The design, construction and retrofit of buildings must have a plan for ensuring that the structure will stand up strong for many years, with the ability to endure weather, water and other environmental effects.

In a 2021 report from the the Canadian National Research Council called "Future Climate Data for Buildings and Infrastructure", some potential climate-related challenges were identified as:

• Canada's climate will likely continue to warm. This means more air conditioning in buildings to address longer, more intense heat waves and greater need to control moisture and humidity.
• Quantities of extreme precipitation, such as freezing rain leading to ice accretion or daily rainfall amounts, are expected to increase, posing high risk of more damage to buildings and infrastructure.
• Projected changes in wind loads across Canada are generally thought to be relatively small and uncertain. However, increases in high winds that can have a significant effect on buildings and infrastructure design cannot be ruled out in certain locations.

RESILIENT MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES

For construction and renovation professionals, there will be important considerations for material handling, installations and repairs:

• Flashing, drainage and moisture barriers will need careful detailing for maximum effectiveness.
• Materials affected by exposure to ultraviolet light (UV rays) will need to be properly stored before installation.
  
• Greater levels of insulation in retrofits MUST be combined with airtightness and mechanical ventilation strategies.
• Exterior application of insulation must ensure drying potential to the outside through the use of rain screen assemblies.
  
• Grade sloping and proper site drainage will be critical for mitigating floods around buildings.
  
• Maintenance work on residential buildings is very important to preserve the integrity of materials and assemblies. Like most roles in construction, skilled renovation and maintenance workers are greatly needed in Canada.
  

BUILDING FOR LONGEVITY

Some materials like steel and masonry have great durability, and may last for many decades. The same might be said for assemblies that are good at getting rid of excess moisture. Builders and renovators can help to create conditions that capitalize on the durability of materials and assemblies:

• Create back-vented exterior cladding or 'rain screen' assemblies - air space behind wood, vinyl and masonry finishes allows for drying potential to the outside. This can be achieved with wood strapping / furring strips or breather materials attached to exterior substrate.
• Large roof overhangs, combined with flashing, rain gutters, sloping grades and foundation drainage will help to keep water moving away from the building.
  
• Masonry veneers must have sufficient air space and proper spacing of structural ties to ensure air flow behind. Weep holes at the bottom of the wall and appropriate flashing must be installed to get rid of bulk water.
  
• Landscaping around a building must work with the site drainage plan, sloping grades and creating swales to divert water away from the structure.
• Deciduous (leafy) trees can help to shade a building over its lifetime. Be careful to plant trees far enough away from the structure so that root systems and branches don't become a problem in the future.