Beyond Minimum Code

• In clay or poorly draining soils. Clay soils hold water longer, leading to prolonged saturation and higher hydrostatic pressure
• On the downhill side of sloped sites. Groundwater naturally moves downhill, causing increased water pressure against foundation walls on the low side of the building
• Where surface water is not directed away from the building. Improper grading, blocked downspouts, or short discharge lengths can cause water to pool near the foundation
• During heavy rainfall, snowmelt, or high water table conditions. Temporary rises in groundwater levels increase pressure against below-grade walls

Why Waterproofing:

• Prevent water infiltration. Stops water from seeping through cracks, pores in concrete, and construction joints, which will then prevent leaks and damp interiors
• Reduce structural damage over time. Repeated moisture exposure can cause cracking, spalling, corrosion of reinforcement, and long-term deterioration of foundation materials
• Protect interior spaces and finishes. Waterproofing helps prevent basement flooding, dampness, and damage to flooring, walls, insulation, and stored contents
• Limit mould and indoor air quality issues. Keeping moisture out reduces conditions that support mould growth and musty odours
• Improve durability and service life. Proper waterproofing extends the lifespan of foundations and reduces maintenance and repair costs
• Support effective drainage systems. Waterproofing works together with footing drains, drainage boards, and grading to manage groundwater and surface water

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter buildings from the ground through cracks, joints, and openings in foundations. Because radon is colourless and odourless, it can only be identified through testing. While radon protection measures are not explicitly required by building code in all situations, incorporating features such as sealed foundations and sub-floor ventilation is considered a good practice that can help reduce the potential for radon accumulation and support healthier indoor air quality.

Here are practical, commonly recommended ways to protect yourself from radon:

• Test for radon. Use long-term radon test kits to measure radon levels, especially in basements and ground-floor areas
• Seal foundation openings. Seal cracks in foundation walls and floors, construction joints, and gaps around pipes and drains to limit radon entry
• Install a radon mitigation system. Systems such as sub-slab depressurization draw radon-laden air from beneath the building and vent it safely outdoors
• Seal sump pits and floor drains. Airtight sump covers help prevent radon from entering living spaces.
• Improve ventilation. Balanced ventilation systems can help dilute indoor radon levels
• Consider radon-resistant construction measures. Installing gas-permeable layers, radon barriers, and vent piping during construction makes future mitigation easier, even if a full system is not initially required

Airtight construction reduces unintended air leakage through the building envelope, improving energy efficiency, minimizing drafts and cold spots, controlling moisture movement, reducing the risk of condensation and mould, supporting better indoor air quality, protecting building materials, and enhancing long-term comfort and durability beyond minimum code requirements.

Ways to achieve refined air sealing and airtightness measures:

• Establish a continuous air barrier. Clearly identify the air barrier system in design and ensure it remains continuous across walls, roofs, floors, and foundations
• Seal joints and transitions. Use tapes, gaskets, membranes, or sealants at sheathing joints, floor-to-wall connections, wall-to-roof interfaces, and rim joists
• Seal service penetrations. Airtight seal all plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and vent penetrations using compatible sealants or pre-formed gaskets
• Improve window and door detailing. Use airtight flashing, tapes, and low-expansion foams around window and door openings
• Seal rim joists and sill plates. Apply spray foam, rigid insulation with sealed joints, or gaskets at rim joists and sill plate connections
• Use airtight electrical boxes. Install sealed or gasketed electrical boxes on exterior walls.
• Protect the air barrier during construction. Inspect and repair damage to air barrier materials before they are covered
• Verify performance through testing. Conduct blower door testing to identify leakage areas and confirm improved airtightness

This image shows where air leakage is potentially found:  

Higher-than-required insulation levels enhance overall building performance by reducing heat loss and heat gain, improving energy efficiency, increasing indoor comfort and temperature stability, lowering long-term energy costs, reducing condensation risk within building assemblies, and supporting long-term durability beyond minimum building code requirements.

How to achieve higher-than-required insulation levels:

• Increase wall insulation. Use double-stud walls, Larsen trusses, or other high-performance wall assemblies to accommodate greater insulation thickness and reduce heat transfer.
• Install continuous exterior insulation. Apply rigid foam or mineral wool insulation to the exterior of wall assemblies to improve thermal resistance and reduce heat loss through structural framing.
• Upgrade roof and ceiling insulation. Increase insulation thickness in attic and roof assemblies to reduce winter heat loss and summer heat gain.
• Enhance foundation insulation. Increase insulation at foundation walls, basement slabs, slab edges, and other below-grade assemblies to improve thermal performance and maintain comfortable indoor temperatures.
• Minimize thermal bridging. Use advanced framing techniques, insulated headers, thermally efficient structural connections, and continuous insulation to reduce heat transfer through studs, joists, and other structural elements.
• Improve insulation at building junctions. Provide additional insulation at rim joists, cantilevered floors, wall-to-roof connections, and wall-to-foundation transitions to minimize localized heat loss.
• Select high-performance insulation materials. Use materials such as spray polyurethane foam, rigid insulation boards, mineral wool, or other high-R-value products suited to the assembly and available space.
• Optimize whole-assembly thermal resistance. Design wall, roof, and floor assemblies to achieve higher effective R-values by accounting for framing, fasteners, and other components that contribute to heat transfer.
• Improve slab and floor insulation. Increase insulation beneath concrete slabs and around slab perimeters, as well as beneath floors over unheated spaces, to reduce heat loss and improve floor temperatures.
• Manage moisture within insulated assemblies. Design appropriate air, vapor, and water-control layers to limit condensation and protect insulation performance and building durability.
• Use energy modelling to optimize insulation levels. Evaluate different insulation thicknesses and assembly designs to identify opportunities for reducing heating and cooling demand.
• Verify insulation installation quality. Inspect insulation for gaps, compression, and discontinuities, and use infrared thermography where appropriate to identify areas of heat loss.

Installing floor drains in mechanical rooms, laundry areas, and finished basements beyond code requirements provides additional drainage capacity, helping manage unexpected leaks or equipment failures and reducing the risk of water damage to the building and finishes.

Ways to achieve:

• Install floor drains in key areas. Locate them in mechanical rooms, laundry spaces, and finished basements
• Capture leaks at the source. Place drains beneath or adjacent to water heaters, HVAC equipment, and appliances
• Provide adequate drainage capacity. Use floor drains or trench drains suited to the expected water volume
• Ensure effective water flow. Slope floors toward drains to promote quick drainage
• Connect to approved outlets. Tie drains into sump systems or approved drainage connections

Efficient lighting uses high-performance fixtures such as LEDs to reduce energy consumption, lower operating costs, minimize heat generation, improve lighting quality, and support long-term sustainability beyond minimum requirements.

Ways to achieve efficient lighting: 

• Use energy-efficient lighting. Install LED or high-efficiency fixtures that provide required illumination with less energy
• Improve lighting efficiency. Use higher lumens-per-watt lamps and well-designed lighting layouts
• Reduce unnecessary energy use. Incorporate occupancy sensors, motion controls, and automatic shut-off features
• Limit heat generation. Use lighting that produces less waste heat and reducing cooling demand
• Support long-term performance. Select durable, long-life lighting systems that exceed minimum efficiency requirements

ENERGY STAR® appliances are high-efficiency products that meet strict energy performance standards, helping reduce energy consumption, lower utility costs, improve overall building efficiency, and support long-term sustainability beyond minimum code requirements.

Why use Energy Star: