The year changes the likely assembly.
Choose a regional construction era to see common systems, priority clues and the first context checks.
Historic cold-climate homes
Masonry basements, solid framing, plaster and successive heating-system upgrades.
basement moisturefreeze-thawair leakage
Open era profile →CA · 1945–1979Post-war Canadian homes
Basements, split levels, early vapour control and variable attic ventilation.
attic frostfoundation drainagewindow condensation
Open era profile →CA · 1980–2009Tighter envelope era
Improved insulation and glazing with greater dependence on controlled ventilation.
humidity accumulationair barrier discontinuityHRV balance
Open era profile →CA · 2010–presentHigh-performance era
Advanced air sealing, mechanical ventilation and highly insulated assemblies.
commissioningventilation balancelocalized thermal bridges
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