AIBD Corporate Industry Partner, Atlas Roofing, has published a design guide and wants to give it to you.

The guide demonstrates how to achieve "the ideal wall." If you're a fan of Dr. Joseph Lstiburek (pronounced STEE-brek), you're familiar with the term.

The ideal wall is a concept that combines thermal, moisture, vapor, and air management into a single, high-performance assembly.

Why is a roofing company teaching us how to build walls?

Atlas manufactures EnergyShield®​, an advanced polyiso insulation board that plays a critical role in continuous wall insulation and below-grade.

They published the EnergyShield Design Guide to address the growing need for complete building envelope solutions. Modern energy codes, green building standards, and durability requirements now demand high-performance insulation and moisture management across roofs and walls, making the distinction between "roofing" and "wall" companies less relevant.

Dr. Lstiburek, PhD, P.Eng, is widely recognized as the founding principal of Building Science Corporation and is an acclaimed educator often called the “dean of North American building science.”

The EnergyShield Design Guide, authored in collaboration with Dr. Joseph Lstiburek, is a state-of-the-art resource for residential building professionals seeking to master moisture, air, and thermal control.

A core tip from Dr. Lstiburek’s approach: Always use a continuous air gap behind cladding as part of a drained and back-ventilated wall assembly. This not only controls hydrostatic pressure from rain but also dramatically reduces inward vapor drive caused by solar exposure, especially with reservoir claddings like brick, stone, or stucco. In most commercial systems, a minimum continuous 3/8-inch gap is recommended, but even a small gap delivers outsized benefits for durability and drying—even in two-story wood-frame homes. This practice is vital for resilient, low-maintenance wall systems and is visually explained with clear details in the guide.

Dr. Lstiburek has advised thousands of professionals, written best-selling guides, and helped shape the evolution of building codes and practices through a blend of deep research and accessible, practical teaching.

But he's not the one who came up with the continuous air-gap idea (we write that with the utmost respect).

​Norwegian stave churches,​ dating back to around 1130, are among the earliest documented examples of "rain screens," using timber cladding with ventilated cavities to manage rainfall and airflow.

More scientific study of the concept began in the 1940s, with the ​Norwegian Building Research Institute​ (which merged with the SINTEF Group in 2006) formalizing pressure equalization and moisture drainage systems, and North American researchers validating and expanding the approach into the systems used today.

By the 1980s, rain-screen cladding had become common practice for managing moisture and extending building lifespan in challenging climates, particularly in Europe and the Pacific Northwest, and now holds a vital place in global building codes.

The modern rain screen is not just about keeping water out, but also about managing both airflow and temperature to ensure the building envelope remains dry, resilient, and durable in the long term.

To learn even more about designing resilient homes, mastering the art and science of rain-screens and continuous insulation, you are invited to a complimentary webinar presented by Atlas and the American Institute of Building Design.

The session, “​Designing Resilient Residences: The Art and Science of Rain Screens and Continuous Insulation​,” will be held at 3 pm ET on December 18.

Sponsored by Atlas Roofing’s EnergyShield, this expert-led webinar will help you confidently specify and design wall systems that excel at moisture control, energy efficiency, and long-term durability.

Register now to secure your spot and stay ahead in resilient residential design, along with receiving your free copy of the EnergyShield Design Guide.

CPBDs receive 1.0 P4-CE for attending the live event.

Until then,

The A-Team

PS - Want information before then? Contact Lance Williams at aibd.org/profile/atlas-energyshield/.

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