Applicability of a vapor-open wooden building envelope for subtropical regions in global context

The subtropical regions are of interest of our time as it includes both developing and developed regions. The applicability of a vapor-open wooden building envelope to those regions was evaluated in terms of the longevity of the wood fiber insulation layer and its life time cost. Atlanta, New York City, Shanghai and Sydney were selected as representing cities with different economic setups. Transient heat and moisture transfer simulation and life time cost analysis of the envelope was carried out. It was shown that regions with lower humidity load from exterior in the summer and higher electricity price such as New York City have high potential to apply the system. In order to even further promote such an envelope system in the regions with lower electricity price and higher humidity load, it is required to employ materials with lower price and higher moisture sorption capacity.