News & Insights
VIDEO: Improving performance in building enclosures
Why this matters now
The enclosure shapes how a building performs across energy, comfort, durability, and resilience. Yet it is often the system that gets squeezed when budgets tighten or schedules slip. Recent severe weather, rising energy costs, and stricter codes have moved enclosures back into the spotlight. Owners are seeing more moisture problems, more thermal complaints, and more long-term failures that trace back to early enclosure decisions.
What leaders are weighing
Project teams are weighing first cost against long-term performance. A more robust assembly may add cost and coordination during construction but pay back in energy savings, durability, and fewer warranty calls. They are also deciding how aggressively to pursue continuous insulation, air barriers, and high-performance glazing in markets where contractors and trades are still catching up. Owners with existing portfolios are weighing the case for envelope upgrades against other capital priorities. The right call depends on climate, building use, and how long the owner expects to hold the asset.
How Salas O’Brien is helping clients respond
Our building enclosure specialists help owners and design teams treat the envelope as the critical system it is. We support new design, peer review, condition assessments, forensic work when something has gone wrong, and remediation planning. We bring technical depth in materials, assemblies, and detailing along with field experience that informs realistic expectations. Hear Sam Shafieyan, Don Williams, Scott Leach, and Mickey Leso discuss what better enclosure performance looks like in practice.
Sam Shafieyan, P.Eng
Sam Shafieyan brings over 15 years of experience designing, evaluating, and implementing complex building envelope systems to his projects. His expertise spans roofing, waterproofing, windows, curtain walls, facades, and structural elements. Sam has lead a wide array of forensic investigations for significant building envelope and restoration projects across North America, contributing to developing innovative solutions and strategic planning in the building engineering industry. Sam serves as a Principal at Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected].
Don Williams
Don Williams has worked in the building envelope and fenestration industry since 2005. He leads teams providing field testing, certifications, building commissioning, and forensic services, helping project teams identify risks and resolve performance challenges. Don is known for his collaborative approach, working closely with architects, developers, and contractors from design through construction to deliver durable, high-performing building envelope solutions. Don serves as a Managing Principal at Salas O’Brien. Contact him at [email protected].
Scott Leach
Scott Leach is an expert in building forensic investigations and testing. In the industry for over twenty-one years, Scott has an Associate Degree in Building Science and is currently a certified ABBA auditor and ITC level 1 infrared thermographer as well as a licensed AWCI -EIFS inspector. Scott sits on the ASTM E06 and CSI committees. Scott supervises the lab, Pre-con department and deals with day-to day functions within the Daytona office and serves as a Senior Vice President of Operations at Salas O’Brien. Contact him [email protected]