HISTORY…

Building Envelope Technology & Research (BET&R) is a professional roofing, waterproofing, and cladding consulting firm.  BET&R was founded in response to a growing need for a quality and detail-oriented full service building envelope consulting firm.  Because BET&R is a relatively small, well-managed firm, the capabilities of controlling our own quality are superior.  In fact, most projects have benefit of the direct involvement of Jim Carlson, who is the firm's principal consultant and Technical Director.  Mr. Carlson's background of nearly three decades of intensive involvement in roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope technology has placed the firm in a very capable and knowledgeable position.

BET&R is a proud business member of the greater Pacific Northwest, and maintains a corporate giving program to support the regional and local communities.  BET&R is able to offer discounts to qualifying industry associations (please call for details). 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE…

BET&R has organized its practice into divisions, or sections, of specialty expertise related to specific portions of the exterior envelope of buildings.  Our Cladding Section deals with all types of exterior cladding, from new construction consulting on complex curtain walls to cutting edge retrofit of rain screen masonry to restoration of historic cedar and other siding systems.  BET&R’s Cladding Section principally deals with the exterior walls, but also has window, door, paints and coatings experts on staff.

Our Roofing Section deals with all low-slope membrane (e.g., BUR, Mod Bit, EPDM, Hypalon, PVC, TPO, etc.) and all steep-slope watershedding (e.g., tile, slate, asphalt shingle, metal panel, wood shake/shingle, etc.) roof assemblies.  BET&R’s Roofing Section experts have well over 175 years of combined technical experience with the roofing systems used in North America.

BET&R’s Waterproofing Section deals with all below-grade waterproofing from elevator pits, footings, foundation walls, and pools to dams and tunnels, dampproofing systems, as well as all above-grade waterproofing on plaza, terrace, and balcony decks.

SERVICES…

The services offered by Building Envelope Technology & Research are of a wider and more detailed scope than the typical roofing or waterproofing consulting firm.  BET&R staff are experienced with all types of low- and steep-slope roofing, above- and below- grade waterproofing and dampproofing systems, wall cladding assemblies, windows, sealants, flashings, and can deal with all aspects of most complex building envelopes.  The majority of the work and problem solving that the firm undertakes on existing construction is performed via thorough examination of conditions on site, often supplemented with non-destructive and destructive testing (if needed), which is accompanied with experienced technical analysis, to produce pragmatic solutions for the project.  Please see our Capabilities and Services for a detailed list of the types of work we perform. 

BET&R endeavors to be unbiased and straightforward in our approach to all projects.  Please understand that BET&R does not have a financial interest in any roofing, waterproofing, cladding, or construction company.  Our goal on all projects is to assist the Client in obtaining the correct assessment of, as well as solutions to, their building envelope design or problem issues.