U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Building Technologies Program – Residential Buildings

Building Envelope

Consisting of a home's foundation, walls, roof, windows, and doors, the building envelope protects the occupants, helps regulate the indoor environment, and controls the flow of energy between the home's interior and exterior. A well-designed envelope responds efficiently to heating, cooling, ventilating, and natural lighting needs to provide an attractive and comfortable atmosphere for the home's residents.

In this section, you will find information about the following envelope components, as well as issues central to envelope design:

• Foundations
• Walls
• Insulation
• Structural Moisture Control
• Windows and Doors
• Roofs