Design-stage thermal and hygrothermal analyses and the construction and monitoring ofVIP wall assemblies showed that these systems do exhibit superior overall performance. Field construction of a home with VIPs demonstrated that builders in cold-climate countries can build thin-profile, low-heat loss wall systems.

Based on the construction and monitoring of VIP wall assemblies, it appears that VIPs are a viable option in the marine climate of Northwestern North America. Field performance of VIP walls show that the wall assembles must utilize a vented rainscreen cavity to protect from wind-driven rain penetration and to promote drying to the exterior; most importantly, north facing and other walls that do not receive exposure to solar radiation must use a preservative-treated exterior structural sheathing to minimize the possibility of fungal growth on the sheathing.

Presented at Thermal Performance of Exterior Envelopes of Whole Buildings XII, December 2013