Building envelope
Building Envelope Repair & Upgrades in the Lower Mainland
Your building envelope is the system of layers that keeps rain, air and heat where they belong. Tomron provides the building envelope repair Lower Mainland homes need, assessing, repairing and upgrading the wall behind your siding so it stays dry, comfortable and structurally sound.
What it is
Your home’s immune system
The building envelope is the complete system of materials that separates the inside of your home from the outdoors. It controls three critical flows through your walls, roof and foundation.
Air movement
Stops drafts and uncontrolled air leakage that waste energy and carry moisture into walls.
Moisture transfer
Sheds rain, drains what gets through and lets the wall dry out.
Heat exchange
Keeps warmth in during winter and heat out in summer with continuous insulation.
In the Lower Mainland, where homes see over 1,200 mm of rain a year, a compromised envelope doesn’t just affect comfort. It threatens the structure and long-term value of your home.
Warning signs
Signs your building envelope may be failing
Envelope problems usually show up inside the house long before anyone sees damage outside.
Drafts near windows, doors or walls
Air leaking through the envelope, even when everything is closed, is a sign the air barrier isn’t doing its job.
Condensation on window glass
Fogged or wet interior window surfaces often point to excess indoor moisture that can’t escape.
Unexpectedly high energy bills
If heating and cooling costs keep climbing, heat is probably escaping through gaps or poor insulation.
Mould or mildew on interior walls
Especially near corners, ceilings and exterior walls, mould suggests moisture is getting into or trapped in the wall.
Peeling paint or stains under sills
Exterior paint that fails or leaves stains under window sills can mean water is reaching the layers behind.
Musty smells along exterior walls
A damp odour in closets or rooms on outside walls can signal hidden moisture in the wall cavity.
Recognize any of these? Book a free assessment. We’ll look at what’s happening, explain it in plain language, and tell you what your home actually needs. No cost, no obligation.
Lessons learned
What BC's leaky condo crisis taught us
In the 1990s and 2000s, thousands of BC homes and condos suffered serious water damage because walls were built to shed rain but had no way to dry out. Those failures changed how we build on the coast. Every envelope repair we do applies the same three principles.
A proper rainscreen
A ventilated gap behind the cladding lets water drain and walls dry, instead of trapping moisture against the sheathing.
Correctly sequenced barriers
Membranes, flashing and cladding are lapped in the right order so water is always directed out, never in.
Adequate drainage
Water that gets behind the cladding has a clear path to leave at every window, door and base of wall.
What's included
Complete building envelope services
From the first assessment to the final inspection, we handle every layer between your siding and your studs.
Assessment and diagnostics
A full inspection of walls, windows, doors and penetrations to find where moisture and air are getting in.
Air and vapour barriers
Continuous barriers installed and sealed so conditioned air stays inside and moisture stays out.
House wrap and weather barriers
Weather-resistive barrier systems installed and lapped correctly behind your cladding.
Insulation for BC climate
Insulation upgrades matched to your wall assembly and climate zone to cut heat loss.
Moisture and ventilation
Drainage planes, vented cavities and ventilation details that let walls dry.
Siding, flashing and window integration
Every transition tied into your cladding, metal flashing and windows so there are no weak points.
Our process
How an envelope repair works
A clear sequence, so you know what is happening and why at every stage.
Step 1
Assess
We inspect the exterior and interior, check moisture levels and document what we find.
Step 2
Open up
Where needed, we remove small sections of cladding to see the true condition of the wall.
Step 3
Repair and rebuild
Damaged sheathing is replaced and barriers, flashing and drainage are rebuilt in the right order.
Step 4
Close up and verify
New cladding goes on, details are sealed and the work is checked before we leave.
Trusted brands
Products and brands we use
We only install materials proven on the wet Lower Mainland coast, from manufacturers we trust to stand behind their products.
Inter-Globe Building Supplies
Building supplies and custom metal
Our supplier for custom metal and envelope materials.
James Hardie
Fiber cement siding
HZ5 formulation engineered for Canadian weather and BC rainfall.
Tri-City Flashing (TCF)
Metal flashing
Family-owned in Port Coquitlam since 1998, making the flashing that keeps water out.
Why Tomron
A local team that builds for the coast
Built for BC weather
Our details are designed for heavy rain, wind-driven moisture and our mild, damp winters.
One team, every layer
Siding, flashing and envelope work handled together, so nobody passes the blame.
Clear, honest advice
We tell you what needs fixing now and what can wait, with a written quote.
FAQ
Building envelope questions
Straight answers to what homeowners ask us most. Still unsure? Call us or request a free assessment.
What are the signs my building envelope is failing?
Common signs include drafts near windows and doors, condensation on interior glass, higher heating bills, mould near exterior corners, peeling paint or stains under window sills, and musty smells along exterior walls. Any one of these is worth having inspected.
Can a better building envelope reduce my energy bills?
Yes. Sealing air leaks and improving insulation can noticeably lower heating and cooling costs, and many homeowners see savings in the range of 20 to 40 percent. Results depend on your home, and we will tell you what to realistically expect after the assessment.
How much does building envelope repair cost?
It depends on the size of the home and how much of the wall system is affected. We inspect first, then give you a written quote so you know the scope before any work starts.
Do I need a permit for envelope work?
It depends on the scope and your municipality. Cosmetic repairs often do not, but rebuilding wall assemblies can. We can advise on what applies to your project.
How long does the work take?
A localized repair may take days, while a full-wall rebuild can take several weeks. Weather and the extent of hidden damage affect timing, and we will give you a schedule with your quote.
Can you repair the envelope without replacing all my siding?
Often, yes. If damage is localized, we can open up and repair only the affected sections, then match the new cladding. We will let you know if full replacement makes more sense.
Related services
Work that protects your home together
Free assessment
Find out what is happening behind your walls
Book a free building envelope assessment and get clear, honest advice on what your home needs.