Hygrothermal Analysis with WUFI
SOCOTEC delivers hygrothermal analysis using WUFI modeling across New York, Massachusetts, Texas and beyond—helping architects, engineers, and developers design high-performance buildings that withstand moisture and thermal challenges
What is Hygrothermal Analysis?
Hygrothermal Analysis Definition
Hygrothermal analysis evaluates how heat and moisture move through building materials and assemblies over time. It helps project teams understand how a wall, roof, or façade will perform under real environmental conditions,including temperature, humidity, rain, solar radiation, air leaks, seasonal changes and construction materials.
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Hygrothermal Analysis Simulation with WUFI
What is WUFI?
WUFI (Wärme und Feuchte Instationär) is a recognized hygrothermal analysis software program used to simulate coupled heat and moisture transfer in building assemblies over a period of years. It allows project teams to evaluate how specific wall, roof, or façade assemblies perform over time in real climate conditions.
What does WUFI Take into Account?
- Local Climate & Environmental Data: driving rain penetration, annual temperature and humidity profiles, solar radiation exposure, wind speed, etc.
- Material Properties: moisture transport, vapor diffusion through materials, thermal performance, water absorption, air permeability, drying potential, etc.
- Physical Processes: phase changes, capillary transport for porous materials, hygroscopic action, impact of air leaks and boundary conditions, etc.
WUFI
Benefits of WUFI Hygrothermal Analysis Software
WUFI modeling supports informed, performance-based envelope systems and wall design by enabling teams to:
- Simulate real-world climate exposure using dynamic weather data to evaluate assembly performance under seasonal and long-term environmental conditions.
- Identify moisture and durability risks early by assessing the potential for condensation, mold growth, material degradation, freeze–thaw stress, and loss of structural integrity.Fsoftware
- Evaluate long-term material behavior by analyzing how components respond to heat and moisture over time, supporting resilient and durable envelope strategies.
- Strengthen design decisions during preconstruction by validating wall and roof assemblies before installation, reducing uncertainty during execution.
- Reduce lifecycle costs by addressing vulnerabilities at the design stage, helping prevent remediation, delays, and performance failures after occupancy.
By applying WUFI’s transient, coupled heat and moisture modeling capabilities, SOCOTEC delivers analysis that reflects real building conditions, going beyond simplified steady-state approach such as the Glaser method to provide dependable, project-specific insight.
WUFI modeling supports informed, performance-based envelope systems and wall design by enabling teams to:
- Simulate real-world climate exposure using dynamic weather data to evaluate assembly performance under seasonal and long-term environmental conditions.
- Identify moisture and durability risks early by assessing the potential for condensation, mold growth, material degradation, freeze–thaw stress, and loss of structural integrity.Fsoftware
- Evaluate long-term material behavior by analyzing how components respond to heat and moisture over time, supporting resilient and durable envelope strategies.
- Strengthen design decisions during preconstruction by validating wall and roof assemblies before installation, reducing uncertainty during execution.
- Reduce lifecycle costs by addressing vulnerabilities at the design stage, helping prevent remediation, delays, and performance failures after occupancy.
By applying WUFI’s transient, coupled heat and moisture modeling capabilities, SOCOTEC delivers analysis that reflects real building conditions, going beyond simplified steady-state approach such as the Glaser method to provide dependable, project-specific insight.
When to Use Hygrothermal Performance Analysis
Not every design or renovation project requires advanced simulation. However, building envelope hygrothermal analysis could be recommended when:
- Designing high-performance or energy-efficient buildings
- Introducing innovative materials or unconventional assembly configurations
- Incorporating moisture-sensitive materials such as mass timber, masonry, or historic construction systems
- Changing insulation or vapor control strategies in mixed or cold climates.
- Working in regions with significant wind-driven rain or severe weather exposure
- Designing facilities with high interior humidity levels, including natatoriums, laboratories, healthcare, or specialized industrial spaces.
- Retrofitting existing walls, especially when adding interior insulation
- Evaluating air leakage or vapor diffusion risks
- Assessing long-term drying capacity and service life performance
- Investigating enclosure failures, disputes, or moisture-related claims
In these conditions, advanced modeling provides the clarity needed to make informed design decisions and manage performance risk with confidence.
Risk Assessment
SOCOTEC Expertise in Hygrothermal Risk Analysis
SOCOTEC provides hygrothermal analysis services with WUFI modeling as part of our broader building envelope and energy performance expertise.
Our team supports design professionals, architects, engineers, developers, and contractors with:
- Building envelope hygrothermal analysis for walls, wall assemblies, roofs, foundations, and entire façade systems, to identify optimal material selections and layer configurations
- WUFI-based simulation studies on a wide variety of new and existing construction, including solid brick wall, brick cavity wall, and various compositions of brick, terracotta, concrete or stone construction; also, on lightweight walls.
- Hygrothermal analysis reports and technical reviews with clear visualizations and performance recommendations
- Condensation risk analysis to protect buildings from moisture-related deterioration
- Independent third-party assessments
- Construction process guidance to ensure proper installation matches design intent
Our role is to provide clear, data-driven analysis that supports informed decisions at every stage of a project.
From innovative envelope design to moisture investigations and sustainable building validation, we provide comprehensive support from concept through construction. With experience across projects in New York and Massachusetts, we understand the regional climate conditions and regulatory requirements that shape long-term building performance.
Our Hygrothermal Analysis Projects:
We have proven experience in hygrothermal analysis in major projects across the US including:
- University of New York at Buffalo - Parker Hall Renovation - Buffalo, NY
- Houston Methodist Hospital Centennial Tower, new construction - Houston, TX
- NYU Academic Center - New York, NY
- Novel Turtle Creek, construction - Dallas, TX
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History, West Wing Renewal - Washington DC
- Waldorf Astoria Renovation - New York, NY
- Armstrong World Industries Headquarters - Lancaster, PA
- NY Times Headquarters - New York, NY
SOCOTEC provides hygrothermal analysis services with WUFI modeling as part of our broader building envelope and energy performance expertise.
Our team supports design professionals, architects, engineers, developers, and contractors with:
- Building envelope hygrothermal analysis for walls, wall assemblies, roofs, foundations, and entire façade systems, to identify optimal material selections and layer configurations
- WUFI-based simulation studies on a wide variety of new and existing construction, including solid brick wall, brick cavity wall, and various compositions of brick, terracotta, concrete or stone construction; also, on lightweight walls.
- Hygrothermal analysis reports and technical reviews with clear visualizations and performance recommendations
- Condensation risk analysis to protect buildings from moisture-related deterioration
- Independent third-party assessments
- Construction process guidance to ensure proper installation matches design intent
Our role is to provide clear, data-driven analysis that supports informed decisions at every stage of a project.
From innovative envelope design to moisture investigations and sustainable building validation, we provide comprehensive support from concept through construction. With experience across projects in New York and Massachusetts, we understand the regional climate conditions and regulatory requirements that shape long-term building performance.
Our Hygrothermal Analysis Projects:
We have proven experience in hygrothermal analysis in major projects across the US including:
- University of New York at Buffalo - Parker Hall Renovation - Buffalo, NY
- Houston Methodist Hospital Centennial Tower, new construction - Houston, TX
- NYU Academic Center - New York, NY
- Novel Turtle Creek, construction - Dallas, TX
- Smithsonian National Museum of American History, West Wing Renewal - Washington DC
- Waldorf Astoria Renovation - New York, NY
- Armstrong World Industries Headquarters - Lancaster, PA
- NY Times Headquarters - New York, NY
FAQ - Hygrothermal Analysis and Wufi
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