Building Envelope Services
From the design of new buildings to the construction materials and technologies used to repair and maintain existing structures, we are uniquely qualified to provide a full range of building envelope consulting services to help prevent and eliminate problems.
Performance for the Life Cycle of Your Project
Committed to utilizing sustainable materials and methods as applicable, we proactively address performance issues to improve the way buildings are constructed and maintained.
The Science Behind High Performance
Maximizing the value and life cycle of a building requires continuously maintaining performance and improving energy efficiency. Our building envelope services include:
- Façade Inspections
- Façade Restoration
- Building Envelope Assessments
- Roof Consulting
- Waterproofing and Weatherproofing Assessments and Design
- Historic Preservation
- Pavement Engineering
Learn more below.
Operational Leadership
Operational Leadership
Kevin M. Duffy, P.E.
Vice President, Operations, Building Envelope Services Practice
(781) 399-4848 kduffy@rimkus.comSERVICES
Our Building Envelope Services
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Façade Inspections
When façade elements fail, components could fall, thereby putting people and property at risk. As a response to this, many cities have passed façade ordinances to identify unsafe conditions, such as loose façade components or materials that may fall and cause damage to property or injury to pedestrians. At Rimkus, we provide professional building inspections supported by recommendations and design for proactive maintenance and repair programs. Façade inspections typically fall into one of the following categories:- Safe: Requires no attention
- Safe with a Repair and Maintenance Program: Requires repairs or maintenance within a time period designated by the professional in order to prevent deterioration into an unsafe condition
- Unsafe: Has no reliable means of structural support and is dangerous to persons or property. Requires prompt remedial action.
- Boston
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Detroit
- Jersey City
- Milwaukee
- Montreal
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
- San Francisco
- St. Louis
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Façade Restoration
The appurtenances of a façade (balconies, fire escapes, etc.) often deteriorate faster than the façade itself and therefore require particular attention and, often, increased maintenance. Repairs to these elements should be addressed in a manner that will prolong the useful life of the appurtenance as well as the repairs performed. The Rimkus Building Envelope team can assist in all phases of façade restoration. We are well versed in façade restoration, with a long track record of success on projects varying from low-rise commercial and residential buildings to luxury high-rise towers. The façade, while best known for its aesthetic, also provides structural support for a building and vertical weatherproofing for its interior spaces. All three of these components should be analyzed during façade restoration. Performing a thorough analysis of the building’s façade prior to design, Rimkus provides a detailed list of findings and recommendations for immediate repairs as well as preventative maintenance to completely address façade functions. At Rimkus, we believe that the key to a successful façade restoration project often occurs before the contractor arrives on-site. A thorough and detailed pre-construction effort, including preliminary investigation, preparation of contract documents, bid process and review, pre-construction meeting(s), and review of all mock-ups and submittals, will often eliminate unnecessary costs and construction delays. -
Building Envelope Assessments
The Rimkus Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Building Envelope Services team can provide a complete assessment of a structure’s building envelope (façades, roofs, windows, balconies, walkways, parking areas, etc.) describing the condition of such and all items in need of repair. A recommended timeline and a projected construction cost will also be provided to assist the owner in projecting future budgets. For a full survey of all building components, Rimkus can increase the scope of the survey and provide a full Property Condition Assessment (P.C.A.) including mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, elevators, and interiors. Building Envelope Assessments and PCAs are typically provided with 5- or 10-year projections; however, they may be customized to the client’s needs. These reports can be utilized as a tool to help create capital expenditure budgets and establish maintenance schedules. -
Roof Consulting
Rimkus Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Services Roof Consultants can help extend life expectancy and optimize building performance on any size portfolio. Our roof consulting services include:- Roof Condition Assessments
- Roof Design and Specification
- Quality Observations
- Roof Management Programs
- Contract Administration
- Plaza Decks and Parkade Assessments
- Roof Diagnostic Testing
- Heritage Restoration
- Roof Anchors and Safety
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Roof Condition Assessments
Rimkus recommends a roof condition assessment to better understand the life expectancy of a roof and to address an immediate concern. The result is a promptly delivered roof analysis outlining the strengths and weaknesses of the existing roof system. Our findings are put into a clear and legible report that includes photo evidence, illustrations, and a colored AutoCAD roof plan. We believe that a high level of clarity and transparency is crucial to help our clients make informed decisions. Many of our technicians are RCI Inc., RRC, and RRO certified. Our emergency leak responders can diagnose numerous problems on the spot and expedite the remediation strategy. Capital planning is also an important component that we provide as part this process. We believe it is important to provide our clients with a strategy for future investments and expenditures to meet both the short and long-term budget plans. -
Roof Design and Specification
Rimkus set the industry standard over 30 years ago by being one of the first consultants in North America to offer full-color detailed drawings. We continue to lead the way as early adopters of technology by creating our designs and specifications efficiently where the costs are clearly detailed and transparent to our clients so that they may make informed decisions. We also assist our clients during the bid and tender process by providing our clients with a list of qualified contractors through a prequalification process that requires a demonstration of the skills and experience needed to complete any project. We further assist our clients in making an informed decision by preparing a summary of the submitted bids and recommendations for the award of the contract. -
Roof Construction Review and Quality Observation
As the owner’s representative, once remediation or a new construction project is underway, Rimkus steps in to monitor and observe work being performed by the contractors. We foster an open dialog with the contractors on the project and review the materials and construction practices used by the contractor, for general conformance to the drawings and specifications. Our quality observers are RCI Inc. registered. We encourage and support training and certification standards for all of our staff so that our in-house experts are leaders in their respective fields. -
Roof Management Program
Our Roof Management Program allows clients with multiple or large building portfolios to effectively predict and control costs over the long term. We can assist you in managing your roofs while saving money and improving performance. Rimkus can design, develop and implement a complete Roof Management Program to meet the unique requirements of even the most complex building portfolios. We manage over 110,000,000 square feet of roofing inventory throughout North America. Our clients are confident in our ability to manage their Roof Management Programs. We know that accurate and up-to-date information is the foundation of good business decision-making. That is why our clients benefit from global, 24/7 access to their data via our asset management software. We strive to protect our clients by confirming that the solutions you invest in meet all of your roofing and building portfolio needs. At Rimkus, you will find a level of personal attention on every project that is unmatched by any of our competitors. Trust in our veteran team, state-of-the-art technology, and our decades of experience in the industry. We offer:- Customized Roof Management Programs for any client
- Asset management and cost control
- 24/7 global data access
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Contract Administration
Retaining Rimkus to handle your Contract Administration services on your roof construction projects will provide you with seasoned professionals who know how to control costs and long term outcomes. You will experience greatly improved transparency and accountability from your contractors and you will also be far more likely to maintain critical schedules, budgets, and deadlines on your projects. Rimkus achieves these benefits by maintaining a free flow of information between the Contractor and Owner. Our services also include payment certification and preparation of change orders for any additional work that may be encountered during the course of the project. We strive to protect our clients by confirming that the solutions you invest in meet all of your roofing and building portfolio needs. At Rimkus, you will find a level of personal attention on every project that is unmatched by any of our competitors. Trust in our veteran team, state-of-the-art technology, and our decades of experience in the industry. We offer:- Contract Administration
- schedule, budget and deadline maintenance
- Minimization of building occupant disruptions
- Payment certification
- Preparation of change orders
- Review of shop drawings / material submissions
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Diagnostic Testing
To properly assess the condition of your roof we need to determine its composition, quality, and moisture content. At Rimkus, we can accurately assess each of those factors with our Destructive and Non-Destructive Testing protocols. It is one of the steps taken during your Roof Condition Analysis and a necessary tool in projecting the life expectancy and long-term costs of your roof. We can also use the results to save you money by identifying problems before they become catastrophic. We strive to protect our clients by confirming that the solutions you invest in meet all of your roofing and building portfolio needs. At Rimkus, you will find a level of personal attention on every project that is unmatched by any of our competitors. You can place your trust in our veteran team, state-of-the-art technology, and our decades of experience in the industry. We offer a variety of diagnostic testing methods:- Infrared thermography
- Tramex moisture meter
- Electrical Field Vector Mapping (EFVM)
- Core cut testing
- Delmhorst Probe
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Plaza Decks and Parkades
Along with other specialty roof structures, Plaza Decks and Parkades require expertise in not only roofing but also structural engineering, building envelope engineering, and pavement engineering. Rimkus Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Services is a full-service engineering and consulting firm with all of the necessary experience and talent in-house to complete these large and complicated projects. Plaza decks and parkades can come in all shapes and sizes, at the top of the building or underground, and Rimkus knows how to get the job done every time. Whether it's a new construction project or the rehabilitation of an existing system, you can trust Rimkus to assess, design, and perform a construction review on work being completed. If it's time to rehabilitate your aging system, Rimkus offers:- Structural rehabilitation
- Traffic deck coatings
- Below grade waterproofing
- Injection repairs
- Expansion joint rehabilitation
- Traffic management planning
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Heritage Restoration
Heritage Restoration is a very specialized field that few firms are equipped to work in successfully. At Rimkus, we excel at working with heritage roofs while preserving the original character of your building. Our professional engineers and designers are adept at combining modern aspects of roof rehabilitation with historical materials and techniques so your roof can be brought into the 21st century, without losing any of its period charms. We strive to protect our clients by confirming that the solutions you invest in meet all of your roofing and building portfolio needs. At Rimkus, you will find a level of personal attention on every project that is unmatched by any of our competitors. Trust in our veteran team, state-of-the-art technology, and our decades of experience in the industry. We offer:- Heritage Restoration
- Experience with copper, slate, and stone coping
- Roofing materials and techniques sympathetic to the original roof fabric
- Historical roof rehabilitation
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Waterproofing and Weatherproofing Assessments and Design
Rimkus assists in the evaluation of existing roofing/waterproofing systems, as well as the design and construction administration of the repair or replacement, of all roofing/waterproofing systems including:- Single Ply (Thermoset and Thermoplastic) Systems
- Modified Bitumen Roof Systems
- Fluid-Applied Liquid Membranes
- Vegetative/Green Roofs
- Balcony Waterproofing
- Below-Grade and Sidewalk Vault Waterproofing
Similar to most aspects of construction one size, does not fit all with respect to roofing and waterproofing systems. Several factors determine the appropriate system for a particular building, including:
- Building Code Regulations
- Requirements of Owner’s Insurance Provider
- Climate and Wind/Weather Exposure
- Frequency and Type of Foot Traffic
- Intended Use (of Roof Surface and Interior Space Below)
- Mechanical Equipment and Exhaust Units
- Overall Size
- Roof Slope
- Desired Life Expectancy
- Owner’s Budget
- Number of Penetrations
- Roof Deck Composition
Several commonly overlooked processes can be established during the installation of a new roof that will help reduce the cost of future maintenance and extend the service life of the roof system:
Leak detection systems can be installed in most roof systems to use as a quality assurance tool and to allow for easy identification of future leaks. This is particularly important in roofs with an overburden (i.e. inverted roof systems and vegetative roofs). A custom-tailored roof inspection and maintenance schedule should be provided for the owner’s use in prolonging the useful life of the roof system and minimizing the risk of leaks resulting from roof damage. -
Historic Preservation
Rimkus has had the distinct pleasure of working on numerous historic and landmark structures, including both high-rise and low-rise office buildings as well as a number of ornate residential buildings. Exhaustive research, early coordination with all governing agencies, and involvement of qualified experienced professionals are all essential components in the preservation of these delicate historic structures. When analyzing and repairing the building envelope of historic structures a conservationist perspective is preferable, full-scale repair or replacement is not always best. Thorough documentation of existing conditions including sketches, photographs, and cataloging of deteriorated elements is imperative to the restoration process. The use of new technologies to eliminate unnecessary probes and demolition is advisable. By incorporating the use of laser scanning, Rimkus can achieve an unprecedented level of detail and accuracy during the design phase often without the need for hands-on visual inspections. In addition to providing thorough contract documents; these laser scans will allow for the creation of 3D models of decorative stone units for shop drawings and mold casting. -
Leak Investigations
Rimkus offers a thorough approach to leak investigations, recognizing that a successful investigation requires pursuing all possible sources of water infiltration. With years of experience, Rimkus understands that there may be multiple factors contributing to a leak. Rimkus offers a range of services to assist in determining the source(s) of water infiltration, including hands-on and visual inspections, non-destructive testing techniques, and more traditional methods of probes and water tests. Our non-destructive testing techniques include the use of infrared imaging to identify thermal anomalies and moisture-compromised insulation, the use of roof and wall moisture scanners and moisture meters to perform impedance testing and identify the relative moisture content of the material, and electronic leak detection (electric field vector mapping) to identify the precise location of water infiltration.
