial, and municipal adoption varies across climates, risk profiles, and enforcement environments.
• Recognize how regional climate risks—including extreme cold, prolonged heat, and increased wildfire exposure in western regions—are influencing exterior wall assembly design, material selection, and attachment strategies, including considerations related to Wildland–Urban Interface (WUI) standards.
• Differentiate between prescriptive and performance-based compliance pathways and understand how thermal bridging impacts each approach, particularly within clear-field cladding support assemblies.
• Apply a critical lens when evaluating and selecting thermally broken cladding attachment systems (thermal clips), considering thermal performance, constructability, durability, structural behavior, fire considerations, and long-term risk to support reliable, repeatable exterior wall assemblies.
• Define passive resilience and explain how envelope design decisions including the mitigation of thermal bridging contribute to occupant comfort, building survivability, and reduced reliance on mechanical systems during extreme weather events and power outages.
• Recognize common industry challenges, regional push-back, and affordability pressures related to advanced envelope design, and understand how thoughtful thermal bridging mitigation can help avoid long-term performance failures and unintended consequences associated with short-term value engineering.

Presenters

Hector Ortega

Architectural Product Consultant

Hector Ortega

Hector is a professional engineer with over 10 years of experience in curtain wall systems and building enclosures consulting. Formerly with Morrison Hershfield, he also served as a BECX authority for multiple projects in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), focusing on performance and sustainability.

Credit type: 1 AIA HSW LU
Provider: Porcelanosa

This course covers the fundamentals of rainscreen systems, including their purpose and benefits. It highlights the advantages of using porcelain as a cladding material, such as water and fire resistance, and sustainability. Participants will learn about designing with cladding, optimizing installation, and understanding cladding systems, components, detailing, and building science. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of porcelain cladding systems and their applications.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the benefits and function of ventilated facades
• Recognize the advantages of porcelain as a cladding material
• Explore various cladding systems
• Learn efficient panel layouts for labor economy

Presenters

Jose Velez

Regional Sales Manager

Jose Velez

My name is Jose Velez, an architect with 16 years of experience, including 6 years specializing in facades. I have a passion for art and a keen eye for design. My previous roles include Facade Consultant, Project Architect, Project Estimator, Interior Designer, and work with Porcelanosa. With extensive field work experience and close collaboration with installers, I bring practical insights to our facade projects.