Define building performance by the outcomes a house must deliver - for occupants and for the building. Establish priorities and tradeoffs before discussing assemblies or products.
Builds on: none - this is the starting point · Leads to: P2-P11 · Cross-series: A1 Affordability Overview
P/A bridge: Every affordability lever must state which performance outcome it may affect; every performance upgrade must state which cost element it touches.
Core Concepts
Performance is defined by outcomes, not components. Can list prioritized outcomes and use them to evaluate decisions.
Outcomes can conflict under constraints. Can explicitly name tradeoffs rather than discovering them later.
Technical decisions must trace back to occupant-relevant goals. Can explain "why" behind controls and assemblies.
The Performance Scorecard
People outcomes
Safety: fire, CO, falls, burns, electrocution, unauthorized entry
Health: contaminants via inhalation/ingestion/contact; chronic exposure
Comfort: thermal, humidity, acoustic, visual
Asset outcomes
Durability: predictable, manageable aging
Resilience: function through outages/failures/extreme events
PF: Safety (A1), Health (A2), Comfort (A3), Function (A4), Durability (A5), Resilience (A6), Affordability (A7), Attractiveness (A8), Sustainability (A9)
Decision Filter
When outcomes conflict under budget or schedule pressure, use a decision chain: if a measure improves energy but increases condensation risk, durability wins unless the drying path is verified. For Northern Colorado, durability/water control, IAQ during smoke events, and comfort through temperature swings often deserve early weighting over aesthetic or marginal efficiency gains.
Where Things Go Wrong
1. "The windy wall"
Moderate rain + strong wind - repeated wetting through small defects - staining, rot, callbacks
Root: wind exposure underestimated; Check: inspect wind-exposed walls for flashing continuity before cladding closes
2. "Tight house, no ventilation plan"
Air sealing improves energy but removes the accidental ventilation path - IAQ degrades, occupants open windows year-round
Root: tightness vs ventilation not resolved at design; Check: verify ventilation strategy is sized to actual tightness
3. "Drainage didn't matter... until it did"
Downspouts and grading look fine on day one - long-term splashback and wet foundation zone
Root: site water management; Check: verify grade slopes away from foundation