Why Building-Envelope Design Matters for a More Resilient Home

CertainTeed’s Resilience360™ program offers New England homeowners protection from the elements and peace of mind.

Protect Your Home from Extreme Weather 

When we think of resilience, we typically think of people who stay steady under pressure and recover quickly after setbacks. It’s a quality that’s universally admired. Homes, just like people, could do with some resilience. Why is that?

“A resilient home is one that’s well-designed and durable to the outside elements,” according to Galen Burrell, Senior Building Science Strategist at CertainTeed.  “It’s a home that can anticipate, withstand, and recover from extreme weather conditions,” says Burrell.

A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain North America, CertainTeed is a leading manufacturer of exterior and interior building products—everything from roofing and siding to insulation and drywall—with a focus on sustainable, high-performance materials.

CertainTeed thinks of the home as a matrix of systems that function synergistically to resist wear and damage from the elements. That holistic view applies to new construction as well as maintenance of existing homes. “You may wonder when is the right time to get a new roof or siding,” says Burrell. “The decision may be aesthetically driven—if you just want a new look— but in many cases, it may be performance driven, too.”

Introducing the Resilience360™ program, CertainTeed’s path to constructing a complete system for your home. It’s more than the sum of its parts. By treating the home as a complete building envelope, the program integrates roofing, exterior walls, and dozens of construction details so they work in concert for unparalleled protection—even in the most adverse conditions.

Resilience360™ Program Protects Homes from New England Weather 

Our long, cold New England winters and punishing coastline put resilience to the test every day, says Burrell.  “Most can relate to the fact that weather events are getting more intense. There are more compounding events, and the weather is causing more damage than ever.” From snow and ice dams to the impact of flooding on foundations, weather doesn’t just increase wear and tear, it exposes problems. The Resilience360™ program is engineered to combat our harsh climate.

It’s important to understand how the “envelope” works. “Your roof is the first line of defense,” says Burrell. A resilient roof goes beyond shingles: it’s a complete system that protects against strong wind, directs water safely away instead of trapping it, minimizing damage, mold risk, and energy loss. Resilient walls are equally important. Homeowners will often prioritize the style and color of the siding and overlook what happens underneath, says Burrell. A resilient wall system actively drains water away while maintaining breathability to optimize performance and durability.

When roofs and walls are installed as part of a system—with proper flashing, drainage, and compatibility—they can prevent damage homeowners may never see until it’s too late. “It’s about effective detailing at transition points, like windows, doors and roof-to-wall interfaces,” says Burrell. “It’s about attention to detail.”

Why Certified Contractors Are Essential to Home Performance 

Workmanship matters. Certified contractors play a critical role in the success of the Resilience360™ program. Credentialed contractors are trained beyond standard product installation, with a “system‑level” understanding of how materials interact across the entire home. In short, what makes the program unique is “that it connects building science with a complete envelope,” says Burrell. “And it provides comprehensive, rigorous, hands-on contractor training.”

Resilience360™ contractors come away with an understanding of the “why” of building science, he says. Training is specific to CertainTeed systems—and to the region in which they work. Here, it’s tailored to the New England market. “We offer field support to review critical details, so our credentialed contractors are never in it alone.”

Since 1904, CertainTeed has been known for purpose-driven design, sustainability, innovation, and integrity. “At the end of the day, we’re trying to help homeowners protect what matters most to them,” says Burrell. “We provide the confidence to deal with weather challenges today and over the next thirty years…no matter what the weather throws at them.”

Find a credentialed CertainTeed Resilience360™ contractor in your area.