The Home Building Association (HBA) of Greater Portland hosted its annual BuildRight Conference and Expo in Portland’s Central Eastside Industrial District on April 30 and May 1. BuildRight also collaborated with the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance (EEBA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to host a pre-conference training day on zero-energy-ready homes. The theme of this year’s conference was “Sealing the Future: Innovations in Building Envelope Performance.”

Here are some key takeaways from the conference:

Moisture management is crucial to home performance

Tightly sealed homes have significantly improved performance—but as airtightness increases, so does the need for moisture control. Working with a verifier before construction can help avoid future moisture management issues.

Ventilation and indoor air quality are rising priorities

Homeowners are becoming more aware of indoor air quality and the market demand for ventilation systems is trending upward. With an increased focus from manufacturers, expect to see improved ventilation systems that deliver cleaner indoor air.

Common walls require strategy

More houses are being built attached to other homes as the need for housing continues to grow. While common walls provide design flexibility, they also lead to increased air leakage, affecting overall home performance. Strategizing early to address fire suppression, sound proofing, and air leakage can ensure better comfort and healthier indoor air for homeowners.

For more best practices shared at BuildRight, view the presentation slides on their website.