Building Materials Property Table - for All Climates - Sheet 500

Oct 13, 2026

Building Materials Property Table - for All Climates provides a reference of key technical properties for common building materials, compiling data from sources such as ASHRAE Fundamentals, moisture control research, CMHC, NRC/IRC, IEA Annex 24, and manufacturer information. It emphasizes correct interpretation: many properties are range-based, measurement is sensitive to conditions, comparisons require consistent units and standardized test methods, and values matter within specific assemblies and climates. It highlights the importance of the “Comments” column and notes the table is continually refined.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Building Materials Property Table

Purpose and interpretation notes

Key material property abbreviations

Material data table (selected entries)

BSC Information Building Materials Property Table for All Climates This table presents some of the key technical properties of many of the most common building materials. The information presented has been compiled from: • ASHRAE Fundamentals-2001 • Moisture Control in Buildings • CMHC • NRC/IRC • IEA Annex 24 • Manufacturer data Sheet 500 When using this information, it MUST be done in the following context: 1. Some of these properties are difficult to measure and very sensitive to small changes in the material. That is why ranges are often given and any single value should be considered "representative." 2. The importance of the numbers is almost always in the context of the numbers for substitute or alternative materials. 3. In order to compare numbers, they must bein the same units and obtained under the same standard test conditions-a very tall order. This is the main reason that a table like this has never really been compiled before. The table and its contents will continue to be refined and gaps filled in. 4. The importance of the numbers is almost always in the context of a given building assembly, for a given climate. 5. There are very few if any bad building materials, from a building science perspective; bad applications, however, abound. 6. The most important column in this table is likely to be the "Comments" column because it includes the experience/expertise/unique perspective of many of the leading building scientists in North America. The title of this column could be "OK -now what do these numbers REALLY mean?" Use this table to augment the information provided in the Building Profilesand Best Practicesof the Houses That Work resource. And remember, this resource attempts to supply you with the best knowledge currently available-your professional and field use of it turns it into wisdom. This table is a work in progress-please direct questions or comments to: [info@buildingscience.com](info@buildingscience.com). for All Climates Building Materials Property Table HPR= Hydrostatic Pressure Resistance (AATCC127) AP = Air permeability (ASTM E2178- 01) FS = Flame Spread (ASTM E84) MGI/IC-Mold Growth Index for Interior Coatings (ASTM D3273) MGI/I&F-Mold Growth Index for Insulation & Facings (ASTM C1338) SD = Smoke Development (ASTM E84) WA = Water Adsorption (ASTM C209) | Material | Typical
Relevant
Dimension | Water Vapor Permeability
(perm-inch)1 | | Water
Absorption2 | R-Value | Other
Relevant
Properties | Comments | Web Link
for More
Information | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | Dry Cup | Wet Cup | | | | | | | Exterior Sheathings | | | | | | | | | | Plywood (CDX) | 3/8" | 0.75 | 3.5 | na | 0.5 | FS =76-
200 SD =130 | At saturation, factor of 10 increase in permeability--
14-20.5 perms | More
Information | | OSB | 3/8" | 0.75 | 2 | na | 0.5 | FS = 148 SD= 137 | At saturation, marginal increase in permeability- 2.8-3.4 perms | More
Information | | Fiberboardasphalt impregnated | 7/16" | 14.5 | 15 | 2.3-7% | 1.2 | FS > 75
AP=0.82 | Among the most vapor permeable of exterior sheathings | More Information More Information | | Thin profile structural sheathing | .078" - . 137" | 0.5-0.6 | 0.5-0.6 | na | 0.2-3.4 | | R-value dependent on airspace; this sheathing is essentially an exterior vapor barrier | More
Information | | Foil-faced PIR insulation | 1" | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0% | 7 | FS = 5 SD = 165 | Combined thermal, vapor
transmission & combustion properties must be used appropriately | More
Information | | XPS rigid insulation | 1" | 1 | 1 | 0.10% | 5 | FS = 5 SD = 165 | Compare/contrast moisture properties to | More
Information | Building Materials Property Table © [buildingscience.com](buildingscience.com) 2 of 8 for All Climates | | | | | | | AP=0 | EPS,
CAREFULLY | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | XPS (skinned

FAQs

How should the numbers in this table be interpreted?

Many properties are difficult to measure and sensitive, so ranges are often provided and any single value should be treated as representative. The table’s values must be considered within the context of substitute materials and given building assemblies for a specific climate.

Why is it difficult to compare values from different sources?

Comparison requires the same units and standardized test conditions, including specific air-pressure differences and crack dimensions. The document notes this alignment is a “very tall order,” which is why such a consolidated table had not been compiled before.

What role does the “Comments” column play?

The document states the most important column is likely “Comments” because it includes the experience and unique perspective of leading building scientists in North America. It even suggests the column title could reflect the idea of interpreting what the numbers really mean.

Oct 13, 2026

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