MBE Editorial
Aluminum Composite vs. Steel Soffit Panels: Risk Guide
ACM and steel soffit panels fail differently than vertical facade panels. Learn the moisture,…
Brazed vs. Pressure-Fit Gaskets in Unitized Curtainwall
Brazed vs. pressure-fit gasket corners in unitized curtainwall: why fabrication method—not material—determines water intrusion…
Bent Glass in Commercial Facade Systems
Cold-bent glazing introduces residual stress, seal distortion, and framing incompatibilities that standard specifications and…
Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum Panels: Facade Limits
GFRG panels fail on exterior facades due to moisture absorption, freeze-thaw degradation, and anchor…
PVC and TPO Cladding in Commercial Facade Systems
Roofing-grade TPO and PVC membranes fail code, warranty, and performance requirements when used as…
Wood Cladding on Commercial Facades: Where It Fails
Wood cladding failures on commercial facades trace to residential specs misapplied to mid-rise exposure—here's…
EIFS in Commercial Rainscreen Applications: Where the System Performs, Where It Fails, and What Modern Hybrid Assemblies Get Right
EIFS is resurging under CI code pressure, but specification gaps at transitions and flashings…
EIFS Under Pressure: Understanding Drainage Mat Performance and Water Management Failures in Barrier vs. Drainage Wall Assemblies
Drainage EIFS failures stem from incomplete specifications that mandate the product category but not…
Expansion Joint Cover Assemblies at Exterior Wall Planes: Where the Movement Capacity Assumption Fails and Why the Substrate Transition Detail Is the Primary Source of Water Intrusion
Expansion joint cover failures stem from undersized movement capacity and discontinuous substrate transitions—not cladding…
EIFS vs. Adhered Masonry Veneer on Steel-Stud Walls: Comparing Long-Term Moisture Risk in North American Climate Zones
A technical comparison of drainage-type EIFS and adhered masonry veneer on steel-stud walls, examining…
Fiber Cement Panel Rainscreen Systems in Commercial Facades: Fastener Pull-Through Limits, Joint Sealant Compatibility, and Where the Moisture Cycling Assumption Creates Long-Term Attachment Failure
Fiber cement rainscreen failures stem from fastener pull-through miscalculations, sealant joint undersizing, and moisture…
Concealed Barrier-Type Expansion Joints in Exterior Masonry Veneer: Where the Backer Rod and Sealant Assumption Fails and Why the Movement Accommodation Gap Is the Primary Source of Recurring Crack Patterns
Recurring stair-step cracks at brick veneer expansion joints trace to undersized joint widths, not…
