2026 BES Session: Storefront Detailing: Resolving Current Industry Inconsistencies and Shortcomings (Ziegler R., Herrscher M.)

2026 BES Session: Storefront Detailing: Resolving Current Industry Inconsistencies and Shortcomings

(Ziegler R., Herrscher M.)

Course Overview
This session was originally presented at the 2026 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium in Indianapolis, Indiana.  This course includes the following components:

• recording of the live session
• a summative assessment consisting of 10 multiple-choice questions
• two surveys required to claim continuing education credit

Description

Storefront window detailing continues to present challenges across project teams in various geographic regions, resulting in inconsistent design approaches and variable performance outcomes. Based on the authors’ field experience, storefront systems remain among the most failure prone façade components with respect to water intrusion and condensation, often due to design errors and lack of coordination resulting in discontinuity of the air and water control layers. Current industry trends frequently overlook thermal performance and condensation resistance, which are factors that are increasingly critical as energy codes evolve to require design teams account for thermal bridging and as performance expectations rise. This presentation offers insights from both a building enclosure consultant and a contractor’s quality control staff to identify common storefront issues. We will highlight typical design considerations, address common misconceptions, and outline strategies to mitigate performance risks and calculate reductions in assembly thermal performance due to thermal bridging. We will review recent case studies and provide practical guidance for developing storefront details that balance structural attachment, continuity of environmental control layers, and appropriate levels of redundancy. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how thoughtful detailing can simplify construction and improve storefront system reliability.

Speaker/Author
Rick Ziegler, RRC, RRO, PE
Principal
Stantec

Mark Herrscher
Senior Building Science Manager
Okland Construction

Course Access
Courses are accessible in LearnUpon for one year from the date of purchase.

Course Recommended Prerequisite(s)

• Basic understanding of building enclosure concepts related to air leakage, water penetration resistance, thermal performance, and condensation resistance.
• Experience with detailing, design reviews, and field reviews observing storefront installations are helpful.

IIBEC Core Competencies: 

Exterior Walls

Knowledge Level: 

Intermediate (5–15 years)

Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in the session content at the 2026 IIBEC Building Enclosure Symposium are those of the content author(s)/speaker(s) and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC). IIBEC makes no warranty, whether express or implied, as to the completeness, accuracy or validity of the information provided.

Credit Start Date August 10, 2026               
Credit Expiration Date  August 10, 2029

Continuing Education Credit Statement
This course is approved for 1.0 IIBEC CEH
This course is approved for 1.0 AIA LU/HSW
AIA Course Number: BES26_21_OD
AIA Provider Number: G024

Continuing Education Credit Claim Information

To claim IIBEC CEHs and download a Certificate of Completion, learners are required to complete all components of the course, including a passing score of 70% or higher on the summative assessment.  Participants are provided unlimited attempts to complete the summative assessment with a passing score of 70% or higher.

• After completing the course requirements download a Certificate of Completion. 
• Participants are responsible for self-reporting IIBEC CEH credit by uploading their Certificate of Completion to their IIBEC Portal. For assistance in self-reporting CEHs, please reach out to: cehs@iibec.org
• If you are a member of AIA and would like IIBEC to report your participation in the course to AIA, there is a place in the course evaluation survey to input your AIA member number.

AIA CES Provider statement

IIBEC is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider G024. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs.  Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3).

This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.